Many USB video capture devices are sold as EasyCAP.
It seems that EasyCAP is not a companys or brand name, but some chinese manufacturers use this label for at least four completly hardware different clones of equally looking audio and video capture devices. EasyCAP devices and clones are vastly sold in onlineshops at low prices.
This package contains the files needed for installing the EasyCap SMI Grabber Device Driver. If it has been installed, updating (overwrite-installing) may fix problems, add new functions, or expand existing ones. Even though other OSes might be compatible as well, we do not recommend applying this release on platforms other than the. Software all software latest this just in old school emulation ms-dos games historical software classic pc games software library. I tried hook up my vcr straight to tv and i got easycap 2.0 picture. Easycap video capture adapter windows 10 windows 10 does not recognize the the usb 2.0 input of the easycap device.
This article describes, how to identify the chipset of the known EasyCAP devices and if they are supported/ working under Linux.
Overview/Features
- All the EasyCAP devices and clones need a USB 2.0 connection (USB 1.1 is too slow).
- They are tunerless but can capture analogue video up to 720x576 px (PAL) or 720x480 px (NTSC) and
- stereosound up to 48000 Hz sampling rate (or only 8000 Hz mono on some models where the AC'97 chip is missing).
- Most of them have input cables labelled CVBS, S-VIDEO, AUDIO(L), AUDIO(R).
- Some models do have 4 yellow input cables (CVBS) labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 and one white unlabelled audio cable.
- Capturing is possible from only one input at a time!
Components Used
The components of the different EasyCAP labeled devices are mentioned in the 'Known Easycap devices' section below.
Other Images
Easycap labeled devices
Easycap clones with different components
Identification
Indentify the device before buying
It is hard to identify the chipset of any EasyCAP device before buying because most onlineshops (ebay, amazon) do not mention in the provided technical data the chipset of the device.Example from logilik.de where the chipset is declared
Identify device using installation instructions for Windows
If the chipset is not mentioned in device specifications on the website, one way to figure out the chipset inside the EaysCAP is to read through the installation instructions for Windows (if provided for download).
Screenshots of the windowsinstaller often reveal the devicename.
- STK1160 EasyCAP is in Windows: (Syntek) STK1160 or STK1150
- Empia EasyCAP is in Windows: USB 2861 Device or EMP
- Somagic EasyCAP is in Windows: SM-USB 007 or SMI Grabber Device
- UTV007 based EasyCAP is in Windows: USBTV007
Known Easycap devices
STK1160 EasyCAP
It is assumed that the stk1160 based 'EasyCAP DC60' ist the 'originally' EasyCAP device. This device is sold in different varieties (models) and even under different names like: EzCap, LogiLink, Mumbi, Weltbild, and some more.
Components Used
- Syntek STK1160 (USB video bridge)
- Silan SC8113 or GM7113 (Philips SAA7113 compatible video decoder)
- AC'97 audio processor (In the 4 inputs model this chip is missing. Audio capturing is done by the STK1160 chips built-in ADC for mono microphone audio recording.)
Indentification
Making it work
STK1160 based devices are supported (video and audio) under Linux by the easycap kernel module (kernel 2.6.38 and later) and further on by the stk1160 kernel module (kernel 3.7). More information on this wiki: Stk1160
Audio support
More information on this wiki: Stk1160#Drivers
Empia EasyCAP
The Empia EasyCAP is based on the EM2860 chip from Empia.
Components Used
- Empia EM2860 (EM2861 ?) (USB video bridge)
- Silan SC8113 (Philips SAA7113 compatible video decoder)
- AC'97 audio processor
Indentification
Making it work
EM2860 (EM2861) based devices are supported in Linux by the em28xx kernle module. More information on this wiki: Em28xx_devices
Audio support
The em28xx kernel module should create a Em28xx Audio ALSA soundcard which can be used for sound capturing.
Somagic EasyCAP
The Somagic EasyCAP is based on the SMI-2021 chip from Somagic. It needs a firmware for operation.
Components Used
- Somagic SMI-2021CBE (USB video bridge)
- SAA7113 compatible video decoder
- Cirrus Logic 5340-CZZ audio processor
Indentification
Making it work
For SMI-2021 based devices exists a proceeding Linux-driver project: easycap-somagic-linux
More information on this wiki: Somagic
Audio support
Audio support is provided by the easycap-somagic-linux driver at an unknown stage.
USBTV007 EasyCAP
This EasyCAP is based on a single UTV007 labeled chip.
