Program Dropping frames when capturing at DVinfo.net

Chris Mier · June 10th, 2009, 07:07 PM

Sometimes when I am capturing video the program drops frames. This causes the video to appear jumpy and looks BAD. Is this a software issue, a camera issue, or a tape issue?

Before you ask, I am using a Canon GL-2 with Panasonic tapes and Pinnacle Studio 12.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Gene Gajewski · June 10th, 2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mier

Sometimes when I am capturing video the program drops frames. This causes the video to appear jumpy and looks BAD. Is this a software issue, a camera issue, or a tape issue?

Before you ask, I am using a Canon GL-2 with Panasonic tapes and Pinnacle Studio 12.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

I'm guessing you're capturing via firewire? If so, it's the software dropping the frames.

Generic advice is to make sure any unneccessary programs aren't running to give the capture application maximum CPU availability.

Greg Donovan · June 10th, 2009, 08:05 PM

I second that. Restart the computer, make sure nothing is running except Pinnacle, and don't use the computer until the importing is finished. Also try turning off the import preview. That helps sometimes.

Greg

Chris Mier · June 10th, 2009, 08:30 PM

Thanks, will try that.

Should I use soomething other than firewire?

Greg Donovan · June 10th, 2009, 08:39 PM

No, you need to use firewire.

Greg

Ken Campbell · June 10th, 2009, 11:37 PM

While certain programs like antivirus can cause this, sometimes it is the Firewire cable. I bought a cheap one in the beginning and had these dropouts. Unfortunately, not all Firewire cables are equal and getting a good one can help avoid this.

Chris Mier · June 12th, 2009, 07:53 AM

I am shooting with 2 GL-2's, one on a tripod and one on a glidecam 2000, and was wondering if I could use a portable harddrive while taping? Would this help with the frame dropping issue?

Robert M Wright · June 12th, 2009, 08:09 AM

WinDV (freeware) is one of the few DV capture apps that uses a memory buffer, which can help prevent dropped frames:

WinDV

Tuy Le · June 12th, 2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Mier

I am shooting with 2 GL-2's, one on a tripod and one on a glidecam 2000, and was wondering if I could use a portable harddrive while taping? Would this help with the frame dropping issue?

If your editing software can import the file then do it - save time (don't need to capture) and no more drop frame.

Chris Mier · June 12th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Will the camera also record to tape as well?

Robert M Wright · June 12th, 2009, 06:54 PM

Getting something like a FireStore is a fairly expensive way to deal with the issue of your computer dropping frames while capturing, and really doesn't resolve whatever the issue is with your computer in the first place (a bit like buying bottled water because your faucet doesn't work). Likely causes include a badly fragmented hard drive and excessive bloatware running in the background. Whatever is causing the dropped frames, the issue(s) should be put to rest, regardless of doing anything else.

June 10th, 2009, 07:07 PM	#1
Chris Mier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 18	Program Dropping frames when capturing Sometimes when I am capturing video the program drops frames. This causes the video to appear jumpy and looks BAD. Is this a software issue, a camera issue, or a tape issue? Before you ask, I am using a Canon GL-2 with Panasonic tapes and Pinnacle Studio 12. Thanks for any help you can offer!

June 12th, 2009, 07:53 AM	#7
Chris Mier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 18	Can I use a Portable Hard drive? I am shooting with 2 GL-2's, one on a tripod and one on a glidecam 2000, and was wondering if I could use a portable harddrive while taping? Would this help with the frame dropping issue?

June 12th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#10
Chris Mier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 18	Follow-up to prev post Will the camera also record to tape as well?

June 10th, 2009, 08:05 PM	#3
Greg Donovan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney, NS, Canada Posts: 53	I second that. Restart the computer, make sure nothing is running except Pinnacle, and don't use the computer until the importing is finished. Also try turning off the import preview. That helps sometimes. Greg

June 10th, 2009, 08:30 PM	#4
Chris Mier New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 18	Thanks, will try that. Should I use soomething other than firewire?

June 10th, 2009, 08:39 PM	#5
Greg Donovan Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney, NS, Canada Posts: 53	No, you need to use firewire. Greg

June 10th, 2009, 11:37 PM	#6
Ken Campbell Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Milan, Italy Posts: 140	While certain programs like antivirus can cause this, sometimes it is the Firewire cable. I bought a cheap one in the beginning and had these dropouts. Unfortunately, not all Firewire cables are equal and getting a good one can help avoid this.

June 12th, 2009, 08:09 AM	#8
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	WinDV (freeware) is one of the few DV capture apps that uses a memory buffer, which can help prevent dropped frames: WinDV

June 12th, 2009, 06:54 PM	#11
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	Getting something like a FireStore is a fairly expensive way to deal with the issue of your computer dropping frames while capturing, and really doesn't resolve whatever the issue is with your computer in the first place (a bit like buying bottled water because your faucet doesn't work). Likely causes include a badly fragmented hard drive and excessive bloatware running in the background. Whatever is causing the dropped frames, the issue(s) should be put to rest, regardless of doing anything else.