Capturing TV as digital files - honestly not off topic!!!!

I've got a fair bit of New Order stuff on video (both official and non-official), as well as some Joy Division. I want to get these into digital format so they can be shared via this website (assuming webmasters don't mind). However, I need the advice of someone who understands technical stuff - basically I have a Gateway PC with a Hauppauge TV card that works OK, but I get diagonal "banding" on screen, which would make digital files look quite poor. If someone could help me off-line with this then I could start on the encoding!

Any takers?!!

Diagonal banding is usually an earthing problem, in this case probably to do with the vcr. Sometimes you have to disconnect the earth from the plug of the vcr as its best to have one common earth in the system. Do you have mpeg encoding software as the files will be huge when you capture them, especially if you grab the soundtrack at 16 or 32 bit stereo?

Magic Muffler... while your own the case like a technical leccy fettler how does a Mac settler convert his old audio (i.e. off tape, Minidisk, vinyl) material into digital land for blasting onto an 'el cheapo CDR?!!

Is it the way of the firery wirery or am I looking at USB-anjo Jones?

I've got the fabled toast program but it still won't except anything thicker than medium sliced?

Hey Muff one more thing while the Huntsman's mind is almost active... Electronic, I did really love the first album but must protest that the fact that it sounded a bit cheapy jackson spoilt the day for me. I clagged it on the stereogram the other day and boy does it sound like it was made in toytown.

You know, Huntsy, after having consumed a fair amount of Pringles lately, inspired by your example, I am nonetheless beginning to think I may prefer the more conventional varieties of potato "chips."

Originally posted by Muffy Diagonal banding is usually an earthing problem, in this case probably to do with the vcr. Sometimes you have to disconnect the earth from the plug of the vcr as its best to have one common earth in the system. Do you have mpeg encoding software as the files will be huge when you capture them, especially if you grab the soundtrack at 16 or 32 bit stereo?

I use a TV Link that distributes both TV and VCR signals to the TV card in the machine. The earthing problem sounds intriguing as the banding varies in intensity, if you see what I mean! Er, isn't it a bit dangerous to disconnect earth leads though?

Encoding software - was going to use the capture facility that comes with Win TV - is there a better one you would suggest?

I never said I was right Patrick. I only go with my heart.

Originally posted by Huntsman Magic Muffler... while your own the case like a technical leccy fettler how does a Mac settler convert his old audio (i.e. off tape, Minidisk, vinyl) material into digital land for blasting onto an 'el cheapo CDR?!!Is it the way of the firery wirery or am I looking at USB-anjo Jones?I've got the fabled toast program but it still won't except anything thicker than medium sliced?Hey Muff one more thing while the Huntsman's mind is almost active... Electronic, I did really love the first album but must protest that the fact that it sounded a bit cheapy jackson spoilt the day for me. I clagged it on the stereogram the other day and boy does it sound like it was made in toytown.

Connect a spare output on your amp to an input on your soundcard. You'll need software like Adaptec Easy CD Creator to capture the files and help remove pops and clicks, tape hiss, etc, but if I were you Huntsy baby i'd splash a bit of the old hard earned on a decent cd recorder, it'll make the whole palava much more simple. Then download a cd ripper, there are tons of free ones, but 20 squids or so will get ya something a bit on the tasty side, Realjukebox for example. On the Electronic front, the first album is rather good in my humble pie, for the mother of all badly produced fuckers check out U2's fabled debut with that cunt Daniel Lanois. What should've been a classic was clubbed to death, he should've been shot for that 'un!

Originally posted by Steve Waller

I use a TV Link that distributes both TV and VCR signals to the TV card in the machine. The earthing problem sounds intriguing as the banding varies in intensity, if you see what I mean! Er, isn't it a bit dangerous to disconnect earth leads though?

Encoding software - was going to use the capture facility that comes with Win TV - is there a better one you would suggest?

As long as there's an earth in the loop you're safe enough. With the tv in on the act too i'd be surprised if it is'nt the earth! try outputting just from the vcr. The encoding with the card is'nt the best but it'll do if it's all you've got but get the xing encoder if you can. Remember to set the frame rate to 24 fps as thats enough and size the picture no more than 352 wide, or your processor may struggle, it will fill a tv screen anyway if you send it back to the tv or burn it onto a video cd.

Huntsy, do you have the Lay's brand of potato slice products? They have recently introduced something called "Bistro Gourmet" variety, in two flavors, one of which is called something like "Applewood Barbecue." If you happen to run across this, give it a try. Currently my favorite potato product.

