Choppy results after recording

Byvsen wrote on 11/27/2020, 1:18 PM

Hello! I recently bought this product that can digitize old VHS tapes to save some memories. But while I'm recording there's this error message saying "Your computer will be strained by the current recording settings."

I tried lowering the quality, but that didn't work. Later on I read that it can be caused by the computer not being fast enough to record from the VHS tape. But the thing is I tried digitizing another random VHS tape, which was about 13 minutes long, and that worked fine. But when I try to digitize the VHS tapes that matter to me most, it doesn't seem to be working. And the error message pops up about one minute in. When I look at the results the audio is skipping.

Because this only happens to these specific VHS tapes, I'm thinking it might have something to do with that. I also tried playing the VHS tape on a regular TV, just to see if it was the VHS player that couldn't play the tape correctly. But it seemed to work very fine there. It even played the tape in 50Hz. So I'm wondering if there's some sort of setting on the Magix software that I've set incorrectly.

An answer to this problem would be very appreciated!

Here are specifications for my computer and Magix software:

I'm using Magix Rescue Your Videotapes version 5.0.3.113.

Operating system: Windows 10

RAM: 8GB

400GB free space

CPU: intel i5-4460 3.2GHz

GPU: Nvidia GTX 960

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 11/27/2020, 3:07 PM

@Byvsen

Hello Alfred.

I found this forum topic

https://www.magix.info/us/forum/color-problems--1245689/

It could be a related problem as that old Rescue Your Video tapes version is a 32 bit program and your copy of Windows 10 could be the 64 bit version.

Ray.

Byvsen wrote on 11/27/2020, 7:25 PM

@CubeAce Okay, I tried installing a 64 bit Magix video converter driver, but I didn't see any difference.

But as I said, it seems to only work on certain VHS tapes. I have about seven tapes that I want to convert, but trying to convert any of them result in an error message. But when I try converting another videotape it works just fine. I can even record it in "very high" quality without any problems.

CubeAce wrote on 11/27/2020, 7:57 PM

@Byvsen

Hi. I actually meant the program needs 32 bit drivers to work correctly and Win 10 may have loaded 64 bit drivers for it in a Windows update.

However Such programs sometimes will not work if a tape is worn too much, even if it appears to play properly. You could try swapping video players if you have another one or cleaning the heads but it could be just a slightly stretched tape or shedding oxide causing problems.

Ray.

a-g2776 wrote on 12/29/2020, 8:05 AM

We seem to be having the same issue. I bought the software for my Mum because it was advertised as 'Easy'; however, she would not be able to manage it herself.

After a lot of installing and 'tweaking', the software will recognise the converter but success seems very random. Sometimes it will run multiple hours but sometimes it stops, giving the 'straining your computer' message and all the recording is lost. This can occur at the beginning or at any point during transfer. None of the solutions provided for this issue (or more generally) make a difference (some allude to properties not available in this version) and the computer used has been especially emptied to allow for 'Rescue' space. We have devoted the past week to producing only 3 projects.

System specs:

* Windows 10 Home 64 bit

* i5-3550 3.7 GHz 8Gb RAM

* Software version 6.0.1.10. MAGIX Video easy Rescue Your Videotapes!

* No other programs are being run in the background

Mum is particularly upset as I will be returning home soon and, having had a taste of what she could have, she is excited but knows that the technical side is beyond her. This is the only present she received from me so I would like to sort it out for her asap.

Thank you.

johnebaker wrote on 12/29/2020, 9:11 AM

@Byvsen, @a-g2776

If the issue is occurring with some tapes and not others than the most likely cause is dropout of the video signal to the converter due to:

the tape sticking - you should always do a full play through the tape especially if they have been stored for a long while - do not use fast forward or rewind to speed this up as it can damage the tape
loss of signal on the tape.
the coating deteriorating and possibly beginning to shed.
Dirty video heads

John EB

a-g2776 wrote on 12/29/2020, 10:03 AM

We have just tried a different video recorder. Both play the video perfectly in the preview window but both encounter the same issue ('straining').

Can you explain how an error in the recording hardware would result in an error in the software?

When monitoring in 'Task Manager', power usage spikes when the error occurs; however, the rest of the time it is very low.

Thank you.