DVStorm compatibility...

[AJL14]

Good morning,

In my new system, the DVStorm2 card seems to not be working too well. Stuttering, softening the image to a degree (when compared to DV OHCI input). So I have these two questions.

1. Is the main reason to still use the Storm card with a new fast computer only in that the card can accept and transcode Analog (composite and 2-video) inputs? If so, and I have an outboard converter that does the same thing allowing me to use the OHCI inputs even for my analog tapes, then I can take out the Storm card and be better off. I do not need any analog outputs. What is your learned facts and opinions on this?

2. I presume there is a bit of RT "real-time" benefits in SD contributed to the Storm card. Is this benefit of such importance with new, fast systems? Is there a lot more RT using the card than an OHCI project setting with a good compatible video card? Whadayathink, guys?

Thanks for your help. Hopefully I'll get everything humming smoothly soon, and then can contribute more to the forum rather than inquire frequently!

Many thanks,
Alan

[Bluetongue]

Good morning,1. Is the main reason to still use the Storm card with a new fast computer only in that the card can accept and transcode Analog (composite and 2-video) inputs? If so, and I have an outboard converter that does the same thing allowing me to use the OHCI inputs even for my analog tapes, then I can take out the Storm card and be better off. I do not need any analog outputs. What is your learned facts and opinions on this?

2. I presume there is a bit of RT "real-time" benefits in SD contributed to the Storm card. Is this benefit of such importance with new, fast systems? Is there a lot more RT using the card than an OHCI project setting with a good compatible video card? Whadayathink, guys?

Thanks for your help. Hopefully I'll get everything humming smoothly soon, and then can contribute more to the forum rather than inquire frequently!

Many thanks,
Alan

Alan
I have not been using a capture card for so long I cannot remember and have had real success using Edius as Software only.
The reason I do not use an NX board is as follows, some is probably not valid today but as I have developed a system over the years that works extremely well and the NX card would not fit into this because my monitor is a Projector that sits around 15 feet / 30 feet away by cable and the HD playback unit a DVICO HDVIx A5000 is next to it it is not really possible to use an NX card with such long runs.
1: this goes back to the Pinacle cards so not much explanation is required an gave me a severe case of dislike of capture cards
2: I was ready to possibly move to the NX card when I started to edit in HDV and it took 9 months of frustration with Premier Pro and Media Studio Pro to remember Canopus and how good the RT cards had been, in investigating this I discovered the 30 day trial of Edius and within 3 days I had a finished product where none was in site and cannot praise Edius enough
3: with a Quad processor the real Time is just that and there are no compatability problems other than has been reported on the nvidea 8800 series cards but easily fixed.
4: for analogue input I take the tape out of my camera and set it for pass through and take it in through the OHCI, SD only but rarely done
5: If you have a monitor close to you the NX card would be of benefit
6: I get around this by making my Left (Main) monitor where the Monitor window sits in FULL Screen set to Field update (Picks up any odd field problems etc) and at the moment set to "Direct Draw" instead of "3D9" gives the best overlay on my present system, this will vary with each system.
The RH monitor has the time line, Bin, Effects etc and being 22" monitors gives ample space for editing as well as virtual full screen playback of the editing
This has worked so well I find it unnecessary to move to an Editing card.
GV Canopus have to be commended for the preview options available to make this work
7: so far as RT is concerned with my present set up the only rendering I have to do is for Vitascene and Boris (Non active filters such as colour changes or Clone / Paint to get rid of power lines etc due to the current disconnect between Boris and EDIUS in HD)
Hope this helps
Regards Barry

[AJL14]

Barry - thanks a whole heap. What you've relayed to me is invaluable information and totally pertinent to the system I'm putting together at the moment, and to the way I edit as well. I really appreciate your delineating each item, for it makes good sense the way you've spelled it out step-by-step. Everyone has their own special thoughts and ways of accomplishing their goals - and yours works well for you, and I really appreciate the input.
Have a great weekend,
Alan

[gdame]

Alan, you hit the nail right on the head. For years the Canopus hardware products have been a combination of hardware I/O and software codec expertise. They had very clever ways of utilizing GPU's and bypassing the CPU's for certain processes to efficiently squeak the best performance out of the equipment.

Today they are a 100% software solution that is relying fully on the CPU's in a system. It is all about codec expertise these days. The NX and the SP board sets are merely internal ADVC I/O devices, much like there external brethren, the ADVC series of external converters.

It is my hope that we see an external HD unit from Grass Valley that works perfectly with Edius Pro/Broadcast that will also work with other programs as well. Kinda like the Blackmagic Design Multibridge series of converters.

Anyway, I think that you will like Edius in OHCI mode rather than Storm mode on a system like the one you just built until you decide on a more elaborate I/O device.

Have a great weekend!

[jthomas]

Well I agree with the input from others here except the fact that the Storm card does give you RT output to an external monitor, the main reason I still use the Storm. I will probably will be switching to HD soon and will purchase an NX card for the same reason.