Best Capture Card?

[CitizenCaine]

Hi at all,

 

Within the next days. I´d like to configure a nice Workstation for a WatchOut or similar System.

Above Motherboard, CPU, SSD etc is the special part the capture Devices for DVI and SDI in cooparation with the GPU so i understand.

 

My decision would be an FirePro V8800 for the GPU

A Sync Board S400 with Genlock

 

My question for that matter: Has anyone some experience with a capture-card from Deltacast? For example the DELTA-dvi-e 20 ? That card is for example a preferred Modul in a ventuz-machine. Would be nice to use such a card also in a WatchOut system.

 

How are the other capture cards from Datapath and Black-magic?

For example the Decklink-Series (Black-magic)

 

For example the VisionRGB-E2S (Datapath)

For example the VisionSDI2 (Datapath)

For example the VidionSD8 (Datapath)

 

Especially the latency. Does anybody knows anything about it which card could the best choice of it?

 

I know. An WatchOut or any computer based System actually never would reach an SPII or Encore about Video-Quality especially the latency mentioned. But it would be nice to hear what hardware i should use to come closer to it.

 

greets

 

Daniel

[Jonas Dannert]

Daniel,

some comments:

 

My decision would be an FirePro V8800 for the GPU

I think V7900 is a better(newer) choice, single-slot instead of dual-slot.

 

A Sync Board S400 with Genlock

Good choice. Most useful on large LED-walls, or when genlock/framelock is an issue/requirement..

 

My question for that matter: Has anyone some experience with a capture-card from Deltacast? For example the DELTA-dvi-e 20 ? That card is for example a preferred Modul in a ventuz-machine. Would be nice to use such a card also in a WatchOut system.

This has been tested by us, so far with no success in a DirectX/Direct3D environment, that WATCHOUT uses.

Does not seems to be any faster than the others, without custom drivers.

What Ventuz does I don't know, but this a OEM card, made for the hardware manufacturer, not the general consumer.

 

How are the other capture cards from Datapath and Black-magic?

For example the Decklink-Series (Black-magic)

Works well, tried and tested with WATCHOUT since many years.

 

For example the VisionRGB-E2S (Datapath)

Works well, tried and tested with WATCHOUT since many years.

 

For example the VisionSDI2 (Datapath)

Works well, tried and tested with WATCHOUT.

 

For example the VidionSD8 (Datapath)

Does work with WATCHOUT, but only one input at the time, at the moment

 

Especially the latency. Does anybody knows anything about it which card could the best choice of it?

Latency from input oft the card, to the output of the graphics card, on a properly configured system, is approx 2.2 frames.

No major differences on the cards above as long as they are run in progressive mode.

 

I know. An WatchOut or any computer based System actually never would reach an SPII or Encore about Video-Quality

I think video quality of WATCHOUT could exceed those system, especially if you consider the price difference.

There are also lot of things possible in WATCHOUT, not achievable in a hardware system.

That said, if you need a hardware graphic switcher system, buy that.

 

especially the latency mentioned. But it would be nice to hear what hardware i should use to come closer to it.

And the latency of the hardware system in question is?

[CitizenCaine]

Hi,

 

thanks for that well grounded Information!

Makes my decision go to that mentioned GPU. V7900

 

What i found now, wow… the new FirePro V7900 SDI.

For me very importend to know, does the vendors of Black Magic, Datapath, Deltacast already supports that new AMD DirectGMA Technology in their active products?

 

Did you tested some Systems with a configuration with a V7900 SDI already? If yes, did you detected any enhancements?

 

Well, I would assume a minimal latency between one or two frames on a ScreenPro or Encore. Apart of any connected Video-Mixer before and any Projector behind the Seamless-Switcher. Anyway… the setups of Devices changes nearly each Project…

 

Another Questions for Secure:

 

Is it possible in WO to work with different capture Devices from different Manufacturers?

For example a DeckLink Studio for Video-capture and a Datapath VisionRGB-E2S for Powerpoint capture?

 

For the Motherboard i have a Eye on the Asrock X79 Extreme4-M with an Intel i7-3930K. Could be cuddly on the Slots but it has three PCI Express Slots and one PCI-Slot. One for the GPU, one for the Video-Capture Card and one for the RGB capture-Card. I prefer the MicroATX form factor for small housings. Housing should be a SilverStone SUGO SG01. Then three SSD´s, SATA 600 with 120 GB each.

 

greets

 

Daniel

[Jonas Dannert]

Did you tested some Systems with a configuration with a V7900 SDI already? If yes, did you detected any enhancements?

 

No, we have not. But we have discussed the card with AMD, and it did not add any benefits for WATCHOUT use.

The normal latency on a properly configured WATCHOUT system, is approx. 2.2 frames, from input of capture card to the

​output of the graphics card, assuming a progressive signal.

 

Well, I would assume a minimal latency between one or two frames on a ScreenPro or Encore. Apart of any connected Video-Mixer before and any Projector behind the Seamless-Switcher. Anyway… the setups of Devices changes nearly each Project…

 

Another Questions for Secure:

 

Is it possible in WO to work with different capture Devices from different Manufacturers?

For example a DeckLink Studio for Video-capture and a Datapath VisionRGB-E2S for Powerpoint capture?

 

Yes, it's normally used that way. We use a Decklink Duo (2 input), a Datapath E2S (2 input) and a Intensity Pro (1 input)

in our Demo-machines. All inputs could be used simultaneously.

The thing with using all Datapath cards, is that both type of cards, DVI and 3G/HDSDI, uses the same driver.

Meaning less trouble. Blackmagic cards are a bit known for being "picky" about motherboards and/or slots.

 

 

For the Motherboard i have a Eye on the Asrock X79 Extreme4-M with an Intel i7-3930K. Could be cuddly on the Slots but it has three PCI Express Slots and one PCI-Slot. One for the GPU, one for the Video-Capture Card and one for the RGB capture-Card. I prefer the MicroATX form factor for small housings. Housing should be a SilverStone SUGO SG01. Then three SSD´s, SATA 600 with 120 GB each.

 

Looks like nice setup.

Only comment would be that it will be VERY crowded inside such a small box = HOT = reliability issues, especially over time.

I would go for/recommend a 4U 19" rack enclosure. An example: http://www.imashape.com/4u-menu.htm#4806

[CitizenCaine]

Hi Jonas,

 

thanks again for your great information!

 

I checked the data sheets of the datapath cards and as i see, all of them has no sync input!

The black magic devices (decklink duo) has a sync input.

 

As you describe above. I thought it would be nice to use the cards of one manufacturer such as datapath because of using only one driver and no hussle with the decklink card.

 

The question now concerning your operating experience:

 

For example a Video setup with two Cameras connected with two CCU´s per SDI to a Video-Mixer. They are synced. Go further on with a SDI signal into Watchout.

 

Do you use a sync between your Video-Setups into Watchout? I see, you could use a Blackburst sync, because you have a Decklink Duo in your systems. With a Datapath card it would not possible.

 

Thanks in advance for your answer.

 

greets

 

Daniel

[Jonas Dannert]

Genlock7blackburst is a nice (video) feature, although not applicable so much to

WATCHOUT or computer based systems.

 

There is no genlock to DVI (display output) standard, with standard graphics cards.

 

AMD FirePro V7900/V9800 cards + a S400 syncboard can achieve that, but it's not a cheap solution.

 

Datapath HDSDI will lock to the source/s, but has no genlock as such.

 

Dual HDSDI input into WATCHOUT is not designed to replace a frame-locked HDSDI Video-mixer...