[done] Support HD for Intensity Pro (was: Anyone using HDMI capture cards?) [Archive]

djWHEAT

01 Feb 2009, 22:58

I'm very close to purchasing an HD Camcorder to use for some web productions, but I'd of course need some sort of input device for my PC to use it as a live camera.

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with HDMI Capture Cards and VidBlaster?

I'm currently looking at a Black Magic Intensity Pro (http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/).

Would love to hear some experiences with these before I pull the trigger, but I may end up being the lab rat!

I thought I'd update anyone who may also be wanting to go this route. I did pick up the Intensity Pro that I mentioned above.

I've yet to get it to work in VidBlaster without the assistance of 3rd Party Programs. This is in version v0.39. Here is a breakdown:

Sony HDR-SR11 connected to PC via HDMI input on the Intensity Pro
VidBlaster picks up the intensity pro with no problem, it just displays no picture.

From what I can tell the camera is firing out 1080i/60 and VidBlaster isn't liking the res or the framerate. The good news is, VidBlaster plays so well with some great programs. One of them is VCam.

I basically have VCam pick up the camera (which is already tricky cause you have to pre-set the resolutions - and yes this is a limitation of this card). VB picks up VCam and even gives me a sweet little 16x9 picture so I can play with the overlays a bit.

I want to try the same thing with Studio, however, I'm reluctant to move the HDMI card to my other PC and I can't easily uninstall and go back (I don't think). However, I'll keep up with updates. I think when I hook my PS3 up to Vidblaster via the HDMI it's gonna be great, cause I can setup the framerates and have a bit more control.

Mike if you catch this maybe you could tell me if some of the framerate/resolution options in 0.40 would solve some of these issues?

Mike

02 Feb 2009, 07:12

Yeah, I'm watching this topic. I know someone else has been playing with this card (and reportedly has some success) and am waiting for him to join in. I know the card should work with VidBlaster's technology, but if it has a (very) limited driver, there may be a problem in communication. VidBlaster will ask it to output the video resolution you have set. Normally a video device will either comply (saving precious CPU) or it won't, in which case VB will have to scale the video stream. I wonder if in this case the card simply says it can't do that and decides not to offer any video. Before I make time to look into this, I'll wait for your results with VB Studio which has some newer tech built in.

agilpwc

19 Feb 2009, 19:40

I'm just getting started with this software, but I have Intensity card and in the windows control panel there is option to have the card downconvert the signal from 1080 to 480. Probably just need to activate that. And it wouldn't take any CPU.
Haven't got around to trying it with vidblaster yet, but that is what I need to get it to work with Adobe FME.

agilpwc

21 Feb 2009, 15:10

I wasn't able to get it to work with intentsity, even after down scaling to 720x486 on the card. When I mouse over the window, the info box says y current resolution and 25fps. But I'm running NTSC 30 fps.

Also went on the Blackmagic site they have a SDK with sample code on how to capture.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/software/sdk/

Vidblaster would meet most of my requirements if this could be worked out. I'd be available to test any code you write since you probably don't have one of these cards.

A separate feature request is if the "program" monitor could be outputted to the HDMI out on the black magic intesity card for external monitoring.

i208khonsu

06 Mar 2009, 09:43

Although I don't use VidBlaster for my current HD Video projects as they only require the use of one video feed. I can vouch that Blackmagic's Intensity Pro capture card will take care of that video lag for you. Considering it can capture up to 1080p it is reasonably priced.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/495426-REG/Blackmagic_Design_BINTSPRO_Intensity_Pro_HDMI_and. html

However the every time I've tried to capture from it with VidBlaster it sorta froze up the card. I got nothing but a black screen. I then tried to capture from VidBlaster and got the same black screen and had to reboot in order to revive it so to speak. I do have an associate who does use VidBlaster to process video from his Intensity Pro and in order to make it work he must first pipe the video through vCam and then pick up the vCam stream with VidBlaster.

I do plan on using VidBlaster for HD in the future and would be more than happy to help you test out a few things and get the Intensity Pro issue patched up.

Mike

06 Mar 2009, 09:55

Hi i208khonsu,

Welcome to the forum (even though I wish you would use a real name).

I moved your message to this topic as I feel it's more appropriate here.

