Did my Pinnacle USB-510 just die?
 

A few weeks ago I bought a Pinnacle USB-510 off of lordsmurf. At first it worked great, but the last few days, I couldn't get VirtualDub started as it would freeze everytime I tried switching the display from Overlay to Preview. I literally had to hard reboot my pc as the app wouldn't even close using Task Manager. Eventually it would run again, but only if I waited 10 seconds or more before switching the display option. Not sure why. But as of this morning, it's just a black screen in the app. I used to get messed up display in Overlay, but that's not even showing now. It says connected to the Pinnacle in the bottom left corner of the app, but no data flowing on the right side panel, and no audio if selecting Volume Meter. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling the drivers, different USB ports, and even in AmaRecTV. Absolutely nothing. It's now a paperweight.

What the freaking hell?

And now it works again... go figure. It must be gremlins.

USB ports can cause power surges, always be wary of devices connected to USB at power boots. That's why, for example, you should only turn on printers after the computer, not before. It's gotten to be a problem in recent years, with the ports drawing more power, and modern hardware and OS not safeguarding against it.

It's not good to yank the capture cards while "in use" (even if on a frozen system), but it's worse to leave it attached during boot.

Regarding VirtualDub, you don't need to switch everytime. Once it is properly in Preview mode, go to the Device menu, the Device settings option, and then check the Save option. Ok, and now it'll open Preview at next open when this device is attached (if on the same USB port as last time).

If you freeze at the Overlay>Preview switch, your DirectX settings may still be on/checked in the main (not capture mode) VirtualDub settings. This is a system/OS/hardware error on your end, not VirtualDub. For that reason, I suggest always disabling DirectX settings. I need to update the guide. In fact, I just need to write my own, sanlyn's can be retired.

I always connect the capture device after I'm already at the desktop, then disconnect when I'm finished. Especially since it has a light that doesn't turn off. :P

I'm not pulling it with VirtualDub still open, I'm using the task manager, but when that didn't work, or the system itself freezes up so I can't even use the start button/power option, then I had the flip the power switch on the psu itself.

I've already tried that... it automatically connects to the Pinnacle when starting VDub capture, with Overlay already selected. If I select Device/Disconnect from VDub's top menu bar, then select Preview, then select the Pinnacle card from the Device tab again, it automatically shifts back to Overlay.

Hmm... interesting. I have no idea how to do that though. Actually, is that DxDiag? The card kind of stutters for a few seconds when starting, and I see the gimped image in the window start to jump a bit, then I switch. If I switch before the frame jitter, it freezes. The same when the capture actually starts, it chugs a bit for a few seconds before stabilizing to a smooth image. I start capture a few seconds before starting the tape in the vcr to overcome it.

Figured it out. After fighting to get Preview working, you then click Device/Device Settings, then click the "Save current display mode as default", then close and restart the app. Enter capture mode, and it's already using the Preview mode. Even after a reboot, and even after a complete power down, it's still sticking on the Preview mode. Success. :)