I hope I’m posting this in the correct forum - I didn’t know if it would be some sort of software request/issue or a hardware oriented “problem”.
I have a Pinnacle Dazzle DVC-100 USB capture device I have used to capture my old VHS tapes to disk for a media center. I had this working in an older release of a different distribution, but it wasn’t working correctly in the newer version there either before I made the switch to openSUSE.
I had been using VLC to do this successfully in the past. I would open a stream, using the capture device as the input, and point the output to a file. I had previously specified the width and height and a frame rate of 29fps. The version of VLC now doesn’t seem to have, at least via the GUI interface, a frame rate option, though I don’t know if that makes any difference or not.
When I look at the output file with the file explorer the file remains at 44 bytes and never grows. After the entire movie completes it is still only 44 bytes. I tried opening the capture device itself for input to play a movie and that works fine. If I click the red record button while doing that it does record - but it makes some kind of huge file that used up the remaining space I have available on my small 160gb drive.
When this worked in the past the resulting output file was in the 1GB range in size.
Can anyone give me any hints what I might be doing wrong? I also have this same sort of thread open in the videolan forums for VLC waiting on replies as well.
Please do this: open a terminal (konsole / gnome-terminal) and launch VLC with; vlc -vv
Then try to record it and copy paste the results from the terminal window here (it’s double verbose so it’ll output a lot of debug information) and copy paste it to http://paste.opensuse.org/ then copy paste the URI it gives you here.
vlc -w isn’t accepted as it says -w is not a valid option.
I then ran vlc -v > vlclog.txt with the hopes that all debugging info would go to a file I could look at. I let it run - it always said the output was 44 bytes. I stopped it after 5 minutes or so by pressing the stop button on VLC, then exited VLC. The log file is empty. The following showed on the terminal:
me@linux-ueg3:~> vlc -v
VLC media player 2.1.3 Rincewind (revision 2.1.3-0-ge6a71cc)
[0xd742d8] main interface error: no suitable interface module
[0xc2d0b8] main libvlc error: interface "globalhotkeys,none" initialization failed
[0xc2d0b8] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
me@linux-ueg3:~> vlc -v > vlclog.txt
VLC media player 2.1.3 Rincewind (revision 2.1.3-0-ge6a71cc)
[0x1e8d568] main interface error: no suitable interface module
[0x1d860b8] main libvlc error: interface "globalhotkeys,none" initialization failed
[0x1d860b8] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
[0x7f6d74000e08] main stream out warning: option no-overwrite is unknown
[0x7f6d74006498] v4l2 demux warning: cannot set streaming parameters: Inappropriate ioctl for device
[0x7f6d74003d58] stream_out_transcode stream out error: cannot find video encoder (module:any fourcc:h264). Take a look few lines earlier to see possible reason.
[0x7f6d74003d58] stream_out_transcode stream out error: cannot create video chain
[0x7f6d7401e958] main decoder error: cannot create packetizer output (YUY2)
[0x7f6d74003d58] stream_out_transcode stream out error: cannot find audio encoder (module:any fourcc:mpga). Take a look few lines earlier to see possible reason.
[0x7f6d74003d58] stream_out_transcode stream out error: cannot create audio chain
[0x7f6d74021db8] main decoder error: cannot create packetizer output (s16l)
me@linux-ueg3:~>
I also have noticed something has changed in the capture device tab when selecting the input: there is no longer a video for linux 2 (or some such wording) selection - now it’s just a video camera. I wonder if some defaults, as well as some options, have changed with a default of video camera.
I got that all installed and tried again - this time with the double v’s. The error messages are reduced, but it still seems to have an invalid frame rate and therefore doesn’t write to the output file so it’s still only 44 bytes while it is supposed to be recording (e.g., the mp4 headers) and a little over 200 bytes at close (I assume some sort of trailer records).
Good, now we can see from the logfiles that 264 is working properly, now let’s try forcing height, width and fps.
