thanks premium, really.

The dv50 is what i encoded with using the vc500 mac version (i bought both versions). the device is the same as windows but i can't find a codec that will allow me to open the file with virtualdub, avisynth or anything with windows OS

When you use the elgato what encoding do you use?

With the Elgato, I encoded with yuv422 so i'll check out avidemux later today. or look into other codecs?

I would go avidemux to huffyuv. make sure you select openDML for the AVI container.

What do you mean by 'encoded with yuv422?' If you are uncompressing in Mac to yuv422, I would skip that step. You can download a plugin for virtualdub to open mp4 files directly.

when using the mac version of the vc500 the encode options are all mac codecs i believe. One of them, and is supposed to be the best codec for this version is yuv422. but it has trouble playing back with every program, even avidemux.

here's the options from the Mac vc500
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/imag.../uZVdqhA-1.png

Ok so i figured this codec thing out..

Using the Mac VC500 i capture into yuv422. Then using MPEGSteamclip, i export to AVI with the "Apple MPEG 4 Compressor". That gives me the compatibility i need to work in windows.

I have to do this because with the origional yuv422 or dv50 compressions i get this error in AviSynth.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/imag...jO0JVpng-1.jpg

Now i'm not sure how much quality is being lost in this process. I'm sure someone can enlighten me on a better codec than "apple mpeg 4 compressor". Here is what is offered.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/imag.../AOpAEfc-1.png

Did you end up trying either of those two pieces of software I suggested?

yes, i mentioned it in post #103

avidemux could not properly read the file. it was black/white image with a lot of lines

My bad, I misread. XVID4PSP didn't work either? It usually takes everything I throw at it. Depending on how much AviSynth you want to learn, you can use it to throw in certain filters with the encode as well.

forgot about that program. will check it out tonight!

update-
xvid4psp does not accept the captured file

Load into FCP X or Compressor and export to uncompressed 422. The quicktime plugin for VirtualDub will decode it, but if you have trouble, ProRes can be a last resort, though it results in a minor quality loss.

well i finally figured it out. I can now capture "lossless" onto my mac and open the file with avisynth and virtualdub. I'm not sure why it wasn't working before, but i reinstalled windows 7 and all the apps / plugins required and it worked.