AVMaster dropped frames on Athlone Machine

Can anyone at Fast please explain why I am having the following problem, when using Fast AV Master Capture Build 19 on an AMD. machine [600Hz. Athlone]:-

System configuration is as follows:-

Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Upgrade using Full OEM CD /SrcDir=G:\WIN98 /IQ /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 5 5.00.2614.3500
Uptime: 0:00:05:07
Normal mode
On "F4B7B5" as "Brian Glanville"

AuthenticAMD AMD Athlon(tm) Processor

AMD: Athlone 598MH
L1 Data 64k
L1 Inst Cache 64k
L2 Cache 512
Family Model: 6.21
MMX: Yes
Extended MMX: Yes
3D Now: Yes
Extended: Yes
128MB RAM
72% system resources free
Windows-managed swap file on drive C (3221MB free)
Available space on drive C: 3221MB of 9756MB (FAT32)
Available space on drive D: 4119MB of 10960MB (FAT32)
Available space on drive E: 3348MB of 25943MB (FAT32)

Storage configuration

Standard Floppy Disk Controller
fdc
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\ACPI\*PNP0700\0
Alloc resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 6 Mask: x0000
DMA: 2 Mask: x0000
IO Range: Base=x03F2 End=x03F5 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Base=x03F7 End=x03F7 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 6 Mask: x0000
DMA: 2 Mask: x0000
IO Range: Base=x03F2 End=x03F5 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Base=x03F7 End=x03F7 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Filtered resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 0 Mask: x0040
DMA: 0 Mask: x0004
IO Range: Base=x0000 End=x0000 Min=x03F2 Max=x03F5 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Base=x0000 End=x0000 Min=x03F7 Max=x03F7 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Basic resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 0 Mask: x0040
DMA: 0 Mask: x0004
IO Range: Base=x0000 End=x0000 Min=x03F2 Max=x03F5 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Base=x0000 End=x0000 Min=x03F7 Max=x03F7 Alias=x00, Decode=x00
Driver: fdc\0000
Driver Date: 4-23-1999
Driver: HSFLOP.pdr
File Size: 25741 (0x648D)
File Date: 4/23/1999 10:22 PM
Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
File Version: 4.10.2222

AMD-756 Bus Master IDE Controller V1.21
hdc
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03\BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_01
Alloc resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 14 Mask: x4000
15 Mask: x8000
IO Range: Base=x01F0 End=x01F7 Min=x01F0 Max=x01F7 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x03F6 End=x03F6 Min=x03F6 Max=x03F6 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0170 End=x0177 Min=x0170 Max=x0177 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0376 End=x0376 Min=x0376 Max=x0376 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=xF000 End=xF00F Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 14 Mask: x4000
15 Mask: x8000
IO Range: Base=x01F0 End=x01F7 Min=x01F0 Max=x01F7 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x03F6 End=x03F6 Min=x03F6 Max=x03F6 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0170 End=x0177 Min=x0170 Max=x0177 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0376 End=x0376 Min=x0376 Max=x0376 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=xF000 End=xF00F Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Filtered resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 14 Mask: x4000
15 Mask: x8000
IO Range: Base=x01F0 End=x01F7 Min=x01F0 Max=x01F7 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x03F6 End=x03F6 Min=x03F6 Max=x03F6 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0170 End=x0177 Min=x0170 Max=x0177 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0376 End=x0376 Min=x0376 Max=x0376 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=xF000 End=xF00F Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Basic resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 14 Mask: x4000
15 Mask: x8000
IO Range: Base=x01F0 End=x01F7 Min=x01F0 Max=x01F7 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x03F6 End=x03F6 Min=x03F6 Max=x03F6 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0170 End=x0177 Min=x0170 Max=x0177 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0376 End=x0376 Min=x0376 Max=x0376 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=xF000 End=xF00F Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
HW Revision: 003
Driver: hdc\0003
Driver Date: 1-24-2000

Symbios Logic 8100S PCI SCSI Adapter; 53C810 Device
SCSIAdapter
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\PCI\VEN_1000&DEV_0001&SUBSYS_10001000&REV_23\BUS_00&DEV_0C&FUNC_00
Alloc resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 11 Mask: xFFFF
IO Range: Base=xEC00 End=xECFF Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Memory Address Range: Base= xE4012000 End= xE40120FF Min= x00000000 Max= xFFFFFFFF
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: Logical Configuration 0
IO Range: Base=xEC00 End=xECFF Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Memory Address Range: Base= xE4012000 End= xE40120FF Min= x00000000 Max= xFFFFFFFF
Filtered resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 11 Mask: xFFFF
IO Range: Base=xEC00 End=xECFF Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Memory Address Range: Base= xE4012000 End= xE40120FF Min= x00000000 Max= xFFFFFFFF
Basic resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 0 Mask: xFFFF
IO Range: Base=xEC00 End=xECFF Min=x0000 Max=xFFFF Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Memory Address Range: Base= xE4012000 End= xE40120FF Min= x00000000 Max= xFFFFFFFF
HW Revision: 035
Driver: SCSIAdapter\0001
Driver Date: 4-23-1999
Driver: SYMC8XX.mpd
File Size: 21600 (0x5460)
File Date: 4/23/1999 10:22 PM
Company Name: Symbios Logic Inc.
File Version: 4.10.1998

Primary Bus Master IDE controller
hdc
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\MF\CHILD0000\PCI&VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03&BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_01
Alloc resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 14 Mask: x4000
IO Range: Base=x01F0 End=x01F7 Min=x01F0 Max=x01F7 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x03F6 End=x03F6 Min=x03F6 Max=x03F6 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=xF000 End=xF007 Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: hdc\0004
Driver Date: 1-24-2000
Driver: amdeide.mpd
File Size: 30720 (0x7800)
File Date: 1/24/2000 9:48 AM
Company Name: AMD Corporation
File Version: 1.21