In the capture screen go to Advanced Options and force height and width to the resolution of the input and then Okay, then click on Show more options in the Capture screen, in the Edit Options add; :fps=29.97 or :fps=29
Let me know how it goes - I use various Blackmagic Devices for the job.
Dang, right when you have me doing things that are getting really close, the dumb thing stops working. It has a LED that lights when there is USB power to the device, and that LED is now off. No matter what USB port I put it in, nothing. The USB ports themselves all work (at least with the receiver for my cheapy wireless mouse), so it must be the device. Doesn’t even show in lsusb now. Don’t know what I could have possibly done to it, but so far nothing. I’ll keep working with it and see if I can get the device to work so I can try your newest suggestions.
If you need to get a new one, depending a bit on your needs the Blackmagic Design hardware line is really good. It’s a bit on the expensive side but the quality is worth it and they have Linux drivers (we had to write some additional software for it for in-house needs back in my ‘previous line of work’ but they were very good).
I still use the Blackmagic Intensity Pro myself on Linux
Unfortunately I can’t afford that line although the reviews indicate they are quite good. If I can find another DVC100 cheap enough I may try that again. I have to wait until I can save up a little money for it (I’m "financially challenged ).
Thanks again for your help! If I’m able to get another one, I’ll get back to this post and see how it goes with your latest suggestions.
I think something may have happened to my USB ports on my laptop. I bought another (used) DVC100. lsusb shows the audio device. The led on the device itself is out, and in VLC there is no video capture device other than my web cam. I also noticed that when I plug my Kodak camera in toa USB port that software doesn’t seem to “see” it.
Could I have done something that would have damaged all of the USB ports on my laptop?
It seems I somehow messed up my USB ports but not permanently. I powered all the way off (actually required the power switch is the system didn’t shut down all the way). Waited about a minute. left the DVC100 plugged in and powered back up - viola! I now have a working DVC100 again (I suppose the old one was actually good). At any rate, I added the frame rate. The file shows as 44 bytes until I click the stop button in VLC and then close VLC. The file then shows as 204 bytes. Trying to play it results in a message about no valid streams found. I don’t know anything about this stuff so I looked on line it I think it may be just the the “stuff” that describes the file but no actual file contents. It does still let me just open the the capture device and play to the screen, it’s still the capture to disk that isn’t working yet (I know it’s just me not knowing enough ). Any additional help would be appreciated.
Tried the command line vlc -vv again, and it appears it’s missing something yet to able to create the output format. It appears that error causes it not to create an output stream. That is, of course, if I understand it at all I’m just enclosing what I think are the relevant parts of the outputs. I did add the :fps-29 for this as well.
[0x7fc2ec003da8] lua art finder debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/share/vlc/lua/meta/art
[0x7fc2ec003da8] main art finder debug: no art finder modules matched
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: art not found for Streaming
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: device Pinnacle Dazzle DVC 90/100/101/ using driver em28xx (version 3.11.10) on usb-0000:00:1d.7-2
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: with capabilities 0x05020001 (overall 0x85020001)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: video input Composite1 (0) is camera
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: selected input 0
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: video standard set to 0xb000:
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: no tuning required (analog baseband input)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: no audio input available
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: supports raw format YUYV (YUY2): 16 bpp YUY2, 4:2:2, packed
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: supports raw format RGBP (RV16): 16 bpp RGB 565, LE
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: supports raw format BA81 (N.A.): 8 bpp Bayer BGBG..GRGR
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: supports raw format GRBG (N.A.): 8 bpp Bayer GRGR..BGBG
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: supports raw format GBRG (N.A.): 8 bpp Bayer GBGB..RGRG
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: supports raw format 411P (I411): 12 bpp YUV411
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: emulates raw format RGB3 (RV24): RGB3
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: emulates raw format BGR3 (RV24): BGR3
