Weird glitching when recording with Hauppauge USB Live 2

[g38lm]

Hi,

First and foremost, English is not my first language, I'll try my best to explain the issue I've been encountering. I'm a newbie at digitizing VHS tapes. I don't have the equipment or budget to transfer the tapes in the best possible quality. I just want to digitize them before it's too late. I don't necessarily care if the quality is not the best or if I'm not using the right tools.

Equipment I'm using:

Camera: Canon ES600
Capture cards:
- UCEC USB 2.0
- AverMedia EZMaker 7 (returned)
- Hauppauge USB Live 2 (driver version 6.0.119.39299)
- OBS to record (I know OBS is a streaming software but like mentioned above, I do not care about getting the best quality with lossless footage and using VirtualDub)
- I'm using Windows 11 Version 22H2 OS build 22631.1900

I started by buying one of the forbidden cheap 20$ capture cards on Amazon (UCEC USB 2.0). This worked fine until I did some research and found out it can only capture one field which means I wouldn't be able to capture at 59.94 fps. I then bought the AverMedia EZMaker 7 to achieve the desired result. However, there were some weird glitching when I was previewing and recording the footage in OBS. I also tried using VirtualDub to see if the issue was related to OBS but it persisted. I did some research online but couldn't figure out why it was happening so I returned it and bought the Hauppauge USB Live 2. The same exact problem occurred at the exact same spots in the video preview. The glitching happens at very specific spots in the footage and can also be seen when rewinding or fast forwarding the footage when previewing. This is now beyond my knowledge and I'm seeking help to figure out what this issue is and if I can fix it.

I've attached 2 identical clips: one from the 20$ UCEC USB capture card which has no glitching at all and the other clip from the Hauppauge USB Live 2 with the glitching issue I'm seeking help with.

Please let me know I forgot to add critical info to better understand what the issue is. I will happily provide the missing info.

Thank you in advance for your help

UCEC USB 2.0: https://youtu.be/_gZb0--ryVw
Hauppauge USB Live 2: https://youtu.be/VX95-ZZdXJc

[Alwyn]

Nothing weird about that, it's classic unstabilised video. The USBLive2 generally needs help with lower-quality video.

The lowest price solution is using a DVD recorder, specifically a Panasonic, to stabilise the video for the Live2. Connect you camera to one of the inputs to the DVD recorder, then connect the output (preferably from a SCART connector) to the Live2 using a S-video cable, although the yellow composite cable will do.

Your are restricting yourself somewhat by using that camera, because it doesn't have S-video Out. S-Video yields a higher quality video signal and is available on most later model Video8/Hi8/Digital 8 camcorders.

The Live2 does start to shine when used with a stabiliser.

Examples for how these DVD recorders stabilise "glitchy" video:

ES-10 (model noted in comments by author):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=japFCgCVd00

ES-10, ES-15 and EX-77 (note comments about EX-78):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsgmuQT4udE

ES-15, EZ-48:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4vFq4S4nJ0&list=PL-dhdjQ1_Yu3X5OedB368O01V0WHg0DW4&index=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tam7rlgUYg&list=PL-dhdjQ1_Yu3X5OedB368O01V0WHg0DW4&index=2

E55, EH55, ES10:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo0Ymus8V5k

ES10, Pioneer DVR-RT602H:

https://youtu.be/xihMWvlSbyc

ES10 and Sony RDR-HX870:

https://youtu.be/crEojSrXzFM

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/11020-how-fix-green.html#post71991

ES-15:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NelmaZhwBHY

[hech54]

High quality or not....in the long run it is still easier to capture to some sort of lossless format first.

[lollo]

Alwin and heck54 already said everything.

Just as side comment, you can't compare bad workflows (not adequate player or stabilizer, not adequate capture software, compression/deinterlacing on the fly). The defect is on the tape, and the cards in that conditions may react in unpredictable way, especially because the UCEC is discharging one field.

[g38lm]

My apologies for the late reply in this thread

Nothing weird about that, it's classic unstabilised video.

Can you please elaborate? Maybe I don't understand completely. If I can watch the footage fine directly on the camera, on a VHS player hooked up to the tv or when previewing the footage with the cheap 20$ UCEC capture card in OBS/VirtualDub, why does the glitching happen with the AverMedia EZMaker 7 or Happauge USB Live 2? Why isn't the footage also glitchy on the 20$ UCEC capture card? I also tried digitizing old VHS tapes using a LG VHS/DVD combo (model 3850R-Z352K) which I know is not recommended, but it's what I have available to work with. The issue persisted with the EZ Maker 7 and USB Live 2. Didn't have a problem with the cheap UCEC capture card. Why is the 20$ capture card more stable than its move expensive competition?

You are restricting yourself somewhat by using that camera, because it doesn't have S-video Out. S-Video yields a higher quality video signal and is available on most later model Video8/Hi8/Digital 8 camcorders.

I know. I was really bummed when I found out the camera didn't have S-Video. I'm not looking into buying another camera with a S-Video output.

I would just like to be educated a little bit more to better understand and I appreciate all of your feedback! I acknowledge the setup I'm running is not optimal at all. I'm currently taking a look at the ES-15 on ebay so thank you for the recommendations.