Epiphan releases internal PCI-e frame grabber

[Ed Oscuro]

Article here.

Haven't had a chance to try it out but I'm definitely interested. I was interested in their (overpriced) VGA2USB devices a while back - glad I never got one (past the obvious, being that they're too damn expensive for the low capture rate of USB 2, though USB 3 should be better if they start making those). This may signal yet faster grabbers to come.

[Arasoi]

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[ZOM]

Might be lower than "competing products", but at that price range and no included sound capture... I dunno, wouldn't capturing sound from a different device get out-of-sync over time? I had my BMDIP hooked like that for a while and, while desync wasn't noticable in short clips, that solution was horrible for longer captures.

Or is this one more likely to be used for other applications, like, uncompressed screenshots from VGA sources? If that's the case than that thing is horribly overpriced IMHO.

[Ed Oscuro]

You ever looked at other products in the VGA capture market, or their prices? Well, at $2000 (and no PCI-E required) you could get their Lecture Recorder also.

It's a better price than the VGA2USB series, which were used for uncompressed screenshots from VGA / similar sources. It's an option. Those are often used as a simple "crash cart" replacement though (for network admins).

Straight VGA capture has seemed hard to do...yes, there's no audio sync, that's just inherent to the type of signal and par for the course. Would have to be synced in post.

For gaming, probably the most realistic application would be capturing video from old PC games, with flexibility for newer systems that have Dreamcast-style VGA boxes (the Xbox 360 also does). For everything else RGB capture with audio (like the Sweetspot) is probably a better option.

[Fudoh]

I dunno, wouldn't capturing sound from a different device get out-of-sync over time?

in general that's a problem because of the different clocks (video/audio).

I had my BMDIP hooked like that for a while and, while desync wasn't noticable in short clips, that solution was horrible for longer captures.

BMD's capture tool can't compensate for lost frames. BMD just expects the user to take care of the neccessary recording rates. There are other capture tools though, which take care of this. With iuVCR for example, video and audio will stay in sync, even if recording video and audio on two devices and even if you loose a frame here or there.

Or is this one more likely to be used for other applications, like, uncompressed screenshots from VGA sources?

that, and for recording video tutorials. Their previous VGA grabbers also never guaranteed any fixed framerates. In my opinion their whole range or products are great for screesshots, but once you need a stable framerate, you're better of with something else.

If somebody really needs native VGA capture (I would just upscale to 720p and capture it), the Grass Valley (Ex-Canopus) PCIe card is the best choice there is. It's around $900 as well.

[ZOM]

You ever looked at other products in the VGA capture market, or their prices? Well, at $2000 (and no PCI-E required) you could get their Lecture Recorder also.

Admittedly, nope, never checked prices for pure VGA grabbers. I'm quite surprised at the high prices they're going for the features those cards offer. You learn something new everyday...

BMD's capture tool can't compensate for lost frames. BMD just expects the user to take care of the neccessary recording rates. There are other capture tools though, which take care of this. With iuVCR for example, video and audio will stay in sync, even if recording video and audio on two devices and even if you loose a frame here or there.

Yeah, iuVCR is a great little piece of software, I switched to it a while ago. Coincidentally tho, I never tried it with recording audio from a different source than the BMD. I might just try it for testing one of these days.

[Ed Oscuro]

If somebody really needs native VGA capture (I would just upscale to 720p and capture it), the Grass Valley (Ex-Canopus) PCIe card is the best choice there is. It's around $900 as well.

I'll look that up!

Admittedly, I see myself MUCH more likely to get RGB cables for the Sweetspot, and start using that, or to point my DSLR at a VGA monitor should the need arise. For me, there honestly isn't currently a pressing need to have a device like this...though for many people something like this would be a good idea. Game reviewers in particular, though VGA / DVI is falling out of favor. (Isn't HDMI capture cheaper anyway?)

[Fudoh]

Isn't HDMI capture cheaper anyway?

It is, but it's limited to 720p and 1080i and you need a PC which can output 59,94Hz. A tiny bit off (which most PCs are) and you're out of luck with a BMD already.

[Arasoi]

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[Fudoh]

The Sweetspot catures natively, SD only (288p/240p/576i/480i). The Sweetspot does not recognize true 240p, but there's an easy solution (using Virtualdub) to regain a 100% perfect 240p capture from the 480i recording.