Capturing MSX Composite Video Output - Mac Video Editing Workflow

Rookie (22)

14-07-2018, 17:41

I am trying to find a way to capture the composite video output from my Yamaha CX5MU (NTSC), and have run into a problem. I am having trouble finding a video capture device that both correctly captures the video from the CX5MU and that works with my Mac-based video editing workflow.

TL;DR: What video capture devices have you used to successfully capture the composite video from an NTSC MSX computer? The device doesn't have to be for the Mac, but it does need to either work with one of the computers that I have (PowerMac G4 running 10.4, PowerMac G5 running 10.5, Mac Pro running 10.13, or PC running Windows 10), or work under Linux.

Here is what I have tried so far:

Pinnacle miroVIDEO DC30+: This card will correctly capture the video from the CX5MU. However, the card won't work in modern computers. I have the card working under XP, but that doesn't help my workflow (too insecure to put on the network). I tried getting this card to work on a Mac using the Squared5 DC30 Xact Driver for Mac G4, but that driver appears to be incompatible with the specific card that I have (it won't keep horizontal sync).
AVerMedia DVD EZmaker 7 (C039): This device captures the video in greyscale. It appears to be auto-detecting the wrong video standard when the CX5MU is connected, and has no manual adjustment capability. Note that I had to try this on a Windows 10 computer, as I don't have a Mac running compatible OS version (10.8-10.12)... though I don't think the Mac driver for this card allows for manual video standard selection either.
elgato EyeTV 250 Plus: This device also captured the composite video is greyscale, and also has no manual adjustment capability for the video standard. I don't have an RF modulator for my CX5MU, so I have not tried the RF input on this device.
Blackmagic Design Intensity: It's too new... it doesn't support standard definition video at all, despite having a composite input.

I know there has to be some capture device out there that either correctly auto-detects the video standard, or allows for manual selection.

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By Vampier

Prophet (2413)

14-07-2018, 18:12

I use an HDMI converter to run to my TV (it's a PAL 50hz machine) I am US based.

By meits

Scribe (6544)

14-07-2018, 19:56

I have a winnov composite capturecard which accepts the signal it gets when it initializes. A frequency change is not accepted. Editing is done in Sony Vegas.
Sure you do the apple way, so the card and the software do not apply to you. Just be sure to use a very high quality cable. Composite is very ugly. Don't expect a lot.

By jdmcs

Rookie (22)

28-07-2018, 17:40

I realize that composite video won't look pretty, but it is the best video output available on the Yamaha CX5MU.

I did consider a composite to HDMI adapter, but I thought that modern video editing software might scale the image better than a cheap adapter. (Or at the very least, I could optimize the scaling for the content being shown.) Besides, most component to HDMI adapters that I have found stretch the picture, which I don't want, and output 1080P at 60Hz, which is incompatible with the version of the Intensity that I have.

I have also considered trying an RF modulator. The EyeTV 250 Plus does have a built in NTSC/ATSC tuner; some newer capture cards do as well.

By QBee Sam

Champion (291)

28-07-2018, 21:05

Until yesterday I was using OB under linux mythbuntu 18.04 but is also available for Win$$$ and MAC, about the hardware I used ClonerAlliance Flint LXT (https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B079DNB4S3/ref=oh_aui_detai...) and Mcbazel Converter SCART to HDMI (https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B078PCGRZC/ref=oh_aui_detai...), the image quality is good enough for me. About the sound I've had some issues with, anyway I didn't tested it deeply so maybe is OB related and my lack of knowlege. I usually recorded my videos with VLC but I didn't realize how to capture sound with so I decided to move to OB. Have to say my goal was capture RGB signal because my Turbo R S-Video output horrible... this is why I used 2 devices, a SCART to HDMI and a zero lag "capturer", the Flint LXT.

Pros:
Good image quality.
Sound good enough but have to be configured with care (OB related issue).

Contras:
Flint LXT is a bit expensive compared to regular S-Video capturers, but the quality is identical to the image received so it worth it.
Scart to HDMI lag is not too high but is annoying enough to avoid it if the goal is to play, anyway I must say is cheaper than Framemeister or OSSC options and the quality image is good enough. Have to test if the problem can be override with a SCART splitter using the TV SCART input once I've click the capture button... Actually I can't use this device because the input prompt message is on screen all the time, I've notice like screen issues each 4 seconds, so I can't recomend this one :(

You can check some examples in my Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x71glIsOjtQ

By QBee Sam

Champion (291)

05-08-2018, 13:55

I've tested other SCART to HDMI solution with the same result, nasty lag everywere...
http://retrocables.es/tienda/index.php?id_product=1041&contr...
https://www.amazon.es/Steelplay-Adaptador-Scart-Hdmi/dp/B01L...

the only good (but not cheap) solution seems to be OSCC...
https://www.videogameperfection.com/products/open-source-con...

anyone have tested with MSX Turbo R?

A workarround is possible using MSX Turbo R S-Video to play with (using SCART to HDMI audio output) simultaneosly with MSX Turbo R RGB output to capture.

By Grauw

Ascended (10772)

05-08-2018, 15:38

OSSC works great with MSX turbo R.

See my posts here: https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/general-discussion/msx-to...

By QBee Sam

Champion (291)

09-08-2018, 18:07

Thank you! I've ordered one

By NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6067)

10-08-2018, 17:33

In the past I've tried EasyCAP 2.0 that you can find today from ebay @ about 8€

With MSX tR I got quite ok picture otherways, but the jail bars effect was quite a spoiler. How ever in the end this was the device that made it possible for Bold-demo to win on Assembly party! (It was recorded from MSX1) It was quite funny as they had many four digit price special video editing devices around, but they all failed and the best result came from this one digit price device

Edit: I have also OSSC and the reason why it works so well with MSX is that the main developer of it spent quite a lot of time on my garage hacking it to work with MSX as well as many JAMMA arcade boards before the release.

By Grauw

Ascended (10772)

10-08-2018, 19:06

Is your MSX turboR a turboR GT? In that case, the jail bars are due to it outputting composite video instead of composite sync out of the RGB port. It can be fixed easily by cutting jumper J1 and bridging jumper J2. Though if the jail bars issue is present in the composite signal itself there may be a deeper issue at work…

About OSSC, since you know the developer, actually for me the 256-pixel exact sampling mode doesn’t quite work, it’s seems to have an offset to it. Not that it’s really an issue, the normal sampling mode resolution is sharp enough. But worth a mention.

By QBee Sam

Champion (291)

14-08-2018, 19:52

I've received my OSCC today... but I can't sync my A1GT signal... maybe I have to buy also the J21 to Scart?