Full 1920x1080 Desktop Real Time Video Cap?

Soniclight wrote on 3/8/2012, 4:46 PM

First, clarification: this question is not screen or desktop capture, but routed in from a camcorder like in Vegas VidCap.

Back when I had XP, I used to use WinDV to get larger, virtually full-monitor preview of my camcorder's p.o.v. (I have a Canon HV30 attached via Firewire). WinDV does recognize but is not able to preview on my 64-bit Win7 system.

My then lower resolution monitors (max width was1600) let me enlarge the Vegas vidcap by dragging the window as far as I could and though not full screen or full-desktop size, it was close. But as you can see in the image, the top is what I get now, the facsimile below is what I'd prefer.

There is probably some expensive app to do this, I have medical and other expenses coming up, I just don't have the money to plop down.

I've tried Virtual Dub with the VHScreenCapX86.msi driver but as the Virtual Dub site states, it's engine is geared toward analog avi video capture, not digital and hence isn't compatible.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

~ Philip

Comments

PeterDuke wrote on 3/9/2012, 1:58 AM

Are you trying to capture (transfer) SD video, (i.e. DV AVI)?

WinDV works for me on Win 7 with full screen preview during capture.

Soniclight wrote on 3/9/2012, 3:18 AM

@PeterDuke - What I'm trying to do is have direct view with the camcorder on play or record (not playback from tape) -- that is, whatever shows up on the Canon's LCD screen to appear on my computer monitor. For example the pic in the opening post that shows the stuffed animals in Vegas vidcap is exactly what the Canon was pointed at at the time I took the still screenshot. And no, I don't have it on SD but HDV -- full1920x1080i resolution in the Canon.

[r]Evolution wrote on 3/9/2012, 4:03 AM

I do something similar with my HDC-SDT750.

To get a "Live-View" I run out from camera via HDMI to DVI Cable connected to a Dell Monitor which gives me Full Raster Native Resolution, 1920x1080.

I'm not sure about running it through the computer though.

Soniclight wrote on 3/9/2012, 6:11 AM

"To get a "Live-View" I run out from camera via HDMI to DVI Cable connected to a Dell Monitor which gives me Full Raster Native Resolution, 1920x1080."

My Samsung monitors only have DVI and VGA. Seems that you're saying that with HDMI out from the Canon (it's the mini kind), one doesn't need to go through a video card or GPU or CPU, right? If so... I use a 15 foot HDMI to Firewire cable to my computer. I don't know if there is a Firewire><DVI adapter but if not -- I have 25 ft DVI cables so I could get the same length as HDMI-to-DVI.

And/but I have my old 4:3 19" LCD sitting around and it also has DVI and VGA inputs. It would be more mobile and could be set closer to what I'd be shooting.
Anything is better than the HV30's LCD :)

I just need to be rock solid sure this would work before consider buying said cable.

c5_convertible wrote on 3/9/2012, 7:02 AM

I think you're mixing up some stuff... HDMI and firewire are two totally different things. HDMI is a display format, and firewire is a transfer format. So, I'm sure you have a mini-firewire to firewire cable.

What you need to display it directly is a HDMI-DVI converter. These do exist, and aren't that expensive. See here: http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Adapter-Plated-Connector-Female/dp/B000FUVNX8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331298092&sr=8-2

Then you can use your dvi cables that you have, and display it directly onto your screen.
However, you have to check the manual of your camera whether or not it supports live video. Not all cameras do.

Soniclight wrote on 3/9/2012, 3:57 PM

c5_convertible - Yup, you're right, I got my interfaces mixed up. My HV30 does have a female HDMI out. The manual mentions that it's to connect to an HDTV (but nothing on a direct-to-monitor modality -- probably because it's not what most consumers would do); I'm guessing it may work since a monitor is more or less a TV without the receiver. Correct me if that assumption is faulty.