This device is sold as 'USB video capture QS702' from SHENZHEN FUSHICAI ELECTRONIC CO.,LTD
lsusb reports
- Manufacturer: Fushicai
- Product: usbtv007
Components Used
- Single chip: UTV007 A614231.1 1136L1BK
- Inscriptions on the board: FSC VIDEO DVR
Indentification
Making it work
Audio support
As of kernel version 3.19-rc1, the usbtv kernel module should create a USB Audio ALSA soundcard which can be used for sound capturing.
Kernel modules
Kernel 3.19-rc1 and above now include the usbtv kernel module that supports both video and audio.
- Patch ID: 63ddf68de52efaac40a9287e44266ac30e71dd36
- Audio is 48Khz, 2ch, 16bit.
Kernels between version 3.13-rc5 and 3.19 support video only.
If you are below kernel version 3.19 and want audio support, you can build the module yourself.
- Git: https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/media/usb/usbtv
- Enable CONFIG_VIDEO_USBTV
Userspace drivers
- Git: https://github.com/memeruiz/usbtv007
- Very experimental
- Currently doesn't do anything beyond what kernel driver does but is resource hungry
- Written using Python libusb1 and v4l2 bindings (you will need their packages from pypi.python.org)
- Requires v4l2loopback: http://github.com/umlaeute/v4l2loopback
- Could be useful for easy protocol testing, prototyping
Work needed
- Testing and fixing of eventual bugs is very welcome!
- Audio is currently not supported on the last Linux kernel. Audio is working with the Windows driver (tested on Windows 2000 with the XP driver not on a virtualized computer with a playstation PSX for the video and audio inputs with the software 'honestech HD DVR 2.5').
The Windows driver shipped with the device was for another model. Here's the correct one: http://v3.sk/~lkundrak/usbtv/usbtv-wxp32.zip
Slides from talk describing setup for reverse-engineering what does the hardware do are available: http://www.slideshare.net/LubomirRintel/usb-reversing
External Links
Jashi's ROOM User information about the four different EasyCAPs with hardware pictures (Japanese site translated with Google)
www.usbeasycap.info Site of a chinese EasyCAP manufacturer/ retailer where at some Easycap products the chipset is declared and at some it is not declared.
Guide to capture VHS video with the LogiLink Video Grabber,
EZgrabber, EasyGrabber, STK1160, STK1150, ezcap168.
Connecting.
Using proper software.
Which codec to use.
A suggestion first
The quality of the video obtained can depend significantly on the quality of the video recorder on which the video is played.
Possible sources of error include: Interferences in the tape run with picture dropouts, dirt on the video or sound heads and fluctuations in the playback speed, which affext the line length and frame rate.
If you want to exclude these sources of error and want a high quality transfer (VHS ––> raw file), you should contact a professional video service provider.
They now offer quite inexpensive transfers. It is crucial that a video recorder with time base correction (TBC) is used. This device ensures that all lines in a frame are stretched to the same length and lie exactly below each other.
Line flutter is an error that can hardly be corrected afterwards. The author of these lines has tried a lot himself, and has not found a method with which the correct placement of lines can be found afterwards.
However, the further processing of the video obtained usually makes sense in any case.
See Filltering VHS video (Virtualdub) and VHS filtern (Avisynth). (German version only).
Connecting the USB Video Grabber (status 2010)
The Grabber has two different video inputs (composite and S-Video). If your VHS player has an S-video output, you should definitely use this. The picture becomes sharper (see test).
Compposite video transfers both luma and chroma in a mixed signal. Composite video is connected to the yellow plug.
All VHS players provide a composite signal via their SCART connector. If necessary, you need a SCART adapter, then connect your RCA cable to the grabber.
Right and left audio input is connected to the red and white cable. You should better use a separate cable for audio then using a combined video-audio cable. If you use a combined video-audio cable the video signal might crosstalk into the audio path.
It is importand to connect the grabber to the right USB connector of your PC. This is the first reason where some people fail with the USB video Grabber.
You have to ensure that there are no other USB devices attached to the same extended USB controller that is used for this connector! This also applies for the mouse. If your PC has multiple USB ports, alwasy some of them are connected to the same controller.
The safest option is buying a USB 2.0 expansion card which is very cheap. Install that card in your PC. Then you can be sure that the grabber does not share bandwidth with other USB devices.
It goes without saying that the USB port at least must fullfill USB 2.0 standards. USB 1 is much too slow for video.
