Trying to find Sound when converting VHS

Xenofex2 wrote on 9/30/2014, 3:19 PM

Just wondering whether anyone can help, or, if I need to call on the help of a local computer man.

I know what I am trting to do has worked before (probably some 12 – 18 months ago). I seem to rotate my hobbies and what I have decided to again is to convert some of my old VHS tapes and am using the Magix USB VDE Converter that is and has been connected permanently between my VHS player and computer ever since it was last used.

I can see the picture images from the tv screen but cannot see a way of also capturing the sound. I have tried with four Magix programs – Video Easy Rescue Your Videotapes, MEP 2013 / 2014 & 2015 without success.
I have looked at the ‘Sound Options’ (see below) but cannot see any actual option.

Any advice would be welcome.

Comments

emmrecs wrote on 10/2/2014, 9:53 AM

Hi. I've never tried to capture VHS in the way you are doing because I have a dedicated PCI card for that purpose. So, my thoughts may be completely useless!

However, since the connection to your computer is USB I would expect to see USB Audio or USB Audio Device listed somewhere on your Recording device screen. I do see something listed as "Line USB 2861 Device". Is that the audio you need? If so, have you tried to click on it and "Configure"? I see your MAGIX capture screen behind is showing a sample frequency of 44.1kHz (which is somewhat unusual for video, though I see the "quality" is shown as VCD - the more common frequency for video is 48kHz) but I wonder whether Windows and/or the configuration of that Line USB Device is not set to 44.1kHz? Can you check that both the Capture Screen and the configuration of that Line in are set to the same frequency?

The only other thought I have, and this is likely to prove even less useful than what I wrote above (!), is whether, under the Audio Driver tab (on the Capture screen) you have any alternative available and could try with that?

HTH

Jeff

johnebaker wrote on 10/2/2014, 1:05 PM

Looking at the screenshot you posted, you have the correct device selected for the audio input as well as the video.

However in the Sound options the Stereo mixer is disabled - try enabling this and then recording again.

If that fails, try changing the Audio driver to the Stereo Mixer.

If that fails update the drivers for the USB capture device they are on page 2, select the correct one for the USB device and Windows version (32bit or 64bit).

HTH

John

Xenofex2 wrote on 10/2/2014, 2:46 PM

Many thanks for your suggestions. I have now enabled the 'Stereo Mixer' and even though I did restart the computer I still did not get any audio. I did also try all other audio options without success.

I then looked into the update 'drivers option' but, as with the 'emmrecs' suggestion, these are an area of computer use that I am not comfortable with adjusting and think that I may have to call in a local computer 'expert' to help.

I guess what I am both surprised and disappointed at is that just some 12 - 18 months ago, I was actually able to record video and that I have not changed either computer or tv/video in that time. This year I have also started a system of manual back-ups, full anti-virus scans and make sure that all drivers are up todate.

Many Thanks for the suggestions.

Scenestealer wrote on 10/2/2014, 4:22 PM

Try setting the line device at the bottom of the recording window to Default instead of the microphone which is currently green ticked. Right click the bottom option and tick "Enable", and "Set as default".

Highlight the device and click properties and check on the levels tab that the level is greater that 50%.

Xenofex2 wrote on 10/3/2014, 5:20 AM

Nope. I'll have to call someone in but thankyou for all your helpful advice.

carlosdesalas wrote on 1/1/2015, 3:23 PM

Hello Xenofex2, were you able to find a solution for your problem?

I have just purchased the "Recover Your Video Tapes" and run into the same problem; whats even worse ...it worked just fine on my first and previous capture and for some odd reason its not working anymore :

1) Doesnt detect SOUND when I try to capture it.

2) When I decide to finish the TRANSFER no project gets created ...??

What could I be doing wrong?

Thank you very much for your help, I had big hopes on this program and its quite frustrating .

Xenofex2 wrote on 1/2/2015, 1:30 PM

No, I’m still at the same stage. Getting someone to visit though is still on my agenda.

To be honest, I am not sure it is really the Program and I always felt that it was either something to do with the Sound Card settings within the computer, or, the capture device that connects between the VHS and the computer. Like you, it has (for me with both Movie Edit Pro & Recover Your Videotapes) previously worked.
At the back of my mind I think it is to do with one’s settings. I had a similar problem recording off the internet into Audio Cleaning Lab. I used to do it, no problem, but then when tried some months later it did not work. That time I did ‘muck about’ with settings and eventually got it to work.

Before though I do ask someone to visit to help capture video, I intend to make a list of all type of audio/video captures’ that I do from time to time so that whilst fixing one problem, another has not been created.

Just though an afterthought on your problems Have you checked to ensure all leads are thoroughly connected, including in the back of the video machine? So obvious, well it is afterwards, but I recall that was one of my past problems.

johnebaker wrote on 1/3/2015, 2:04 PM

. . . . Just though an afterthought on your problems Have you checked to ensure all leads are thoroughly connected, including in the back of the video machine? So obvious, well it is afterwards, but I recall that was one of my past problems . . .

Also check if you have a SCART connector at the video recorder end and it has a switch on it that it is set to OUTPUT as shown below

Note: some connectors with the switch say IN or OUT

John