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Topic |
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mac-man6
Junior Member
Canada
217 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jul 2003 : 11:21:12
Has anyone got one of these USB video grabber jobies?. I'm going to be getting one and I was wondering what to expect. It's going to be hooked up to a Rev D. iMac, so no firewire. It's says 30f/s. Anyone used one of these before? Editor of the printed word, Ministry of 68k Truths (mini6)
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PowerCD, Mac HD 20, SE, Classic II, IIx, IIvi, PB 170, LC 475, LC 575, Quadra 650, Performa 5200, iMac 333 How you like d'em apples?! |
The Balance Of Judgement
Senior Member
Ivory Coast
1006 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2003 : 11:45:23
I have, and they can be slow. It's not exactly a "real" AV option, but in the absence of any other ability of the iMac (except those with Mezz slots) for AV, this will get the job done.I would not use it for profesional use, as you will find the Bus speed of USB is not fast enough to maintain both quality and regular data throughput. Even webcams that use USB are limited to 15 fps, so this is pushing the limits of USB. Expect the device to work at somewhat lower resolutions, if you try and use a higher resolution for video capture, you probably will start losing frames. It's ok for small stuff, but not for big projects. In other words, for personal use it's ok, but nothing else. 
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mac-man6
Junior Member
Canada
217 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2003 : 21:44:05
I got the cable, it's doing the video ok but I'm having problems with the sound. I've tried the software in 8.6 and 9.2. I'm going to try software on a pc soon, see if it's a hardware problems. But here's a question. The adapter has s-video and composite, but the composite is just video (yellow) and sound (black). The VCR I have hooked up only has video, left and right. If I plug the left sound channel in to the single sound cable I should just have left sound right?. Editor of the printed word, Ministry of 68k Truths (mini6)
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PowerCD, Mac HD 20, SE, Classic II, IIx, IIvi, PB 170, LC 475, LC 575, Quadra 650, Performa 5200, iMac 333 How you like d'em apples?! |
The Balance Of Judgement
Senior Member
Ivory Coast
1006 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 00:00:46
Yes, unless you purchase an adapter to split the audio RCA jack into normal Right & Left cables for your VCR, you will only be able to get one side for sound at a time.Some newer VCR's had left and right jacks whereas older ones just had the one. If you are recording material that depends on both channels, then I would suggest buying the adapter, because if sound is unique on both channels, you will end up mising some of the audio since you are only getting one side.
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Flash
Full Member
Australia
637 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 00:11:02
If your USB capture only has one audio input, then you will only ever have one channel of audio. You *could* capture your media twice and then re-join the stereo audio on your Mac - but that's fairly tedious. Your (stereo) VHS player may have the ability to output mono. Usually you would set the audio settings on your VHS, then plug into the left output.- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it sure beats a blank stare for starting a conversation. 68k ParaMedic |
cory5412
68KMLA Comrade-in-Arms
USA
4679 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 09:14:06
I think he might mean that it's a mini-plug?if it's a mini-plug, then belkin and many other companies make what you want... if it's not just a mini-plug then I'm not sure what you mean by "just one cable" or anything... Official 68k videographer
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"I'm just a normal computer geek who somehow landed a social life"
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thequietman
Junior Member
Canada
127 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 12:18:38
I have a MyTV USB video capture device and it only has a 1/8" stereo jack for input and output. Inluded is a 1/8" stereo to 1/8" stereo cable for hooking it to your computer's sound in port. I bought a patch cable that goes from 1/8" stereo to stereo RCA plugs so I can hook it to my VCR and record from there instead of the built-in TV tuner. Overall it's not bad, but definitely only for personal use. If you want really good video capture you need FireWire.
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I want to be unique just like everybody else.
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cory5412
68KMLA Comrade-in-Arms
USA
4679 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 12:36:36
yeah... I was actually thinking about if i wanted one of those USB TV/FM tuner thingies... the EsKape labs MyTV or whatever...fun stuff TV/FM/Video input is...  Official 68k videographer
Official MLA TourGuide
"I'm just a normal computer geek who somehow landed a social life"
I have alot of posts... if you don't like it than I don't know what to say. |
thequietman
Junior Member
Canada
127 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 17:49:25
The MyTV thing isn't all it's cracked up to be. You won't get a decent picture on any but the strongest channels, and you won't get many weaker stations. To really take full advantage of it you need cable or satellite TV. I would've gotten the Formac Studio DV, but I didn't have FireWire or a lot of money at the time. I just wonder how MyTV stacks up against the TV tuner cards in the old PowerMacs...
