Hi8 Video Distorted During Capture

[GBA2700]

I've been using Roxio Creator NXT3 with Roxio Easy VHS to DVD USB device for capturing analog video onto my Windows 8.1-based PC. I've had very good success with transferring VHS via my VCR. However, I'm having problems when trying to transfer Hi8 from my Sony Hi8 camcorder via the Easy VHS device. The picture in the camcorder viewfinder is very clear, but the capture view is very distorted-- I believe the problem is called Luminance, but not sure about that. I have tried both an RCA connection and S-Video (there is no Firewire on this unit). I've checked either Composite or S-Video in the Video Capture Options tab, depending upon connection I'm using. Perhaps this capture device does not work with Hi8? If so, can someone recommend a device that works with Hi8, providing good quality? Thanks for the assistance.

[ogdens]

Does it work OK when connected directly to your TV?.

[GBA2700]

Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, it does work when connected to a TV-- both with the RCA connector and S-video. There is minor occasional distortion, but not the continuous distortion that I get when trying to capture to my PC. If you or someone else has used an interface device that works with HI-8, please let me know. Thanks.

[sknis]

Most people here would use the Roxio product so any suggestions would be to FREE programs. I don;t know of any free devices. There are other pay for programs that have trial software but that capture device will work only with the Roxio progr

 

Please tell us more about your computer via DXDIAG.exe (link to instructions).

 

How old are the tapes? Have they been stored correctly. Are you getting any error messages? How about posting a screen shot of the distortion?

 

By the way, I have no issues with capturing from my Hi8 camcorder.

[GBA2700]

Thanks, sknis. Just to be clear, I'm not looking for different software. Since I can successfully capture from my VHS VCR (using Roxio NXT3) and since my Hi 8 camcorder will successfully output to a TV, I'm thinking the issue is the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD USB device when used with Hi8. I'd be happy to share my DXDIAG and a screen shot with you, but the computer I'm using is currently disassembled while I wait for a card to arrive for a different issue. The tapes are ~20 years old but were stored correctly. Since they play back OK on a TV, I don't think the quality of the tapes are an issue. I'm not getting any error messages. Glad to hear you are having success with Roxio NXT3 (correct?) and a Hi 8 camcorder. What hardware device do you use to connect your camcorder to your PC?

[sknis]

The Roxio device of course.

 

Just to be clear. You can capture from a VHS to your computer with no issues but you cannot capture from your Hi8 camcorder, correct? Which Sony camcorder do you have? Mine is a Canon Vixia camcorder.

 

Is your computer a desktop? If so, make sure you use a USB port on the back of your computer. Front USB ports and HUBs do not have sufficient power to work properly. Your DVD player may be putting out a stronger signal than the camcorder.

[GBA2700]

Yes, I can capture from a VHS VCR to my computer with no issues but I get the distortion when I capture from my Sony CCD TR101 Hi8 camcorder, connected via a Roxio Easy VHS to DVD USB device plugged into a USB port in the back of my desktop computer. Since you are having success, 1) what Roxio software version are you using and 2) what device do you use to connect your camcorder to your computer?

[sknis]

Camcorder Canon HV 30

I have and used both the "newer" and Older devices.

Easy VHS to DVD 3

 

If you want, I can break out my camcorder and the devices and try Creator NXT 3 if you like. Other people have used it successfully.

 

Here is my computer dxdiag file.

 

Sorry, I was all screwed up and , in terms used today, the information I provided was less than accurate. The HV 30 does use a Firewire port. My OLD camcorder was the one I was thinking about. I also have a VHS_C camcorder that I could try but it would no longer be a apple to apple comparison. Perhaps someone else can try.

DxDiag.txt

[GBA2700]

Kind of you to offer. Let's see if anyone else has a configuration closer to mine. Anyone out there using NXT 3 for software capture with a Hi 8 camcorder connected to a PC via a USB interface device?

[Jim_Hardin]

I just dragged out my Canon Mini DV Camcorder. This one used to give me capture issues before I got my Roxio Capture USB. But my issue were actual luminance which has to do with color and brightness.

 

It worked fine in NXT3 but that has always been the case...

 

You mentioned 'distortion' which is not the same... Perhaps a screen cap can put us on the same page? Info HERE

 

Also curious if your distortion is Captured?

 

Have you fully run the tape forward to the end and then rewound it? More than once?

 

Do you have any other machine you can play it on?

 

Is it ALL Hi8 tapes?

[GBA2700]

Thanks for the reply, Jim. All the tapes are Hi8 and this is the only playback machine I have. It's reasonable to suspect the camcorder or tape, but since the picture is clear in both the viewfinder and when the camcorder is connected to a TV, I'm suspecting the problem is elsewhere.

 

Picture looks bad in the Roxio monitor window when capturing; I don't recall if I tried playing it back. I will try that, will try your idea of running the tape back and forth a few times and will send a screen capture of the bad picture. Will be a while as I've taken the PC apart awaiting a new board for a different need.

[d_deweywright]

Jim's question about, "ALL Hi8 tapes" is asking if you've tried it with other tapes, and if so, do you have the same problem with all of your Hi8 tapes, and not just one that you've been using right now?

[GBA2700]

All of my tapes for this camcorder are Hi8. I doubt the local stores have 8mm/non-Hi8, but perhaps I can order.

 

If your question is not limited to the camcorder, then yes, I've successfully captured, using the USB device with Roxio Nxt3 with my VHS VCR and had no problem.

 

I will try another Hi 8 tape when I get everything connected again and see if I have the same problem.

[d_deweywright]

Yes, understood that all of your tapes for that camcorder are Hi8, but yes, please try a couple different tapes that you have to make sure it's not just an issue with one particular tape. The question at this point is the particular tape you've tried, not the camcorder or the USB device.

[Jim_Hardin]

Great! keep us up to date

 

Just so you know, some of the pending solutions...

 

using a pass through - camcorder to VCR or DVD/BD Player then take output for capture from there

you may have to let someone else try capturing on their PC

if you have access, record on a DVD Recorder then import the DVD

[GBA2700]

Well, after all this experimenting, I tried a different USB port on the back of the PC (original one was on back as well), and now it seems to be working. Thanks to everyone for all of your help.