I don't think this is a codec issue. It sounds like PD is not recognizing your video capture device. Since windows movie maker captures the video then you know that the USB (I assume it is USB) cable is connected properly. As for the sound there are a couple of places you may have problems. Sound usually connects into the microphone input. First, make sure the minijack is connected into the microphone terminal and not one of the speakers. Second, check to make sure the microphone input under volume control is not set to mute. Since this is a new computer you may not have set the volume levels for the speakers and microphone.

For Windows XP double click on the speaker icon followed by clicking on options --> properties --> click recording --> check all the recording options and then OK. Make sure nothing is muted. (You can do the same from control panel --> sounds and audio devices --> audio tab --> sound recording volume button (make sure a device is selected in the drop down box) --> a recording window will appear. Check to make sure these are not muted.) You may have to play with the line in, microphone, and internal mic settings. If you have your old computer I would check to see how those settings are set on your old computer for comparison.

If a recording device does not appear then the audio hardware may not be installed properly in your computer.

Hopefully you can follow this and that its simply a matter of checking which plug the mic is plugged into.

Let me know how this works.

Jim Q9300 2.5 GHz
4 GB Ram
Nvidia 9800 GT

Hi James,

Thanks for the thoughts . . . I've installed and reinstalled this Movie Box thing. At one point during one of the installs, Movie Maker recognized it and now the program just hangs up so I guess during one of my reinstalls, it decided not to recognize it. And PD doesn't even recognize it at all. Soooo, then I go on Pinnacle's web site and it says in order to use the USB Movie Box, Studio (their editing software) must be installed. I guess it's some kind of proprietary thing.

So now I'm back to square one. I think I'm going to trash this Movie Box thing and just try to get something generic - either a TV tuner card or some other VHS to DVD converter. I saw at a local store that Roxio has a product (VHS to DVD) converter. Anyone tried it and/or does anyone know if it has a conflict with PD drivers? OR does anyone have another suggestion?

Thanks,
Cindy

Hi Cindy, I still don't understand why windows movie maker could capture the video before, but not the audio. I'm very skeptical of what Pinnacle says on their website and I think its just a scare tactic to prevent users from switching software. If your using the capture box which comes with Pinnacle Studio then your not alone in having troubles. Before I originally purchased PD, I read about users experience with this capture box and the results were mixed at best.

Anyways, I use a KWorld capture box. I bought is at CompUSA and it came bundled with an old version of Power Producer. It captures video either by S-video or RCA adapter. The audio plugs into the mic port. I plug it into my old Hi8 camera and PD recognizes it perfectly every time. Q9300 2.5 GHz
4 GB Ram
Nvidia 9800 GT

Thanks James,

That sounds like exactly what I need. I got on CompUSA's web site and they can ship it today. I guess it plugs into a USB port? The info on the CompUSA site was not very helpful.

I did also see they had another KWorld device device called "DVD maker USB Video Capture Device". Would that work just as well? What are the differences?

I'm also encouraged that it comes with PD Power Producer (even if it's an old version). At least I may not have driver conflicts. I'm done with Pinnacle!

Thanks,
Cindy

James,

One more thing . . . I see this Kworld TV Box doesn't have RCA inputs.

My Hi8 camera does have Svideo, but my VHS VCR only has RCA inputs/outputs. Is this going to be a problem? Should I look more at the Kworld DVD maker?

Cindy

Hi Cindy, here's a link to the one which I use.

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=612720&CatId=1428

This is the DVD maker. The reviews for this device are mixed on their website, but I never had any problems. Q9300 2.5 GHz
4 GB Ram
Nvidia 9800 GT

Hi Cindy,


I have a Kworld usb DVD maker capture device - as linked by James. I used it as a live capture feed from my RC plane's camera transmitter to my receiver/viewer and then through the Kworld DVD maker to a laptop (out in a field) via RCA and the USB.

The device has SVideo and RCA connection. Basically you can use either to hook up to.

I hope my "sort of" input helped.

Dafydd

Thanks to both of you . . yes, that helps. In fact, I ordered it today and hopefully that will be the answer to my capture problems.

I will follow-up when I test it.

Does anyone know the version of Power Producer that it comes with? Would I be able to upgrade to a newer version or is that version one of those "retail products" that won't let you upgrade?

Cindy

Cindy,

The Kworld package I have - purchased a little while ago came with PDv5 and PPv4. They're a bundled version - but I didn't have need to install either to check them out. I expect kworld would have newer versions bundled with it now.

Dafydd

Hi James & Dafydd,

This KWorld DVD maker is the coolest device!!! I can't believe I fought with Movie Box for so long! It currently comes bundled with PDv7 and PPv5. I didn't install PD because I already have it, but I will get to play with PP to see what it's all about. I was able to capture both analog video from my camcorder as well as VHS tapes from a VCR. I would definitely recommend this to anyone having trouble capturing old videos. And it was cheap!

One other thing (and I can't find the post as it was a while back). My hardware computer guy fixed some glitches on my computer today and I thought I'd mention this.

About a month or so ago, someone mentioned the fact that PD was only recognizing 1 DVD burner (and he had 2). I had that same problem and it was a brand new computer with the SAME BRAND DVD burners. We switched out one of the burners with a different brand and VOILA! PD is recognizing and burning on both. Whoever had that problem, maybe that could be your solution. Maybe PD can't recognize 2 of the same brand of burners.

Cindy

Quote: Maybe PD can't recognize 2 of the same brand of burners.

I agree as that was my interpretation of the cause also - I run 2 disc drives without problems.

Good to read your follow up on the Kworld device and how it's helped you. Excellent.

Dafydd

Hi Cindy,

I'm glad to hear that the Kworld USB capture device is working well. It's also good that they updated the version of PD and PP they included. Its shows that they are still supporting Cyberlink products. Q9300 2.5 GHz
4 GB Ram
Nvidia 9800 GT