Problems capturing analogue video in Virtualdub and OBS Studio

[techmot]

I prefer capturing to my laptop rather than using a DVD recorder due to the MPEG-2 compression being more obvious even when recording on SP mode.

I never said record to a DVD disc, I said passthrough, Meaning you still going to be using your VCR and laptop.

I tried to passthrough method using my two VCRs, but it doesn't work.

As for copy protected messages on tapes, but I've one particular tape which will not allow me to capture the recording on the tape. I initially assumed this was down to the program or capture device, or down to the poor quality of the tape tricking it into thinking there was some copy protection system on it, but I then rewound the tape back to a previous recording from many years earlier from the early 90s from BBC2, and the capturing worked OK. I left it to capture as the programme came to an end, and as soon as the tape came up the recording which I had a problem with, it displayed the copy protected message again and stopped the capture. It could be that with the previous recording having been recorded in SP mode, and the following having been recorded in LP that the capture programme or device detected what it assumed was macrovision. Or could it be that the channel that I had recorded the programme from had some copy protected system on it?. I'm not aware of any UK terrestrial channel having a copy protection system in built that prevents you from making further copies, and this recording was from the early 2000s.

[DB83]

Casting my mind back......


IIRC early analogue Sat. tv from $ky had a 'record once' feature which enabled you to record but not copy a tape.


As for the SP/LP theory, the vcr should indicate if it detects a LP tape. But there is often a playback problem if you are trying to play any LP tape on a machine that did not make the original recording. Lost many an old recording when I changed vcrs.

[techmot]

Casting my mind back......


IIRC early analogue Sat. tv from $ky had a 'record once' feature which enabled you to record but not copy a tape.


As for the SP/LP theory, the vcr should indicate if it detects a LP tape. But there is often a playback problem if you are trying to play any LP tape on a machine that did not make the original recording. Lost many an old recording when I changed vcrs.

The recording wasn't from a Sky channel but from Channel 5 (and in analogue), albeit at the time with poor reception. I kinda doubt the switch from SP to LP would affect the capture, but some of the recordings on the tape were recorded on different machines and at different times. Likely it's probably my crappy capture device playing silly buggers or some hidden glitch in that part of the tape.

[dellsam34]

I tried to passthrough method using my two VCRs, but it doesn't work.

It has to work, you are just not setting up the inputs and outputs correctly, And SCART adds another layer of complexity since it has different types of signals and in and outs pins so there are several types of cables and adapters, Here in north America we have separate sockets for component, S-Video and composite and they are labeled so you can't go wrong there.

[DB83]

Well I did have LP recordings that would not capture properly.


Different capture devices will treat weaker signals differently - and it is capture software that does the reporting. And even a change of vcr and capture device may not solve your problems.

[techmot]

I tried to passthrough method using my two VCRs, but it doesn't work.

It has to work, you are just not setting up the inputs and outputs correctly, And SCART adds another layer of complexity since it has different types of signals and in and outs pins so there are several types of cables and adapters, Here in north America we have separate sockets for component, S-Video and composite and they are labeled so you can't go wrong there.

Well I connected the scart to composite (red, yellow and white) cable from the rear of the working Bush VCR (it only has one scart connection on the back and composite inputs on the front) to the composite inputs of the Panasonic DMR-EZ47V VHS/DVD recorder combi (I'm assuming it's the front inputs not the rear as the rear will be outputs), and from there I used another set of composite cables connected to the USB capture device which went into one of the USB ports of the laptop. Nothing detected. Unless I'm supposed to use a firewire connection, but neither do I have any firewire cables not does my laptop have firewire, nor does it have S-Video.

[DB83]

^^ Don't you have to select the input source on the combi e.g from Line x (on the back) to Line xx (on the front) ?


And is the scart one of these adapter-types with a switch for input/output ?

[techmot]

^^ Don't you have to select the input source on the combi e.g from Line x (on the back) to Line xx (on the front) ?


And is the scart one of these adapter-types with a switch for input/output ?

Yes the scart has a switch to select either input or output, tried that but nothing.

[dellsam34]

Have you selected the right input and output in the combo DVD-VHS? You should get a picture showing the input feed unless it's defective.

[techmot]

Have you selected the right input and output in the combo DVD-VHS? You should get a picture showing the input feed unless it's defective.

Must be something I'm doing wrong, maybe I'm using the wrong inputs. Speaking of passthrough, but is it possible to achieve a passthrough via a VCR to a Hi8/video8 analogue camcorder?. I know it can be done via a camcorder but the videos I've watching showing this technique seem to be only for DV camcorders with firewire. Whether it makes any difference in capturing video to my laptop I don't know.

