Resource Editor: Video Capture

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Resource Editor: Video Capture

Video Capture is an option within Delta that can use a variety of video capture hardware including single-channel high-update rate cards, dual channel medium update cards and inexpensive web cams: any video capture device that implements a proper DirectShow filter will work with Delta.

Video Capture windows shown in the resource pool can be placed anywhere on the timeline, and shown multiple times simultaneously, allowing video-wall type effects to be created.

A Capture window can be manipulated in exactly the same way as other image-based resources, so for example, geometry, morphing geometry and transparency can be applied or changed at any time.

Notes

Video capture can be an intensive task, so if you are playing a high-resolution movie at the same time as showing a capture window, the load of the system has to be checked that it is still within the capabilities of the server.

Some video capture cards require a separate process to create a video definition file. This file is then selected when you edit this resource.

Direct Show compliant capture cards can be tuned using their own control applications, so to choose PAL / NTSC, deinterlacing or setup colour etc., this must be done in the manufacturer supplied application. Alternatively, use the Video Capture Tuner program to launch the devices setup pages.

Most video capture devices will choose a best fit format to match the incoming video. Some do not, so you can select the video format from the resource’s drop down list when editing.

MMS Video capture will show content from a Microsoft Media Stream. Add this device to the timeline, then configure the IP Address of the source.

The capture device can be set to always play at full update, even when the timeline is paused. Configure this in the Configure > Preferences > Timing page.

Video Capture Freeze Group

Capture devices can be assigned to a Freeze Group. For each capture device type, edit the resource properties, and choose Yes or No to the Freeze Group item. When the Freeze Video Capture button in the toolbar is pressed, only those devices that are set to be part of the freeze group are frozen.

This allows certain video capture inputs to be frozen while content is changed in the background, before un-freezing.

Note that all instances of a particular video capture device freeze at the same time.

Video Capture Device IDs

Some capture devices such as USB webcams can dynamically change the Identifier number assigned by Windows. In this case, fix the capture device Identifiers in the Server Dialog > Preferences > Video Capture.

Deinterlace

For certain capture cards (such as Datapath), you can enable deinterlacing for interlaced inputs, the options are Off, Weave, Bob, Field0, Field1.

Spout capture

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