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: emulates raw format YU12 (I420): YU12
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: emulates raw format YV12 (YV12): YV12
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: selected format YUYV (YUY2)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: requested frame size: 720x480
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: unknown frame intervals: Inappropriate ioctl for device
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: constant frame interval: 1001/30000
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux warning: cannot set streaming parameters: Inappropriate ioctl for device
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: cannot get cropping properties: Inappropriate ioctl for device
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: 691200 bytes maximum for complete image
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: Interlacing setting: interleaved
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: added new video ES YUY2 720x480
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: frame rate: 30000/1001
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: aspect ratio: 1/1
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: selecting program id=0
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: streaming with 4 memory-mapped buffers
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: control class User Controls:
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Brightness (00980900)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 128, default: 128
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Contrast (00980901)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 64, default: 64
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Saturation (00980902)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 64, default: 64
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Hue (00980903)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 0, default: 0
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Volume (00980905)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 31, default: 31
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: boolean Mute (00980909)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: false, default: true
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Red Balance (0098090E)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 0, default: 0
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Blue Balance (0098090F)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 0, default: 0
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Sharpness (0098091B)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: 0, default: 0
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: boolean Chroma AGC (0098091D)
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: current: true, default: true
[0x7fc2e4006218] v4l2 demux debug: integer Chroma Gain (00980924)
[0x7fc2e4006218] main demux debug: using access_demux module "v4l2"
[0x7fc2e4009d38] main decoder debug: looking for packetizer module matching "any": 21 candidates
[0x7fc2e4009d38] main decoder debug: using packetizer module "rawvideo"
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: starting in sync mode
[0x7fc2e4011028] main demux meta debug: looking for meta reader module matching "any": 2 candidates
[0x7fc2e4011028] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua scripts in /home/me/.local/share/vlc/lua/meta/reader
[0x7fc2e4011028] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/lib64/vlc/lua/meta/reader
[0x7fc2e4011028] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua playlist script /usr/lib64/vlc/lua/meta/reader/filename.luac
[0x7fc2e4011028] lua demux meta debug: Trying Lua scripts in /usr/share/vlc/lua/meta/reader
[0x7fc2e4011028] main demux meta debug: no meta reader modules matched
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: `v4l2:///dev/video1' successfully opened
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 0%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: switching to async mode
[0x7fc2e4000c28] main stream output debug: adding a new sout input (sout_input:0x7fc2e00008c0)
[0x7fc2e4003b08] stream_out_transcode stream out debug: creating video transcoding from fcc=`YUY2' to fcc=`h264'
[0x7fc2e00009c8] main generic debug: looking for decoder module matching "any": 36 candidates
[0x7fc2e00009c8] main generic debug: using decoder module "rawvideo"
[0x7fc2e0000e18] main encoder debug: looking for encoder module matching "any": 13 candidates
[0x7fc2e0000e18] main encoder debug: no encoder modules matched
[0x7fc2e4003b08] stream_out_transcode stream out error: cannot find video encoder (module:any fourcc:h264). Take a look few lines earlier to see possible reason.
[0x7fc2e00009c8] main generic debug: removing module "rawvideo"
[0x7fc2e4003b08] stream_out_transcode stream out error: cannot create video chain <<<---- Does this indicate no output will be created due to h264 error 2 lines up?