[dellsam34]

Yes camcorders are used in pass-through mode only if they have a DV port. But not all camcorders with a DV port have pass-through capability.

[sum_guy]

I ran into this with the driver, there is the newest version of USB 2861, which I couldn't make work. I had an old EZCap CD with the original USB 2861 driver on it and voila, everything came to life and captured with no hassle. Recently, Windows 11 reported there was an updated USB 2861 driver which I assumed would work, it didn't, back to the original driver and everything good.

[techmot]

On the subject VHS VCRs, but I'd love to get my hands on one of these machines:


[Attachment 62758 - Click to enlarge]

This was taken whilst I was doing a media course at my local college back in 2010 in one of our editing suites we had, and even just 10 plus years ago we were still using VCRs and tape camcorders and capturing footage in real time using the college's DV camcorders (and sometimes with HD pro cameras), and everything was captured via tape in real time using Avid, Avid I was never fussed on as I much preferred Adobe Premiere, plus we had to editing everything using only the keyboard and not a mouse lol. No idea what model of JVC Super VHS recorder that is, and I can't find anything like it on ebay, but I'm guessing this model will be very expensive. I'm sure that would sort the issues I have. Anyone know the model? never seen a Mini DV/S-Video combi like that.

[DB83]

Why would that DV/SVHS combi help you ?


Correct me if I am wrong but you do not have and DV tapes.


But this whole topic has lost me now. One moment you can capture. The next you can not. Changing versions/variants of vdub is not going to help you in the long term. You need to go back to basics. Determine what worked for you - even with issues which have been addressed - and confirm that that arrangement still works. If it does not then your current hardware (vcr) is not up to the task or, at the very least, obtain a more current capture device which will work on later OS. Hardware issues must be eliminated 1 by 1. Only then can one look at software.

[techmot]

Why would that DV/SVHS combi help you ?


Correct me if I am wrong but you do not have and DV tapes.


But this whole topic has lost me now. One moment you can capture. The next you can not. Changing versions/variants of vdub is not going to help you in the long term. You need to go back to basics. Determine what worked for you - even with issues which have been addressed - and confirm that that arrangement still works. If it does not then your current hardware (vcr) is not up to the task or, at the very least, obtain a more current capture device which will work on later OS. Hardware issues must be eliminated 1 by 1. Only then can one look at software.

I was talking about the S-video side of it not the DV deck. Someone said that using an older driver on the disc worked, so I will give that a go. Must be an issue with the hardware as the only programme that seems to work (for now) is Corel Video. VLC player won't capture, Adobe Premiere doesn't, Vdub, AmarecTV and so on. I think I'm probably better off getting a desktop PC with a proper video capture card installed.

[oln]

No idea what model of JVC Super VHS recorder that is, and I can't find anything like it on ebay, but I'm guessing this model will be very expensive. I'm sure that would sort the issues I have. Anyone know the model? never seen a Mini DV/S-Video combi like that.

It looks like a JVC SR-VS30. I think there is a non "professinal" variant called HR-DVS3 as well. JVC made a few variants of these SVHS/MiniDV combo decks with all the bells and whistles. Sony made some too but those were only released in Japan as far as I know.

[DB83]

But, again, why should that deck suit you ?


You confuse DV with DVD, Just because that deck is SVHS simply means it records and playback SVHS tapes. No pass-through capability. That is confined to certain models of Panasonic DVD-recorders. That combi I hardly think would have done anything significant.

[dellsam34]

If the OP cannot setup a DVD recorder in passthrough I don't think he will be able to procede further on this, He needs to learn the basics of connecting equipement in chain and understand their inputs and outputs and how to select them, I think this is his major problem now. And as I said before those SCART adapters especially the Chinese ones often come wired wrong or have missing wires for the needed pins.

[techmot]

If the OP cannot setup a DVD recorder in passthrough I don't think he will be able to procede further on this, He needs to learn the basics of connecting equipement in chain and understand their inputs and outputs and how to select them, I think this is his major problem now. And as I said before those SCART adapters especially the Chinese ones often come wired wrong or have missing wires for the needed pins.

Let's start again. I basically used a scart cable which had a set of yellow, red and white composite cables on the other. The scart I inserted into the one scart input on the rear of my Bush VCR, and the composite cables end of it I then connected to my Panasonic DMR-EEZ47V VHS/DVD combi recorder via the composite inputs on the back of the machine (I'm assuming it's the input not the output). From there I used another set of composite cables inserted into the composite inputs on the front of the Panasonic, which was connected to the USB capture device which slotted into the USB port of my laptop. I then tried both the input and output switch on the scart lead, opening up a capture programme (making sure both machines were switched on), but nothing detected. If there's something else I needed to have done then please tell me.

