Capture problem using Canopus ADVC100

Question

Level 1

21 points

Capture problem using Canopus ADVC100

Just purchased ADVC 100 on ebay. Connected to Panasonic VHS player via Firewire to PC. Using FCE4.0.1 settings DV-Pal Converter. When capturing audio cannot be heard though is there when playing back captured clip.
Also video footage appears 'grainy' with wavy lines throughout. This can be corrected using Gausian Blur and Sharpen filters but did expect video footage to be much better!!
Have checked other forums where users say capture using ADVC is excellent. Anyone any idea where I am going wrong?? Help appreciated.

iMac 20" (Intel) 2.4Ghz, 2Mb RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.1), Lacie 500GB FW HD; Final Cut Express HD 4.1

Posted on Nov 25, 2008 9:03 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 25, 2008 9:11 AM in response to ad5901

Regarding the audio, normally you can't hear audio when capturing ...... though I can't remember whether this also applies to "DV-PAL Converter" capture.

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Answer 2

ad5901 Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 25, 2008 9:21 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Thanks Ian for the fast response. As the audio is on the captured clip this isn't so much a problem as the picture quality which I didn't expect to have to correct with filters!! Any ideas on this would be welcome!!

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Answer 3

Nov 25, 2008 9:30 AM in response to ad5901

I can only suggest you read the instructions carefully and check that your cables are properly connected, in good condition and not routed near any speakers or other equipment giving off a strong magnetic field.

Is the original VHS of good quality?

Remember that even good VHS is of lower quality than DV.

Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

24,137 points

Nov 25, 2008 11:18 AM in response to ad5901

Check the DIP switch settings on the bottom of the ADVC. In your case, they should be set as follows (assuming your VHS player is PAL)

Video format = ON (PAL)
Setup level = OFF (0) (actually this setting is irrelevant if Video format = ON (PAL)
Locked audio mode = OFF (locked audio)
Audio mode = OFF (48KHz-16bit)

If you need to change any of the DIP switch settings make sure the ADVC is totally disconnected from FireWire & power. AND ... DO NOT connect or disconnect the FW cable if power is available to either the ADVC or your Mac. That means, disconnect the power ... as in pull the power plugs.

Also, make sure you are using the DV PAL DV Converter easy setup in FCE.

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Answer 5

ad5901 Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 25, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

All done! The VHS is very good quality though I realise that it will always be of lower quality than DV. I previously transferred feeding signal through a Panasonic DVD recorder with S-Video out with no problem - unfortunately the recorder went kaput recently - hence the purchase of the ADVC100!!

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Answer 6

ad5901 Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 25, 2008 12:53 PM in response to MartinR

Thanks, DIP switches were set correctly. Am using the DV Pal Converter setting in FCE - have also tried DV Pal and DV Pal Firewire with same result!!

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Answer 7

MartinR

Level 7

24,137 points

Nov 25, 2008 1:11 PM in response to ad5901

If you connect your Panasonic VHS deck to a TV and play the same tape that you are trying to capture, how does the video look on the TV? (And if you have more than one video output from your Panasonic deck, have you tried both?) The problem could be the tape, the deck, the ADVC, the cables or something else entirely. Have to methodically check each possibility.

And, I hate to say this, but maybe the ADVC you got on eBay is no good. Is this the first time you are using it?

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Answer 8

ad5901 Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 27, 2008 5:59 AM in response to MartinR

Thanks Martin for your reply. The video looks OK on the TV but not sure if the noise on the video is the converter compensating for quality of video! Did try the other output socket which was worse. Hopefully not the ADVC but you may have pointed me in the right direction mentioning the cables. At present the S-Video cable is attached to the VHS via a Scart output connector, both of which are old and thinking of it I had the same issue when transferring via a DV Camera. Have ordered a new 21-pin Scart to S-Video/Audio shielded cable which will hopefully give a better transfer. Will post the results when known!!

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Answer 9

Alchroma

Level 7

23,912 points

Nov 27, 2008 3:28 PM in response to ad5901

My thoughts are that that noise may be coming from power sources nearby, power point, cables etc. Keep the vid cables as far away as practical and cross them at right angles rather than having them run together.

Scarts can have a switch for Y-C (S-VHS) and Composite, check this as well. Y-C will give a better signal.

Al

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Answer 10

ad5901 Author

Level 1

21 points

Dec 15, 2008 9:48 AM in response to Alchroma

Update to problem: Not sure if anyone has any thoughts on this.
The 'noise' issue happened initially when connecting VHS video output via an old Scart input/output switch with a separate S-Video cable connected going to S-video input on ADVC100 (one cable I tried would only output in black & white - the other was fine.)
Purchased new expensive Scart output to S-Video lead which when connected output in black & white - again with the 'noise'.
Have discovered that if I use the yellow composite lead from the Scart switch to composite input on the ADVC it works!! I assumed that S-Video would give better quality.
Anyone know if this has something to do with the material being on VHS video?? Fairly confused here.

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Answer 11

Alchroma

Level 7

23,912 points

Dec 15, 2008 3:25 PM in response to ad5901

If the original tape is recorded in VHS (composite) using S-VHS won't lift the quality.
Running composite all the way is the better method.

S-VHS splits the (Chroma) colour and (Luminance) black & white signals to improve quality if the source was recorded S-VHS; composite mixes them.

That being said I've copied using both methods without such ill effect.

I'd still be thinking power supply interference or it may be one piece of equipment simply not liking VHS to S-VHS crossing paths.

Ask on the Canopus forums or send a note to their support outfit.

Al

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Answer 12

ad5901 Author

Level 1

21 points

Dec 16, 2008 2:27 AM in response to Alchroma

As composite from the VCR works and transfers ok then will use that method. As suggested tried the Canopus site and found similar problem which mentioned a possible cause that not all VCR's produce S-Video signals on Scart output. As the VCR I'm using doesn't have an on-board S-Video out socket and must now be over 10 years old can only assume this is the problem. Will try the ADVC connected to S-Video out from camcorder and see what the result is.

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Answer 13

Alchroma

Level 7

23,912 points

Dec 16, 2008 1:06 PM in response to ad5901

not all VCR's produce S-Video signals on Scart output.

As I recall, Scart has 26 terminals that carry the all the video and audio for input/output, but some makers of the cables, for who knows why, only ( probably cost) use some of them eg. _in only,_ _out only_ or comosite only.

Al

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Answer 14

Dec 16, 2008 4:51 PM in response to ad5901

Hi ad5901

I use the Canopus ADVC 100. It's always worked flawlessly. By chance, are you trying to transfer material from a commercially produced VHS? If so, that's the problem and not your Canopus. Commercially made VHS has copy protection known as "Macrovision." Copying results in wavy lines, discontinuity of colour, and imbedded video artifacts. This may be your situation.

Carl

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Answer 15

Alchroma

Level 7

23,912 points

Dec 16, 2008 8:35 PM in response to F. Carl McIvor1

Good point.

Al

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