Mike
01 Nov 2008, 16:21
Getting video from your cameras to VidBlaster is extremely easy and versatile. Any method that works for Windows' WDM model will work for VidBlaster. Here are some suggestions...
Firewire or USB cable
Most cameras have a firewire and/or USB connection. Connecting your camera to a PC with firewire is really easy, just plug in the firewire cable and you're done. For USB, you will first need to install the USB driver for your specific camera model. Also make sure the camera has a "webcam" function, which enables it to output live video over its USB connection. If you are connecting multiple cameras via either USB or firewire, make sure to use inputs on separate controllers to not overload the controller. For the same reason you should not use a hub.
USB frame grabber
To digitize those old VHS tapes you can get extremely cheap (less than 50 US$) frame grabbers that are connected to a USB port. Some of these work really well and have very little delay. A model I've used many times is the USB2821, which is sold under many names like the Conceptronic Home Video Creator (http://www.conceptronic.net), Startech UBS 2.0 Video Capture Cable (http://www.startech.com/item/SVID2USB2-USB-2-Video-Capture-Cable.aspx) and Plextor USB Video Converter (http://plextor.com/english/products/px-av200u.html). For more cameras, just plug in as many frame grabbers as you need. Also worth mentioning is the EasyCap (http://easycap.co.uk/), a very cheap interface available from various outlets incl. eBay. Unfortunately (so far) the driver for EasyCap only works properly if you connect only one interface.
PCI cards
Often the more professional frame grabbers are placed inside the PC and are available with PCI(e) connectors. They are usually of high quality, have a very low CPU load and almost no delay. Prices are usually higher. Again, all models that come with WDM driver or are DirectShow compatible should work, so far the Osprey (http://www.viewcast.com/) (both the one channel 210 and quad channel 440 (http://viewcast.com/product_osprey440.asp)/450), the Blackmagic Decklink cards (e.g. Intensity Pro), the VC440e (http://vidblaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=533.0)by Webcam Corp. (http://www.webcamsoft.com/en/vc440e.html) and XtremeRGB-Ex4+ (http://www.ems-imaging.com/catalog/modules.php?name=catalog&file=product_info&cPath=39&products_id=125) have been confirmed. Note though rather costly, the Osprey cards have a built-in deinterlacer. Note for DeckLink cards Vista or Windows 7 is required, if you plan to use more than one card make sure to use a 64 bit version of the OS (see VidBlaster's Help for more information).
IP
You can use your LAN or even the internet to stream video from a camera (either an IP camera or camera with IP transmitter) to VidBlaster. This can be very practical, but keep in mind the delays involved.
If you have succesfully used a model I did not mention, please post a reply to this message below. Thanks!
Firewire or USB cable
Most cameras have a firewire and/or USB connection. Connecting your camera to a PC with firewire is really easy, just plug in the firewire cable and you're done. For USB, you will first need to install the USB driver for your specific camera model. Also make sure the camera has a "webcam" function, which enables it to output live video over its USB connection. If you are connecting multiple cameras via either USB or firewire, make sure to use inputs on separate controllers to not overload the controller. For the same reason you should not use a hub.
USB frame grabber
To digitize those old VHS tapes you can get extremely cheap (less than 50 US$) frame grabbers that are connected to a USB port. Some of these work really well and have very little delay. A model I've used many times is the USB2821, which is sold under many names like the Conceptronic Home Video Creator (http://www.conceptronic.net), Startech UBS 2.0 Video Capture Cable (http://www.startech.com/item/SVID2USB2-USB-2-Video-Capture-Cable.aspx) and Plextor USB Video Converter (http://plextor.com/english/products/px-av200u.html). For more cameras, just plug in as many frame grabbers as you need. Also worth mentioning is the EasyCap (http://easycap.co.uk/), a very cheap interface available from various outlets incl. eBay. Unfortunately (so far) the driver for EasyCap only works properly if you connect only one interface.
PCI cards
Often the more professional frame grabbers are placed inside the PC and are available with PCI(e) connectors. They are usually of high quality, have a very low CPU load and almost no delay. Prices are usually higher. Again, all models that come with WDM driver or are DirectShow compatible should work, so far the Osprey (http://www.viewcast.com/) (both the one channel 210 and quad channel 440 (http://viewcast.com/product_osprey440.asp)/450), the Blackmagic Decklink cards (e.g. Intensity Pro), the VC440e (http://vidblaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=533.0)by Webcam Corp. (http://www.webcamsoft.com/en/vc440e.html) and XtremeRGB-Ex4+ (http://www.ems-imaging.com/catalog/modules.php?name=catalog&file=product_info&cPath=39&products_id=125) have been confirmed. Note though rather costly, the Osprey cards have a built-in deinterlacer. Note for DeckLink cards Vista or Windows 7 is required, if you plan to use more than one card make sure to use a 64 bit version of the OS (see VidBlaster's Help for more information).
IP
You can use your LAN or even the internet to stream video from a camera (either an IP camera or camera with IP transmitter) to VidBlaster. This can be very practical, but keep in mind the delays involved.
If you have succesfully used a model I did not mention, please post a reply to this message below. Thanks!