Importing Analog Video

dan4dvd wrote on 12/16/2004, 4:51 PM
I have Vegas Movie Studio+DVD and am trying to capture video with it from an analog source (VCR).

I have the proper cables and my computer has composite video and audio inputs built in.

Moreover, I have captured video from my VCR using another program - WinDVD Creator.

When I try to do on Movie Studio, an error pops up: "The device 'Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II Capture' could not be opened." This is puzzling since WinDVD Creator worked using this method.

I want to try using Vegas Movie Studio because I want to save it to something other than MPEG. I was told that editing MPEG files is not a good idea, and when I save the captured video into an MPEG file I need to edit it.

How can I capture analog video using Vegas Movie Studio and can I capture it into a format other than MPEG?

Thank you.

Dan

Comments

Steve Grisetti wrote on 12/16/2004, 5:21 PM
Hi, Dan. Me again.

Unfortunately, the hardware you have for analogue capture will probably only work with the software you have for analogue capture. (If you have Windows XP, you can try importing with MovieMaker, but you may run into the same problems.) DV is more universal, and so works over IEEE1394/firewire the same way on almost any computer.

Short of using a DV camcorder as a pass-through, then your best bet is to capture your video as an MPEG, open it in a program called VirtualDub (free from www.virtualdub.org) and Save As an AVI. Vegas should be able to work with these files. In fact, look around on that site. I think VirtualDub has version (called something like VirtualDubDVD2AVI) specifically for converting MPEGs into editable AVIs.

Hope that helps!
IanG wrote on 12/17/2004, 1:08 AM
If pass-through's not an option, and you're prepared to spend some money, there's some useful info here.

Ian G.
dan4dvd wrote on 12/17/2004, 3:47 PM
Thanks for all your help.

After reading lots here and elsewhere I am convinced that I need to go from VHS directly into DV tape (with no MPEG as a middle man).

How can I capture VHS to DV tape without using a poorer quality format like MPEG in between? All my computer seems to do so far is capture in MPEG.

I have a DV Camcorder (Sony Digital 8 that has a firewire input).

Thanks again.
Elmo27376 wrote on 12/17/2004, 6:14 PM
Record the VHS to DV tape then, using the firewire connection capture on the computer. I have had to do this and I detect to deterioration of the picture at all. It is slow, but doable.
Or: purchase a converter. They cost about $250. They have an analog in with a firewire out. it saves time if you have a lot to do it might be worth it.
dan4dvd wrote on 12/18/2004, 9:41 AM
How do I record VHS to DV tape? My digital camcorder only has firewire for input.

Do other digital camcorders have composite inputs?

Where would I purchase a converter and what are some good ones?

Thank you.
ADinelt wrote on 12/18/2004, 8:31 PM
Hi dan4dvd:

Yes, some mini-dv camcorders do have analog input and output connections. I recently purchased a JVC GR-DV500 mini-dv camcorder from Best Buy ($499 CAD), and it has a single 1/8" jack for analog input and output, depending on whether you are in record or play mode. It also acts as an analog to digital converter which seems to do a much better job of transferring my Video 8 and VHS tapes to the computer than my DC10plus capture card. Although, being from Pinnacle, this isn't too surprising. (oops, was that being too nasty?) The camcorder also supports firewire and USB. Also, I love the fact that I can control the camcorder from within the MS capture program.

Thanks...
Al
mecg wrote on 1/30/2006, 6:30 PM
Canopus ADVC-100 = Analog In / IEEE1394 Out. Check out their site - this thing is fantastic!!
Pugsley wrote on 1/31/2006, 11:40 AM
Read your documentation on your Sony camcorder. Most models have the pass through feature that acts as a video card. I use mine coming from the VCR using good gold connections and Video S output into the camcorder and from there into the computer either using Firewire or USB. Works fine going into VMS.
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 2/20/2006, 6:12 PM
i couldn't dream of dropping $500 on Canopus so i'm considering:

ADS
Tech Pyro A/V Link $150 or so. (seems to come highly recommended on this forum).

Plextor
they have 2 models, $70 and $125. (haven't heard any comments on this company yet).

anyone know if there's a side by side review of Canopus,ADS,Plextor and whoever else online? i am really curious just how much better the picture quality is on the high end stuff.

BTW search "analog transfer" for more insights on this forum.
Paul Mead wrote on 2/22/2006, 10:05 AM
$500??? I just got a Canopus ADVC-110 for $222 from B&H Photo. The results have been VERY good. I debated spending the money, but the ATI All-In-Funder video card in my PC just didn't do the job (it may just be the flakey WDM drivers, but, whatever...). After looking over all my options, and reading not one bad thing about the Canopus box, I took the plunge. It was well worth it to avoid any further agony trying to make my PC video card to do an adequate job. I quickly and easily got excellent analog video onto the PC and I haven't looked back.
Javaholics wrote on 2/22/2006, 4:01 PM
I paid $225.50 for my Canopus ADVC110 from Newegg.com and haven't looked back. For additional feedback regarding the Canopus unit, read user reviews here;

http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCardRead=132
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 2/22/2006, 11:08 PM
my bad, sorry for the misinfo. i must have glanced at a higher model or something. but say, has anyone heard or saw firsthand if that Canopus 110 yields a noticably better picture quality than the ADS Tech Pyro A/V Link API 555 (which can be found for almost $100 less)? i would really like to know.

thanks ya'll!
s k r o o t a y p wrote on 2/22/2006, 11:10 PM
by the way...

search "analog transfer unit(s)" for another thread on this.