Well Muffler I'd have to agree that when all said and done the computer is a true hore, she can suck and blow 'till the cows come home but at the end of the day a man can get tired of over egging the same pudding. When she has been so long abused by all and sundry its nice to think.... ahh fuck it, I've flogged that particular old mule to death and now its time to regain sight of the situation and attempt a different approach.

A standalone CD recorder does sound like the sensible option... at least I won't have to trawl a million sites to download the 'Mac' version of a CD clean-up program released billions of times for the ubiquitous PC fettler. It would be like finding the golden goose, or the mother of all chickens.

I may have to pick your nose and brains on this subject at a later daytona.... expect only the most hideously naive questions in abundance. Cheers for the tips anyway cat face... keep the New Order restoration work going.

About Daniel Fatwa... he's a bit of a Canadian hairy moose but I quite liked U2's early shit which leaves us agreeing on very little over the last couple of daytonas. Perhaps my memory is a little shit-monkey and distorted but the Unregrettable Firestorm was a stormer... or where you referring to Warzone? - perhaps I just liked the fact that in the early days Bone-man looked like fat henry.

Patrick your talking about flavours and brands not heard of here in Blighty. They do sound essential masters of the human pallete. I cannot share my likes with these small minions without the gourmet evidence to try?! -

The erm, 'Unregrettable Firestorm' is the very one, brilliant songs yes, but its like listening with pillows over yer earoles it's so muted! You can pick me bits for techy tips any time Huntsmule me old fruit, just as long as you sweep up the crumbs afterwards!

Thanks!

I will try without some earths and see what happens. I may even forget the TV link, just bring the video in and stick the co-ax into the card.

Bear with me for files - it may take me a while!!!

Patty can you quite believe that my efforts to introduce ghosts into this fabled auditorium fell on deaf earlobes? - I don't know, when can a person share with another without fear of retribution and sheer humiliation? - perhaps, when all said and done... my meanderings were about as welcome as cat waste inside a bag of the usual.

(if that doesn't get everyone's stories flowing in I don't know what will! - but sshhhh, 'cause Sebsy might throw me off the site for not discussing NO. Dont they have a ghost?)

Originally posted by Muffy The erm, 'Unregrettable Firestorm' is the very one, brilliant songs yes, but its like listening with pillows over yer earoles it's so muted! You can pick me bits for techy tips any time Huntsmule me old fruit, just as long as you sweep up the crumbs afterwards!

I never leave crumbs, one 90 degree tube scrape at the end of the barrel solves any chance of this occurring. Besides which, its them very same crumblers that taste so peachy, given that they are overly saturated with droplets of tasty, finger excess and remenants of a man's toilet activities. ;)

Huntsy, my recollection is that your introduction of the ghost subject may have fallen victim to the great weekend memory loss that seems to be manifested here.

On the subject of "ghosts," while I was driving to work this morning, the radio had a quiz for Incubus tickets. One question was a multiple choice on the meaning of the band's name. Correct answer was "ghost that visits you during the night." I always thought an incubus was more like a demon than a ghost.

Originally posted by Huntsman I never leave crumbs, one 90 degree tube scrape at the end of the barrel solves any chance of this occurring. Besides which, its them very same crumblers that taste so peachy, given that they are overly saturated with droplets of tasty, finger excess and remenants of a man's toilet activities. ;)

The mind boggles, 'sour creme and shech, with a hint of pish', oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Patrick Huntsy, my recollection is that your introduction of the ghost subject may have fallen victim to the great weekend memory loss that seems to be manifested here.On the subject of "ghosts," while I was driving to work this morning, the radio had a quiz for Incubus tickets. One question was a multiple choice on the meaning of the band's name. Correct answer was "ghost that visits you during the night." I always thought an incubus was more like a demon than a ghost.

An Incubus is meant to be an evil spirit that prays on sleeping women for sex and a Succubus does the same to men. I'm right into this stuff, i'm very 'gifted' don't you know!

So Muffo, what connection would you say that bears to the band called Incubus, including the singer's predilection for wearing no shirt and trousers so low they're barely legal?

Originally posted by Patrick So Muffo, what connection would you say that bears to the band called Incubus, including the singer's predilection for wearing no shirt and trousers so low they're barely legal?

Could it be that they have a penchant for helping themselves to the 'roly poly'?? I take it they're not the type you'd like your sister hangin' with?

So Muffy, did you witness my very recent attempt to provoke ghostly talks from the crew here? - shame if you never caught that thread as I posted one of my all time favourite psychic occurences that I have attended within my lifespan.

If you are really into it, you may have come across a very likeminded individual as I have made it one of my goals in life to research any eerie event I stumble across.

