Fair comment... I've lost a bit of time, and learned a bit more Linux in the process so it's not all bad.
I'm aware the Geniatech device is Chinese, but it is sold under a brand and is less of a crapshoot than the Easycaps as far as I can tell, where there are at least 6 different versions all externally identical. As I've said, I already use Geniatech tuners in my server, and they work perfectly. If it turns out to be crap, I'll hold my hands up!
Try StreamFab Downloader and download from Netflix, Amazon, Youtube! Or Try DVDFab and copy Blu-rays!
+ Reply to Thread
Results 31 to 49 of 49
Thread
-
-
Before you build, since you do have access to a Win10 system I would install the driver (not rely on the Win10 one) just to ensure that the s-video issue is not hardware related.
Sure that s-video is preferred but I have managed perfectly well with composite for over 20 years and a miscellany of capture devices. -
That's a good shout, and will confirm it quickly.
I've found one hit on the Ubuntu forums where someone else was having exactly the same issue. I guess that particular chipset+Linux+s-video is a fairly rare combination. -
-
I think most USB grabbers will be chinese in some way. The geniatech stuff with conexant chips what's inside many of the modern composite/s-video/2xaudio usb2.0 dongles from elgato, diamond, hauppage etc, the generic naming seems to be OTG102 and/or conexant polaris . Geniatech may be a OEM company or similar that make produce them for other companies or somethig, idk. Those chips give decent video quality on stable sources, but don't handle raw video from unstable sources like VHS or nonstandard video signals particularly well so despite the marketing they're not ideal e.g grabbing directly from a VCR.
The really cheap crap, like the easycap clone thingies often use a chip named usbtv007 which has awful image quality. -
Lots of those chips are outright reverse engineered, and flawed as a result.
Conexant was never known for quality chips for video capture.
These lousy cards being sold under a "brand" name means nothing. Roxio is a well-known brand name, but changes $50-100 for POS Easycap card. Lots of companies will whore out their name for $$$, reputation be damned.Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
FAQs: Best Blank Discs • Best TBCs • Best VCRs for capture • Restore VHS -
-
Conexant was never known for quality chips for video capture.
-
Well, I have it running on Windows 7 with the supplied drivers, capturing 720x576 25fps using the huffyuv codec from the s-video input and virtualdub.
Quality looks pretty good to me, certainly wouldn't say it sucks. Just need a little more time to get on with it. -
I only found the attached descriptions (not really a datasheet), and it seems a "good" product.
Maybe lordsmurf experienced differently or some problems can be in drivers or in the drivers version. -
Last edited by dellsam34; 30th Mar 2021 at 13:43.
-
^^ Why the animosity ?
The OP simply built a system from spare parts for a specific purpose. -
-
Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
FAQs: Best Blank Discs • Best TBCs • Best VCRs for capture • Restore VHS -
That document tells you nothing about performance. All specs seem "good" in some way, but the performance is what matters.
Theory vs. practice.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/7682-usb-capture-devices.html
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/378152-Elgato-Video-Capture-vs-Hauppauge-610-USB-L...Raw-Comparison
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/360704-2013-my-video-capture-device-comparison-screenshots
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/400939-What-is-a-good-USB-Capture-Device-to-use-wi...ub#post2612427
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/10185-minimizing-loss-capture.html
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/391017-VHS-conversion-to-digital#post2535024
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/7268-vcr-capturing-pal.html#post43352
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/391017-VHS-conversion-to-digital#post2535024
...
Many more if you include Diamond Multimedia VC500 USB
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/376837-DV-conversion-vs-lossless-capture-comparison-(Hi8)-[WARNING-auto-load!]#post2432041
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-workflows/9583-best-ati-capture.html
...
Opinions I trust (generally I also trust yours)
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/7268-vcr-capturing-pal.html#post43352
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/391017-VHS-conversion-to-digital#post2535024Last edited by lollo; 31st Mar 2021 at 02:22.
-
Capture cards are not just about "looking good".
- accuracy matters, not altering for "better contrast" or whatever
- how well it reacts to most signal quality
There is no perfect capture card, I can list flaws with each of them. In fact, the reason I have multiple cards is for different needs as commanded by the projects or tapes. But some cards are always crap, and some are usually good or best.
And test patterns are very misleading. As equally misleading as spec sheets. Interesting to see, but limited use in actual usage scenarios.
Yes, that's a lot of links.Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
FAQs: Best Blank Discs • Best TBCs • Best VCRs for capture • Restore VHS -
accuracy matters, not altering for "better contrast" or whatever
There is no perfect capture card, I can list flaws with each of them. In fact, the reason I have multiple cards is for different needs as commanded by the projects or tapes.
But some cards are always crap
test patterns are very misleading), but it's the same concept as per specs: "necessary but not sufficient condition"; imho if a card cannot properly capture a test signal, it will have problems with real video as well.
-
There are so many topics that ask 'what is best ?' and quite often the replies suggest tools that are near impossible to find these days or rely on OS that has long gone out of favour. This morning I did a quick search on fleabay and someone was asking for £249, yes you read right, for a ATI Tv Wonder 600 with no info as to what OS it would work with.
Of course those with the funds can invest in multiple cards, internal and external. Multiple PCs with legacy OS's etc etc. Lesser mortals must get what is 'best' at present and if that does not work then try another.
When I started video capture I had a Matrox card and a AGP slot (but even that would probably have been the second Matrox). But the mb died and I could not find another AGP mb. So then I tried a ATI pci and not being happy with that (could not capture beyond 640*480 PAL kinda like the theme of this topic) I tried a Hauppauge pci WinTV and that worked fine until XP 'died' (no driver support thereafter). The card is still in my dual boot (win7 +XP) system so with the right cables I guess it would still work.
I then moved to a ADVC 300 (awaiting ls's cough) but that is fine for PAL and then supplemented that with a USB-Live2 which also works fine for me.
So we all answer based on our own experiences and in the knowledge that the capture device is but a small part in the chain.
Similar Threads
-
which capture card is best for vhs and hi8 capture
By hdfills in forum CapturingReplies: 13Last Post: 23rd Jun 2020, 16:59 -
Can a 480p capture device capture 640x480 well? Seeking a suitable device
By Neil-Betamax in forum Newbie / General discussionsReplies: 28Last Post: 21st Apr 2020, 09:56 -
VHS Capture (654x480) to 640x480?
By gloubu in forum CapturingReplies: 45Last Post: 31st Mar 2019, 16:16 -
A couple newbie questions about digitizing Hi8 films to my PC
By videon00b in forum CapturingReplies: 33Last Post: 19th Jul 2017, 22:22 -
Hi8/Video8 Conversion Questions (Help Wanted, Please!!)
By RyfromNy in forum Video ConversionReplies: 6Last Post: 5th Feb 2017, 11:45