Looks like this card's driver is not up to specs, and has a problem with some commands I'm sending to it. Did anyone check if there's a newer driver (or even one from a different manufacturer)?

LennyBoy

09 Mar 2009, 19:30

Mike, what whould you need to know to get the intensity card to work with VidBlaster?

Getting support for the card is something thats very important for me.

Mike

09 Mar 2009, 19:35

Nothing really, as I already bought it and have it ready to install. All I need is to make time for it. Are you a registered user?

LennyBoy

09 Mar 2009, 19:38

Not yet. But hopefully sometime in the future :) Especially if the support for the card will be done. I really love the support and willingness to develop the program as the users wants :)

Mike

11 Mar 2009, 13:20

I installed the Intensity Pro, connected my Sony HD camcorder and had no problem getting image. I like this card, it offers very sharp video at an excellent price. Even though the card only supports 2 resolutions (SD and HD), I got it to work in all resolutions but HD in VidBlaster thanks to its internal scaling. HD did not work as my camera outputs HD only over the HDMI output and I do not have a proper cable. Perhaps the Intensity also only accepts HD over its HDMI input.

LennyBoy

11 Mar 2009, 19:17

I have not tried using HD over the analoge part, but I do know that the digital part looks fantastic. It works perfectly in Microsoft Expression Encoder 2 (MEE2). But I can not make it show anything in VidBlaster.

I think it has something to do with the resolution VidBlaster requests from the card. When I start up MEE2 and it tries to show video in the standard resolution, it dosnt display anything. But when I change the horisontal (?) to 1280 it starts to display video. (The configuration has been the same all the time - HD720p 60p).

Hope this can be any help :)

Mike

11 Mar 2009, 19:23

Yeah, I noticed the card is not very smart. I will order a cable, but meanwhile I suggest setting VB in 1280*720 and trying again. I expect it will work then, as VB will ask it to do 1280*720. Select the right input and mode though.

markremo

18 Mar 2009, 22:32

Mike and The Vidblasters,

Configuration:
BlackMagic Control Panel (BCP) + new 3.0 drivers
1 BlackMagic Intensity Pro (BMI), Component Input enabled in BCP, Output processing set to Composite (Y)
1 Sony EX1 Camera outputting Component signal, HD video at 720p (60, 30, and 24) connected to BMI
VidBlaster Studio (VBS) (v0.43) set to 720 HD resolution
a standard NTSC monitor connected via Composite cable to Y-output of BMI multi-connector (I intend to use this method to provide preview monitors to on-screen talent and camera operators)
Win 32 on a Core i7 920 with 6 GB installed (~3 GB addressed by OS properly)
7200 RPM 16 MB HDD
nVidia GeForce 8600 GT w/ 512 MB RAM

Recording to AVI was tested, streaming was not due to known issue with it in current beta version of VBS

Results:
- Vidblaster recognizes the BMI card and available inputs perfectly
- Switching from default Digital to Component works perfectly and enables video in camera preview module
- All normal VBS functionality works as expected

Issues:
- Upon immediate launch of VBS preview performance is acceptable (I'd guess accurate within 3 - 5 frames). As VBS remains open response time in all live windows (including main preview and program) lags behind actual motion. This time seems to grow the longer VBS is open.
- Composite output is garbled but present while VBS is running (no BCP Output settings cured this). My "preview" monitors, while garbled DO NOT experience any lag at all so I assume they're replicated via BMI hardware, not software.
- Playback of the test AVI is suspect. It won't play in VLC at all and only played once in WMP 10

Summary:
Basic functionality is definitely there but performance issue hinder actual production usage of VBS.

Nice progress so far Mike! Please let me know if you want something tested specifically. If we can get past the performance issues I'll add in 2 more cards and cams. I don't have a requirement to record UNcompressed HD video as it's a hardware feat get the necessary disk throughput but it would be useful to record and stream at different bit rates.

- mark

Mike

19 Mar 2009, 07:25

Thanks Mark. What was CPU usage when you had to sync problems? Can you repeat the test without recording to exclude the HDD?

agilpwc

02 Apr 2009, 12:47

I just installed the new Blackmagic 3.0 drivers and got it to work with VidBlaster Pro using HDMI and Canon HV20.

I set the Intensity card to downconvert the input from HD to SD and the picture showed up no problem in VidBlaster.