Problems with USB speed cause dropped frames.
USB 2.0 controller in Device Manager
You can check your USB devices via Computer > Hardware > Device Manager. Above you see a screenshot from a German windows system. You see, all of the built-in USB ports are running from the same Enhanced Host Controller
Therefore, I have connected the grabber to a separate USB 2.0 card. This is shown here as 'VIA USB enhanced Host controller' which appears at the bottom.
Driver
The workflow presented here works under Windows XP. New Windows versions use a different driver modell. There were problemes reported with Windows 7.
Reports:
Logilink Grabber VG0001 with Windows 7 driver does not work (but works under WinXP).
Using the right software for grabbing
This topic addresses the second problem, where many people fail. For digitizing video, you need a fast PC and you also need fast software.
The decisive factor is the processor load that you create. With more than 90% processor load you most likely will get dropped frames.
The included software Ulead VideoStudio SE requires a lot of computing power. On my PC I always had timing errors in the captured video, when using VideoStudio SE.
Video-grabbing software, advantages and disadvantages
Processor load (Prozessorlast) of different video capture software
Here are my recommendations:
Debut Video Capture Software (4 Stars), website
Free trial period, then buyable
quickly
all installed codecs available
WinAVI Video Capture (3 Stars), website
very low CPU load, the fastest program in the test
Freeware
generates either compressed MPG with AC3 sound which can be burnt to a standard DVD or an Avi container with any of the codecs that are installed at your system
Error: saving as AVI using the PICVideo3 codec did not work (no video data in the file)
can not save uncompressed audio, which is bad
the program has to run with administrator priveleges because it wants to change the INI file in the program directory.
The generated MPG files had GOP timing errors in B frame 89996 at 59:59 and some more errors (system time in I-frames and GOP Time and Temporal Sequence in B frames, inspected with GSpot)
Ulead Videostudio 10 SE (2006) (1 Star)
included
generates high CPU load, which is leading to dropped frames
allows free choice between its own MPG encoder (AC-3 sound only) or all installed codecs
On very fast PC error-free grabbing is possible with this software.
Corel VideoStudio X2 (2008)
USB audio input can not be selected
Video DVD maker free 3.30 (2007)
works, but saves only to C:
stores audio only with 22 kHz
slow (Xvid produces 95 ... 100% processor load, MJPEG even 100%)
PIC video used as Direct Show 'PIC VfW video' produced 74% processor load
Windows Movie Maker 2.1 (XP)
Records only to WMF files and offers no video capture size that matches the resolution of the grabber.
Therefore the recorded files contain no video data.
VLC Videolan
(haven't tested yet)
Media > Open Capture Device; then select SyntekSTK1160
View > [x] Advanced Controls; activates an additional interface with a red Record Button
You start the recording by pressing the Record Button. The video recording is stored without compression with about 60 GB/h.
Virtualdub (not suitable for grabbing)
I have not managed to capture with Virtualdub's integrated capture module. I had sacks of dropped frames and large audio offset.
On the Internet I found the comment that Virtualdub probably only works correctly with some special Grabber chips.
Also others have reported that grabbing with Virtualdub only was possible with 288 lines. The better quality of VHS and the video grabber require to use 576 lines, since you can only off-line deinterlace the full number of lines.
Note: I tested on a PC with Pentium 4 (single core) with 3 GHz and 1 GB of RAM running Windows XP (SP3).
Addendum 2019
VirtualDub2
further developed version of VirturalDub, available as x86 and x64 version
allows grabbing of videos and it is needed for further processing of the videos anyway
the grabber module was revised and should work now
(Since I don't grab videos anymore, I couldn't measure the performance)
By now, current PCs should be fast enough to capture the video stream accurately, but the storage medium can still be a bottleneck:
Remark from Michael (2017):Funny story... (you'll laugh)... I've been using Virtualdub to capture my VHS tapes... with EVERY try, I'd lose frames or frames would be inserted. So, I finally upgraded all my drivers on my Windows 7 64-bit OS. I defragged my SSD. I tried using different ports for my capture device... I've been pulling my hair out, right?!?!
Well, what finally cured my problems was buying a portable HDD 4TB 3.0 USB. I start capturing my .avi file to THAT drive and guess what...YUP, no dropped frames whatsoever.
Using correct software settings to grab VHS
To achieve good image quality of resulting material, it is essential to apply a 2-pass process.
In the first pass you record the video with low compression or losless (large hard drive required, about 10...40 GB per hour).
