Virtual Audio Capture Grabber closes in seconds :(

[Jorge Pestana]

Hi there,

 

I'm an FFSplit user and I recently read one of your posts on their forum mentioning this app.  I then found the app (v0.3.8) and installed it.

 

I've tried running the Record with Start button, which opens with a splash screen of a speaker and then opens a very small window at the top left corner of my screen.  No matter how many times I try, the app constantly closes within 1 or 2 seconds.  I don't get an error message or anything.

 

I tried restarting after having installed the app and failed to run it correctly - no joy.  Also tried uninstalled and re-installing, but again without success.  I also made sure I had the latest version of Java installed.

 

Any idea as to why this could be happening ?

 

Thanks for your time and for trying to help out with FFSplit!

 

Jorge

[Roger Pack]

Odd.

Could you CD to where the link is pointing and try running it manually
and see what you get on the console?

Thanks!
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Thanks for the reply.  Here ya go:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Virtual Audio Capture Grabber\screen-capture-recorder-to-
video-windows-free\configuration_setup_utility>generic_run_rb.bat record_with_bu
ttons.rb --just-audio-default
"failed"
""
"2nd try resulted in :"
RuntimeError: ""
  enumerate_directshow_devices at ./ffmpeg_helpers.rb:18
                        (root) at record_with_buttons.rb:110

Thanks again.

[Roger Pack]

Ok thanks for the info will look into it and hopefully publish a fix.
-r

[Roger Pack]

Ok could you try this:
http://rogerdpack.t28.net/incoming/setup%20Virtual%20Audio%20Capture%20Grabber%20v0.3.9dev.exe
and see if it works at least past that?
Sorry the project is something of a work in progress. Suggestions welcome :)
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Heheh, no worries man.  I realize that.  :)

Many thanks for this.  Will give it a go.  If I can think of anything, I'll definitely mention it.

[Jorge Pestana]

Ok, just ran it and it took me through the setup (video, audio, etc...)

First thing I noticed is that dshow @ 020dc060 appears a lot, and continues if you scroll down.

I selected "what u hear" and tried recording, but no file was output.  I tried changing the directory to elsewhere and used a WAV format.  Still nothing.  I then thought, "Maybe it's because my speakers are set to 5.1," so I switched to Stereo, but unfortunately, no success there either...

I am, however, able to get it to SORT of work when using it as the audio capture device in FFSplit.  The audio is broken (cracks up a lot), but it managed to capture the left, center and right speakers.  It was not able to cap the rear speakers.  (Should this be working with surround at all ?)

Finally, here's a suggestion, though it's definitely not an important one.  Every time I click on "Options" it goes through the entire setup cycle again.  I think it would be easier if it was just one window with all the options and their respective drop boxes next to them.  They should also remember what you last selected.  :)

Thanks for your time!

[Jorge Pestana]

BTW, I have a Sound Blaster X-fi and some onboard Soundmax card.  If you need any other info, let me know.  :)

[Roger Pack]

Ok, just ran it and it took me through the setup (video, audio, etc...)

we have passed one hurdle :)
 

First thing I noticed is that dshow @ 020dc060 appears a lot, and continues if you scroll down.

I selected "what u hear" and tried recording, but no file was output.  I tried changing the directory to elsewhere and used a WAV format.  Still nothing.  I then thought, "Maybe it's because my speakers are set to 5.1," so I switched to Stereo, but unfortunately, no success there either...

no file was output? If you click "show recorded" there is nothing there? What does your console (unminimize) look like (full console output)?
 

I am, however, able to get it to SORT of work when using it as the audio capture device in FFSplit.  The audio is broken (cracks up a lot), but it managed to capture the left, center and right speakers.  It was not able to cap the rear speakers.  (Should this be working with surround at all ?)

I did add 5.1 support recently, though I haven't really tested it in the wild.
How many speakers are you set to?
 

Finally, here's a suggestion, though it's definitely not an important one.  Every time I click on "Options" it goes through the entire setup cycle again.  I think it would be easier if it was just one window with all the options and their respective drop boxes next to them.  They should also remember what you last selected.  :)

Added it to the TODO list.
Thanks!
-roger-

[Roger Pack]

I am, however, able to get it to SORT of work when using it as the audio capture device in FFSplit.  The audio is broken (cracks up a lot), but it managed to capture the left, center and right speakers.  It was not able to cap the rear speakers.  (Should this be working with surround at all ?)

Also run the capture through audacity maybe it got the channels mixed up?

