VMWare a non-starter, or can I get around these issues?

ThumperStrauss · #1 05-30-2021, 07:39 PM

I bought an ATI TV Wonder USB 2.0. I read various threads here that it cannot be used on a Windows 10 computer, which is what I have. I read a long discussion from jwillis84 in which he tested different OS with the ATI TV Wonder USB 2.0. Inspired, I installed VMWare Workstation 16 Player, and installed Windows XP (version SP2... I read not to go higher than that), and then Windows 2000. Here's how far I got:

Windows XP SP2: I got Windows to recognize the ATI device by installing tvw-usb2-4-07-6314.exe. It then appears (as installed) in the Device Manager in the following lines:

ATI WONDER USB 2.0 AV Crossbar
ATI WONDER USB 2.0 Specialized MDV CODEC
ATI WONDER USB 2.0 Specialized PCD CODEC
ATI WONDER USB 2.0 Teletext Decoder
ATI WONDER USB 2.0 TV Tuner
ATI WONDER USB 2.0 Video & Audio

However, I am unsuccessful in installing the ATI Multimedia Centre. The mmc-8-7-0-0.exe, it gets as far as the Preparing to install message and the the installer closes. Same thing when I try 9-08_mmc_enu.exe, although this version has the decency to write me a note, stating: Unhandled Exception. Error Number: 0x80040705. Description: String accessed out of bounds. Setup will now terminate.

I was able to capture with VirtualDub 1.9.11. The sound even comes through. But the video is much shakier with all the bad things (I don't recall all the terms). When I output the same VHS in Windows 10 (composite --> Gana AV2HDMI --> CamLink), it didn't have all that badness.

Windows 2000: I fared worse as I wasn't able to install tvw-usb2-4-07-6314.exe. The installed doesn't get past the 'please connect your ATI' message. It is strange because I connected the ATI device in VMWare (top right) and Windows 2000 made the found new device sounds.

By the way, the ATI device appears in my Windows 10 Device Manager, but with the error "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)"

I have a lot of questions:
1. Is the VMWare method a waste of time, even if I did get the the ATI software working?
2. What would be causing the terrible quality in the capture with the ATI? WMware?

I know that a dedicated computer with XP may ultimately be the most reliable way, but I'm trying to see if I can avoid that.

ThumperStrauss · #2 05-30-2021, 08:43 PM

UPDATE: I discovered the bad stuff was introduced by the Video Stabilizer on my JVC HR-S3910U. When I turned it off, it settled down the image to what I previously got via my other capture method. I also changed the capture pin to 720x480. Not sure if that helped or if it's necessary.

So, it appears that my workflow is functional:

JVC HR-S3910U --> ATI Wonder USB 2.0 --> Windows 10 running WMWare with Windows XP SP2 installation and tvw-usb2-4-07-6314.exe successfully installed.

I would like to get the ATI capture software working. Can anyone confirm if ATI MultiMedia Center works with the ATI Wonder USB 2.0?

lordsmurf · #3 06-01-2021, 12:48 PM

VMs cannot be used for capture. Actual hardware required, not fake/Virtual hardware.