screen capture output to dv stream

[bissquitt]

This doesn't really fit into a catagory of its own since ive never seen something like this tried.

What I am trying to do is either capture an entire output of a secondary monitor or a portion of the screen and output it over firewire and plug that directly into a pc and have it recognise it as a dv device. So that I may broadcast.

For the more in depth of what I am doing:
I have a program called wirecast that is a software based live video mixer. It however does not allow its final output to be recognised as a video source so I am unable to stream my live mixed content to a flash streaming source. SO the only solution I have come up with so far is to output the video from that computer and have another computer capture it and stream that video to flash. I know I can use the dvi to s-video adapter to output the video via s-video only to have an s-video capture card grab that video on the other end but downconverting and then upconverting back to digital seems 1)expensive 2)poor quality 3)convoluted and I figure there is some obscure way to do what I am looking for. I dont mind convoluted if it keeps the quality and price down, in fact i prefer it.

The program can output to a quicktime streaming server or to a secondary display and it is running on a mac book pro so I have all of those ports avaliable. (express card slot will be used for cameras)

The input PC is a dell xps with firewire 400 (4pin only), ethernet, usb, and express card slot.

Solutions that did not work:
1) remote desktop connection to the mac through a firewire lan (video was too laggy)
2) screen capture (other screens kept getting in the way)

other Ideas:
some sort of program on the pc that can recieve a quicktime stream and rebroadcast it such that flash can pick it up.


Any help would be appreciated, thnx,
Michael

[jagabo]

Use a computer with an s-video or composite output as your source. Many graphics cards have this. Then you can use any DV capture device on the capturing computer. Be aware that s-video resolution is roughly 640x480 so a larger desktop will be downscaled and blurry. Small text will not be legible.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Why not try the free Windows Media Encoder? It can broadcast live the screen contents. The broadcast is in WMV format, though.

BTW, our software has a feature that does let one PC see another as a DV device. In your case, you'll need to find a DirectShow filter than can capture the screen. This can then be sent to our virtual DV device.

[JohnnyMalaria]

I've found a screen capture filter that can be used with our software so that you can send the screen contents of one PC to another in DV format. Software on the other computer will see the first one as a DV device. BUT - both computers have to be Windows.

[bissquitt]

can you provide a link? to the filter [s:bc7031944a]and the virtual DV device thing[/s:bc7031944a]?

and thanks, you are awsome

[stlava]

I'm looking for an app like that too. If you could post a link that would be greatly appreciated.

[JohnnyMalaria]

It's convoluted so I'll post some steps on what to do - it may be a day or so before I can get it done.

@bissquitt - you struck out part of your post - do you not need that part? Or perhaps you have downloaded the software already?

[solarfox]

That sounds like something that'd be useful for some of my projects also; links and a quick how-to would be much appreciated!

[LJB]

What about Camstudio?
The .avi output works great, especially with MS-PowerPoint.

[JohnnyMalaria]

I think the requirement is for live streaming of a desktop via Flash (or similar) rather than capturing to a file.

[bissquitt]

yes, this is for live streaming. There are TONS of programs to record a screen to file.

@JohnnyMalaria - I downloaded DV Proc I believe this is what you were speaking of. I have not had the time to play with it much since I am currently in the hell known as college finals.

Take your time JohnnyMalaria, I appreciate you doing this.

Now I just need to figure out how to get this working on a mac. i know the mac program I am using allows apple script but I just started using a mac a week ago.

[stlava]

I was reading the helpfile on dvproc and it says the way it's done is by using a TCP connection over firewire? Does the program still use the full bandwidth of firewire. I'm planning on capturing a computer game at 30 or 60 FPS and I can't have any dropped frames if at all possible.

[axelmos]

There`s a program called Camtasia Studio that has the hability of doing a live output screen capture instead of a capture to a file. So it works as a webcam or a DV device. But it only works on Windows. I`m looking for a program that does the same in Mac, but I couldn`t find it.