Also after running it (please download and re-install it first from http://rogerdpack.t28.net/incoming/setup%20Virtual%20Audio%20Capture%20Grabber%20v0.3.9dev.exe ) what is your registry value HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\virtual_audio_capture\last_output?
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

lol, don't know why I never think of checking the console...

Here ya go.  I now see an error.  BTW, I selected none (for video), What U hear and WAV.  At the end, it shows that it wrote a .WAV, but of course, it didn't.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Virtual Audio Capture Grabb
er\Record>"Record by clicking a start button.lnk"
ffmpeg version N-44080-gdfb4757 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
  built on Aug 31 2012 16:58:51 with gcc 4.7.1 (GCC)
  configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-pthreads --enable-runt
ime-cpudetect --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-frei0r --enable-libass -
-enable-libcelt --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-l
ibfreetype --enable-libgsm --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libnut --enable-libopenj
peg --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheo
ra --enable-libutvideo --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-li
bvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-libxvid --ena
ble-zlib
  libavutil      51. 70.100 / 51. 70.100
  libavcodec     54. 55.100 / 54. 55.100
  libavformat    54. 25.104 / 54. 25.104
  libavdevice    54.  2.100 / 54.  2.100
  libavfilter     3. 15.101 /  3. 15.101
  libswscale      2.  1.101 /  2.  1.101
  libswresample   0. 15.100 /  0. 15.100
  libpostproc    52.  0.100 / 52.  0.100
[dshow @ 01fac060] DirectShow video devices
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Logitech B910 HD Webcam"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Monitor Webcam #4"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "drahtwerk's iWebcamera"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "SCFH DSF"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "FFsplit Overlay 2.0b5"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Decklink Video Capture"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "VHMultiCam"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "PS3Eye Camera"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Dxtory Video 1"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Dxtory Video 2"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Dxtory Video 3"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Dxtory Video 4"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "VHScrCap"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "XSplitBroadcaster"
[dshow @ 01fac060] DirectShow audio devices
[dshow @ 01fac060]  ""What U Hear" (Creative SB X-Fi"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "DirectSound Capture Device"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "FFsplit Microphone Device"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "virtual-audio-capturer"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Decklink Audio Capture"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "XSplitBroadcaster"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Auxiliary (Creative SB X-Fi)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Auxiliary 2 (Creative SB X-Fi)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Digital-In (Creative SB X-Fi)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Line In (SoundMAX Integrated Di"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Line-In (Creative SB X-Fi)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Line-In 2/Mic 2 (Creative SB X-"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Microphone (B910 HD Webcam)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Microphone (Creative SB X-Fi)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Microphone (SoundMAX Integrated"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Microphone Array (4- Monitor We"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "S/PDIF-In (Creative SB X-Fi)"
[dshow @ 01fac060]  "Stereo Mix (SoundMAX Integrated"
dummy: Immediate exit requested
select from dropdown window XSplitBroadcaster ...
select from dropdown window
[dshow @ 002dc060]   ...
select from dropdown window wav ...
"please enter the information in the prompt:Automatically stop the recording aft
er a certain nu..."
"received answer:"
writing to I:\/1.wav
running
ffmpeg   -f dshow -i audio="What U Hear"  "I:\/1.wav"
ffmpeg version N-44080-gdfb4757 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
  built on Aug 31 2012 16:58:51 with gcc 4.7.1 (GCC)
  configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-pthreads --enable-runt
ime-cpudetect --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-frei0r --enable-libass -
-enable-libcelt --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-l
ibfreetype --enable-libgsm --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libnut --enable-libopenj
peg --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger --enable-libspeex --enable-libtheo
ra --enable-libutvideo --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-li
bvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-libxvid --ena
ble-zlib
  libavutil      51. 70.100 / 51. 70.100
  libavcodec     54. 55.100 / 54. 55.100
  libavformat    54. 25.104 / 54. 25.104
  libavdevice    54.  2.100 / 54.  2.100
  libavfilter     3. 15.101 /  3. 15.101
  libswscale      2.  1.101 /  2.  1.101
  libswresample   0. 15.100 /  0. 15.100
  libpostproc    52.  0.100 / 52.  0.100
[dshow @ 020fbf80] Could not find audio device.
audio=What U Hear: Input/output error
NameError: undefined local variable or method `process_input_mutex' for #<Object
:0x10cba16>
  start_recording_with_current_settings at record_with_buttons.rb:100
                                   call at org/jruby/RubyProc.java:274
                                   call at org/jruby/RubyProc.java:233

done writing I:\/1.wav

[Jorge Pestana]

Hmmm..  Just updated Audacity (I was still on 1.3!) and gave it a try, but VACG wasn't in the dropdown list of devices.  :(

Oh, and I'm using 5.1.

