Hello,

I have recently acquired a Pinnacle Video Transfer device. It works as expected when transferring video signals from a Wii, from a digital TV tuner, etc, but when I try to transfer video from an old video tape the recording automatically stops sometimes. It stops always in the same points of the tape.

 I have tried to record in normal mode and forced mode but the result is the same, the signal leds blinks for one second or so and them the recording stops automatically and they become blue. I know that the video and audio signal is not interrupted more than 10 seconds, maybe it is interrupted for a fraction of a second but not 10 seconds.

More information:

• The firmware is updated to the last version.
• The video system is PAL.
  
• It happens independently of the  USB device and quality of the record.
• It happens both in normal and forced recording modes.

Is this a bug? Should it happen in forced mode? What can I do?

PVT is a great device but I bought it to transfer my old video tapes automatically and I cannot do it. Thank you.

Is this "old video tape" a home-made tape or a store-bought movie?  If it is the latter, the PVT is working as it is intended.  If it is the former, you'll have to get a box to make your video signal on this tape a little bit better.  I use a Panasonic digital video mixer for this, but any inexpensive time base corrector (TBC) will work.

It is an old home-made tape. I will have a look to this TBC. Thank you for your response.

Any recommendation about an inexpensive TBC will be appreciated.

I believe Sima made a number of boxes that could be used for this purpose.  I think they had one called the Video Stabilizer and another called a Copy Box, or some such name.  You may be able to find one used on the web.  A number of years ago, the fine Macrovision people sent a cease and desist note to Sima, and they pretty much disappeared after that.  We have Macrovision to thank for the mess we're in now.  There are plenty of people writing into forums like this asking why they can't copy their prized memories on VHS.  Actually, we must blame ourselves for allowing Macrovision to define an out-of-spec video signal as being copy protected and making any recording device that works outside the specs as being "illegal."