KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q96021: VidCap: Captures Only Blackness with Video Blaster

Article: Q96021
Product(s): Miscellaneous Windows Products
Version(s): 
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 19-FEB-2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows Sound System, versions 1.0, 1.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

If you attempt to capture live video sequences with the VidCap utility included
with Microsoft Video for Windows using the Creative Labs Video Blaster capture
board, you may capture a series of black frames. This problem occurs if any of
the following three scenarios exist:

1. The computer has more than 15 MB of RAM.

2. The driver setting for the base memory address is incorrect.

3. The Video Blaster capture card is not installed properly.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When you run the VidCap utility, you may find that if you choose Overlay Video
from the Options menu, the picture displays correctly; however, when you choose
the Preview Video command, the picture displays as blackness or is fuzzy.

The Video Blaster contains 1 MB of memory. The starting address of this memory is
located in the range between 1 MB and 15 MB. The base address of this block is
selected in the Control Panel Drivers option and must be ABOVE all physical
extended memory.

This means that you can only have a maximum of 15 MB of memory in your system. If
you already have 16 MB in your system, you have the following options:

1. Physically remove SIMMs.

2. Obtain another video capture card that does not have this limitation.


Use the Control Panel Drivers option to add the Video Blaster driver from the
Microsoft Video for Windows Drivers disk. Use the Setup button to configure the
base memory address and interrupt. After the installation is complete, your
SYSTEM.INI file should contain the following entry:

  [Drivers]
  msvideo=vblaster.drv

If you still have problems after correctly setting the base memory address, run
the supplied VBTEST.EXE utility to verify the correct operation of the hardware.
Run all the tests, if any of the tests fail, you may need to call Creative Labs
technical support.

Note: The Video Overlay command may work even if all tests do not pass; however,
the Capture command will not.

For technical support of Creative Labs products, call (408) 428-6622.

Additional query words: 1.00 distorted distortion dark blackness darkness videoblaster image black

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinSoundSysSearch kbWinSoundSys100

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.