[Jorge Pestana]

virtual_audio_capture does not exist in the registry... ^_^;

I checked exactly where you told me to.  I see Virtualdub.org... lol.

[Roger Pack]

>> I am, however, able to get it to SORT of work when using it as the audio
>> capture device in FFSplit. The audio is broken (cracks up a lot), but it
>> managed to capture the left, center and right speakers. It was not able to
>> cap the rear speakers. (Should this be working with surround at all ?)

It may help to start recording to a .wav file, then go to the control
panel -> manage audio devices -> right click on one, configure
speakers -> for me (choose 5.1, then click on each speaker). Now open
the .wav file in audacity, or send it to me. It should be a 5.1 wave
file.

[Jorge Pestana]

I've uploaded the FLV file (the video helps), the extracted AAC, as well as the converted wave file.

http://www.mediafire.com/?p851u4rshjqlpfn

[Thomas Lequenne]

Le 2012-09-26 à 18:00, Jorge Pestana <blin...@gmail.com> a écrit :

> I've uploaded the FLV file (the video helps), the extract AAC AND the converted wave file.
>
> http://www.mediafire.com/?p851u4rshjqlpfn

[Roger Pack]

I believe you can unsubscribe clicking on "membership" here:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/roger-projects
Cheers!

[Roger Pack]

> virtual_audio_capture does not exist in the registry... ^_^;
>
> I checked exactly where you told me to. I see Virtualdub.org... lol.

Try searching the entire registry, and/or using the latest builds.

[Roger Pack]

Ok this particular problem (not accomodating for device names with
quotes) may be fixed with the latest:
http://rogerdpack.t28.net/incoming/setup%20Virtual%20Audio%20Capture%20Grabber%20v0.3.9dev.exe

I'll try and check your flv's tomorrow. In general, I was suggesting
to record to a .wav file, then open that .wav file in audacity.
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Yeah, I realized that last night.  I posted about it, but I must have mistakenly deleted it while trying to delete another post.  My bad.

 

I'll try this build when I get back home from work.

 

The FLV/AAC/WAV I sent you should be good, though.  The video is a screen cap of a 5.1 (video aided) test that I've been using for a while now.  Also, I did open the converted WAV into Audacity last night and it was as I thought - right, center and left sort of work.  Actually, the center worked well, but left and right crapped out a bit, lol.  The 2 rear channels are blank.

 

Well, you'll see it for yourself.  :)

 

Thanks.

[Roger Pack]

> I did open the converted WAV into Audacity last night and it was as I
> thought - right, center and left sort of work. Actually, the center worked
> well, but left and right crapped out a bit, lol. The 2 rear channels are
> blank.
>
> Well, you'll see it for yourself. :)

Sounds good.
Could you try it with the "control panel" instructions I gave you,
also with the latest build your console output? Maybe to a couple
different devices? Also search for that registry setting after each
run.
Thanks!
-r

[Roger Pack]

> The FLV/AAC/WAV I sent you should be good, though. The video is a screen
> cap of a 5.1 (video aided) test that I've been using for a while now. Also,
> I did open the converted WAV into Audacity last night and it was as I
> thought - right, center and left sort of work. Actually, the center worked
> well, but left and right crapped out a bit, lol. The 2 rear channels are
> blank.

Yeah when I do the "control panel" test that I described previously,
it seems to record a wav file that includes all 6 channels. So weird
for it to just "miss" 2 of your channels I wonder if maybe it's
actually recording in 7.1 but then "mixing" it on the way out to 5.1
but not passing that out to the WASAPI loopback...hmm...

[Roger Pack]

> Yeah when I do the "control panel" test that I described previously,
> it seems to record a wav file that includes all 6 channels. So weird
> for it to just "miss" 2 of your channels I wonder if maybe it's
> actually recording in 7.1 but then "mixing" it on the way out to 5.1
> but not passing that out to the WASAPI loopback...hmm...

Also if you instruct it to record for "30 seconds" (like ffmpeg -i
input -t 30) then examine the output wave file, is it exactly 30
seconds long? If not that be interesting to find out.
Thanks!
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Ok, I'm writing this as I perform each step.

