Question VLC Media Player

[freethought]

Strange that there is no category for software around here. But I am having a problem with the free version of VLC media player for Windows 7, 64-bit. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I am trying to capture output from my DVR onto my computer. I do this by using an HDMI splitter and a HDMI to USB capture card. Sometimes VLC works and sometimes it doesn't. The other day I was messing with it. I managed to record both video and audio on my computer and save it as an MP4 file using Free Cam 8 screen recorder. I put it on a USB stick and played it successfully through my PS3. But then I tried to record something else. On my computer the video showed. But I got some sort of strange buzzing sound over the audio. Has anybody else run across this problem?

I would have taken this question to videoLAN forum. But apparently they don't allow people to register there anymore. Apparently they have been having a lot of problems with "spammers." If so, maybe the reason for that is because there is no solution to the problem I mentioned. And they got a lot of hate posts because of it.

 

[COLGeek]

Well, you found the right section.

Please provide a complete list of your system hardware, make and model of each component.

Why are you still using Win 7?

 

[dwd999]

Do you have any information on what format the DVR uses when it outputs audio; do you have the ability to set the DVR to decode compressed audio like Dolby or DTS? Perhaps the buzzing sound resulted from the audio being in some multichannel and/or compressed format like Dolby or DTS when it was output and the computer software was unable to decode it. It would also help if you could tell us what settings you used in VLC when it processed the file; are you using VLC to decode and process encoded formats like Dolby or DTS?

 

[freethought]

Well, you found the right section.

Please provide a complete list of your system hardware, make and model of each component.

Why are you still using Win 7?

Why would the splitter I use or the capture card be important. Have you ever heard of any where sometimes they work and sometimes they don't? And the reason why I am still using Windows 7 is the same reason I didn't go with a bit more expensive HDMI splitter and HDMI to USB capture card. Because I am poor. All the laptops I bought I got through Amazon that were refurbished. Though I doubt if the batteries were refurbished. Also, if I had over $200 dollars to spend on some good software, I wouldn't be having any of these problems.

 

[freethought]

Do you have any information on what format the DVR uses when it outputs audio; do you have the ability to set the DVR to decode compressed audio like Dolby or DTS? Perhaps the buzzing sound resulted from the audio being in some multichannel and/or compressed format like Dolby or DTS when it was output and the computer software was unable to decode it. It would also help if you could tell us what settings you used in VLC when it processed the file; are you using VLC to decode and process encoded formats like Dolby or DTS?

As I said, the last time I used it, it worked. In the VLC settings, I went to capture device. In it I set both the video and audio for USB 2. When I went to try and record something different, I didn't change a thing. But I got that strange buzzing sound on the audio. If the settings got changed in any way between when it worked and when it didn't, it wasn't me who changed it.

 

[dwd999]

As I said, the last time I used it, it worked. In the VLC settings, I went to capture device. In it I set both the video and audio for USB 2. When I went to try and record something different, I didn't change a thing. But I got that strange buzzing sound on the audio. If the settings got changed in any way between when it worked and when it didn't, it wasn't me who changed it.

So let's go back to the DVR. The first time it worked what kind of content was the DVR playing; and what type of audio track did that content have which worked; was it standard 2 channel AAC audio? And the second time, what kind of audio track did that content have; was it compressed Dolby or DTS? Can the DVR be set to only record and play back 2 channel uncompressed AAC audio?

 

[freethought]

So let's go back to the DVR. The first time it worked what kind of content was the DVR playing; and what type of audio track did that content have which worked; was it standard 2 channel AAC audio? And the second time, what kind of audio track did that content have; was it compressed Dolby or DTS? Can the DVR be set to only record and play back 2 channel uncompressed AAC audio?

You are asking me questions I know nothing about. As far as I know, my DVR puts out exactly the same sort of video and audio signal. No matter which channel it is on. The thing is, it worked once, then didn't work again. I'm pretty sure the second attempt was from the same channel. So it shouldn't have made a difference.

 

[Ralston18]

@freethought

Regarding: "The thing is, it worked once, then didn't work again."

Some audio component may have failed. Some system component may be starting to falter and fail. Some software may have been corrupted. Some update may have reverted back to default settings.

Splitters are a common source of problems. Cables as well.

Could even be a problem with the DVR and/or the recorded material.

And keep in mind that both Windows 7 and (I believe) VLC are no longer supported.

My main point being that you will need to answer questions and otherwise help with trying to narrow down potential culprits.

Then potential solutions can be addressed.

 

[freethought]

@freethought

Regarding: "The thing is, it worked once, then didn't work again."

Some audio component may have failed. Some system component may be starting to falter and fail. Some software may have been corrupted. Some update may have reverted back to default settings.

Splitters are a common source of problems. Cables as well.

Could even be a problem with the DVR and/or the recorded material.

And keep in mind that both Windows 7 and (I believe) VLC are no longer supported.

My main point being that you will need to answer questions and otherwise help with trying to narrow down potential culprits.

Then potential solutions can be addressed.

Thanks. But I'm not that computer savvy. If some software is faulty in some way, then that is the end of the story as far as I'm concerned. You seem to know how computers work. There are zillions of things that could go wrong. Also, cable companies don't want people doing what I am trying to do. Could it be that their systems could detect anybody trying to do what I am trying to do? Then throw a monkey wrench into the whole process? Who knows. Also, microsoft itself knows that doing what I am trying to do is illegal. Maybe their software itself will throw a monkey wrench into the works. Again, who knows.

I could always try to do all of what I am trying to do in safe mode. But I don't know if that would work either. As for VLC no longer supporting Windows 7, I found a program compatible with Windows 7. Which has worked plenty of times in the past. Just not on a consistent manner. What I am looking for around here is somebody who is familiar with how computers work. But more to the point, who also uses VLC media player to do what I am trying to do and ran into the same problem. And with their computer knowledge, found out what the problem was. Then they could tell me.

You know, there is a forum out there that is specifically for VLC media player. It is called The videoLAN Forum. But as far as I can tell, they aren't accepting new members. Though I guess I could still go there and do a thread search for anybody who started a thread about the same problem. And see what solutions were offered.

 

[Ralston18]

This:

"Also, cable companies don't want people doing what I am trying to do. Could it be that their systems could detect anybody trying to do what I am trying to do? Then throw a monkey wrench into the whole process? Who knows. Also, microsoft itself knows that doing what I am trying to do is illegal. Maybe their software itself will throw a monkey wrench into the works. Again, who knows.

Per Forum rules we cannot and do not support illegal activities.

And cannot help with doing such things.

Closing thread to further posts.