Audio crackle/pop when capturing

Discussion in 'Video capturing from analog sources' started by tigger, Jan 20, 2006.

  1. tigger

    tigger Member

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    I'm trying to capture video using VCR connected to composite inputs (video and analog) on capture card on HP Media Center PC. Video is fine, but audio pops/crackles frequently (every 5 to 10 seconds) during capture and playback.

    If I connect the VCR directly to a TV, audio is fine. If I capture TV signal (via coax to capture card), audio is fine. If I connect VCR to line in on audio card, audio is fine. It's only when I connect to the composite inputs (which I need to do when using the programs below) do I get crackle.

    I've tried Intervideo Windvd creator and Power Producer Gold and both give the crackle/pop. Sound is on-board Realtek AC97. Capture card is Conexant 23880 Blackbird NTSC dual input.

    I'm at a loss as to what could be happening. I called HP, and they recommended updating drivers and then rolling back drivers which I tried, with no success. I've googled this and can't find anyone with the same problem. Your help/assistance would be much appreciated.
     
  2. tigger

    tigger Member

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    I downloaded ulead on trial, and I can select realtek as my audio device (which I'm not able to do WINDVD or Power Producer). While previewing on the monitor, video and audio (with audio connected to line-in on the audio card) is excellent, i.e. no snapping and popping sounds. HOWEVER, when I go to record, it gives me an error "Error in capturing audio [13011:5:2]".

    I was hopeful for a moment.

    This is getting extremely frustrating. Nothing I try is working. Hopefully, there is someone out there that can help me.

     
  3. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    hello there I am so glad someone is having the same problem as me. I have been trying to capture VHS video to the computer using WinDVR I have great picture but the sound is a crackle pop also, very frustrating as thats all thats wrong. I had the VCR cleaned and repaired so there shouldn't be anything wrong with it.
    I have a compro hybrid TV Tuner, not sure what the problem is, I want to be able to capture using this program as its the best quality I can get compared to other ones I have tried.

    Let me know how you go, would like to get feedback, maybe we can discuss with each other what is happening.

    Thanks, I was just about ripping my hair out, so its nice to know i am not the only one having probs here

    Thanks

    Beck.
     
  4. tigger

    tigger Member

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    Hopefully some kind knowledgable soul will help us, Beck
     
  5. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    Yes hopefully, I did ask about using WinDVR on here once, I was told that I didn't have the connections from the vcr to the line in, but I did and in the program its not picking up any line in, only getting cd player option, when I record I get the crackle pop noise in the recording.

    So I don't really know what is causing it to do this, its very frustrating as you know.

    Thanks for replying

    Beck
     
  6. tigger

    tigger Member

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    One more thing, I just connected the VCR to the tuner/capture card via coax and set the tuner to channel 3. No pops and clicks. Very strange. Somehow there is a problem related to the composite inputs. (I've tried composites on front and back).
     
  7. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    Ok thats cool, are you using the coax from the vcr, or through a cable or aerial coax?

     
  8. tigger

    tigger Member

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    I used coax from the VCR, but I still want to get composites working properly so I can capture analog.
     
  9. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    Ok so you used a coax from the vcr, I must see if I can do that, not sure if i can only can use composite leads to the capture card.
     
  10. tigger

    tigger Member

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    The saga continues. I spoke with HP again today and they want me to a complete system recovery (i.e. back to what it was when I got it). I foresee this taking many hours, with backing up all the files, and freeware and then reloading, and setting up, etc.

    For what? I already rolled back and updated both capture card and sound card drivers.

    Anyway, I also tried a Soundblaster Live! card today and disabled on-board sound in bios with the same results.

    I think it almost has to be the capture card.

    Is there any way you can foresee it being software, i.e. do you think a complete system recovery is worth it?
     
  11. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    I have no idea, to me it seems to be the software and not he capture card, not sure if a complete system recovery will be helpful or not
     
  12. tigger

    tigger Member

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    Update: I got a new capture card... same problem.
    This is unbelievably frustrating. Maybe bad connection somewhere or a power supply problem, but how am I going to find that?
     
  13. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    Hello sorry to hear your new capture card did not work
    What program are you using again to capture the audio and video?
    I am still using InterVideo WinDVR 3 and well I have some good news I can tell you, I had our local computer/reparirman have a look at it for us, and he has the same capture card as me, and of course has no problems with it at all.

    Anyway he had a look at it, said its connected up to the cd player one, reason for why I can't change the settings to line in etc. He also suggested when capturing to adjust the volume settings, said I had them up too high, could be the reason for the crackle and the pop noise, so I did that, adjusted to really low and guess what its not as bad now, still a little bit, but not as loud as it was.

    Maybe you could try that too, have it set to really really low, almost muted nearly

    Was wondering too if there is a way I could perhaps take that little bit of crackle noise out of it some how, then it would be perfect.

    Thought I would let you know
     
  14. tigger

    tigger Member

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    Thanks for the information.
    I'm using Intervideo Win DVD creator 2, but I've also tried Power Producer.

    I can't understand why I can't set audio to the Realtek Audio, it's greyed out (the Conexant Capture card is selected for audio).

    I'll try lowering some settings, (I think I've already tried it), and let you know how I make out.
     
  15. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    I did try using WinDVD Creator I didn't find it much good, the audio still crackled a fair bit. I will stick to using WinDVR can put up with the slight crackle I am hoping i can use a program called Sony Sound Forge which has a Audio Restoration feature can use it with mpeg files so might be able to fix the sound

    Good luck, let me know how you go
     
  16. tigger

    tigger Member

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    I haven't been home to try your suggestion yet, however it sounds more like a bandage, than a cure. I'm hoping to find the cure, but so far, no success.
    Thanks for the input. I'll keep you posted.
     
  17. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    Hi hope you can find the cure soon, I have tryed a program that will actually take the crackle and pops out of the recorded mpeg file.
    It worked for me, although its still not what I want, I am a bit of a perfectionist I must admit. Have a go at Sony Media Sound Forge 8.0 there are plug-ins that will take the noise out etc.

    I used WinDVR again it worked with the crackle, but noticed its sounding a bit wobbly in places, only way I can describe it, very weird so trying another program which will be the last option Ulead Video Studio

    Keep me posted like to know how you go, thanks

    Getting so frustrated with it though, beyond throwing it out the window now
     
  18. fwelland

    fwelland Member

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    Don't know if this helps or not - but on certain tapes I experienced simmilar sound probs. during captures. These 'bad-audio' tapes were usually the ones my kids had left in the VCR w/o ejecting...

    I actually found that certain VCRs tolerated these tapes with better audio results. I have 3 VCRs - all fairly cheap and old - next to my computer/capture station. I switch between the VCRs until one gives me acceptable audio - on really bad tapes I can't fully get rid of the snaps & pops...

    garbage in...
     
  19. Becks24

    Becks24 Member

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    Thanks for that. I thought it could be the tapes but they play fine when watching them, are good quality not cheap and nasty ones. That sony program I used does take out the noise, crackle and pop.
     
  20. fwelland

    fwelland Member

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    Ok - me too. I hooked up my VCRs to a tube and swear I couldn't hear the snaps/pops either. And in general - it was very hard to hear the bad stuff through the TV. But I could - it wasn't nearly as bad as the captured files - but it was there.


    Maybe there is some voodoo in my TV (i only tried one tv) that helps to hide this noise - or maybe (more likely) there is some voodoo in my capture card that does some audio enhancing - thus enhancing the crap too.

     

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