Secondary Bus Master IDE controller
hdc
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\MF\CHILD0001\PCI&VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03&BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_01
Alloc resources: Logical Configuration 0
IRQ: 15 Mask: x8000
IO Range: Base=x0170 End=x0177 Min=x0170 Max=x0177 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=x0376 End=x0376 Min=x0376 Max=x0376 Alias=x04, Decode=x03
Base=xF008 End=xF00F Alias=xFF, Decode=x00
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: hdc\0005
Driver Date: 1-24-2000
Driver: amdeide.mpd
File Size: 30720 (0x7800)
File Date: 1/24/2000 9:48 AM
Company Name: AMD Corporation
File Version: 1.21

CREATIVE CD5230E
CDROM
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\SCSI\CREATIVECD5230E_________1\MF&CHILD0001&PCI&VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03&BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_0110
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: CDROM\0000
Driver Date: 4-23-1999

YAMAHA CRW4416S
CDROM
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\SCSI\YAMAHA__CRW4416S________1\PCI&VEN_1000&DEV_0001&SUBSYS_10001000&REV_23&BUS_00&DEV_0C&FUNC_0030
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: CDROM\0002
Driver Date: 4-23-1999

Maxtor 9 1021U2
DiskDrive
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\SCSI\MAXTOR_91021U2__________F\MF&CHILD0000&PCI&VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03&BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_0100
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Current Driver Letter Assignment:
Driver: DiskDrive\0004
Driver Date: 4-23-1999

Maxtor 9 1152D8
DiskDrive
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\SCSI\MAXTOR_91152D8__________W\MF&CHILD0000&PCI&VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03&BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_0110
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Current Driver Letter Assignment:
Driver: DiskDrive\0005
Driver Date: 4-23-1999

Maxtor 9 2720U8
DiskDrive
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\SCSI\MAXTOR_92720U8__________M\MF&CHILD0001&PCI&VEN_1022&DEV_7409&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_03&BUS_00&DEV_07&FUNC_0100
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Current Driver Letter Assignment:
Driver: DiskDrive\0006
Driver Date: 4-23-1999

GENERIC NEC FLOPPY DISK
DiskDrive
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\FLOP\GENERIC_NEC__FLOPPY_DISK_\ACPI&*PNP0700&000
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Current Driver Letter Assignment: A
Driver: DiskDrive\0003
Driver Date: 4-23-1999

IRQ. Current Settings

0 System timer
1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
2 Programmable interrupt controller
3 Communications Port (COM2)
4 Communications Port (COM1)
5 (free)
6 Standard Floppy Disk Controller
7 EPSON Printer Port (LPT1)
8 System CMOS/real time clock
9 Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 128
9 AMD 756 PCI to USB Open Host Controller
9 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
9 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
9 SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
10 FAST AV Master
10 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
11 Conexant PCI Modem Enumerator
11 Symbios Logic 8100S PCI SCSI Adapter; 53C810 Device
11 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 Numeric data processor
14 Primary Bus Master IDE controller
14 AMD-756 Bus Master IDE Controller V1.21
15 Secondary Bus Master IDE controller
15 AMD-756 Bus Master IDE Controller V1.21

I had the above machine constructed in March 2000. based upon a Microstar 6167ATX IR1 Board, specifically for home video work.

Right: the problem is a simple one, yet at the same time, seemingly difficult to resolve.

I take approx. 1hr. 10 mins of holiday video shot in SVHS. Format, play in down via a JVC. SVHS. VCR. To the Fast capture board installed in the above machine. Capture format 10:1 compression. Capture set for SVHS. Format Sound at 44100. & 172. AV Master set upon sound media setting. Both E: & D: drives benchmark well within the capture set ratio. The Capture session is always set for multiple capture option, with no limit upon the file size [normally files capture down to 2041.1mg]. The capture prog. advises at the end of the session that 3 frames only have been dropped in 6.5mg of capture, [GREAT], but if I then immediately play back the captured files using Fast Play, dropped files start appearing from everywhere!! [On average 250 plus dropped in a 2Gig captured file?????? During capture the machine appears to write to disc. With no problem, but then intermittently reads back incorrectly from the captured file upon the hard drive!!!!!!

As an experiment I have tried two other options:-

1] I installed the capture card into an older P11. 333mh. Intel machine. I then ran a 1 gig. Capture using the same settings, writing on this occasion to a small, older 2Gig hard drive. Result: perfect capture & perfect playback! [Not one single dropped frame]

2] I then used Uleads capture program within Media Studio on my Athlone based machine, via the Fast capture card, but not using Fast capture. Result clean capture over 6Gig of captured tape, & clean playback using Fast capture in play back mode. Problem with this option: no mutiple Capture & Playback.

Why is it that Fast Capture does not seem to want to operate “clean” upon the Athlone machine? Do the driver settings upon the Athlone have to be changed or “tweeked” in order to obtain clean capture & playback. The entire situation has bemused me for some 5 weeks, during which time I have blamed the Fast Build version 19 & 24, when using Media Studio V6.0. as being the cause of dropped frames. The Fast capture process is advising of nil or very few dropped frames at every capture session, however, when you then replay the captured files back you can end up with as many as 1000 dropped in 6000 played during playback, following capture??????

I am now beginning to think that there is an incompatibility problem with the AV Master card installed in the Athlone machine when operating Fast Capture: it “believes” that it is writing clean to the hard drive, but then is unable to read its own written avi files back without large numbers of dropped frames occurring.

Any advise would be much appreciated. Machine SetUp details as above

Many thanks.

Brian Glanville.