[DB83]

What confuses the whole issue is even from your OP you are mixing up the terms 'Input' and 'Output' which, itself, can lead to erroneous advice.


For clarification, the scart from the vcr is 'Output' and the adapter should be set as 'output'. If it was not you would never receive any picture when trying to capture. If there are two scart connections on the vcr you have to be certain you are using the right one.


Now, subject to the foregoing, if I read you right, you have the connections in and out of the pass-through unit back to front. Connectors on the back are generally for the output of signals (again, if there are two sets, you must ensure you use the right ones). And the connectors on the front of a unit are for the input of signals.


There should also be a setting on the pass-through unit (or a remote control switch) that changes the input source from typically the back of the machine to the front.

[techmot]

What confuses the whole issue is even from your OP you are mixing up the terms 'Input' and 'Output' which, itself, can lead to erroneous advice.


For clarification, the scart from the vcr is 'Output' and the adapter should be set as 'output'. If it was not you would never receive any picture when trying to capture. If there are two scart connections on the vcr you have to be certain you are using the right one.


Now, subject to the foregoing, if I read you right, you have the connections in and out of the pass-through unit back to front. Connectors on the back are generally for the output of signals (again, if there are two sets, you must ensure you use the right ones). And the connectors on the front of a unit are for the input of signals.


There should also be a setting on the pass-through unit (or a remote control switch) that changes the input source from typically the back of the machine to the front.

What I'm supposed to be doing is connecting to the outputs from one VCR to the inputs of the other VCR, which is what I've done (from OUTPUT to INPUT), and from that VCR it's cables to the inputs (in this case on the front of the machine) using the composite cable to USB device to the laptop. Maybe something on the machine needs to be switched on.

[DB83]

Well that is NOT what you wrote before I replied


"and the composite cables end of it I then connected to my Panasonic DMR-EEZ47V VHS/DVD combi recorder via the composite inputs on the back of the machine"


Re-read that


Now I am not familiar with that combi. But every vcr I have owned and I do have a combi right now is OUTPUTS on the back where you would attach the final composite cable to the capture device and INPUTS on the front to connect from another player/camera etc.

[techmot]

Well that is NOT what you wrote before I replied


"and the composite cables end of it I then connected to my Panasonic DMR-EEZ47V VHS/DVD combi recorder via the composite inputs on the back of the machine"


Re-read that


Now I am not familiar with that combi. But every vcr I have owned and I do have a combi right now is OUTPUTS on the back where you would attach the final composite cable to the capture device and INPUTS on the front to connect from another player/camera etc.

The above mentioned method is what I'm doing, but when I open Vdub or any other capture programme there's no signal detected, just a blank/black screen as there's no inputted signal. I have read on another forum that seems to think you have to select the DVD part of the combo, but I've tried this too but nothing happens. And I've tried the input/output switch on the scart cable but still nothing.

[DB83]

Have you got a remote for the combi ?


If you have does it have an 'Input Select' button ? That would toggle from however the combi names it's inputs. With mine it is Line 1,Line 2 etc.

[dellsam34]

Keep in mind some DVD combi have dedicated outputs for DVD only, SO make sure your output cable going to the capture card is connected to the DVD output not the VCR output, You most likey have to have the remote control to select inputs and outputs, don't count on the DVD recorder to detect and switch to the right input.

[Brad]

What confuses the whole issue is even from your OP you are mixing up the terms 'Input' and 'Output' which, itself, can lead to erroneous advice.


For clarification, the scart from the vcr is 'Output' and the adapter should be set as 'output'. If it was not you would never receive any picture when trying to capture. If there are two scart connections on the vcr you have to be certain you are using the right one.


Now, subject to the foregoing, if I read you right, you have the connections in and out of the pass-through unit back to front. Connectors on the back are generally for the output of signals (again, if there are two sets, you must ensure you use the right ones). And the connectors on the front of a unit are for the input of signals.


There should also be a setting on the pass-through unit (or a remote control switch) that changes the input source from typically the back of the machine to the front.

What I'm supposed to be doing is connecting to the outputs from one VCR to the inputs of the other VCR, which is what I've done (from OUTPUT to INPUT), and from that VCR it's cables to the inputs (in this case on the front of the machine) using the composite cable to USB device to the laptop. Maybe something on the machine needs to be switched on.

As already stated, you need to connect the OUTPUT on the back of the "second VCR" to the USB device's input.