Newbie problem with camcorder, FFDS, slow video playback

Discussion in 'Digital camcorders' started by guysnape, May 2, 2009.

  1. guysnape

    guysnape Member

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    I bought a cheap and cheerful digital video camera (Traveler dv-5000 HD from Aldi) today, successfully imported some clips (.avi format, 1280 x 720, audio bit rate 44kbps, audio sample size 4 bit, audio format MS ADPCM, Frame rate 30 f/s, data rate 4111kbps, video sample size 24 bit, video compression FFDS). I've installed the software from the CD, including FFDShow. When I play back the video in media player classic, the audio runs at the correct speed but the video plays at about 30% of normal speed so they're completely out of sync and the sound finishes ages before the video. If I use standard Media Player, playback is even slower.

    There are programs on the start menu for "audio decoder configuration", "video decoder configuration", and "VFW configuration". They look complicated and I don't know what I'm doing with them so I'm not going to mess around with them without guidance.

    Computer is 1.6 GHz P4, 1 GB of RAM, XP SP2 NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 200.

    Any help appreciated - there is a helpline but they're not open until Monday.

    Thanks,

    - guy
     
  2. davexnet

    davexnet Active member

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    Is your computer fast enough to play the 720p video?

    Play the files again, but first open the task manager at the processes
    tab. See if the process for the video player gets close to 100%.
     
  3. guysnape

    guysnape Member

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    That's it, many thanks. I can live with that - the low def setting is good enough for what I need.
     
  4. davexnet

    davexnet Active member

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    Sounds good - if it's something important, you could always capture
    at the higher res and convert it to something that will play on
    your PC - DVD, for example. That way, you have the HD stuff
    for the future.
     
  5. david94

    david94 Regular member

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    soory i know i am in the wrong place but, my camcorder wont turn on, all that happens is the PC/Access light flickers and nothing else. the battery is charged and working, i have also tried it from the adaptor instead but nothing happens. coud this be the main circuit board?
     
  6. davexnet

    davexnet Active member

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    Possibly, difficult to diagnose, but miniature electronics
    quite sensitive, can break easily.
    How come you don't start your own thread?
     
  7. david94

    david94 Regular member

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    whenever i make a new thread they never get replies and i am then left with an unsolved problem.
     
  8. dub12dave

    dub12dave Regular member

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    Have a similar problem as the OP, all the symptoms are the same have downloaded these players, Quick Time, Cyberlink media suite, AVS media player, Ace DivX player, VLC media player, and still the playback is c**p, I dont know how to do what was recommended in post #2.

    I think my laptop is not fast enough to play these mp4 files is there anything that I can do as I love this little camcorder.

    Here is some info on my computer:

    Processor: Intel(R)Celeron(R)CPU 570@ 2.26GHz 2.27GHz
    Memory(RAM) 1.00 GB
    System type 32 bit operating system

    All I want to be able to do is store these videos on my pc and watch them whenever.

    Any help would be very welcome.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2010
  9. dub12dave

    dub12dave Regular member

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    Anybody help???
     
  10. davexnet

    davexnet Active member

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    Windows PC?
    Open the Task Manager and check the CPU.

    If you have the right GPU, you may be able to use DXVA in
    media player classic - home cinema (MPC-HC) and that will relieve the CPU
    by offloading most of the decoding to the graphics chip .
     
  11. dub12dave

    dub12dave Regular member

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    Davexnet

    Thanks for the reply but I haven't got a clue what that means,gonna try and get rid of the camcorder and get an ordinary one that will play on my slow computer, thanks again.
     
  12. davexnet

    davexnet Active member

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    Sorry I couldn't help. Sounds as if the PC is too old for HD,
    I don't think the Geforce3 chip you mentioned supports this acceleration.

    If it's a desktop you could consider upgrading the video card - should
    be able to get something good for < $50.
     
  13. GrandpaBW

    GrandpaBW Active member

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    You hijacked the thread, but you have the same problem as the original poster (OP). your computer is a boat anchor, when it comes to doing anything with video.

    You shouldn't dump the camcorder. That's not where the problem lies.
     
  14. dub12dave

    dub12dave Regular member

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    The camcorder is now gone, time as grandpa said to get a proper laptop, THANK YOU for all your help.

    Dave.
     

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