output to disk ok, but not tape - dropped frames

calman wrote on 2/27/2002, 5:21 PM

Well, I love VV3.0 for many reasons. However, I'm pulling hair and I need to get over this initial hurdle to make me a continuous VV user. There have been many searches and much discussion on this particular problem.

Problem
-------
I can output to .avi files using the DV NTSC template just fine. Playback within windows is just fine, good quality! When I try to do the same to tape, either through "Print to Tape" or "Print Video to DV Tape..." (from the timeline) I get many dropped frames (including video/audio).

Project
-------
Rather a simple one. It's a collection of images with transitions between each image. Audio (music file) on one track. The project is 8.00 mins long.

System Software
---------------
- Sonic Foundry Vegas Video 3.0
- Sonic Foundry Video Capture 3.0
- Windows XP Pro

System Config
-------------
Motherboard: VIA VT8363 AK33 100MGHz

Processor: 1GHz AMD Athlon, 128K primary cache, 256K secondary cache

Memory: 768MB SDRAM (3 256MB PC133 chips)

Video Card: ATI AIW 8500DV with firewire port

Sounds Card: Creative Sounds Blaster Live! Value

Hard Drives: 2 IDE HD's (Western Digital)
(primary master) 40GB, 5400RPM, 66.6 MB/s (Mode 4 Ultra ATA enabled)
(secondary master) 13GB, 5400RPM, 66.6 MB/s (Mode 4 Ultra ATA enabled)

Other: DVD, SCSI-CDRW, USB-HD

IRQ's
-----
IRQ 0 System timer
IRQ 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
IRQ 3 Communications Port (COM2)
IRQ 4 Communications Port (COM1)
IRQ 5 VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (WDM)
IRQ 5 Creative SB Live! Value (WDM)
IRQ 6 Standard floppy disk controller
IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock
IRQ 9 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System
IRQ 10 NETGEAR FA312 Fast Ethernet Adapter
IRQ 11 VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
IRQ 11 VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
IRQ 11 Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller
IRQ 12 ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV
IRQ 12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
IRQ 13 Numeric data processor
IRQ 14 Primary IDE Channel
IRQ 15 Secondary IDE Channel

Project Setup
-------------
Rather easy, I use the Canopus ADVC-100. ADVC-100 input is the firewire cable from my 8500DV video card and ADVC-100 output is the S-VHS cables to my JVC VCR.

Actions Done
------------
- Via 4 in 1 drivers are updated
- ATI AIW 8500DV Drivers updated
- Defragged main drive
- Changed rendering to occur on 2nd drive (which is completely empty)
- And just for kicks, I installed the ULEAD s/w that came with my new 8500DV card, did a quick collage, and guess what....the video out to tape is just fine.

So, anyone please explain. Either an update from Sonic Foundry or any other changes I can do to resolve this problem. I'll take either!!

Comments

calman wrote on 2/27/2002, 5:54 PM

just to add some more info.....

When I do "Print Video to DV Tape...", there are some weird symptoms:

- I'm only trying 3 seconds of my project
- I use test pattern of 5 secs with 1kHz tone
- Leader black duration of 0 secs
- Trailer black duration of 0 secs
- The pre-render starts as normal, however in the bottom of the VV window it's left with 0% (4 of 5), or sometimes 0% (5 of 5) when the PRINT window comes up. I hit Start, then it sits there for a bit then it eventually starts printing (with lost frames).
- It takes on my tape about 40 seconds to get 3 seconds + 5 seconds of test pattern

weird....any help???

calman wrote on 2/27/2002, 10:13 PM

If I use the "Print Video to DV Tape..." option, I tested the prerendered video files (*.avi) outside of VV and they playback ok within windows, so it appears I can render ok

calman wrote on 3/2/2002, 9:10 PM

Well, it's all solved. I thought I better reply with my resolution in case some one has a config close to mine and experiencing these issues.

I guess no one could help me, since I got soooooo many replies. :-) It's allright, cause no one probably could....

If anyone has the AOPEN AK33 board with the Via KT133 chipset, throw it in the bush. Even with the latest 4in1 drivers, and all possible BIOS setting combinations, I couldn't resolve my issues. Not sure if it was conflicts between my ATI 8500DV card or not, but I couldn't capture digital video correctly (analog was ok) with my configuration.

So, I picked up the MSI K7T266 PRO and all is well. Digital Capture and Print to Tape works just fine.

Finally.....I can start enjoying Vegas Video....

Cheers,
calman

deef wrote on 3/3/2002, 8:16 PM

Thanks for the feedback...sorry you didn't get any replies from the forum community.

So basically, you got a new motherboard, right?

Enabling DMA on the hard drives is #1, which you did...and getting the VIA 4-in-1 drivers would be next, which you also did. You also defragged the drivers. These VIA chipsets can be tough sometimes...but I use a notebook that has a VIA chipset without a hitch. Another thing you could have tried was attempting to get the OHCI card its own IRQ.

Also:

There are known problems with VIA chipset motherboards and bandwidth issues on the 1394 bus and Windows. If your BIOS includes a PCI latency setting, try increasing the setting above 32. If using a VIA motherboard, check the VIA Web site for updated motherboard drivers (VIA 4 in 1 Service Pack).
i. For Windows 2000, http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q253/1/52.ASP
ii. For Windows 98SE, http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q252/9/58.ASP

Here's a list of "other things" forum users have attempted:

o Win2k Task Manager increase Video Capture’s priority level
o KT7 mother-board “memory enabler” patch
o 440 BX mother-board chipset w/ Promise controller -> turn down front side bus to 66
o Refer to RAID users manual to optimize settings, if using a RAID controller
o VIA Bus Master PCI IDE utility
o Mother-board replacement

Thanks!

plasmavideo wrote on 3/4/2002, 11:28 AM

Although I do not have a SB Live! card, I have read on other forums, specifically the Canopus user's forums that that card is a PCI bus hog, and there have been some drop frame issues that have cleared up when going to a different sound card. I am using the SB Audigy card and love it! It might be worth trying a different card.

calman wrote on 3/4/2002, 1:10 PM

thanks for the replies guys....

It's fair to note I also did these tasks in my trouble shooting:

- Removed all cards in my box, except for my video card (ATI 8500DV).
- Upgraded my case and power supply to 350W (which I should have done a while back)
- Upgraded my CPU heat sink/fan. I was shocked, it dropped my CPU temp by 37 deg C. I think my previous heat sink was too small and the fan RPM was too low for my Athlon chip, poor fella, sorry about that :-(
- On my old AOpen AK33 board, the AWARD bios didn't offer some settings. Such as PCI latency setting was not available.
- Since the 8500DV has the firewire port on it, I was not able to select a different IRQ for the 1394.

My current setup however, has the 1394 and 8500DV on IRQ 12, which works just fine (but with my new motherboard). I've also just added the Maxtor D740X hard drive to my collection. Nice....

As a side note, I do like the the AMI Bios with the MSI board. Lots of customization is available....
http://www.msi.com.tw/support/techexpress/tech_column/ms6380v2/page3.htm

Cheers,
Calvin