I've had the best success rate with the DVMC-DA2 by using SF's
VideoCapture. However, if you're capturing from an analog camera,
the software will attempt to control the camera, fail, and disconnect.
Go to preferences and remove the checkmark from "Enable DV Device
Control" while doing analog captures. Works terrific and i never get any
dropped frames, even from 2 hour captures.

Of course, you'll want to replace that checkmark when capturing from a
DV camcorder.

Thanks! I will try both suggestions! Cheers!

I made sure that my hard drives were set to 'DMA' with 'Ultra DMA' as the transfer mode. I re-booted my machine and used VV to capture some video clips. I was able to capture 8.5 minutes without a dropped frame and the capture process stopped when I droppped the first frame. I tried to start the capture process again and I was only able to capture 2 to 3 seconds and started to drop frames again. Next ideas?

Is your hard drive partitioned with OS on one partition and capture on another? Also make sure write behind cach is disabled. You might want to go to www.thevideoguys.com they have an OS tweak page.

Where do you disable 'write behind cache'?

I have found no way to remove write behind cach on WinXP. I use the Dazzle DV Bridge and was having the same problem. I found the drop frames were coming from the Dazzle device. It seems that if I have an external monitor connected I get dropped frames unless I disconect monitor then re connect, or cycle thru the modes before I capture. The correct address in my previous post is www.videoguys.com. I did all the tweaks suggested, but since I use my PC for Internet and everything else I had to put it all back. I do however have DMA enabled and use a second HD for capture, all other settings are default from a clean XP install. I now have good captures but I have not tried anything over 3 min. I plan on doing a full test tonight.

Yes, when using the DA2 you should disable device control in the preferences.

Or, if you are connecting the DA2 to an analog device that supports LANC, keep device control enabled and connect the DA2 to the analog device via the LANC connectors. You'll get full device control, but no timecode.

As for dropping frames, please check out this print to tape FAQ which also applies to capturing:

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/support/SupportProduct.asp?FamilyID=30&Family=Vegas&TopicID=89&DetailID=879

Also, are you seeing dropped frames being reported while you're capturing, but not on the post capture dlg and not in the clip properties for that clip?

Have you defragged your hard drive?

Are you using Win2k or XP and have ACPI enabled so that all your devices are on one interrupt?

If so, check out this post:
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=81324

Yes, my hard drive was fragmented ... 26% ... so I defragged last night. I will try some more captures tonight.

I'm running XP and I will check to see of APCI is enabled or not and get back to you.

I also use my machine for everything else and don't have the funds, yet, to dedicate a machine to my video hobby. Thanks for the correct URL and let me know if you can capture clips beyond 30 minutes.

You can capture up until you hit the threshold value set in Disk Management prefs.

If using a FAT32 drive and DV, we'll auto start a new clip when the 4GB file limit is hit. NTFS drives don't have a single file size limit.

Please check out the FAQ and other URL extensively as most issues can be solved with that info.

Thanks!

I captured 12.5 minutes without a dropped frame using the DA2. I guess the lesson here is defrag, defrag, defrag.

I was able to capture 1 hour 2 min. During capture I showed no dropped frames. However the box that pops up after I press stop repots a a huge number of frames dropped. I think it is because I use the DV Bridge and have no timecode. The capture is also reported successful and play back fine I see or hear no dropped frames. Looks like all is well.