After that post-deinterlacing is mandatory. After deinterlacing you can reduce the video resolution and save the video with smaller file sizes.
VHS-frames have a native number of 576 lines, which is transmitted in two fields (frames), each consiting of 288 lines. If the recorded image is compressed with a video codec which compresses too much, a clean separation of the two frames may not be possible, because the image gets smeared.
Therefore, you always should capture with minimum compression (MJPEG) or losless and with a resolution of 720 × 576. This results in about 10...40 GB of data per 60 minutes of film.
Settings of the grabber driver
These settings for the USB Video grabber you mostly find in the 'Options' of the recording software.
Debut Video Capture: File > Options > Webcam > Device Settings
Settings of the Grabber in Debut Video Capture are found under: File > Options
In Debut software the Grabbber is not addressed as a video capture device, but as a webcam.
Choose here the highest resolution 720 × 576th
For other settings of STK1150 click on the button 'Device Settings'.
STK1150 Device Settings > Video Processing (color saturation, brightness, contrast)
Here you can leave everything to the default values. At very pale videos you can raise color saturation to 300 … 400. However, I recommend to adjust desired color saturation during post processing in Virtualdub.
STK1150 Device Settings for the video standard and the desired video input (Composite)
In Germany Video must be set to PAL / BDGHI with a frame rate of 25 fps (for NTSC 30 fps).
You can access these settings in WinAVI Video Capture with the button 'Option'. There you find a 'Devices' tab.
Using a proper video codec
- The codec should work as fast as possible because it has to back up the data in real time.
- Since videos are mostly interlaced, there is a danger that details between the lines will get blurred with compressing codecs, resulting in interferences between fields that become visible as artifacts after deinterlacing. Therefore a losless codec would be optimal - if it can work fast enough.
PicVideoCodec, (MJPEG) (3 stars) Website
This codec stores the video as single images that are compressed using a method similar to JPG
picture quality is very high
at Q = 18 small blocks in frames are slightly visible, needs about 9 GB / hr
at Q = 19 adequate quality
at Q = 20 needs about 18 GB / h
Settings: 4:2:2 Subsampling (with 1.1.1 color gets to much resolution assigned, with 4.1.1 color gets to blurry)
activate 'Encode normalized YUV' (this does not change the levels, it only sets a APP1 marker in each frame telling the PICvideo Decoder that for this frame any automatic level conversion is forbidden)
some people say the PICVideo codec scales the color space wrong. I cannot confirm this.
Note: Some other MJPEG decoders automaticly convert the grey levels from TV levels (16...234) to PC levels (0...255), even when the frames have already PC levels. This results in a picture that is to black in dark zones and to white in bright zones (build-in decoder in Virtualdub and AVIDEMUX 2.4 do so)
X264lossless (3 stars ★★★)
lossless compressed frames
best quality, small file sizes (13 GB/h)
needs fast CPU (check CPU load)
free
YUV
Pure uncompressed frame data
best quality, but needs huge space
necessarily requires a very fast hard drive
Other codecs (MPG, XVid, DivX, X.264)
All other codecs are often too slow. The PC must compress the data in real time.
WinAVI and Ulead Video Studio bring their own, relatively fast MPG encoder.
I will advise against using MPG, because it produces block artifacts, which can cause problems in post-processing when it comes to deinterlacing, lines cannot be separated cleanly.
Addendum 2019
Smi Grabber Device Capture Software Downloads
More losless Codecs:
- Lagarith (3 Stars ★★★) 35 MB /1h video, 50...90 fps, contained in VirtualDub2 – fast enough for real time compression
- FFV1 18 MB/1h video, 15 fps with 8 bit, slower with higher bit depth – on my system too slow for real time compression, contained in VirtualDub2
- HuffYUV 37 MB/1h video, 23 fps – on my system too slow for real time compression, contained in VirtualDub2
- ffdshow VfW provides also MJPEG functionality and may replace the PIC video codec
Audio codecs
Standard DVD codecs are PCM, AC3 and MP2. We want to edit audio later. Thats why we use PCM at 44.1 kHz and 16 bit. If you want to create standard video DVDs you should record sound with 48 kHz sampling rate.
PCM
Uncompressed sound, ideal choise if post-processing is required.
As the standard sampling for DVD is 48 kHz, but in the PC world 44.1 kHz audio has established.
Whenever possible, you should record PCM.
AC3
Is an approved compressed format for DVD (MP3 is not allowed at DVD)
a lossy compression method
I don't use it because it can not be edited directly and there are problems when cutting.
