Dropped Frames Redux

mcfallison2 wrote on 5/15/2007, 2:23 PM

I have been having problems with dropped frames using Vegas 6 and a Sony DSR-PD170 shooting DV SP.

I use a Dell Inspiron 5100 capturing to a USB2 hard drive enclosure holding a Western Digital 160GB drive.

I have used this setup, with the exception of the Sony camera, before successfully and never had any dropped frames. About a month ago, I had a hard drive failure but was able to install the OS again after running diagnostics. Now I'm getting dropped frames in clumps, hundreds at a time.

I started to use WinDV to see if it helped but it didn't. However, WinDV does show changes in queue buffer. The buffer number goes up and the frames are dropped.

There doesn't seem to be a pattern. I am now capturing the same 35 minute presentation over and over to see what happens and the dropped frames come in different locations on the tape.

Recently I switched antivirus software and I am using Trend Micro PC-Cillin instead of Norton.

I have SP2 installed.

After reading the forum, I thought the problem might be SP2 or the antivirus. Since I can turn off the antivirus, I thought it might be worth a try to turn off PC-Cillin and uninstall SP2. I did so and the problem remains.

Anyone have any thoughts about this setup?

Any reason to reinstall SP2 if I don't intend to use the computer for surfing?

Comments

jrazz wrote on 5/15/2007, 3:12 PM

Check to make sure DMA is turned on for the disk. Look here.

Edit: fixing the link- hard to get used to the new linking feature.

j razz

johnmeyer wrote on 5/15/2007, 3:57 PM

I don't think there is DMA setting for external drives.

Can you capture to your internal drives without dropped frames? That would be a good first step in helping determine whether your system is hosed from the anti-virus, etc., or whether it is something specific with the USB drive.

FWIW, the key setting for external drives that will help a LOT with performance, although I don't think it would affect dropped frames, is the following:

1. Open Explorer and right click on the drive letter for your external drive.
2. Select "Properties."
3. Select the "Hardware" tab.
4. From the list of disk drives, select your external drive, and then click on the "Properties" button.
5. Click on the Policies tab.
6. Make sure that "Optimize for Performance" is selected. If it is not, select it and click on OK (and on OK in the other dialogs until all the dialogs are gone).

mcfallison2 wrote on 5/16/2007, 2:17 PM

Good idea. I was able to record to the C drive without dropped frames. Now I guess I'll have to sort out the problem with the USB2 connection.

johnmeyer wrote on 5/16/2007, 9:42 PM

OK, here are things to try:

1. Do the check I recommended in my previous post. This can definitely make a difference.

2. Look at whether you have USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 ports. If you have USB 1.1, you CANNOT capture video without dropping frames.

3. If you have your USB drive connected via a hub, try connecting directly to the PC.

4. Download the uninstall utility from the Symantec site that removes the last vestiges of the evil Norton Anti-Virus. The uninstall from Windows does not actually remove all the files. Probably not an issue here , but worth doing at some point.

4. Try a different cable.