The cool thing about this is it allows me to record in HDV on my camera and still do a live webcast. Up until now I put the camera in DV mode.

Mike

11 May 2009, 09:18

I'm currently looking into this HD support. Curious: where do I set this down convert? I wonder if I am missing some Blackmagic software..

Mike

11 May 2009, 10:30

Anyone willing to try out a test program to capture HD through the Intensity Pro?

agilpwc

11 May 2009, 14:16

I'm willing to test.
Also you asked how to have BM do downconvert, goto windows control panel and open the blackmagic control panel.

Mike

11 May 2009, 14:32

Thanks. Can you email me when you have time to run a test?

Mike

15 May 2009, 12:46

I am beginning to think this problem is caused by the poorly designed driver of this card. Can someone try setting the Intensity to 1280*720 (using the utility in the control panel) and try again?

agilpwc

15 May 2009, 19:09

The way the card works it only provides at most 2 different signals, the source resolution from the camera, which in 90% of cameras will be 1920x1080 or downconverted 720x480. There are only a few cameras that offer 1280x720 and all the ones I know of are over $3,000.

The card does not convert from one high def resolution to another. ie 1080 to 720

Mike

17 May 2009, 15:06

That's where the problem must be: VidBlaster asks the card to go to whatever the video resolution is, typically 1280*720. The card is probably saying "okay" and then not give any signal, hence the black screens your getting. Next release will take this into account, let me know if that helps (it does mean VidBlaster will have a do some serious down sampling of each frame).

PS: moved this topic to Feature Request.

agilpwc

17 May 2009, 19:36

So you are saying that Vidblaster would currently work with a 720p source? It would be easy enough to test by hooking up a DVD player that can output 720 and play a disc without copy protection on it.

Mike

18 May 2009, 06:34

It might. Then again everything appears to be non-standard in this card, so I would not be surprised if it doesn't ;D

Draco

28 May 2009, 11:00

Hi Mike,

I registered to throw a thank you in your direction for going hands-on with the BMI card. I just recently installed vidblaster to see how it would handle the Intensity Pro, and I was quite surprised it picked up on it without much issue! I see based on your previous posts that you've been poking and prodding the driver here and there. I've always suspected their drivers as being the culprit to many of the issues I've been coming across. Hell, I don't even bother with the sound inputs through it, due to the common sync issues that crop up. But when you mentioned that it wasn't following standards or that it wouldn't talk back when it should, that just sealed the deal. -_-

So at the moment, I'm feeding a 720 signal (my desktop mirrored on my nvidia card) into the BMI's HDMI in. I'm seeing about 40-50% utilization on my Q6600 @ 3Ghz just by viewing it in vidblaster. How come it's hitting so hard? Is it processing anything to make it jump that high? (I know it doesn't spike that high by just viewing the signal through Blackmagic's Media Express app... is it always processing or passing the frames to the virtual device or something?)

Basically, I ran to vidblaster because of all the driver issues and incompatability on FME with this damn thing - I can't feed Flash Media Encoder (3) the 720 signal because it's not giving me the input resolution options supported by the card. It's just not communicating the capabilities to FME I would assume.

My only purpose is to broadcast on JTV with this... and having FME point to Vidblaster's virtual device makes it properly feed the full 720 due to vidblasters virtual device talking properly and making the options available - but at a huge hit! :(

I doubt there's any good solution to this other than waiting for better drivers to be released. Idealy it would be simply awesome if pointing to vidblasters virtual device just assisted in talking with the BMI drivers, but some sort of translation would need to happen I'm sure. I can't say, since I really don't know THAT much.

Alright, that's enough rambling from me! Thanks again if you have any advice on this. :)

Mike

28 May 2009, 11:22

You've seen yourself why the CPU is it harder than when using "just" a direct viewing program: VidBlaster seems to work better with other sources. Reason for this is that VidBlaster breaks everything down to the pixel, while most other programs work with streams. Handling streams is less CPU intensive, but also gives you less control. I chose another route as I want full control over every pixel. VidBlaster dynamically resamples, resizes, and transforms every frame when needed, so it will optimally interface with whatever it needs to interface to. That comes with a price, but that price will quickly go down as PCs get faster. My super duper Intel i7 965 extreme is already old and being replaced by the 975. VidBlaster is built for the future, and the future looks good!

