flickering pink/green video input from tuner and composite

D

daveallston

Hi
I am trying to put some VHS video footage on to my PC for editing and
DVD burning. I have done tons of minidiv and digital video work with
the PC, and have had no issues with it. However, in trying to do any
kind of inputting of VHS stuff, through either the Video Tuner input or
the Video Composite input, I get a weird problem with the video that
inputs that seemingly cannot be solved.

I use a program called PowerDirector Pro to record the incoming video
feeds. The application has a screen that you can watch the incoming
video on. And during the watch-while-it-inputs phase, and also just
watching the inputted video afterwards, there is a weird glitch. The
screen flickers every so often, in no discernable pattern or timing,
and for no reason (has nothing to do with the brightness of the
picture, a shaky camera, the cable cord, etc.). When it flickers the
entire left side of the screen (always the left side, and only the left
side, and always exactly 50% of the screen) turns in to a pink and
green flicker. Sometimes its only there for a fraction of a second,
then doesnt reappear for a minute, other times it flickers or even
holds for a second or two, and then does it a few seconds later again.

Does anyone know what this could be? Like I said, my video card seems
to work fine in every other way, my monitor is new, all the cords are
fine, and this is only an issue with inputting video from a VCR or 8mm
camera. And I've done a few recordings every few months, one or two
each time, and I've put up with it, despite its extreme annoyance. But
I've discovered I will be doing a lot more VHS footage editing in the
near future, and thus I need to fix this issue before it drives me
nuts. Not to mention just the imperfect video I'm having to capture.

Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks very much. Please post up here, or
email me at daveallston AT rogers DOT com.

Cheers and thanks again, in advance.
Dave
 
C

Cari \(MS-MVP\)

When you play the tapes from THE SAME VCR to a tv, does the flicker
reappear?
 
D

daveallston

hi
Thanks for the reply. No it doesn't. Like I said, it has no pattern or
discernable reason for why it does it. It does it with new tapes, old
tapes, etc. At first I assumed it might have something to do with a
flickering tracking or when a tape has a bit of damage or something...
but it simply appears to be fully random.
 
C

Cari \(MS-MVP\)

Let's try the cheap options first.... I know PowerDirector v3, v4 and v5 are
fine because I've used them all.

So make sure the composite cable is not crossing over any other cables that
might cause interference.... and if possible, try a better cable - or at
least an alternative cable, I'm not suggesting you rush out and purchase a
Monster Cable manufactured one since no one has ever given me solid evidence
that a $100 cable does anything much better than my $10 ones.

Remember that other cables aren't the only thing that can cause
interference.... even something weird might.... microwave, wireless
something etc etc.... if I hold my cellphone too close to my PC the speakers
start giving out some really strange noises.
 

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