Something really weird is happening here.

kcarroll wrote on 4/8/2002, 7:07 AM
I am beginning to think that there is something odd about the algorithm that Sonic uses to detect dropped frames. The problem seems to be related to the capture source.

When I capture from my $79 Kmart VCR, I typically see NO dropped frames. When I capture from my old Sony TRV-52 camcorder, VF reports dropped frames; lots of them. In the course of a five minute capture, a report of 1500 dropped frames is typical. On one remarkable 15 minute capture, VF reported a sucessful capture with 1,478,724 dropped frames. That's not possible. At 30 frames per second, that would work out to be 13.7 HOURS of video. The strangest thing of all is that the movies produced with these "flawed" captures look fine. (Or at least as good as the source video.)

When I go from one source to the other, the only thing I am changing is the source of the analog signal. I am even using the same cables.

Has anyone encountered a similar problem? Why would the signal from the Sony confuse VF to that degree?

Kcarroll

Dell Dimension 1ghz PIII
512 Meg Memory
40 Gig system drive
40 gig video capture drive
Adaptec 1394 card
Canopus ADVC-100 converter

Comments

ANDREMIKE wrote on 4/8/2002, 7:51 AM
I am sorry to hear about your problems.

Is your camcorder analog as well? Maybe try cleaning your camcorder. Or maybe you have a bad cable.
kcarroll wrote on 4/8/2002, 8:12 AM
Yes, the old Sony is an analog unit. It's the only thing I own that will play the old 8mm analog tapes. If it wasn't for that, I'd dump it and move on.

Kcarroll
Hammer45 wrote on 4/8/2002, 8:27 AM
Kcarroll;

Hmm... I am now wondering if I am seeing the same thing. If you notice my post on the Dazzle Hollywood Bridge, it too is reporting a significant amount of dropped frames. However, when I review the video I see no jerkiness or stutter at all - it looks seamless. Maybe the issue IS incorrect reporting (which in a way makes me feel better about keeping the Bridge).
kcarroll wrote on 4/8/2002, 8:39 AM
Yeah........., I have been lurking around the VV forum, and I noted several threads there that seemed to be commenting on a similar problem with the over-reporting of dropped frames.

I still can't figure out why it happens with one analog input device but not another.

I wonder if the Sony is messing up the timing portion of the analog signal. (I wish I knew how to check that sort of thing.)

kcarroll
VinceG wrote on 4/8/2002, 2:07 PM
<< I have been lurking around the VV forum, and I noted several threads there that seemed to be commenting on a similar problem with the over-reporting of dropped frames. >>

Hi Kent!
I was going to tell you about others who have experienced that problem... but there are no dropped frames. Like you said, the video looks fine AND to take the dropped frame report at face value would be impossible.

Bottom line: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Do what others do with that problem. Ignore the message and keep producing great videos! :)