Sorry, no idea where that last line came from. Maybe a small part of me wishes to be a bad marketeer.

Cicada

05 Nov 2009, 05:57

I havent been able to get my BMI pro to work _at all_ in vidblaster :( any ideas? search yielded nothing that worked. seems ot be stuck in some PAL resolution @ 25fps, no matter what I do.

Mike

05 Nov 2009, 06:36

hexydes

06 Nov 2009, 04:10

@Cicada: using this card is tricky, you need to use a utility and change some settings. It has been discussed elsewhere. This is not the place to start a new one as this is a feature request.

Which reminds me this is still open, has anyone been able to confirm HD now works with this card so I can close this topic? Thanks.

Hey Mike,

I just registered to let you know I'm not having much luck with getting ANYTHING with this card and the VIDBlaster software. The weird thing is, the first time I loaded the software, I got a picture (I'm guessing SD as I had my Control Panel settings set to downsample the video coming in from the Black Magic card). Now I can't get anything, HD OR SD.

I have two Black Magic cards installed. On Wirecast, both of them show up and give a video, though I am stuck in SD mode there, too. :( Anyway, I have a Canon HF200 and a Canon HV30, each running into a separate Black Magic card via HDMI. Let me know what tests, if any, I can run to help you get a good diagnostic.

Mike

06 Nov 2009, 06:38

hexydes

06 Nov 2009, 13:42

Thanks, but I prefer to hear from someone who has it working in SD (there are plenty who use it like that, even a reseller who sells machines with only this card and VidBlaster). The question is for HD, as we changed something to make that work. Or not.

As for your problem, do a search. I think there's even a step-by-step list somewhere how to properly set this card up.

Yeah, I am trying to get it working in 1080i60 mode, but not having any luck. I was just saying that it did work one time in SD, but does not anymore; however, my ultimate goal is to get both cards working with VIDBlaster in 1080i60.

davidahn

01 Dec 2009, 22:48

Mike, I'm very much in the research stage, but I'm looking at the Pro version of Vidblaster for a church live video application (plus live video streaming and later DVD production).

I read that you support 720p, but not 1080i. I'm actually looking to use 3-4 Canon Rebel T1i HDMI outputs to feed Intensity Pro cards. Have you made any progress with the Intensity Pro cards? Sorry I can't be much help to you because I haven't bought anything yet, but I'm looking on with great interest. Are you ever going to support 1080i/p?

Thanks for an awesome product, Mike. I'm very much looking forward to using it!

David

Mike

02 Dec 2009, 06:56

They work fine in SD and I assume in HD, as I know many who use this card, but so far no one has taken the time to confirm or deny. Eventually full HD will be implemented too.

Johan Lundberg

02 Dec 2009, 20:11

Although I don't have a Intensity card I will try to run some more tests with my Black Magic Decklink HD Extreme card tomorrow. It seems to be using the same drivers and much is common.

I have ability to feed it with 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p, both via HDMI and SDI. Let med know if there is something particular you would like me to test.

Regards,
Johan

Edit: updated model name for future reference.

Mike

03 Dec 2009, 07:49

@all: Please don't post here if you have trouble getting the Intensity to work in SD. Everyone agrees this card comes with picky software and if you do not follow certain procedures it won't work. There are already topics for this in Hardware. Bottom line: if you set it up right it works fine with VidBlaster. This topic is about HD so I am only interested in hearing feedback from those who had SD working, but could not get HD to work.

@Johan: Thanks (see above).

Johan Lundberg

04 Dec 2009, 14:55

I'm playing with it right now, and I can report success with BM Decklink HD Extreme using HD-SDI feeding Vidblaster with SD-resolution (720x576). I also got 1080i and 1080p working, but only when you select that exact resolution for your Vidblaster project. 720p/25 and 720p/50 just won't work for me. Results seems to be the same no matter if I let the BM-card convert the signal or if I feed it unconverted directly from the camera. For instance running the camera in 720p and having the BM-card downconvert the signal to SD makes it work in Vidblaster, but then of course it's SD. I will continue playing with this for another hour or so, so more info will come.

Regards,
Johan

Edit: updated model name for future reference.