With the latest build, I can see all the devices correctly in the dropbox. (Nice!)

Just recorded using the "record by click on start button" WITH SUCCESS!!! SWEET!  Opened WAV with Audacity and it's all there!  Played it back and it played back correctly!

Nice work man!

[Jorge Pestana]

Well, everything appears to be running as it should.  I think that before it was the dropbox list that was totally screwed, so I was selecting the wrong option, which messed up the whole recording.

With FFSplit, however, it now only records the center channel now, lol.  Anyway, FFsplit is not your app, so I wont bother you with trying to figure that one out. (If it were even possible, without having the FFSplit code)  Unless, of course, this SHOULD be working for all other apps that can use it as a capture source.  ;)

Recording time and output time is the same.

Still want me to run the Windows speaker test ?  I doubt it's needed, since it already works perfectly with the "record using button."

Let me know if there's anything else you want me to do.  :)

[Jorge Pestana]

Interesting...  I decided to run another test with FFSplit, so I played a stereo mp3 and then did the control panel speaker test.

It recorded the entire mp3 as being the left channel.  Later on, when I tested the left speaker, it played the test sound correctly (with the mp3).  During the center speaker test, you don't hear the speaker test tone, but rather, the mp3's right channel plays correctly during the test, then dies again.  The mp3 continues to play only on the left.  During the right speaker test, you hear the test sound play out the right speaker.

I ran the same test again, without the mp3, and only 1 of the 6 channels played back.  Strange...

If interested, here's what I recorded:

With MP3      - http://www.mediafire.com/?77gs639ngun89n7
Without MP3 - http://www.mediafire.com/?t69ssuuzjk5jx9d

[Jorge Pestana]

Registry entry for the app is there now.  Just checked after all this and it shows:  total reads 1692 total discontinuity blips 0,  total overflows 0

[Roger Pack]

> Just recorded using the "record by click on start button" WITH SUCCESS!!!
> SWEET! Opened WAV with Audacity and it's all there! Played it back and it
> played back correctly!

Oh wow that is truly good news if it recorded 5.1. That would be its
first success "in the wild" :D

> With FFSplit, however, it now only records the center channel now, lol.
> Anyway, FFsplit is not your app, so I wont bother you with trying to figure
> that one out. (If it were even possible, without having the FFSplit code)
> Unless, of course, this SHOULD be working for all other apps that can use it
> as a capture source. ;)

Yeah it probably should, since FFmpeg uses it underneath anyway.
So you say FFsplit running virtual-audio-capturer doesn't seem to
capture it right?
I wonder what the difference is. You could try running ffmpeg using
the same parameters that FFsplit seems to use (you can discover it
with Process Explorer IIRC) and see if
1) his version of ffmpeg has the same problem
2) the version of ffmpeg with virtual-audio-capturer has the same problem.
3) maybe see if more recent ffmpeg builds have the same problem:
http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

Now that you mention it, I wonder if FFsplit is "mixing" from 5.1 to
stereo and somehow...if it varies from build to build then I think it
might imply that something is broken in FFmpeg. I think there has
been some recent work in FFmpeg with regard to the "amerge" filter, so
maybe there is something going on in there.

> It recorded the entire mp3 as being the left channel.

That is really weird how it merges both channels into left LOL.

What's your console output from this?

> Later on, when I
> tested the left speaker, it played the test sound correctly (with the mp3).
> During the center speaker test, you don't hear the speaker test tone, but
> rather, the mp3's right channel plays correctly during the test, then dies
> again. The mp3 continues to play only on the left. During the right
> speaker test, you hear the test sound play out the right speaker.

Oh man that is freaky. something seems definitely amiss...

> I ran the same test again, without the mp3, and only 1 of the 6 channels
> played back. Strange...

Does it reproduce with the same behavior? And with latest builds of
FFmpeg? What about with builds like a year old?

Thanks for your help.
-roger-

[Roger Pack]

On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 11:34 AM, Jorge Pestana <blin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ok, just ran it and it took me through the setup (video, audio, etc...)

First thing I noticed is that dshow @ 020dc060 appears a lot, and continues if you scroll down.

Ok there is a possibility something related to this was fixed with 0.3.10 (I wasn't shutting down ffmpeg's right).  Just thought I'd mention it since it might be related.
Cheers!
-r

[Roger Pack]

> Oh, you meant to run what I got out of FFSplit thru Audacity ? I thought you
> wanted me to try capture using audacity. My bad!
>
> Unfortunately, FFSplit will only save as .flv (h264/aac). I'll extract the
> AAC and send it your way.