Pattle, the talk of incubus is encouraging and I thank you for attempting to aid me in my quest to stimulate other worldly activity. I'm still preparing the experiment if your interested? (remember?)

As some time has elapsed did the no. 12 raise above the throng of life recently? - now think.

Originally posted by Huntsman So Muffy, did you witness my very recent attempt to provoke ghostly talks from the crew here? - shame if you never caught that thread as I posted one of my all time favourite psychic occurences that I have attended within my lifespan.If you are really into it, you may have come across a very likeminded individual as I have made it one of my goals in life to research any eerie event I stumble across.Pattle, the talk of incubus is encouraging and I thank you for attempting to aid me in my quest to stimulate other worldly activity. I'm still preparing the experiment if your interested? (remember?)

Yes, I saw that one but I was'nt sure if you were just havin a laugh or not so I kept out of it. You should start a thread on it, i'm sure we could have a very interesting chat about it all. I too have had many 'enlightening' experiences in my life. Just the other week a 'visitor' in my dreams told me my friends mother was going to die and that I should be there for her to help her through it, two days later she told me her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and that there was nothing the docs could do for her. I get frequent happenings but chose to ignore most of them, i'm one of those people who see it as a curse and not a blessing.

Yes, H, I remember your comments about # 12, but I can't at the moment think of any recent 12 occurrences. Whatever experiment you have in mind, feel free to proceed.

Smuffy everything I wrote re: psychic incidents was the absolute truth... no Huntsman gaffs whatsoever, even though I hinted that they were... well, they weren't. Your story about dream intruders is a very common happening with people who 'have the gift'. Some of us just don't want to know - its sounds like you could do without the hassle and worry. It is odd though isn't it, when something points you in a direction before it happens?! - I hope your friend copes... I'm sure you'll provide ample shoulders.

Pastie eater, the experiment will be unleashed shortly... watch this space.

Originally posted by Huntsman Smuffy everything I wrote re: psychic incidents was the absolute truth... no Huntsman gaffs whatsoever, even though I hinted that they were... well, they weren't. Your story about dream intruders is a very common happening with people who 'have the gift'. Some of us just don't want to know - its sounds like you could do without the hassle and worry. It is odd though isn't it, when something points you in a direction before it happens?! - I hope your friend copes... I'm sure you'll provide ample shouldPastie eater, the experiment will be unleashed shortly... watch this space.

I'll do my best, but what's this no. 12 thing about, i must be missing something??

Originally posted by Huntsman Magic Muffler... while your own the case like a technical leccy fettler how does a Mac settler convert his old audio (i.e. off tape, Minidisk, vinyl) material into digital land for blasting onto an 'el cheapo CDR?!!Is it the way of the firery wirery or am I looking at USB-anjo Jones?I've got the fabled toast program but it still won't except anything thicker than medium sliced?Hey Muff one more thing while the Huntsman's mind is almost active... Electronic, I did really love the first album but must protest that the fact that it sounded a bit cheapy jackson spoilt the day for me. I clagged it on the stereogram the other day and boy does it sound like it was made in toytown.

Huntsy, I hate PCs. I use the Amiga. Hooray!!!!! It is - PPC604e/400mhz/040/28mhz/128mb/1.2Gb/DVD/CDRW/1.76kb

Ahhhh the old Power PC 604e processor circa 1995/6 onwards eh!? - your talking my language here Phacsimilie... I'm a Cube user myself - couldn't resist the tempting little one standing proud on me desk when the kids come in for meetings. Hey what's that?! - its a fucking Mac you dummy. Oh is it?, but its so small, where does the CD go? - you mean, where does the CD go because it hasn't got a massive brown mouldy old parcel shelf about a mile wide that when ejected sounds like a tractor pulling a horse over a cattle grid! - its in the fucking cube!!!. Ooohhh, I might get one... no you won't... now be gone, back to your tired old PC you grimey tap spanner... and load either Word or PowerPoint up because they're the only bastard programs anyone ever uses.

Takes a while to relay the fact that 3.5" disk drives are no longer fitted to Macs. But Huntsy, what do you save to? - er, cdr, zip, dvd, syquest etc. etc.

Speaking of Amigas Phacsy, I wonder perchance if you are an avid retro gamer? - personally, when I learnt about 'MAME' I never slept until I had all my childhood memories comfortably recorded to CDR. ;)

Amiga = Defender of the Crown ST = Starglider Spectrum = Manic Miner Commodore 64 = Beach Head BBC = Chuckie Egg

see if you can beat 45.000 on this defender