Mike

04 Dec 2009, 15:03

Good, that seems fixed then. The 720p is probably the poor driver, who does not understand my request to send me 720p or what's closest. If anyone can confirm these same results for the Intensity then I'll add a workaround for the 720p.

Johan Lundberg

04 Dec 2009, 15:10

I can now at least confirm that the above results also are valid for the HDMI-input on the card, and I would guess meaning the same for the Intensity. 576i/p and 1080i/p works, 720p doesn't. It also require Vidblasters project resolution to be the same as your input resolution.

/Johan

Johan Lundberg

04 Dec 2009, 15:33

Mike, how long delay do you get with your Intensity? I'm experiencing a 1sec delay with the Decklink HD Extreme card. Not sure if this counts for all resolutions or just 1080i.

/Johan

Johan Lundberg

30 Dec 2009, 09:14

Mike

01 Jan 2010, 13:49

Getting no feedback as you can see, so no changes planned.

Mike

09 Apr 2010, 07:09

I see this is still open, about time to finish this and close it. Has anyone tried any of the BM cards in HD modes with a recent VidBlaster (1.12+)? If so, please let me know how/if it works, what you have tried or had to do to, and if you are willing to assist in running some tests. Oh, also let me know your PC config and, if you know, the type of motherboard you have installed.

Due to circumstances this is now an urgent issue and I have about a week to close this case.

Johan Lundberg

09 Apr 2010, 23:04

I will of course test this too, but as you know it will take more than a week before I can give it a try.

Johan Lundberg

20 Apr 2010, 01:25

Still stuck in Florida (could have been worse) due to the volcano. Will hopefully get home again this weekend. I will be running some extensive tests with VB and two or three BM cards in HD for an upcoming job.

/Johan

Mike

03 May 2010, 06:59

Johan, I hope someone has told you that flights have resumed? ;D

Johan Lundberg

03 May 2010, 08:27

Haha, oh really?

I get your hint Mike, and will try as soon as possible. Hopefully I will have some time for it later today but no promise. I'm in a really busy work period right now.

/Johan

Johan Lundberg

03 May 2010, 19:13

Did a new test round today with 1.17 and the results are the same, with the only difference that both my BM cards now can be used at the same time. 576i/p (SD PAL) works fine but only in VB resolution 768x576 and 1024x576. 1080i/p only works in VB resolution 1920x1080. 720p just wont work at all no matter what resolution i choose in VB.

Good work with the ability to run multiple cards! Sorry about the results regarding the rest.
I have a log of the entire test if helps.

/Johan

Mike

04 May 2010, 09:58

Thanks Johan. I wish I could get my Intensity Pro to work, put it into another PC but still only get black video in all video modes. I wonder if it is broken or I am doing something wrong. Do you use the HDMI input too?

Johan Lundberg

04 May 2010, 11:16

I only tried the SDI input this time but in earlier tests I've used the HDMI input as well.
Is there anything more I can do to help?

/Johan

Mike

04 May 2010, 11:27

I want to make my card work so I can see why it won't do 720p. What settings do you have in the control panel when you use HDMI in, what in VidBlaster, and which version driver do you use?

PS: when trying 720p, did you make sure to apply a 720p signal?

Johan Lundberg

04 May 2010, 11:33

Settings for the card was to just let them pass on the incoming signal with no scaling. Input was selected in VB. No other settings changed on the cards. I used one of our broadcast cameras to feed HD-SDI to the Decklink. Tried sending both 720p/50 and 720p/25 from the camera with no luck. What are you feeding your intensity with? Are you sure it's not HDCP-protected?

/Johan

Mike

04 May 2010, 11:38

I tried both a Sony camcorder, but it's HDMI kept going to black for reasons I do not understand. So later I tried my DVD player set on the menu of a DVD. I assume at that point no protection is enabled, but really can't tell for sure.

Johan Lundberg

04 May 2010, 14:02

I think the camcorder would be your best bet. If you have a TV to plug it into (using HDMI), you could go through the settings of the camera and maybe make it work. If you get that working at least you know the camcorder is working and can try it again with the Intensity.

