HDStorm VS NXExpress

[fluppe85]

Is there a specific reason you can't or don't want to use on-board Firewire or an OHCI Firewire card for DV capture?

Before I didn't but these previous posts of Jerry are just confusing me I think.

Why should he come up with the HQ hardware encoder, anyway? What's the reason the website doesn't specifically mentions the video formats for capturing and output like Canopus DV, Canopus lossless, HDV, DV/DVCAM.

As I understand, there is no more hardware based SD MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 export possibility. What's the consequence of that?

For the moment I need a system to go with (mini)DV as input and mostly DVD (MPEG-2) and/or back to camcorder as output. Real-time monitoring will be on an analogue old Tv. Also I will be able to capture my old VHS movies. Besides that, I probably will change to a High definition camcorder within a year and a half, max 2y. So What would be the best choice. I see MPEG encoding could also be done by cards as the Firecoder(?).

[GrassValley_BH]

What's the reason the website doesn't specifically mentions the video formats for capturing and output like Canopus DV, Canopus lossless, HDV, DV/DVCAM.

Because currently at least, capture using the HDSTORM is in Canopus HQ format only. You can still capture DV and HDV in EDIUS using any OHCI-compliant Firewire interface, you just can't capture it through the HDSTORM.

As I understand, there is no more hardware based SD MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 export possibility. What's the consequence of that?

SD MPEG-2 encoding actually is better quality and faster using software nowadays. SD MPEG-4 export wasn't very popular.

For the moment I need a system to go with (mini)DV as input and mostly DVD (MPEG-2) and/or back to camcorder as output. Real-time monitoring will be on an analogue old Tv. Also I will be able to capture my old VHS movies.

Unless you want to capture your analog and just write it back to DV tape without changes, I would go with HDSTORM Plus (so you get the bay for analog connectivity). Canopus HQ is better quality than DV anyway.

[tuyle]

Before I didn't but these previous posts of Jerry are just confusing me I think.

Why should he come up with the HQ hardware encoder, anyway? What's the reason the website doesn't specifically mentions the video formats for capturing and output like Canopus DV, Canopus lossless, HDV, DV/DVCAM.

As I understand, there is no more hardware based SD MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 export possibility. What's the consequence of that?

For the moment I need a system to go with (mini)DV as input and mostly DVD (MPEG-2) and/or back to camcorder as output. Real-time monitoring will be on an analogue old Tv. Also I will be able to capture my old VHS movies. Besides that, I probably will change to a High definition camcorder within a year and a half, max 2y. So What would be the best choice. I see MPEG encoding could also be done by cards as the Firecoder(?).

As for SD, the software encoder is faster than real time (from timeline to mpeg file). Therefore you don't need to pay for a hardware encoder.

If you need to capture old VHS movies, you can use the NX card and use Y/C for better quality than composite input.

[fluppe85]

You can still capture DV and HDV in EDIUS using any OHCI-compliant Firewire interface, you just can't capture it through the HDSTORM.

But in this case, it would rely on the CPU for the capturing? Or isn't that the big deal anymore with PCs nowadays? I ask this because I've found following text: The onboard hardware DV codec, featured with Canopus realtime DV editing solutions, relieves the CPU from handling the processor-intensive task of rendering DV output without limiting the number of realtime video streams and effects capabilities .When used in OHCI mode, EDIUS’ DV processing is purely software-based, which utilizes valuable CPU power. This usage of the CPU can reduce the realtime playback capabilities of effects and multi-track edits and as such, editors may have to render sequences more frequently, if only to preview a composition. A Canopus realtime DV editing card overcomes this performance hit with onboard hardware DV processing, increasing the editing power of EDIUS systems. (text in conjunction with DVstorm 2)
This let me presume there should be some advantage using firewire on NX. Sorry about all these questions, but i will not be disappointed after buying one of the cards.

[GrassValley_BH]

Capturing DV and HDV is a simple data transfer over Firewire, like copying a file.

Rendering effects actually hasn't used the hardware DV codec for a long time. All is done in CPU, so there's really no difference between using the NX Firewire port or motherboard or add-in card Firewire port. That's why there's no Firewire port on the HDSTORM - most people already have a Firewire port and it would be redundant.

[Jerry]

But in this case, it would rely on the CPU for the capturing? Or isn't that the big deal anymore with PCs nowadays? I ask this because I've found following text: The onboard hardware DV codec, featured with Canopus realtime DV editing solutions, relieves the CPU from handling the processor-intensive task of rendering DV output without limiting the number of realtime video streams and effects capabilities .When used in OHCI mode, EDIUS’ DV processing is purely software-based, which utilizes valuable CPU power. This usage of the CPU can reduce the realtime playback capabilities of effects and multi-track edits and as such, editors may have to render sequences more frequently, if only to preview a composition. A Canopus realtime DV editing card overcomes this performance hit with onboard hardware DV processing, increasing the editing power of EDIUS systems. (text in conjunction with DVstorm 2)
This let me presume there should be some advantage using firewire on NX. Sorry about all these questions, but i will not be disappointed after buying one of the cards.

If DV capture is your issue, both will do the same. If you capture by way of firewire you will be doing either .m2t or dv. HDMI capture allows for 1920x1080 capture with the HQ codec with the HDSTORM. This is a plus. My discussion with Brandon involves the restriction of having to use the HQ codec and not being able to capture to other codecs or uncompressed.

I'm sorry if I confused you about the 2 cards. You have to decide if the restriction of HQ ingest only with HDMI is an issue. DV capture is the same by way of your onboard firewire input by way of E5. If I was purchasing a new card at this point in time, and I did not need other codec options for ingest, I would go with the HDSTORM+. It is just that simple.

[fluppe85]

OK, thank you all for the supplied information. The HDstorm it will be...As Im not editing on a professional base, I think the HQ codec will offer me more than enough if I plan to change to HD.

[STORMDAVE]

This advantage of NX Express hasn't been mentioned anywhere lately:

Component out is BNC.

Not a biggie though.

[Jerry]

OK, thank you all for the supplied information. The HDstorm it will be...As Im not editing on a professional base, I think the HQ codec will offer me more than enough if I plan to change to HD.

That was the little bit of information that was missing. If you are going that route, make sure to get the HDSTORM+ version. That will give you all you will ever need based on your editing description.

[tuyle]

This advantage of NX Express hasn't been mentioned anywhere lately:

Component out is BNC.

Not a biggie though.

It's the same for NX PCIe Expansion board. However it will need BNC-RCA connectors to use component cables for LCD TV (which has RCA component input). Unless using pro/broadcast monitor (BNC to BNC)