Dunno .. which software are you using ? .. xawtv ?
At the moment I’m using VLC the only tuning means I have is a channel adjustment screw at the rear of the Betamax ranging from cahnnel 30 to 39, I have tried using that but I can’t get a lock on the signal
Try scantv (part of xawtv package)
[EDIT]
It appears that it is no longer included.
What happens if you start xawtv:
xawtv &
then a video screen should appear in a window on the desktop. Click the left mouse button on the window to see a list of stations.
Click the right mouse button to see the Settings window.
Up/Down arrows Channel Change. Changes channels up or down.
NO … you don’t tune the betamax … you tune the capture card (in software) to the channel the betamax is outputting on
NO .. you don't tune the betamax .. you tune the capture card (in software) to the channel the betamax is outputting on
I understand that Mark but I thought if I changed the output from the Betamax I might get the card to lock in but it didn’t work.
I ran scantv it went as far as channel 69 but nothing happened so I assume it didn’t find a signal
scantv just scans the frequencies into a channel list.
Have you tried (after scantv) to run xawtv?
xawtv &
scantv just scans the frequencies into a channel list
Sorry I thought once it found the right channel it would show the picture, anyway I ran xawtv but it made no difference, I tried “Channel Hopping” but it only tries channels 12 & 23 which are channels i previously put there, it did however show the following errors in the terminal
graeme@Linux1 ~ $ This is xawtv-3.102, running on Linux/i686 (3.8.0-35-generic)
xinerama 0: 1600x900+0+0
vid-open-auto: using analog TV device /dev/video0
WARNING: No DGA direct video mode for this display.
WARNING: keeping fbuf pitch at: 6400, as no base addr was detected
WARNING: couldn't find framebuffer base address, try manual
configuration ("v4l-conf -a <addr>")
v4l2: WARNING: framebuffer base address mismatch
v4l2: me=(nil) v4l=(nil)
Alsa devices: cap: (null) (/dev/video0), out: default
Warning: translation table syntax error: Unknown keysym name: key
Warning: ... found while parsing '<Key>key: Command(setstation,"12")'
Warning: String to TranslationTable conversion encountered errors
Warning: translation table syntax error: Unknown keysym name: key
Warning: ... found while parsing '<Key>key: Command(setstation,"12")'
Warning: String to TranslationTable conversion encountered errors
Warning: translation table syntax error: Unknown keysym name: key
Warning: ... found while parsing '<Key>key: Command(setstation,"12")'
Warning: String to TranslationTable conversion encountered errors
Warning: translation table syntax error: Unknown keysym name: key
Warning: ... found while parsing '<Key>key: Command(setstation,"23")'
Warning: String to TranslationTable conversion encountered errors
Warning: translation table syntax error: Unknown keysym name: key
Warning: ... found while parsing '<Key>key: Command(setstation,"23")'
Warning: String to TranslationTable conversion encountered errors
Warning: translation table syntax error: Unknown keysym name: key
Warning: ... found while parsing '<Key>key: Command(setstation,"23")'
Warning: String to TranslationTable conversion encountered errors
It is also possible that a wrong tuner is selected, see list here
You can try them all:
rmmod bttv
modprobe bttv tuner=<x>
where X is any number to try.
After you modprobe try (scanning) watching the tv again and see if that helps.
[EDIT]
Those errors refer to the channels you put there, possible missing parameters
(and need to go now, start early)
Ok thanks SeZo I’ll give that a try tomorrow there’s no way I’d get my head around that tonight
So for now thanks again for your help so far, I’ll post back here after I try your suggestions
Many thanks
Graeme
this PCI card … are there any identifying stickers that give make/model on it ?
this PCI card .. are there any identifying stickers that give make/model on it ?
I’m not sure exactly I would have to remove it from the PC to see it properly but I’ll do that if you think it will help
I have made some progress I managed to bring up the test signal from the Betamax in tvtime at channel 110/ PAL BG Standard, so I suppose that suggests the driver for the card is installed ok, I tried a tape but couldn’t get a picture but that could be because there was noting on that tape or that part of the tape because I suppose theoretically if I get the test signal there’s no reason why I shouldn’t get a picture unless of course the machine is faulty.
I don’t think I can record in tvtime but I would be happy to get this working in tvtime meantime so I can identify the tape I’m looking for, I have a box of around dozen tapes and I don’t know what tape the footage is on I only know it on one or maybe two of them
Graeme
Magnetic tape has a lifetime - how old are these tapes? What have the storage conditions been like?
Hi chemicalfan
Magnetic tape has a lifetime - how old are these tapes? What have the storage conditions been like?
Yes I know hence the reason for trying to digitize them while I still can, The film was taken sometime between 1985-1990, and they’ve been stored in my attic since so although I’ve no doubt they’ll be degraded a bit I’m quite confident I’ll still have something to salvage, I already did this previously with VHS film I had and that was successful, but this is Betamax and the machine I was trying to do it with previously packed up, the machine I have now is an identical model I spotted at a boot sale and although it’s working it’s showing signs of the same problem as the previous machine, so I’m hoping to get this done before it packs up as well, once I get what I want off the tapes I’ll happily throw the machine away
Graeme
Well the inevitable happened I got a picture ok with tvtimer but no sound then put another tape in and the loading mechanism started sticking causing the tape to get snagged on eject, pretty much the same as the last machine so it looks like another project for the shelf and another Betamax recorder for the landfill.
Many thanks for your help and sorry i wasted your time guys :-[
Graeme
Well, that is not a good news, chances of locating another (working) machine might be a bit low.
I sympathise with you as I have a box full of 8mm tapes which I cannot play since the camcorder broke around 1999.
Perhaps I should put more effort in trying to locate a suitable player (before it is too late).
Well, that is not a good news, chances of locating another (working) machine might be a bit low.
Thanks I can’t tell you how gutted I am, they are hard to get, there is a few listed on Ebay but they’re asking quite a bit of money for them and most are collection only and none near my neck of the woods,
I just want one that will work long enough to get this film on the PC in digital format.
I’ll bet there are hundreds of these things all over the country collecting dust in peoples attics
Anyway I’ll keep hunting, I’ll get one eventually, when I do you’ll be the first to know 
In the meantime thanks for your help
Graeme
What do you mean by 8mm tapes, do you mean the small VHS tapes that fit inside a camcorder such as a Sony Viewcam ?
They are called Video8.
The one you mentioned are VHS-C
They are called Video8. The one you mentioned are VHS-C
I see I only mentioned it because i have an old Sony Viewcam so I might have been able to help you
Actually, I think the Sony Viewcam might be a MiniDV.
Thanks for the thought.