Video Capture

[outerbank]

It seems that one problem after another occurs with Roxio Creator 2011. One problem gets solved and another crops up. This time it's when trying to capture video from vhs tape in Media Import. Have been working with Roxio tech support on this, but have not sorted out the cause of the problem.

 

Here's the problem: While capturing a video Media Import may suddenly stop capturing and completely lock up the computer to the extent that the mouse pointer does not move and the only way to close out of the program is to turn off the power switch on the back of the computer and then restart the computer.

 

The vhs video clips are being captured from a VHS player connected to a Roxio USB capture device that came with Creator 2011. The device is connected to a 2.0 USB port on the rear of the computer. It's not a hub port. Roxio central is opened. From there Movies/Video tab is clicked. This opens Roxio Media Import. Media Import settings are: Video\Roxio Video\Capture USB. Capture settings: DV, Input: Video. In the Options window, composite video is selected, input is again Video and in TV Standard: NTSC_M is selected.

 

Thus far, Roxio tech support has suggested that I run msconfig; go to Startup to disable all the programs that are known and to leave those that you don't know what they are. I've done this leaving HKLM, RTHDcpl, and cftMon enabled. the computer was restarted to make the changes, whcih were accomplished. The first time I tried capture in Media Import it captured the first clip on the vhs tape and it was saved. The second clip on the tape was then captured and successfully saved. The computer did not lock up. Very encouraged by the results. Decided to perform a second video capture using the same vhs tape with the same two clips. Before doing the second capture, the two saved video files were deleted from the computer. During the next attempt on the first video clip, the capturing process suddenly stopped, after about 3 to 4 minutes of capture, and locked up the computer. Had to go through the same process of computer shut down and restart. Made another attempt. This last attempt was successful. That is, the two video clips were captured and saved, while the computer did not lock up. It has become hit or miss.

 

As these are some of my very first uses of video capture, and therefore not very familiar with it, is it normal for the Capture button, which turns to Stop Capture when activated, to randomly flicker during the video capturing process? Just wondering. Don't know if there's a connection. My anti-virus software settings are set to not scan Creator 2011 nor any of its component folders and programs.

 

Any suggestions about what might be causing Media Import to lock up the computer to such an extent that nothing works?

[grandpabruce]

Questions.

 

1. Before you did the second set of video captures, did you reboot your computer?

 

2. Why in the hell would you delete the two successful captured video clips from the first set of video captures?

[outerbank]

The second capture attempt was made without rebooting the computer. I did the first capture, rewound the VHS tape, deleted the two files, and then made the second attempt at capture. As previously described, the capture process just suddenly stopped at about 4 minutes into the first video clip. Media Import quit working and the computer was locked up. What difference does it make that I chose to delete these two files? At this point the objective is to determine why Media Import stops working. The capturing process is merely the vehicle to test Media Import's functionality, not to save video files. If and when the Media Import problem is resolved I can always capture these two clips at a later time. It's not a big deal that I didn't save the files.

[outerbank]

I believe that the problem has been solved. Evidently, the Canon scanner connected to the computer was the cause of the Media Import problem. Since disconnecting the scanner from the computer Media Import has functioned without a problem. Have captured several video clips from three different vhs tapes. All saved successfully. No computer lockup. Roxio tech support says that having other USB devices connected to the computer draws power from the USB. Seems odd to me, but it seems to make a difference. I am now left with just one Epson printer connected to the computer. I suppose I should be thankful. I've had to disconnect another Epson printer from the computer because it interfered with Video Copy & Convert. Now the scanner is disconnected from the computer because it interferes with Roxio Media Import. I hope there isn't anything else that screws up a Roxio program from something else connected to the computer. Sure is fussy software.

[ggrussell]

Actually, it makes sense. The USB Video capture device also draws power from the USB port. If you have other devices drawing power from the USB Port, there may not be enough power to run them all. Without enough power, the video capture becomes intermittent.

[outerbank]

Have been away from the computer for the last couple of days. Thanks for confirming that other USB devices can lower USB power and therefore affect the operation of the Roxio USB capture device. Can it be assumed that a video capture card installed in a PCI slot will draw power from the motherboard, and therefore should make it possible to reconnect the scanner without affecting video capture?

[ggrussell]

Yes, the PCI card draws power directly from the mobo and shouldn't affect the USB ports.

 

If you had a scanner that had it's own power supply, it shouldn't have to draw power from the USB port and you could use the Roxio device.

[outerbank]

Yes, the PCI card draws power directly from the mobo and shouldn't affect the USB ports.

 

If you had a scanner that had it's own power supply, it shouldn't have to draw power from the USB port and you could use the Roxio device.

 

The Canon scanner does have its own power supply. Yet it interferes with video capture by locking up not only the program, but also the computer. A similar conflict occurs between the Epson Stylus Photo 825 and the Video Copy & Convert program. In this latter instance, only VC&C is affected. The computer doesn't lock up. Since both the scanner and the printer get their power from a source other than the USB, it must be some other means of interference. Such as drivers maybe?

[outerbank]

This is an update to the previously described problem with video capture and the Canon scanner. Roxio tech support provided a link to the Intel update page, specifically to a chipset update pertaining to the motherboard in my computer. This chipset update was downloaded and installed. This download appears to have solved the video capture problem. Was able to capture segments of movies from two different vhs tapes. Moreover, the capture worked with the Canon scanner connected to the computer.

 

My thanks to Roxio tech support. They really stayed on top of this problem offering a number of possible solutions. The last suggestion finally solved the problem.