Video card effect on performance

[james_pash@yahoo.com]

I have the following Compaq desktop with integrated graphics and have had a number of problems related to poor quality when capturing from by DV camcorder. One solution I found that gives high quality AVI files, which is to capture using Windows Movie Maker with the preview window turned off (EMC8 doesn't offer this option).

 

Will adding a videocard help my system work better? Any recommendations as to which ones to get? I don't do any gaming or watch videos on my computer. I just want to burn quality DVDs

 

Compaq Presario SR1730Z CTO Desktop

- Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition

- AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (2.2GHz / 512KB L2 cache)

- 1000MB DDR-400MHz SDRAM (2x512)

- 80GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive

-150GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive (just for video)

- Double Layer 16X max. DVD +/-R/RW drive

- 2 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, + Front Audio Ports

- Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress HyperMemory

- Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ Front Audio ports

- Compaq Keyboard & Scroller Mouse

[ggrussell]

I have the following Compaq desktop with integrated graphics and have had a number of problems related to poor quality when capturing from by DV camcorder.

The only way to capture full DV quality is to use firewire. I haven't heard of anyone getting poor quality that way. You need to understand that the 'preview' is just that - a lower resolution for quick display. The preview does NOT show the actual final quality. When in Videowave and MyDVD, the video is shown as a 'preview' and never reflects the true final output.

 

As for the Radeon Xpress 200, I'm not familiar with it. Have you run the video test in Videowave or MyDVD? Run Videowave, Click on TOOLS / OPTIONS. Run the graphics test. If after the test, the little button stays on HARDWARE, you should be ok. If it changes or stays on software, then a new video card would help with 3D transitions and effects.

[james_pash@yahoo.com]

The only way to capture full DV quality is to use firewire. I haven't heard of anyone getting poor quality that way. You need to understand that the 'preview' is just that - a lower resolution for quick display. The preview does NOT show the actual final quality. When in Videowave and MyDVD, the video is shown as a 'preview' and never reflects the true final output.

 

As for the Radeon Xpress 200, I'm not familiar with it. Have you run the video test in Videowave or MyDVD? Run Videowave, Click on TOOLS / OPTIONS. Run the graphics test. If after the test, the little button stays on HARDWARE, you should be ok. If it changes or stays on software, then a new video card would help with 3D transitions and effects.

 

I was amazed to find out that having the preview on made a big difference. I made several one minute downloads with different settings and then played them back. The ones made with with preview on (both EMC and Windows Movie Maker) were much worse quality when played back. I got the idea from Windows Movie Maker itself which recommeds turning off preview if there is a quality problem. As for Firewire, my new Panasonic 3CCD camcorder came only with a USB-2 cable. I have a firewire port on my computer. So I guess I could try to buy an additional cable.

[bimicher]

I was amazed to find out that having the preview on made a big difference. I made several one minute downloads with different settings and then played them back. The ones made with with preview on (both EMC and Windows Movie Maker) were much worse quality when played back. I got the idea from Windows Movie Maker itself which recommeds turning off preview if there is a quality problem. As for Firewire, my new Panasonic 3CCD camcorder came only with a USB-2 cable. I have a firewire port on my computer. So I guess I could try to buy an additional cable.

If your Panasonic camcorder comes with a Firewire port then a Firewire cable is a must. EMC will only capture via Firewire connection, USB and EMC will give poor quality if it works at all.

[sknis]

I looked at the Panasonic page for CCD cameras and, unless the site is screwed up, those cameras do not come with the iLink (as Panasonic calls their firewire port.) Have you used the software that came with the camera? It is probably optimized for the camera.

 

I was amazed to find out that having the preview on made a big difference. I made several one minute downloads with different settings and then played them back. The ones made with with preview on (both EMC and Windows Movie Maker) were much worse quality when played back. I got the idea from Windows Movie Maker itself which recommeds turning off preview if there is a quality problem. As for Firewire, my new Panasonic 3CCD camcorder came only with a USB-2 cable. I have a firewire port on my computer. So I guess I could try to buy an additional cable.

