Taking still from video using Dazzle

[Ensign]

A friend of mine just got the parallel port version of Dazzle's Video Digital Video Creator.

He loves it except for one problem. It seems that when he want a still from a video he uploaded into the computer he does not get a clean clear "snapshot."

The resulting still is full of horizontal lines. Like the still picture(s) were captured while the "horizontal hold" was off centered. On the otherhand, he has no problem tranfering/playing/editing the video from his camcorder.

He tried everything he can think of. Downloading the update, changing the parallel port, Freezing the playback before using the still capture command.

What is going on? Even his last capture device had the same problem of grabing a still from a video already in the computer.

Is it he? The Dazzle? Software/harware?

[avatarx]

Hi,
Deinterlacing the clip (or just the part for the snapshot)
should eliminate the lines. Then you can take a proper still picture. Try different deinterlace methods (in Premiere or Virtual Dub) to get best results.

greetings, avatarx

[Ensign]

What do you mean by deinterlacing the clip?

And can the Dazzle do it?

Or do you need another application?

[avatarx]

A video captured from analog source usually is interlaced.
This means you will see these ugly lines between two frames.
When you deinterlace the clip, the lines disappear - the picture looks smooth.
Simply load your captured clip into virtual dub, mark the area (a few seconds only) which consists of the requested snapshot,
select the filters menu and choose the deinterlace filter.
then go to "select range" and insert the number of the frame you want in the upper right field and a 1 in the field below (because you just want one picture).
Then choose "save image sequence", press "ok" and you have your snapshot.

greetings, avatarx

[mazinz]

what settings do you have set for the still picutre in the Dazzle software? That may be it? You might have to change the settings? I usually go with jpeg 100%, but i have never had the problem you are enountering, then again i own the usb version although i do not think that would make much of a difference

[Ensign]

Thanks again for the help.

I do , however, have one more thing to say.

If deinterlacing is so necessary to take a "snapshot" from uploaded camcorder based video, why does Dazzle make no mention of it in its manual for the Digital Video Creator?

It sure would helpful to know that what is wrong is not your fault. And that the problem is not anything you did, or with the equipment.


Of course that's my opinion, I might be wrong