Video capture on usb device on video4linux

[Bill Davidsen]

Paul Johnson wrote:
> I have a Pinnacle dvc-80 gadget that takes output from a vcr and into
> USB.  In Windows, I can capture output with this device.  Now I'm
> wondering if I can make it work in Linux. I need software to do the
> capturing.
> 
> I load the module for v4l and in dmesg I see that the device is found
> and registered:
> 
> USBVision[1]: registered USBVision Video device /dev/video1 [v4l2]
> USBVision[1]: registered USBVision VBI device /dev/vbi1 [v4l2] (Not
> Working Yet!)
> usbcore: registered new interface driver usbvision
> 
> 
> I am guessing that sets me up to do video capture, but i can't find
> software that can do the capture on USB.  In kino, it seems to insist
> that only firewire can be used.
> 
> If you can advise me of a way to capture this video input. I gather
> the input should be stored as avi or mpg in order to fit my goal,
> which is to write it on a DVD.
> 
The candidates are ffmpeg and xawtv. I would definitely try xawtv first, 
since you can play with the settings until you actually get a picture 
and know what you need. At that point you can record with xawtv, 
creating an avi file. Start xawtv with the "-geometry 640x480" option 
for a TV size capture, or use something smaller to limit the file size. 
You can then use ffmpeg to convert to other formats as needed.

The stuff I use to capture can take analog, digital, or S-video input, 
using L+R or digital audio.

If you just start xawtv it will probably figure out your hardware well 
enough to get a picture, diddle from there.

-- 
Bill Davidsen <davidsen at tmr.com>
   "We have more to fear from the bungling of the incompetent than from
the machinations of the wicked."  - from Slashdot