Question / Help Avermedia ExtremeCap U3 Freezing issue

C

CohhCarnage

New Member
Hello!

So I'm trying to find a working solution to this and hope someone here can help me. I'm using an ExtremeCap U3 by Avermedia and I love the visual quality (when it's working). I had a bad sound issue (crackling and popping) but this was fixed by updating the U3's firmware via the Avermedia site and using the WaveOut function on the OBS input.

However, it did not fix my second (and much worse) issue; I'm getting seemingly random freezes where the only solution is to stop the stream, reconnect the U3 (unplug and plug back in), then start the stream again. When you have 3000+ people watching, this one reset can cost anywhere from 500-1,000 viewers. I've done everything I can think of to fix this, including buying a second U3 unit for testing.

The exact issue: Anywhere between 1-5 hours the screen on OBS's input from the card will freeze. No sound plays through the card (this is how I know it's happening, the sound immediately stops) but my OBS continues to run and broadcast (webcam and mic continue to work fine). At that point, if I quit OBS and open up REControl (AverMedia's software), that freezes and closes as well. If I try to start OBS back up without re-plugging the U3, it will not go work at all and frequently errors out/crashes. I have to actually unplug the card from the computer to make it work. My current fix is to stop the stream, unplug the card and plug it back in (without exiting OBS), then immediately going live again.

The AverMedia USB 3.0 Diagnostic tool gives me the all clear. I've tried multiple cables and units to no avail. Like I said, everything works perfectly right up to the time that it crashes. It's happened with a lot on the screen (heavy transitions and such) and also happened with nothing happening (with just the desktop being input).

I'm not sure if this is an OBS issue or an AverMedia issue. I haven't found anything yet to clear it either way. Anyone have any idea here? Thanks in advance.

Computer specs:
  • Intel® Core™ i7-4790K Processor
  • ASRock Z97 Extreme 3
  • AVC Liquid CPU Cooling System
  • 16 GB [8 GB x2] Corsair DDR3-1600 Memory
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
  • 128 GB Apotop S3C Series SSD
  • 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
 
For a desktop I would recommend returning the U3 and getting a PCIe capture card. Much more reliable.
 
R1CH, which PCIe 1080p/60fps card would you recommend for that? I attempted to use another card in my last open PCIe 16x slot and my computer wouldn't even POST; the monitors wouldn't come on. A BlackMagic Intensity Pro works fine in the slot but I'm not really looking to run my gaming machine in 720p so it properly detects it.

Any recommendations?
 
So turns out I am going to need to use the Extremecap U3 for at least a bit longer. If anyone does know any fixes or has any suggestions on how this could be remedied, would really appreciate it!
 
I think you'll lose fewer viewers just running the stream at 720p and staying connected in the meantime, than having it crashing and going offline. I've been to your streams many times and it's pretty chat-involved, so wouldn't 1080p be lost on most people not watching in fullscreen anyways?
 
Hey Cohh. I'm having the same issue with my U3. Still working on finding a resolution as well. I don't think the card is faulty, I think it's some kind of weird conflicting issue with OBS and the Avermedia U3. I also used a Blackmagic Intensity Pro and an Avermedia PCI card. The PCI cards both work great, but the Blackmagic forces 720p for your monitor and the Avermedia only outputs at 30fps with similar results. The best card for 1080p 60fps right now is the U3, but it has the freezing issues. One thing I've noticed is that after a while of sitting on the "preview" screen in OBS, I get a HDCP notice from the U3. I'm going to try a previous version of OBS and see what Avermedia says as well. Here's to hoping we find a solution.
 
Have u run the USB 3.0 diagnosic Tool? Some user reporting Problems like that because of bad UBS 3.0 Slots. Try a PCI USB 3.0 Card can solve the Problem.
 
I just picked up one of the U3s from Amazon and I'm having the exact same freezing issue. In my case, I actually don't even want to stream or record. I just want to preview my TiVo Mini in a window using HDMI. I don't even care that it can actually capture/record (which it can't since it says it's protected content. Again, that's fine.) But within five minutes, it freezes. Oddly, and I'm not sure if CohhCarnage is having this same experience, but if you wait a minute or two, the preview suddenly unfreezes for another few minutes, then it freezes again before unfreezing a little while later. Wash/rinse/repeat. FWIW, I have the latest drivers and software from AverMedia and am running on Mac OS X 10.10.4.
 
100% WORKING SOLUTION:


buy Y-Cable USB 3.0 for extra Power and everything is fine !

Had the same freezing before and now its working perfect with the Y Cable :-)

just for info ...
 
I actually purchased a new Y cable and I think it doesnt fix my issue. the new cable has a slightly different problem though. the game doesn't just freeze, I also get the windows sound that indicates a cable being unplugged. maybe I just got unlucky and purchased a faulty cable...the battle continues unfortunately :(
 
I just start to play BF4 on PS4 true extreme cap u3 on my imac 27"5K. Works perfectly with sound and nice 1080P 60FPs resolution but unfortunately freezes randomly. The only solutions is to close the window, shutdown RECplayer and turn on again. PS4 game doesn't wait so i'm so frustrated. like CohnCarnage said when works works fine. I've the latest firmware for Mac and the PS4 too. Tried exchange cables for some models better and worse but same result.
There is no News or other solution than Ultrapower for this issue ?
 
Yep, the freezing issue is a pretty long-standing thing with the U3.

To respond to @CohhCarnage, I've recommended the SC512 to quite a few other streamers, all of whom have had excellent results. 1080p@60 recording with a range of capture options, including full RGB24 and 32. HDMI, Component, VGA, S-Video, Composite inputs all the way down to 240i to plug in an NES (or older). Capture delay low enough that for most games, you can play right from an Amarec preview window (OBS introduces some capture and compositing delay of its own, though I was using it to play through Kingdom Hearts before coming up with the Amarec route).

Can grab one for $330 at SolarisJapan as the Micomsoft SC-512N1-L/DVI.
Can grab one for $200 at SabrePC as the Yuan SC512 single-channel. Doesn't have the passthrough daughtercard (splitters work) or the DVI->HDMI adapter ($7), but beyond that it's literally the same exact card down to the silkscreening.
 
I had freezes too with an u3. Buying a pci e usb3.0 card with reneseas chip has solved the problems for me. Connect only the capcard to the pci e card.

Its an problem with the mobo slots power. A pci e card gives constantly the same power to the capcard.
 
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