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I want to be unique just like everybody else.
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mac-man6
Junior Member
Canada
217 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2003 : 19:52:29
It was a single sound cable but it was the composite style not the miniplug stuff. I was curious because I have video but no sound. I plugged the left stereo cable (VCR) into the single composite cable (USB capture) and didn't get sound, I have video though. I should have atleast got sound. The VCR is working, I tried the outputs on the VCR and they work, but I haven't tested the USB capture on the PC yet. The PC has seemed to have lost it's boot log, silly computer.I have Adobe Premier running and the capture dialog comes up for "video" it recognizes that there's a tuner there. When I go to audio there's no "tuner" mentioned but I have "built in mic", "external mic", "sound in", "none" and "CD". I've tried scanning each for sound levels from the VCR playing a video with sound but I get nothing. I have a Rev. D iMac 333mhz, I'm pretty sure I don't have all these sound ports. I'm curious what a none port looks like... Editor of the printed word, Ministry of 68k Truths (mini6)
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PowerCD, Mac HD 20, SE, Classic II, IIx, IIvi, PB 170, LC 475, LC 575, Quadra 650, Performa 5200, iMac 333 How you like d'em apples?! |
Unknown_K
Full Member
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 05:48:37
USB 1.0 capture devices suck, wonder if any USB 2.0 devices will be any better (if they make them)
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thequietman
Junior Member
Canada
127 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 06:49:33
The MyTV tuner requires you to plug one end of the cable into the sound output on the tuner, and the other end into your sound in port. Make sure sound in is selected as your recording source in the sound control panel.
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I want to be unique just like everybody else.
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cinemafia
Guerrilla Recon Leader
USA
2965 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 07:44:11
Those USB vid cap devices are pretty lousy for any serious work. Yes it captures @ 30fps, but only at 320x240 (or less?)! Unless you just need "sample" video clips for a website, fugettaboutit.666th poster and 666th thread-creator
Lord of the Mac II Series
Total 68K Macs liberated: 7
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mac-man6
Junior Member
Canada
217 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2003 : 13:20:17
Ok, the pc finally found its boot log and started up. I got the the capture device set up and installed on the pc with the same vcr. I still have video but no audio. So this elimenates the driver from the problem. I've narrowed it down to the box it's self. So I'm going to rephrase my question.The only problem that I still see is that I have 3 composite ports on the back of the VCR (Video, left right). I have 2 on the USB capture device (Video and sound). Do I have to condense the 2 sound channels to get any sound into the single sound cable on device? You dig? Editor of the printed word, Ministry of 68k Truths (mini6)
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PowerCD, Mac HD 20, SE, Classic II, IIx, IIvi, PB 170, LC 475, LC 575, Quadra 650, Performa 5200, iMac 333 How you like d'em apples?! |
mac-man6
Junior Member
Canada
217 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2003 : 22:21:18
Okay nuts to this "device", I'm returning it. I tried it on a VCR with just one video and one sound rca port like on the device but still no freaking luck. I DESPISE LC PDS ETHERNET CARDS, EMACHINES AND HALF-A$$ mac support!. Excuse me while I write my manifesto on my trusty typewriter... Editor of the printed word, Ministry of 68k Truths (mini6)
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PowerCD, Mac HD 20, SE, Classic II, IIx, IIvi, PB 170, LC 475, LC 575, Quadra 650, Performa 5200, iMac 333 How you like d'em apples?! |
cory5412
68KMLA Comrade-in-Arms
USA
4679 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2003 : 01:02:51
maybe your device doesn't do audio directly... it's more effective for the device NOT to do audio itself, and you should hook up audio to your soundcard or whatever...Official 68k videographer
Official MLA TourGuide
Editor of the MLAgazine
"I'm just a normal computer geek who somehow landed a social life" |
USB video capture anyone?
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