VirtualDub 2 cannot capture avi from StarTech.com USB3HDCAP box

[thordu]

Hello,
I want to record all my old Hi8 tapes as AVI files to a HDD, and downloaded VirtualDub 2 to do this better that the software (StreamCatcher) provided with the hardware (namely USB3HDCAP box). The signal is supposed to enter my computer via an USB 3 port, but the only port I can select with VirtualDub is USBCY3014 USB, Analog 01 Capture (directShow).
I suppose it's the one I must select; but I don't get any signal. When using StreamCatcher I get the signal so there is no problem with the USB 3 port.
Any idea ?

Many thanks for the help !

[jagabo]

VirtualDub usually doesn't work with hardware compression capture devices. Use the software that came with the device.

[aedipuss]

it doesn't seem to be a "hardware" capture device. the description says it's software encoded to mp4. and "This USB capture card can record lossless raw video, making it compatible with Microsoft DirectShow for recording video using third-party DirectShow software"

[jagabo]

it doesn't seem to be a "hardware" capture device. the description says it's software encoded to mp4. and "This USB capture card can record lossless raw video, making it compatible with Microsoft DirectShow for recording video using third-party DirectShow software"

Looks like you're right. I'd look through the various settings under "video" and make sure the correct input is selected, HDMI, s-video, composite, etc.

[thordu]

thanks for your answers.
the only port I can use is the USBCY3014 USB, Analog 01 Capture (directShow).
Now when I select this port and go to "Capture" then "capture video" I got a message : "unable to start video capture" or "virtualdub cannot connect to the desired capture driver".
I have the driver provided by StarTech.com with the USB3HDCAP box, but I don't know how to add it to VirtualDub.
I know it's possible - https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/369761-Startech-USB3HDCAP-opinions - but I must make a mistake
Should I install ffmpeg ? I don't know exactly it's use and don't want to fiddle to much with the codecs and drivers if I don't know what I'm doing

[jagabo]

Go to Video -> Set Custom Format and try the different data formats, especially YUY2 and the other 4:2:2 formats.

[JVRaines]

Does it work with VirtualDub version 1?

[thordu]

Hello Jagabo, the settings are 720/576 and YUY2 YUV4:2:2 interleaved. When I try other data formats, it says "the capture device does not support the selected video format".
Hello JVRaines, I didn't try with VirtualDub 1. It's a driver problem, but on the user manual of the USB3HDCAP it says that third party software could record RAW video
as long as they have DirectShow.

[thordu]

Well, I have finally found the culprit : Audio.
It was not set to the proper USB ( I had to choose : CY3014USB, Analog 01 WaveIn (WDM)
Suddenly I got the picture and data flowing
Now I mus tstart to configure the filters; that's another headache ...

Thanks to all of you for the help !

[jagabo]

Generally, you don't want to filter while capturing. You risk dropping frames if the CPU has to do to much.

It's also odd that the wrong audio device kept you from capturing video. You usually just get silent (or the wrong) audio when you do that.

[jwillis84]

That's a common error (if) you haven't got a source actively providing signal yet to the capture device.

It can be particularly frustrating when (you think) you have figured it out, but come back later and the problem "seems" to return, but its simply you haven't started the VHS tape playback, or haven't connected anything to the Video Input connectors with a video signal.

Some capture devices "self-configure" or "finish their install routines" only after they detect a signal, not all do, but many.. because they support both NTSC (and) PAL.. and don't know the frame parameters until its had a chance to "guess" the signal type. Until its configured, the capture pins of the device don't know what to offer up as possible sources when DirectShow comes calling.. so it offers "nothing" and the capture applications Internal Graph can't find any "compatible" capture formats it can select.

(Theory) I suppose you could use another application, like 'Crossbar Thing', to "manually" setup the driver for NTSC or PAL and (then) start your application.. with no connected or running signal source.. but then its rather a cumbersome "first" step to add to your setup procedure.. its simpler to just start the source, or put a test signal up so the drivers can finish their setup and then start the capture application.

I've frequently had this problem messing around in GraphEdit, after I've plumbed all the componets and it falls flat on its face when I press "go". I start the signal source then press "go" again.. and problem solved. Or when I pull up a saved Graph in GraphEdit.. looks all colored and "shiney" and Press "go" and the 'Dialog of Death' box pops up. Again, start the source.. problem solved.