[0x7fc2e4009d38] main decoder error: cannot create packetizer output (YUY2)
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 10%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 21%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 32%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 45%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 55%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 66%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 77%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 88%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Buffering 98%
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Stream buffering done (336 ms in 335 ms)
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Decoder buffering done in 0 ms
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: incoming request - stopping current input
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: control: stopping input
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: incoming request - stopping current input
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: finished input
[0x7fc2e4009d38] main decoder debug: removing module "rawvideo"
[0x7fc2e4009d38] main decoder debug: killing decoder fourcc `YUY2', 0 PES in FIFO
[0x7fc2e4006218] main demux debug: removing module "v4l2"
[0x7fc308002c98] main input debug: Program doesn't contain anymore ES
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: incoming request - stopping current input
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: dead input
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: IM: Deleting the input
[0x1de40b8] main libvlc debug: exiting
[0x1de40b8] main libvlc debug: removing all interfaces
[0x1de40b8] main libvlc debug: exiting
[0x1f2d658] main interface debug: removing module "qt4"
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: deactivating the playlist
[0x7fc2e4000c28] main stream output debug: destroying useless sout
[0x7fc2e4003b08] main stream out debug: destroying chain... (name=transcode)
[0x7fc2e4003b08] main stream out debug: removing module "stream_out_transcode"
[0x7fc2e4003b08] main stream out debug: destroying chain done
[0x7fc2e4001318] main stream out debug: destroying chain... (name=file)
[0x7fc2e4001318] main stream out debug: removing module "stream_out_standard"
[0x7fc2e40033d8] main mux debug: removing module "mux_mp4"
[0x7fc2e40033d8] mux_mp4 mux debug: Close
[0x7fc2e40033d8] mux_mp4 mux debug: movie duration 0s
[0x7fc2e40021e8] main access out debug: removing module "access_output_file"
[0x7fc2e40021e8] access_output_file access out debug: file access output closed
[0x7fc2e4001318] main stream out debug: destroying chain done
[0x1e99d98] main audio output debug: removing module "pulse"
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: requesting exit...
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: waiting for UI thread...
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: QApp exec() finished
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: Video is not needed anymore
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: Killing extension dialog provider
[0x1f2d658] qt4 interface debug: ExtensionsDialogProvider is quitting...
[0x7fc31c221df8] main generic debug: removing module "lua"
[0x7fc31c221df8] lua generic debug: Deactivating all loaded extensions
[0x7fc31c221df8] lua generic debug: All extensions are now deactivated
[0x1eeb568] main interface debug: removing module "dbus"
[0x1f2b098] main interface debug: removing module "hotkeys"
[0x1ee45c8] main playlist debug: destroying
[0x1df8488] main playlist export debug: saving Media Library to file /home/me/.local/share/vlc/ml.xspf
[0x1df8488] main playlist export debug: looking for playlist export module matching "export-xspf": 4 candidates
[0x1df8488] main playlist export debug: using playlist export module "export"
[0x1df8488] main playlist export debug: removing module "export"
[0x1de40b8] main libvlc debug: removing stats
me@linux-ueg3:~>
I think I somehow got those “codecs” messed up. I did a zypper remove instead of install using the same line in the link you provided earlier, then clicked on the 1-click method to install. now it deosn’t know h264 video output or the mpga sound again.
Sorry - could you help me straighten that out again or would I be better off reinstalling OpenSUSE 13.1 again to “undo” what ever it is I’ve done?
Generally it is not need to reinstall that is a Windows procedure
I’m a bit confused did you get it to work then break it again?
I suspect you need some obscure codec that the one click does not add.
Try this go to YAST software management check the provides and description boxes search for h264 see if you are missing any that may be needed.
Note that their are 2 flavors of gstreamer one for Gnome and one for KDE. Should not hurt to install both but generally only need the one for your desktop. kde has 0_10 in name
Also if you run 64 bit OS then you don’t in general need 32 bit but maybe in your case and again it harms nothing to have both
The one click is for general use and may not include the lib you need. Which one well sorry no idea LOL
No luck. All what appear to me to be h264 relevant packages are there (remembering I don’t have a clue!). Only time this worked was in a previous release of a different flavor of Linux. However, since it is reading the input fine, that should not be an issue. What it does do is create the mp4 container, but with no contents - the movie is never recorded. By turning on debug messages in VLC (tools/messages/set to 2) I can see that for both video and audio it says no encoder found. I would assume this is the h.264 for video and the mpga or what ever it is called for the audio. I don’t know if this is an OS “thing” or a VLC “thing”.
).