Mike

04 May 2010, 15:58

That's the problem. When it works and I unplug it, it goes DING and when I plug it in again video is gone. I don't understand what's going on, and cannot get it back to work. All settings look okay and haven't changed. Sometimes it works again by plugging/unplugging and switching it on/off. But when I know it works, I need to unplug to hook it up to the BM, which leaves me with a very unreliable source for testing. If you see no different behaviour between HDMI and component, I will switch to component for further testing.

Johan Lundberg

04 May 2010, 16:55

Actually I haven't tried component at all so far. I could give it a quick try though, just need to find the breakout cable. ::)

Mike

07 May 2010, 13:52

I found the problem and can confirm 720p is not working. I love and hate this card. Love its quality, price and flexibility, hate its driver as it is so incredibly stupid and does not behave at all like all other cards I have worked with.

Working on a fix.

Mike

10 May 2010, 12:34

Johan Lundberg

12 May 2010, 17:23

Great Mike!

Will test as soon as it's available.

/Johan

andranic

13 Jun 2010, 23:06

I would love to test this... Anyway to get it soon ...

GameStreams

20 Jul 2010, 18:15

Support for all Decklink card HD resolutions is available from VidBlaster v1.19 (Pro+ only). Here's what the help says for the Camera module's new popup menu item Frame Rate.

Frame Rate
Set the camera's frame rate. The frame rate of the camera, or video capture device, is set here. When Auto is selected (default), the global frame rate will be used. Note a camera may only support one (native) frame rate, in which case this setting has no effect. Note some cameras and video capture devices only work in a specific frame rate and will return black video when a different frame rate is requested. For example, the Blackmagic Decklink capture cards must be set to the exact same resolution and frame rate as the video signal (note that for progressive video this is 50 or 60 fps).

Hi Mike, I just finished reading through this thread and I too am experiencing issues with getting the BMIP to work in 720p.

I can get it to work in the Media Express program, but the only way it will show up in 720p is by having the frame rate set to 59.94

I have successfully got the BMIP to work at 720p in VidBlaster by rolling back the software and firmware to the initial release 3.2. This allows for VidBlaster to pick up video at 1280 x 720 resolution and 30fps. Any other BMIP software or firmware updates prevent it from working in VidBlaster.

I think that adding a 59.94 frame rate option in VidBlaster will fix the issue. As when using that format in Media Express I have success.

Also, I just picked up the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle. Reason I did this was because it states that it supports 720p60 which the Intensity Pro does not, it says it only supports 720p59.94. After playing around with the shuttle I was unable to get video to show in VidBlaster. Again the only way I can get video to show is by having the frame rate set to 59.94 and that is only in Media Express. Strange because I thought my Xbox 360 shoots out 720p60 so i have no idea why Media Express cannot see 720p60.

I am not sure why the shuttle does not get video when changing setting from 720p59.94 to 720p60.

I am capturing using component cables from an Xbox 360 and a PS3 both set to 720p output. I tested with VidBlaster 1.19.

So again I think adding 59.94 support into VidBlaster would solve the problem. But I am not 100% sure.

Also if someone can roll back their Intensity Pro to 3.2 http://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/software/register.asp?download=431 and test if you can get 720p working with VidBlaster set at 1280 x 720 30fps (as this works for me) and report back that would be great.

Mike

20 Jul 2010, 19:27

Intensity Pro works fine here @ 60 (or 50) fps, do not understand why it does not for you.

GameStreams

24 Jul 2010, 22:54

Intensity Pro works fine here @ 60 (or 50) fps, do not understand why it does not for you.

What version drivers and firmware is your Intensity Pro using?

Mike

25 Jul 2010, 08:38

I do not know. It was the latest some time ago but as I am working on DeckLink output support, I noticed a small problem and reinstalled the BM software last week. I may or may not have upgraded it. Right now my whole setup is to test output, not input, so can repeat the test. I know lots of others use this card, so maybe someone else can answer this. If not I will have to revisit when I'm done with the current project.

GameStreams

26 Jul 2010, 23:47

I spoke with tech support at Black-magic and they are aware of the issue when attempting to capture video game consoles in HD, they said frame rate has to be set to 59.94 in order for it to work. They said they only see this issue with gaming consoles and very few other devices.

The old Intensity Pro 3.2-3.4 drivers use a firmware which works with gaming consoles in HD at 60fps.

All downloads after 3.4 will only capture video game consoles in HD at 59.94.

