What is uncompressed AVI?

[yoda313]

just started selling them again - this time an ATI AIW HD - for HDTV. I'm not clear whether these would be suitable for VHS capture like the old models.

I have the 512mb pci-e version of the ati aiw hd card. The capture module must be purchased seperately unless you are able to find a package with it already in the box. The card has a dvi and hdmi output but no built in svideo input unlike traditional capture cards. That is what the extra card is for. The card has analog inputs for capture.

If you don't want to take up two card slots for one purpose you may want to look into other dedicated capture cards that only require one pci or pci-e slot. Just be sure they include a svideo input port for capture purposes - others may play the game of requiring a seperate input card as well (the adapter was only 20 or 30.00 extra so it wasn't an outlandish addon)

EDIT - FYI the hd part allows you to use a coaxial input for off the air and unencrypted digital cable sources. the coaxial input is on the main card if I remember right. I SUPPOSE you could technically connect a vcr to the coaxial input and then your analog device to the vcr and remove the need for the riser card attachment. (fyi as I said its an additional pci card - actually you might be able to get away without using an extra pci slot if you have a big enough slot opening in your case - it doesn't actually plug into a pci slot - what it does is plug into the main video card via a cable and just needs to be secured to the case so it doesn't bounce around and you can have access to the plugs).

[jagabo]

edDV says a consumer card leaves signal/noise separation to be dealt with in the digital domain. How can s/n separation be handled in the digital domai?

The same way it's handled in the analog domain -- a low pass filter. Basically, you (weighted) average each pixel with the pixels around it, both spacially and temporally. More sophisticated noise filters will special case large differences to prevent blurring of sharp edges and ghosting from frame to frame.

http://www.neatvideo.com/examples.html

edDV also says it is better to do some work pre-digitisation: noise reduction, TBC and analog bandpass shaping. TBC is easy enough - use a TBC. But how to do the other things?

High end S-VHS decks have noise filters and line TBCs.

[lordsmurf]

edDV also says it is better to do some work pre-digitisation: noise reduction, TBC and analog bandpass shaping. TBC is easy enough - use a TBC. But how to do the other things? Is the answer simply "use a broadcast card"? If so, any thoughts on what would be a suitable "broadcast card" to use?.

I'd be interested in seeing this answer, too.

(Yes, post is a year old ... bite me. 8) The information is evergreen, however.)

[edDV]

edDV also says it is better to do some work pre-digitisation: noise reduction, TBC and analog bandpass shaping. TBC is easy enough - use a TBC. But how to do the other things? Is the answer simply "use a broadcast card"? If so, any thoughts on what would be a suitable "broadcast card" to use?.

I'd be interested in seeing this answer, too.

(Yes, post is a year old ... bite me. 8) The information is evergreen, however.)

A blast from the past but I'm glad I don't have to type all that again.

I'll search for some broadcast level systems to review. These are intended for broadcast, dub houses or server injest so are optimized for productivity not purchase cost. Also I'm not saying any of these are the "best" because there are so many approaches. I'll start with my neighbors since I know them best. I'll add products as time allows.

Ensemble Designs - BrightEye 3 Analog to SDI Converter with TBC and Frame Sync
This unit does it the right way IMO. It imports analog (composite, S-Video or analog component) analog filters and digitizes to 12bit including proc amp control (via external USB to Mac or PC). Sample rate is 27MHz per ITU-Rec-601. It outputs directly to SDI (SMPTE-259M) instead of going back to analog. You would capture uncompressed 4:2:2 at the PC with an SDI input card directly to a RAID or to a digital intermediate format like Cineform, Hufyuv, AIC or ProRes.
http://www.ensembledesigns.com/products/brighteye/be03

The unit is part of a modular product line that share a rack mount chassis and common control interface.
http://www.ensembledesigns.com/products/brighteye/

http://www.markertek.com/Ensemble-Designs.xhtml?gclid=CIqc78y_pJ4CFRgbawodI31clQ
Price ~ $1200
Other TBC/Frame sync modules allow output to analog or optical fiber.

[edDV]

AJA FS-1
This represents the upper tier SD/HD frame sync that can handle most anything in or out. Clearly overkill for VHS/SVHS but represents the high end for say a mixed format news opeation. A bargain at $3299 if you need it.

http://www.aja.com/products/fs1/fs1.php
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&sku=497148&q=1&Q=add&is=REG&A=cart

FOR.A FA-125 Frame Synchronizer & TBC
This one does VHS/SVHS in and analog out $1320
http://www.for-a.com/products/fa125/fa125.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553316-REG/For_A_FA_125_FA_125_Analog_Frame_Sync_TBC.html

FOR.A FA-145 Frame Synchronizer & TBC
This one does VHS/SVHS in and SDI out. It also has analog out intended for monitoring. $2200.
http://www.for-a.com/products/fa145/fa145.html

Hotronic AP-41SPD Time Base Corrector / Frame Synchronizer, Proc-Amp, Digital Comb Filter, Composite Input, Composite, Y/C and SDI Output
This one does VHS/SVHS in and SDI out. It also has analog out intended for monitoring. $1875
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/100739-REG/Hotronic_AP41_SPD_AP_41SPD_Time_Base_Corrector.html

There are other similar models from Prime Image, TV One, etc.

Done

[Marcodalondra]

Hi, apologies to resurrect an hold thread but I just register after finding this thread on the web. After digitalising most of my home VHS tapes from the 1989-1999 period, with an Acedvio DV capture card and still keeping the VHS originals for future recapturing when technology/accessibility allowed, I am now considering recapturing uncompressed video for archival and restoration.

Instead that sourcing obsolete ATi AIW cards, I am considering some entry level product from Blackmagic design:

Intensity Pro PCIe card with HDMI and analog inputs (£137.87 + 35.98 (GBP) brake out cable) only 8bit capture

intensity shuttle USB 3.0 (£133.20) with 10bit capture but apparently very specific MOB compatibility (not sure it will work with by Z77 chipset Mob)

What would be your comments on these cards vs other value options and or ATI obsolete cards?

Thanks