Dropped frames

tg2000 wrote on 8/20/2001, 4:28 PM
I've read thru most of the posts pertaining to people having problems with dropped frames, tried about all recommendations I found but so far haven't been able to resolve the annoying problem of numerous dropped frames anytime I attempt to capture video.

Here is my basic configuration:

-using firewire card
-512 mb RAM
-Athlon 1.2 Ghz system
-separate 40gb Maxtor 7200 RPM drive (just for the video)
-WinME and also tried with Win2000 (dual boot)
-Canon ZR25 Digital Video Camera

Here are some of the things I have tried, so far with no luck:
-verified DMA is checked on both my hard drives
-experimented with changing the preview mode to not show, changed system's display down to 800x600, insured there are not any programs running in background.
-bought another hard drive ATA/66 cable just in case somehow the cable was the problem.

My problem is essentially the exact same as another user's I found in the forum, which does not appear to have been resolved. Here is what he had noted:

While capturing, I can watch the counter and somehow the computer is not keeping up. The counter will
stop and when it resumes 2 or 3 seconds later a dropped frame is registered (seems like more than
one frame). In one minute of capture I get 15 to 20 of these skips ( which register as 15 to 20
dropped frames) which really look bad when I print to tape or preview on camera. END

Any ideas as to what could be causing this problem? I've got a couple projects waiting on a resolution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

Comments

wvg wrote on 8/20/2001, 5:47 PM
Don't know for sure but... If it is hardware, and assuming it isn't your camera just maybe could be related to bus mastering. Assuming you have a 1394/IDE interface card. If you are dropping frames could be the hard drive isn't keeping up with the data steam.

It may be named different in Windows Me or 2000, but you probably remember Device Manger which you get to from the My computer icon on your desktop. Go down to where you see hard disk controllers, click on the + sign to expand and look for Bus Mastering IDE controller. Click on properties, then the driver tab. Write down the details. Vist either your PC maker's web page, your motherboard's web page or go here
http://www.bmdrivers.com/ to see if a later driver is avaiable.

I needed to do this because of similar problems with my CD burner. Also your hard drive may not be running at rated speed if it was detected incorrectly in your BIOS. Be sure the drive was detected as a Ultra IDE drive, you usually have to look under an advanced heading while in your BIOS.

You said you installed a new cable. You didn't say if you installed the required 80 wire variety. If not, that's for sure part of the problem. The Ultra IDE drives are so fast they pick up lots of crosstalk with plain 40 wire cables. They need the newer 80 wire cables, (round ones are better) every other wire is grounded, and they still ternimate in standard 40 wire connectors.