Capture two DV streams from firewire

Discussion in 'Digital Video' started by la muffa, May 14, 2010.

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  1. la muffa, May 14, 2010

    la muffa macrumors newbie

    la muffa

    Joined:
    May 14, 2010
    #1
    Hi,

    I need to capture two video streams from two DV camcoders connected to a Mac Pro via firewire. It's for a live streaming over internet, switching between two video sources.

    If I turn on both of the cameras I can still see only one DV-VCR signal on OS X. I think this is due to the firewire controller in the Mac Pro, which can handle only one video stream at time.

    So, could I find a solution buy an extra firewire adapter card?
    I found something like this:
    4 Port PCI Express 1394a FireWire Adapter Card - 3 External 1 Internal
    http://www.startech.com/item/PEX13943-3-1-Internal-Port-PCI-Express-FireWire-Card.aspx

    Assuming that the adapter card is compatible with the Mac Pro, it should allow me to handle two distinct DV streams... am I right?
    Has anyone tried that?

    thank you in advance!
     
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  2. mstrze, May 14, 2010

    mstrze macrumors 68000

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    #2
    I think you are approaching this 'mixing' at the wrong location. Your switching and mixing should occur before the DV/FW input to make it work if you are dead-set on using FW as your input. I don't believe the Mac...even with an additional FW card is designed for this type of switching.

    I'm sure there are other types of boxes/applications/solutions that will more easily allow you to switch between 2 or 4 or 16 or more video sources than attempting this at the FW-input level.
     
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  3. WayneH1, May 14, 2010

    WayneH1 macrumors member

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    #3
    I don't think you can use the Mac as a "firewire mixer" in quite this way. How seamless does your switching need to be? I mean, I think you could switch from one to another (just assuming here, I've never actually tried it), just not quickly. Maybe a few seconds in between.
     
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  4. la muffa, May 14, 2010

    la muffa thread starter macrumors newbie

    la muffa

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    May 14, 2010
    #4
    I need a smooth switch between the two streams, I tried CamTwist to do this.
    CamTwist lets you apply transitions, effects etc. but I can only mix between FW and other streams (like usb webcams and video files).

    So If I could get another DV-over-FW stream the problem is gone. If it's reasonable.

    Obviously there are HW solutions before firewire that can mix sources and even add transitions, but I think they cost some money...
     
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  5. iThinkergoiMac, May 15, 2010

    iThinkergoiMac macrumors 68030

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    Terra
    #5
    Your best bet is to get a hardware mixer. They're expensive, but far better suited to the task at hand.

    You could also look at BoinxTV, it looks like it should do the trick. I have a copy (got it in a MacHeist bundle, no way I paid the $500 for it) but it runs so slow on my PBG4 that I haven't been able to explore its features at all.
     
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  6. matteusclement, May 15, 2010

    matteusclement macrumors 65816

    matteusclement

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    Jan 26, 2008
    Location:
    victoria
    #6
    no way around it

    Hardware mixer is the way to go, and it's not going to be cheap.

    I know of no software that does what you are looking for.
    Maybe use someone's MB or MBP and capture through that and feed it to the MP?
     
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