Help! screen capture and editing advice for a volunteer

[kalu523]

I need suggestions on methods & the best programs for my problem.

my task at hand is capturing/editing 3D medical imaging into clips for eventual submission into a medical journal. This also involves capturing the imaging while being manipulated and rotated for better understanding of aspect. My predecessors method involved doing all of this on the physical echo machine and recording the encounter on VHS. This was then imported into a computer and then cut/spliced/masked/text overlayed on pinnacle 12 which caused further quality loss (the program).

Knowing that there was a software based interface of the echo machine, I suggested doing a video screen capture of the manipulation and rotation. The file could then be edited.

MPEG-2 and AVI are 2 formats that are allowed (i don't know about other types)

I am currently using CamStudio 2.0 (free) for video capture. Advise on better program/advise would be appreciated

Pinnacle 12 is used just for clipping/splicing, masking, and text & arrow overlay (anatomical parts). It only accepts MPEG-2, and the program visibly degrades the quality of the video when rendered.

My director does not have a problem buying new software. The video editing is not too complex. I need a simple to use program/s that will not degrade the quality and offer the tasks required. I am also constrained by a size limit of ~5mb per video file (clips are usually <15-20 secs each)

Again, I am doing all of this on a volunteer basis. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[filmboss80]

If going through Pinnacle, export to a decent AVI codec (not Divx/Xvid, but either DV-AVI or something lossless like Huffyuv). I don't use Pinnacle, but like any other timeline video editor, it should have a way of exporting a single video frame to still image. However, you will be stuck with a 72-dpi, 740 by 480 image (although that is not too bad, considering the fact that echo sonography is not highly detailed anyway).

As far as capturing the image, any echo device that can record to VHS will have the video output for you to tap into.

With all that said, I would first ask the echo tech to get you connected with the medical imaging rep who supplied the machine. They often have supplemental devices for providing hard-copy photos of the images. (This is very typical for obstetricians who take fetal ultrasounds.) Contact the rep before thinking about other options.

If all else fails, call in a good photographer with a still camera that has manual focus, shutter, and aperature controls. It may sound cheesy these days, but back in the '80s and '90s, medical photographers routinely took snapshots of echocardiograms and other sonograms by pointing their cameras at high resolution monitors. Those made fine photos for medical publishing.

[kalu523]

I tried looking at any available preferences and settings in pinnacle. Beyond selecting a file type it doesn't seem to allow me to select a specific codec ( I already have K-lite codec pack installed). That's why I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for an alternative timeline video editor.

I don't have an issue with still images. I just use print screen and do what I want with it in photoshop. We don't use hard copies for anything, everything is submitted electronically.

I'm trying to avoid using the echo machine completely since I have the option of digitally acquiring the video output via the software interface on the computer.

Thank you for the quick response. Still hoping for advise. Thanks

[filmboss80]

VirtualDub (freeware) allows for avi codec selection AND you can save a single frame.

I'm trying to avoid using the echo machine completely since I have the option of digitally acquiring the video output via the software interface on the computer.

Well, then, what source are you capturing from (if NOT the echo machine); what capturing interface are you using between video source and computer; and what capturing software are you using?

I have read and re-read your opening post, which states that your end result involves publication in a medical journal. Thus, I was a bit befuddled by your follow-up remark that you "don't have an issue with still images." Are we talking about a printed publication or some sort of "video journal?" If you want usable advice, you need to clarify what the hell it actually is that you're trying to do.

[kalu523]

oops, let me try and be more specific. Phillips the manufacturer of the sonography machine has a computer program (Q-lab) that reads the raw video data sets (dichom files). I am using CamStudio 2.0 to do a video screen capture (AVI) while I am doing the required manipulation of the 3-D video data. I am working with 'next gen' 3-D video data of the heart. I am doing a video screen capture while I am manipulating the X, Y, and Z axis' to show various conditions of the heart (septal defects, valvular disease...). The single frame images are for the printed journal (have that figured out), while the video's are for the online portion of the journal.

Will VirtualDub allow easy text overlay (illustrating parts of the heart) of the video?

Hope this makes it easier to understand my problem. Thanks

[poisondeathray]

Will VirtualDub allow easy text overlay (illustrating parts of the heart) of the video?

Nope.

It would be easier to do overlays in an editing program eg. premiere, vegas . Maybe even Pinnacle.

IIRC, Camstudio can be configured to capture in different VFW AVI type codecs, e.g. huffyuv which is lossless

I'm pretty sure Pinnacle would accept any VFW AVI type codecs you have installed on your system , including huffyuv. If you are on 32-bit OS you need 32-bit version, same with 64-bit

Ideally, you would stay with a lossless format throughout your workflow, untill the very end where you need to compress for a distribution format

[kalu523]

thanks, I installed the huffyuv codec but it didn't come up as an option in Camstudio. Did I do something wrong?

[filmboss80]

Thanks for clarifying. Make sure Camstudio has been set to capture the echocardiogram footage in a good AVI codec. As both poisondeathray and I have previously said, Huffyuv is lossless, but if it does not work with Camstudio or Pinnacle, DV AVI should also be acceptable for your applications, and is broadly compatible with just about any video editing application. Virtualdub is not a good choice for overlays, but it is free and may come in handy for pulling out still images. The question comes down to whether the overlays need to go on the motion video or the still image...or both. (Premiere, Vegas, Pinnacle, etc. will do it over motion video. Photoshop will do it over the still image.)

Again, I don't know Pinnacle's capabilities. Adobe Premiere and Vegas will certainly handle both Huffyuv and DV avi files and give you fairly broad titling, keying, and overlay features. Pinnacle should be also be okay with DV-AVI. You can export the clip out of Pinnacle as the same type of AVI and pull still images of the finished (overlayed) clip in VirtualDub.

[poisondeathray]

thanks, I installed the huffyuv codec but it didn't come up as an option in Camstudio. Did I do something wrong?

Did you right click the .inf and select install ? 32-bit with 32-bit OS ?

Keep in mind these lossless codecs require lots of HDD space, and you need a decent computer

If you can't get it working, UT Video Codec is another excellent lossless codec . Lagarith is another, but you need a faster PC since it's more compressed. All these are VFW type AVI codecs that should show up in camstudio and be compatible in most NLE's like Pinnacale , Vegas etc....

In regards to DV-AVI - While it's very compatible, I personally wouldn't use it for Desktop/Software captures because it's interlaced, standard definition, and lossy . I am assuming your software is outputting a progressive signal to an LCD display that is larger than 720x576. And even though you can record "out of spec" DV , other programs may try to deinterlace it or not handle it properly

[fitch.j]

If you're boss is willing to spend money then take a look at Camtasia Studio. You can do your capturing with it, and then the basic editing that you've mentioned as well, all within the one program without worrying about your format until your done and then aim for your desired delivery format.

They offer a 30-Day free trial that is worth getting so you can get to grips with it and show your boss why you want to spend money on it (should you decide it's what you want to do).

[kalu523]

@filmboss thanks, the overlays are for the video. I was wondering if there was a program that is a little less complex (overkill) when compared to Premier, Vegas. I'm sure I could figure them out but I'm afraid it may become difficult to others that will follow after I am done here. Thanks I try VirtualDub to get the stills

@Poisondeathray I did right click on the .inf , I'm pretty sure it is 32-bit with 32-bit. I get what your saying about the DV-AVI, Is there a better way of getting the video?

@fitch.j I installed Camtasia Studio, I'll definitely check it out. Thanks