SW for multi-channel capturing

[Rakrul]

Hi all.

I've got an unusual problem here, that I don't think there's a solution to. I've got 8 x 640x480/30 FPS cameras (no audio) that I want to record simultaneously and then edit it later. I have a card and software that allows me to this (at 15 FPS, but that's fine) but the software, being CCTV software, stores this in a proprietary file format and possibly proprietary codec too.

Now the card I have is this one: http://www.wave-p.com/en/productsc-8.htm HW-wise this is fine by me. The chipset it uses is a true 8-channel chipset (Conexant CX25853) although the media bridge (Conexant CX25821) only offers 5xD1 uncompressed but this might be a PCI-E limitations, I'm not sure. As I said 8 x 640x480 at 15 FPS is fine by me.

My biggest problem is that I can't use the software it's bundled with. I was thinking of making some DirectShow drivers to it (and grab with VLC or similar), but that seems impossible since I can't access any technical documents so I was hoping to somehow grab it off the PCI-E bus. Or rather I was hoping that there would be some magical SW already out there that could do this for me and store it in 8 different files (that I can edit later).

If that's not possible, I have to look at another capture card with a software that isn't retarded but they seem really cosltly. I wouldn't want to spend over $200 on this.

[gadgetguy]

When you say you can't use the software it's bundled with, do you mean it won't install, won't run or is buggy, or that it doesn't do what you want to do with it?

[Rakrul]

The last. It stores 8 separate files, but in a proprietary format so I can't edit it afterwards. The card is intended to use with surveillance so the files are encrypted and there's no way to store them in any normal format/codec...

[edDV]

The last. It stores 8 separate files, but in a proprietary format so I can't edit it afterwards. The card is intended to use with surveillance so the files are encrypted and there's no way to store them in any normal format/codec...

'

Proprietary cards usually use proprietary software.

You can multiple tuner cards for multiple capture limited only by the number of card slots.
http://www.snapstream.com/Community/articles/medusa/
http://snapstream.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=1269
http://www.snapstream.com/enterprise/

You can also record from multiple IEEE-1394 inputs or USB2 external tuners.

[edDV]

Now the card I have is this one: http://www.wave-p.com/en/productsc-8.htm HW-wise this is fine by me. The chipset it uses is a true 8-channel chipset (Conexant CX25853) although the media bridge (Conexant CX25821) only offers 5xD1 uncompressed but this might be a PCI-E limitations, I'm not sure. As I said 8 x 640x480 at 15 FPS is fine by me.

If you are capable of writing drivers, Conexant has reference designs and app notes for the CX25853 and CX25821.
http://www.conexant.com/servlets/DownloadServlet/RED-202183-001.pdf?docid=2184&revid=1

[Rakrul]

Multichannel TV-tuners for 8 inputs isn't likely to bring me in for under $200. I have an old Hauppage single tuner card that works great but it would seem a bit overkill for my purpose...

If you are capable of writing drivers, Conexant has reference designs and app notes for the CX25853 and CX25821.
http://www.conexant.com/servlets/DownloadServlet/RED-202183-001.pdf?docid=2184&revid=1

Yeah I've seen that, except that the docs aren't available for anyone except those buying a bunch of chips from them (the MyConexant-link). It's not like they release those docs to Joe the Plumber.

Also, I'm not even sure my card is a CNXT reference design, as I can't see the MG3500 chip although it might be embedded in one of the chips by now. I've tried repeatedly to get in touch with Wave-P but being the chinese vendor that they are - they never respond.

I've put alot of time into this, so the only possible solution I see is a SW that can store "from the PCIe bus" but writing it (or drivers) without any tech. docs is impossible...

[poisondeathray]

Does it install directshow filters? Did you try hacking or constructing a graph? Have you looked up the fourcc of the output videos or examined them (eg. use mediainfo)? How are you viewing them? Through a directshow player or some other application? You might be surprised as ffmpeg and mplayer support many different formats , and it's possible they might be able to decode the proprietary format

Another avenue to explore, although I haven't tried this, but you often see ads for webcam software either over USB, or network etc..., or video surveillance software, some search terms like that

Maybe you can try some of the cheesy webcam software , that records multiple inputs. I say cheesy because the webpage and software looks like it might be "unprofessional"...., but who knows it might do the trick ? Most of them have free trials.
e.g. http://www.h264soft.com/

H264 WebCam is a 16-channel h264 remote video surveillance software for Windows.

Capture images at up to 30 frames per second from directly connected cameras (both USB and analog), TV boards, capture cards, network ip camera etc.

As far as I know this looks to be done in software so , you might need a beefy cpu + adequate disk I/O, low fps, and/or low res to do it in without dropping frames. Although it says "capture cards" so there is a chance it might interface with your hardware (but i doubt it)

(I'm not affiliated with them in anyway or trying to sell you anything)

[Rakrul]

It doesn't have any directshow support at all as far as I can see. To view the clips, I have to use the SW I recorded it in (that doesn't offer many features). It has a standalone player to view them, but it doesn't work. I can also make them into .exe-files that doesn't work either.

Regarding the other software, I tried that with some other HW I had but haven't even thought of testing with this one so I'll give it a shot, along with the other programs I tested earlier.

[Rakrul]

Meh, it only supports DirectShow which I believe is the requirement for most webcam-progs...