Since you brought up camera-specific functionality, I'll go to the HV20/30 forum and pick their brains over there to make absolutely sure this would work Someone must have tried this. I'll come back with the results on that query.

Soniclight wrote on 3/10/2012, 12:11 AM

Well, so far I've only had one response at the HV20/30 forum and it seems... that it is a go. Going to wait and see if a couple more people back it up.

ChristoC wrote on 3/10/2012, 12:20 AM

Should have thought a still would be sufficient; sorry to tell you those stuffed toys will never move.....

Soniclight wrote on 3/10/2012, 1:11 AM

Well, looks like it's settled, got more confirmation at that forum -- the HV30 can do this direct-to-monitor-via-HDMI.
Hallefreakin' lulia.

So, thanks, c5_convertible.
Ye hath saved my posterior on this :)

ChristoC,

"Should have thought a still would be sufficient; sorry to tell you those stuffed toys will never move...."

Lucky for me they're fully realized Bodhisattvas. They've already transcended this plane of existence and are just humoring me with their earthly forms as company. Very low maintenance too, just dusting off once in a while.

(But the truth is that I just never quite grew up.
Yeah, they're mine. I don't have kids :)

[r]Evolution wrote on 3/10/2012, 8:44 AM

So, thanks, c5_convertible.

Never mind me telling you that HDMI > DVI would work before that.

Anyways, glad you got it working.
_________

Be sure to Check & Know how your colors are represented on your computer monitor before you use it as a reference for shooting as discussed here: Help w/ Monitor Calibration

Soniclight wrote on 3/10/2012, 2:39 PM

Thanks for the calibration info.

That said, I live on a very limited income and while passionate and serious, I'm essentially just a hobby-ist. I can't afford stuff like Spyder et al - but I've corrected my monitors to 0-255 and so far so good (for some reason the default had been at 16-235 and my blacks were dark gray).

Also,my visual style is very, well, almost Disney-esque or dreamy-artsy and for online viewing (video is at least a couple of years old, a bit over-contrasty and maybe a bit over-sharp but shows general style).

That doesn't mean I shouldn't pay attention to calibration -- the statement at that page that Windows uses a different gamma is intriguing and something I should look into.

I also do have a 4:3 CRT in my closet that I could use as monitor but I wouldn't be able to letterbox and so it would look like crap resolution-wise -- that is even if such a thing as HDMI to VGA cables or adapters even exist :)

[r]Evolution wrote on 3/11/2012, 8:42 AM

I think we all all on limited income/budgets. Naturally, some are more limited than others or have different priorities.

that is even if such a thing as HDMI to VGA cables or adapters even exist :)
This is such a weird statement... (The smiley face makes it even more weird) considering the fact that I told you THAT's WHAT I USE.

Camera > Male Mini HDMI to Female HDMI Adapter > HDMI to DVI Cable > DVI Monitor

I would recommend getting an adapter or cable that can swivel/pivot to relieve the pressure on your camera port.

PeterDuke wrote on 3/11/2012, 9:07 AM

"that is even if such a thing as HDMI to VGA cables or adapters even exist :)
This is such a weird statement... (The smiley face makes it even more weird) considering the fact that I told you THAT's WHAT I USE."

HDMI and DVI are digital. VGA is analog.

Soniclight wrote on 3/11/2012, 4:58 PM

"HDMI and DVI are digital. VGA is analog."

Indeed, that's why I made that comment. Some modalities just can't be converted.
And [r]Evolution mentioned using DVI not VGA in his post on what he uses BTW.

Hence my musing on VGA was not that weird.

That said, I ran monitors off of my old nVidia card that had 2x DVI to my then only VGA monitors with DVI-to-VGA adapter >VGA cable>monitors.
So if that worked...

... then maybe there is such a thing as HDMI>VGA adapters and cables.
Which I have now found out is true.

So everyone wins the debate here and the issue of this thread successfully solved.
My thanks to all for your input.

~ Philip