Can't capture audio when capturing video

rcoll wrote on 5/30/2004, 5:34 PM
I hope this is a silly newbie question, but I can't capture audio while capturing video from a vcr using s-video and rca cables. I think I've got all the basic properties set. I can capture both if I go from the vcr through my dv camera and into the computer via firewire, but the camera cuts out every 5 minutes. I can capture both when using the pre-installed "ShowBiz2" software. I can capture the audio without changing any settings if I just use record in one of the sound tracks. The box for capture audio is checked in the capture video properties. I just can't get them both at the same time! Any suggestions?

Comments

Steve Grisetti wrote on 6/1/2004, 7:56 AM
I'd still recommend you do a pass-through via your camcorder and firewire. Firewire is always the best way to go with importing video.

Your camcorder may be shutting off after 5 minutes because the pause automatically disables to save wear on the tape and heads. Try using your cam for a pass-through with NO VIDEOTAPE in the camcorder.

Must camcorders will display continuously with no tape in them.
Chienworks wrote on 6/1/2004, 10:15 AM
Do you have a tape in the camcorder? Many camcorders will shut off after 4 or 5 minutes if there is a tape inserted, but will remain on indefinately without a tape.
rcoll wrote on 6/1/2004, 4:56 PM
Thanks, I'll try the camera without a tape, but any ideas on why I can't go directly from the VCR? Show Biz captures both as MPEG, the video capture I do get is AVI, and capturing sound alone gets me WAV files. Does this have any effect on my attempts at simultaneous capture? How do you specify the type of file before capture?
cbrillow wrote on 6/2/2004, 7:28 AM
You stated that Show Biz was pre-installed, which might also mean that it was pre-configured. To capture in other software, you may have to check the Windows mixer record properties to ensure that the correct audio device will be used. A resolution to this is only necessary if you decide to proceed with analog capture.

I'd heed the advice already given to use your camera passthrough capability for a variety of reasons, but mostly because DV AVI is a very good format for editing and you'll be able to avoid compression loss until the time you actually encode to MPEG2. This will give you a better final result.
Steve Grisetti wrote on 6/2/2004, 9:45 AM
I looked at the ShowBiz web site and it looks like, although the program is capable of being used for simple editing, it's primary use is as a simple means to convert video to DVD.

If that's the case, it may not be producing AVI files that most editors are capable of working with since, as you probably know, DVDs handle audio and video separately, as I understand it and which would explain your problems.

In any event, I'd definitely use the pass-through via firewire to bring your video in as DV AVI. If you plan to do any editing at all, it will definitely be to your advantage.