Now that I have figured out how to get the Intensity Pro to capture my video game console (roll back to 3.4 firmware) I am a little less worried about the issue of not being able to use the current drivers/firmware.

Where I have a problem now is with the new Intensity Shuttle I just picked up. It cannot capture video in VidBlaster from my consoles because of the same reasons (must be at 59.94) but with the shuttle there is no older firmware to roll back to that works.

Adding the ability to select 59.94 in the camera modules frame rate settings in VidBlaster will solve this issue. As VidBlaster is able to change the Decklinks frame rates from within VidBlaster (when running VidBlaster as admin)

Other programs I have tried to change the Decklink frame rate from within the program are unable to do so. VidBlaster and these other programs also don't use the settings from Media Express and revert back to random settings which is what causes video not to capture.

You are a step ahead of the other software by having the ability to change the Decklink's frame rate from within VidBlaster, now all us video game broadcasters need is the ability to select the 59.94 frame rate in VidBlaster to make the capture device happy and and get video.

I am not sure how complicated it is to add 59.94 as a camera module frame rate option but it would be greatly appreciated if you could do so when you have time.

Mike

27 Jul 2010, 09:44

Version 1.20 will support 59.94 fps in the Camera module, please let me know if that fixes the problem.

GameStreams

28 Jul 2010, 02:49

Version 1.20 will support 59.94 fps in the Camera module, please let me know if that fixes the problem.

Thanks Mike!

I will eagerly wait for 1.20

Mike

13 Aug 2010, 11:30

Can I close this topic?

GameStreams

13 Aug 2010, 22:43

I have tested 1.20 with my Intensity Pro using 3.4 and 3.7.3 and my Shuttle using 7.7.3

Here is what I am experiencing

I add a camera module and choose 'Decklink Video Capture'

When I initially choose it the settings show as the following

Video Input : Component
Video Standard: NTSC M J
Video Resolution: Auto (1280*720 has a check by it)
Frame Rate: Auto

When clicking info it shows

Decklink Video Capture
1280*720 (180*720)
25fps

Now when I set the frame rate to 59.94 the video resolution changes to 1920*1080 and there is no way I can change it back to 1280*720 as all of the resolution options are faded out and not selectable.

So upon all of my testing I am unable to achieve the correct resolution and frame rate simultaneously. So I am unable to get video to capture.

I also noticed that when choosing 59.94 frame rate in the camera module that a check mark is placed beside it rather then the normal circle. Also when selecting 59.94 initially then switching to a different frame rate the newly selected frame rate will have a circle beside it and the 59.94 will continue to have the check mark beside it.

So I think what needs to happen for this to work is the ability to change the resolution needs to be added. Also I'm also not sure if the 59.94 frame rate was added the same way as the other frame rate options (check mark difference described above) maybe you intended for it to be added that way.

Mike

14 Aug 2010, 08:46

The video resolution is a read only (we're testing something in another topic) so for this experiment you can ignore it, use the global video resolution instead like you have always done (i.e. set VidBlaster to the desired resolution).

GameStreams

14 Aug 2010, 18:53

I have the global resolution set to 1280x720. Even with the global set correctly, once I change the frame rate to 59.94 the camera module's video resolution changes from 1280x720 to 1920x1080 (has check beside it) and when I click module info it reads

Decklink Video Campture
1920*1080 (1920*1080)
25fps

The camera module's resolution only changes to 1920x1080 when I set the frame rate to 59.94.

Mike

15 Aug 2010, 08:16

Ignore the fps under Info, that's not right. But as for resolution.. It looks like the DeckLink does not want anything else than 1920*1080 at that frame rate. Considering it is a DeckLink card, I would not even be surprised about that. But will have to remember to look into this next week.

GameStreams

15 Aug 2010, 09:52

I just tried changing my console display settings to 1080i.

VidBlaster showed the resolution 1920*1080 checked and I had the frame rate set to 59.94. Was unable to get video to show.

1080i 59.94 in Media Express was successful in getting video to show. I also tried other video production software and was not able to get video to show. Only Media Express works (out of what I have tried).

This is driving me crazy! Myself and many other people are looking for a solution to this problem.

I will be contacting Blackmagic-design again on Monday and see if they can explain what exactly is required for video to show. I will post any information I get from them here.