I guess it does only do aac stereo, doesn't it? Which I guess we've
already seen.
Anyway I suggesting more to run FFsplit's "bundled" ffmpeg.exe with
command line parameters (from the console) and see if it rails there.
I.e. is it the version of ffmpeg that is causing the difference,
basically.
-r

[Roger Pack]

Another interesting test might be to try replacing ffsplit's "bundled"
ffmpeg.exe with a newer one, and see if the mapping weirdness goes
away, using the various devices...
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Hey there.  Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.  I'll check up on everything you posted.

As for the ffmpeg that comes with FFSplit, I've tried replacing it... but I think taq has coded ffsplit to only use the specific version he's bundled it with.  It always forces you to "update" when there's a different version.  If you refuse the update, it simply closes...  *sigh*

I'll try with just ffmpeg and see what I get.  :)

[Jorge Pestana]

BTW, I was using this in the "ffmpeg options" area of ffsplit:  -ab 384k -ac 6.  It really does record 6 channels... even tho the mappings are screwed, lol.

[Jorge Pestana]

Just tried using the bundled ffmpeg... The mapping is still botched.  :(
Now if only I could change the ffmpeg version with ffsplit complaining...

Thanks for your help Roger, I guess I'll have to talk to Taq about this.

[Jorge Pestana]

I tried other ffmpeg builds and it appears that the "experimental" aac encoder is at fault...  :(

[Jorge Pestana]

Turns out Flash 11 does no actually support 5.1 audio.  I thought it did... but apparently it only supports it for AIR on TVs.  :(

So yeah, don't worry about this anymore.  Thanks man.

[Roger Pack]

> I tried other ffmpeg builds and it appears that the "experimental" aac
> encoder is at fault... :(

Do you have an example of how to get it to fail (command line)? It
might be worth reporting this to the ffmpeg guru's ...
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

I think I used:  -acodec aac -strict experimental -ac 6 -ab 384k

 

The console doesn't show any issues though.  Just the output file that's wrong.

 

If there's anything you'd like me to try/test, I'd be happy to do so and get back to you with the results.

[Roger Pack]

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 3:58 AM, Jorge Pestana <blin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I think I used: -acodec aac -strict experimental -ac 6 -ab 384k
>
> The console doesn't show any issues though. Just the output file that's
> wrong.
>
> If there's anything you'd like me to try/test, I'd be happy to do so and get
> back to you with the results.

That was enough, thanks!
File this, FWIW...
http://ffmpeg.org/trac/ffmpeg/ticket/1784

[Roger Pack]

> FWIW...
> http://ffmpeg.org/trac/ffmpeg/ticket/1784

Ok from that ticket, looks like a work around is adding this:
-aac_coder 0

[Jorge Pestana]

Nice! I'll definitely give this a try over the weekend. Thanks!

[Jorge Pestana]

Works like a charm!  Thanks man!  I really appreciate all your help.  (the hell is aac coder 0!? lol)

[Jorge Pestana]

Here's a feature request, if at all possible. (I have no idea how this works...)

I was running some more tests, this time with my PS3.  I've noticed that VACG does not record what I hear while using the audio inputs of my sound card.

I have unmuted the Auxiliary input in the Playback Devices --> Speakers (X-Fi), so I can hear it playing back on my speakers.  Is there a way of making VACG grab the audio that is being inputted to the soundcard, with these inputs unmuted in the Playback Devices area ?  I guess I'm looking for something sort of like "What U Hear" or "Stereomix," except they only support 2 channels and I would obviously want 6. :)

Thanks for your time.

[Roger Pack]

So you pipe audio through your audio card "from the PS3"?
Does ffmpeg reveal a device for your audio card's inputs, or anything about that audio card?
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Yeah.  Unfortunately, in any application you have to choose one input, so you only get 2 channels out of it.  "What U Hear" records everything that's being played back on your speakers, but it will downmix it to 2ch for recording. :(

[Roger Pack]

ffsplit directs ffmpeg to accept '2 inputs' (I mean probably most apps don't let you) but may be a clue there (you should be able to mix/pan the 2 channels into the 5...theoretically :)
-r

[Jorge Pestana]

Sorry for the late response.  I was busy with work, then went on vacation.

I just wanted to thank you for all your help on this (and for the cool app!).  Many thanks.  :)

[Roger Pack]

thanks for the thanks! It means a lot! ahhh.
-roger-