Using 2 DV cameras on an intel Mac at the same Time (VJing)

[harald99]

yesterday i tried to run videator on my MBP with two DV-Cams.

Here is the configuration:
- MBP latest model 2.4 GHz, 4 GB Mem
- Canon MX250i
- JVC GR-D23E

Setup:
- Canon connected to FW800 port
- Canon used to convert an analog Signal (AV->DV, Karaoketext)
- JVC connected to FW400 port

Videator was only able to access the canon.

Then i started to search...
and i foud this strange behavior:
- I connected only the jvc
- the jvc was found by videator
- videator used it as a base input
- i connected the canon, videator still running
- videator changed the base input to the canon
- jvc could not be accessed anymore.
- isight could be accessed all the time.

I tried using a fw hub, to connect both cams to one MBP port, same behavior
I tried Canon on FW400 and JVC on FW800, same behavior

Profiler showed both cams connected

Any suggestion?

[terryj]

Profiler reads what is attached to the System bus,
so no suprises there. You could have six cameras
daisy chained on your FW400 bus, and it would report each one,
because it only looks at what is on the tree, not controlling it.

Videator, while I have never used it, seems like it only
can control one FW bus at a time, and cannot do independent
polling of the FW buses present to enable multi-cam control.

The isight, is it built in? That would make sense because it
is no longer in the MBPros and intel Imacs tied to the FW400
bus. if not, and it is an older FW400 iSight, what happens
when you take it out of the equation, and just use the JVC and Canon?

Have you tried using FCE or FCS for you multi-cam needs?
Seems that would be the next step, or perhaps something
from the Matrox line of 3rd party products?
of course, it's a bit pricey.....

[harald99]

the isight is the old external one.
videator should be capable to use multi cam. thtas what the manufacturer says.

i posted him this thread, but got no reply till now.

[terryj]

I have sent the Makers a link to this page to see if they cna help contribute to the answer. No FAQ or support exists on their website...