Thanks for sticking with this and putting your time into trying to get things working Mike!

EDIT: Strangely enough I just restarted VidBlaster keeping my consoles settings at 1080i and I am now getting video capture in VidBlaster. Resolution is showing a check beside 1920*1080 and 60fps has a circle beside it. I am able to change the frame rate to 1 10 50 60 and video will continue being captured. As soon as I change the frame rate to 59.94 I loose video and changing back to a different frame rate does not work as 59.94 continues to have a check beside (issue I described in above post). The way I can get video again is by closing and restarting VidBlaster. Then the frame rate reverts back to 60 and removes the check mark from 59.94.

I will have to see if this works with newer firmware as I am currently using 3.4 and even when set to 720p I am able to select multiple frame rates and continue to capture video using this older firmware. It is late here so I will do more thorough testing tomorrow on different firmware versions as well as with the shuttle.

Mike

19 Aug 2010, 09:20

It's common knowledge that the Blackmagic drivers are very picky (and sometimes I wonder if they are also buggy, but I can't say that out loud), which makes them very confusing to work with. Basically they do not do what VidBlaster does without you realizing: match resolutions and frame rates. But I see I am partially to blame in your confusion as well as I see that the internals of my camera code assume a frame rate is always an integer, which it now no longer is. I'll have this fixed in v1.21. Suggest you wait for that beta before continuing this test.

GameStreams

19 Aug 2010, 09:44

I didn't have much time to do testing this week. Only was able to quickly upgrade my Intensity Pro to 3.7.3 and test to see if I could capture at 1080i using the newer firmware.

I was unsuccessful in my tests so rather then go through the hassle of cracking open my case and swapping my BMIP for my USB 3.0 PCI-E card (I don't have any more PCI-E slots available :() to test the Shuttle, I called it a day. I was pretty sure I would see the same unsuccessful results with the Shuttle.

Hopefully 1.21 will solve the problem with Blackmagic's poorly written drivers. As always, I will eagerly wait to see if it does.

Thanks Mike.

Mike

19 Aug 2010, 10:17

Took the oppertunity to rewrite all frame rates to floating point values and added 29.97 too. Also added global video frame rates of 29.97 and, for Broadcast only, 59.94.

GameStreams

30 Aug 2010, 03:52

Mike, I am pleased to report that your recent changes are a success!

With VidBlaster 1.21 my test using the most current Intensity Pro drivers/firmware (3.7.3) was able to capture 720p video game console video (Xbox 360 / PS3). I am also please to report that I was also successful in capturing the same video using my Intensity Shuttle (7.7.3)

You have made my newly acquired device (the Shuttle) usable!

I will do more testing such as using an HDMI cable instead of component and also test 1920x1080.

Mike, thank you so much for all your work on this! This is a huge step for the video game broadcasting community.

Mike

30 Aug 2010, 06:39

Thanks for reporting back Mark. And please do keep us updated on the results with your Shuttle, as I know many are interested. So far I have heard from one person only and he had lots of problems (non VidBlaster related) getting it to work on a laptop.

weconverse

30 Aug 2010, 16:57

I had not heard of the Shuttle, and eagerly checked it out. But it seems you need USB 3.0 and specific motherboards. Might be why laptops cant do it.

GameStreams

30 Aug 2010, 17:24

I am using a USB 3.0 PCI-E card to get my desktop's motherboard up to date so I can use the Shuttle.

ASUS U3S6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813995004&cm_re=asus_u3s6-_-13-995-004-_-Product

Pretty cheap and works great. Installed in my EVGA motherboard so I think it would be compatible with any brand that has an open x4 or higher PCI-E slot.

GameStreams

30 Aug 2010, 19:03

Hey Mike. Now that video capture has been solved for the Xbox 360 and PS3 I am moving on to the Wii.

For this to work correctly 29.97 fame rate needs to be added to the camera module.

I am currently able to to get the Wii video to capture by switching the global frame rate to 29.97 but it would be nice to be able to keep the global set at 30 as that is what all my other recorded video is saved as.

EDIT: Once I switch the global frame rate to 29.97 and video capture starts I am able to change the global frame rate back to 30fps and maintain video capture. But it would still be nice to have 29.97 added to the video module to keep steps for achieving video capture the same across the board.