[fixed] Camera vs. VidBlaster (How to win the Resolution War?)

[djWHEAT]

Greetings,

Before I hit my issue, just want to say... as a LONG time user of Newtek products, I want to give a big thumbs up to VB. I've not only begun recommending it to others but I've even helped a few smaller productions convert.

For the first time in awhile, I've decided to do a few of my own projects. One of them includes a little web show from my home, of course using VB as my production software.

Unfortunately, I've run into a problem and I'm not even sure where to begin... so bear with me!

1. I'm using a Playstation 3 Eye. It's a fantastic camera that does have legitimate drivers for Windows.

2. When I load up VidBlaster, the PS3 Eye works fine, however I noticed something strange when I hover over the Camera 1 input. It says 640x240 30FPS. The below screenshot shows why this is not working for me... I can see the image fine in the Camera 1 preview, but look at the PROGRAM OUT.

http://djwheat.tv/images/ps3invb.jpg

3. I can go into the INI and change the video size to 640x480 and this works... sort of. You see then when I use the STREAMING function, it's still only capturing the middle of the screen at 320x240. So while I thought that might be a workaround, it didn't quite make it.

4. The TOTAL workaround (which I really don't like), is to use AMCAP, set the camera to the settings I want, and then use the ScreenCapture function. But I feel like I'm losing some quality before I even get to the streamer and then uStream.

I'm wondering if there is either:
A> an .ini setting or entry I'm missing to force the camera to a certain resolution (I tried to do this with the CaptureAreaX2/Y2 settings - but it didn't seem to make a difference)
B> a way to access "settings" for the PS3 Cam from within VidBlaster to make these changes myself.
C> I found some registry settings under TVideoGrabber.VidBlaster which has entries for the PS3 Eye. Within these settings it looks like there are some values that reference 640. Maybe there is a way to manually set something to force it to a specific resolution? There are several values titled FORMAT00x - I know that FORMAT002 is 320x240@30FPS - can I make VidBlaster force it to that somehow?

Anyone else run into this problem? I'd like to win this Resolution War, otherwise I'll have to go back to a poor quality camera so I can keep using VidBlaster!

Thanks in advance!!!

EDIT: I should note that "Video Standard" and "Video Input" are grayed out when I right-click on Camera 1... not sure if that's supposed to let you access those settings.

[Mike]

Thanks for your nice words.

Camera resolution setting is done automatically, and apparently this camera comes up (or only has) a resolution with this weird aspect ratio. I already wrote code that takes this into account, and it should work fine in upcoming v0.40 (let me know).
If settings are greyed out, the camera does not support them.

[djWHEAT]

Thanks for your nice words.

Camera resolution setting is done automatically, and apparently this camera comes up (or only has) a resolution with this weird aspect ratio. I already wrote code that takes this into account, and it should work fine in upcoming v0.40 (let me know).
If settings are greyed out, the camera does not support them.


That's good to know Mike. I'll have to try a few of my other cameras (that I know will use the proper resolutions) until v0.40 comes out. Actually I just looked at the Download section and I didn't realize that v0.40 is the Studio Beta. Does that mean that only qualified individuals will be able to use it? I would love to be a part of that.

Thanks...

[Mike]

No, it's an open beta but I won't be spreading the news on the site yet, only here on the forum. Reason is that I rewrote so much that bugs are bound to be found, and even though officially the program is still in beta, many large companies already rely on it for daily production. So I'm a little careful :)

Going over the help file now. A link to VidBlaster Studio will shortly be published at http://vidblaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=192.msg814#msg814.

[BobCozzi]

Mike,

I'm seeing this kind of same issue in .40 today.

I've been using the Canon HV30 at 720x480 res in VB and it easily and correctly moved it to the 320x240 and retained the original aspect ratio.

But with .40 things are smashed.
Changing to to 640x480 fixes the resolution smashing, but then inside of FME the image is smashed.
Changing VB again, causes both the Preview and Live windows to go blank permanently.
This blanking, I think, seem to be related to the Video Switch module--it seems a bit buggy in general (transitions and whatnot).
That's it for my first 10 minutes with .40 thanks!

[Vanlen]

Hi Mike:

I hooked up my Canon HV20 to the Studio Trial and recognized cam but no picture. Then I changed the camera to DV output instead of HD and of course all was good. Just a note for other users if stumbled on the same problem.

One strange thing I noticed when fooling around with players and split effects that once I turned them off (Split effects) and turned on one of the default overlays it showed up not in the lower third area but somewhere on the left and shrunk as if the split effects where still on....which they weren't. Otherwise having fun figuring out all it can do and will probably take a chance and purchase after the next beta or two.

Cheers

Vanlen
Real name is RJ McNicol
Athabasca Media
Alberta Canada

[Mike]

Don't forget overlays must have the same resolution as a video frame.

[Vanlen]

I'll check thanks Mike

[Mike]

Also read this http://vidblaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=113.0 and cast your vote.

[NoobZaibot]

Same things happen SOMETIMES with my Panasonic MiniDV when i connect it via Firewire to my Pinnacle Capture Card. However, I fix it using the WebCamMax first and then putting it as capture device in vidblaster.