MP3/OGG
very common lossy format, saves space
with 192 kbits the sound is perfectly adequate for VHS recordings (no loss of audio quality)
not a good choice if audio must be processed or edited later
not unfavorable when the film is to be cut again
MP2
MP2 is also approved for PAL DVDs, but is rarely used
from 192kB on MP2 sound is equivalent in quality to MP3.
Settings of the codec
Setting the video and audio codecs
Debut Video Capture: Options > Webcam > Device Settings
WinAVI Video Capture: Option > Devices
Debut Video Capture
Codec settings are accessed via the button Encoder options
, which is at the bottom.
Debut video settings for the codecs
If possible, choose the settings shown in the picture. With the button Video compression settings
you can select the codec (chose PICVideo codec, quality = 19).
Smi Grabber Device Capture Software Free
WinAVI Video Capture
You select the codec with: Option > Encode > Encoder Setting.
WinAVI AVI encoder settings for the PICVideo codec
If you have installed the PICVideo MJPEG codec, you can select it by chosing AVI as output format. If possible, choose the settings shown in the picture. Does not work, video data is missing in the saved AVI file.
In WinAVI Video Capture unfortunately AC-3 is preset as audio format. Choose the highest possible audio bitrate 224 kbs. Possibly you have to convert the AC-3 bit stream for post-processing audio into a PCM signal. (Software: BeSweet)
WinAVI codec settings for MPG video
If you do not have a lossless codec, you need to save your video as MPG. Select also the highest values for picture resolution and audio bitrate as shown in the screenshot. In Preference
you can choose whether the codec should work faster with less quality. By speed
(fast) results in some, hardly visible block artifacts in the MPG movie. Your choice should be such that your system load during grabbing will remain below 90%.
Other software settings
Smi Grabber Device Capture Software Windows 10
For saving choose an appropriate partition which has enough space.
Ideally you will ues a second hard drive installed in your system that runs independently of the system partition.
So you have better access times and faster data transfer rates.
In my PC I have installed a second hard drive just for video (as a buffer for recording and also used as video archive).
The system will park this drive automatically when it is not used. So it makes no additional noise during normal operation.
Deactivate life-preview of the video image in your software, if possible. This saves a few percent of CPU usage during recording.
Another way to reduce processor load is minimizing the preview window of that software during grabbing.
Before you start
System settings
Stop all unnecessary processes. Especially anti-virus scanners should not be active, as enormous amounts of data are to be transmitted to harddisk.
In the energy-saving options of your PC turn off the shutdown of disks.
Disable the screen saver.
Smi Grabber Device Capture Software
Settings on the VHS player
Do a test run with the VHS cassette. Adjust synchronization of the tape on the player to maximum image stability if necessary. Each frame that is not synchronized well can lead to an additional offset between video and audio stream in the recorded data.
Some players have a HQ / Copy switch. This activates artificial color edge enhancement. However, it can produce a smoothing of colors so that faces look like beeing painted and fine details are lost. The setting 'Copy' provides a better image.
Adjust image sharpness to a neutral position. It is better to sharpen the image during post-processing, because the hardware sharpening in the player is done with a simple high pass.
Test run
Do a test recording first. Minimize the program window of the digitizing software or disable the live preview during grabbing.
Run the System Monitor to evaluate the CPU load. You should be all the time below 90%.
Do not use the PC for other activities during grabbing!
Summary
Connections:
Connect the USB video grabber to a USB 2.0 connector that is running at a bus where no other USB devices are attached to the same Enhanced host controller
use extra audio cable
if possible use S-Video
use a fast hard disk with sufficient free space (at least 50 GB)
Smi Grabber Device Capture Software Online
Preparing
Do a test run with the VHS tape, adjust video synchronization to maximum image stability
Grabbing
terminate all unnecessary processes
use fast video recording software, which is able to use codecs that are installed at your system (eg Debut Video Capture)
save as AVI using a codec with low-loss (eg PICVideo MJPEG codec with quality 18 or 19)
save in the full resolution of 720 × 576
minimize the program window of the digitizing software or disable the live preview during grabbing
run the system monitor to estimate the CPU load (should be <90%)
do not use the PC during grabbing
> Post-processing the grabbed video with Virtualdub
> Post-processing the grabbed video with Avisynth (German version only)
Smi Grabber Device Capture Software Update
I appreciate this site.
source: wwww.engon.de/audio, 2.9.2010, 2019
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