[james_pash@yahoo.com]

I looked at the Panasonic page for CCD cameras and, unless the site is screwed up, those cameras do not come with the iLink (as Panasonic calls their firewire port.) Have you used the software that came with the camera? It is probably optimized for the camera.

 

They offer a second cable ($$$) for firewire transfer.

 

I tried the Panasonic software. It does the same thing, and you cannot turn preview off. My theory is that previewing is drawing computing power, since there is now way to control transfer speed (tape download constant) something has to give, either choppy video or missing pixels.

[ggrussell]

Just a quick look and I found 3CCD Palmcorders that use minDVDs which normally do NOT have firewire. When connected, the miniDVD should be recognized by Windows as an external DVD burner.

 

If you have a Palmcorder that use miniDV TAPE, then it probably supports firewire.

[Patty]

I was amazed to find out that having the preview on made a big difference. I made several one minute downloads with different settings and then played them back. The ones made with with preview on (both EMC and Windows Movie Maker) were much worse quality when played back. I got the idea from Windows Movie Maker itself which recommeds turning off preview if there is a quality problem. As for Firewire, my new Panasonic 3CCD camcorder came only with a USB-2 cable. I have a firewire port on my computer. So I guess I could try to buy an additional cable.

 

How do you turn off the preview?

[james_pash@yahoo.com]

How do you turn off the preview?

I think there is a check box in the Windows Movie Maker capture window.

[ggrussell]

You're computer is more than capable of capturing analog or digital. You still haven't posted the camcorder's model number and you still haven't been too clear on EXACTLY how you are capturing using USB.

 

If you have a firewire on the camcorder and the computer, you shouldn't have any problems.

[anamcara]

As for Firewire, my new Panasonic 3CCD camcorder came only with a USB-2 cable. I have a firewire port on my computer. So I guess I could try to buy an additional cable.

 

Hi. Buy the firewire cable. The Panasonic 3CCD documentation will tell you that the USB2 cable is to transfer your still photos from the SD card to the computer. For video transfer from the tape you need the firewire cable. The connection is available once you flip out your preview LCD, if your model is like mine (NV-GS250).

 

Amy

[james_pash@yahoo.com]

Hi. Buy the firewire cable. The Panasonic 3CCD documentation will tell you that the USB2 cable is to transfer your still photos from the SD card to the computer. For video transfer from the tape you need the firewire cable. The connection is available once you flip out your preview LCD, if your model is like mine (NV-GS250).

 

Amy

Thanks for the advice. My camcorder PV-GS300 manual said to use USB-2 for video download with PCs and Firewire with MACs. This set me back for a while, especially since the USB-2 seems to work when you try it.

[ggrussell]

Very nice Camcorder. It is indeed a miniDV tape device. I read through the manual online and it does state to use the USB cable to transfer video to the PC. Most likely the included software was optimized to use the USB2 cable.

 

To use the camcorder with EMC8's Media Import, you should use the firewire though. Just purchase a good cable. I have seen really cheap firewire cables cause connections problems. Buy a good brand name and it should be fine.

[james_pash@yahoo.com]

Very nice Camcorder. It is indeed a miniDV tape device. I read through the manual online and it does state to use the USB cable to transfer video to the PC. Most likely the included software was optimized to use the USB2 cable.

 

To use the camcorder with EMC8's Media Import, you should use the firewire though. Just purchase a good cable. I have seen really cheap firewire cables cause connections problems. Buy a good brand name and it should be fine.

 

I got the cable and the video looks great, even low light video came out near DVD quality. Now if they can just correct the manual.

[ggrussell]

Good to hear. Capturing as DV AVI will be much faster editing. Enjoy editing your family events. Can be very rewarding when people ask you how you did it or make nice comments. My mom has a cousin that was in Public Broadcasting and is now retired. He's just amazed at how computer technology has advanced in just the past few years. What we are doing today on our home computers used to take hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and that wasn't too long ago.