Building a Windows capture station at DVinfo.net

Joseph H. Moore · August 12th, 2007, 10:55 AM

Here's the dealio ... hopefully some of the fine brains out there can help me cobble together the right solution:

- 90% Mac guy. All editing done in FCP.
- Recently got a Canon HV20, which can output live via HDMI and bypass crappy HDV compression.
- BlackMagic's Intensity can capture that HDMI stream as 1080i 4:2:2.
- I have a spare 20" Apple CinemaDisplay that I can use for live monitoring (DVI.)

I'd like to put together a capture machine. A new MacPro is way overkill for this, not to mention weighs just shy of a Volkswagen Beetle, so I'm thinking that a small form factor PC would be a better solution.

I'm really confusing myself trying to find a machine that:
- Is relatively small, durable form factor
- Has a fast enough CPU
- Has enough RAM
- Has firewire
- Can support the Intensity (PCIe, 1 lane)
- I in the neighborhood of $1k.

Assuming such a beast exists, is it safe to assume that BlackMagic's M-JPEG codec is cross-platform compatible? (i.e. if I capture on the PC, will I be able to edit on the Mac without jumping through hoops?)

Thanks in advance,
Joe

Serge Victorovich · August 12th, 2007, 02:06 PM

Joseph, you can find a lot useful information in next discussions:

Chris Swartz solution:Intensity Capture Station

Kevin Kondra released idea: Wearable Computer System for HD Capture

...and best codec for MAC<->PC is Cineform with MOV<->AVI non destructive wrapper ;)

Also you can install MAC OS and XP as dual boot on same computer with Intensity card.

Joseph H. Moore · August 12th, 2007, 06:29 PM

Thanks,
Serge. I had seen those threads. I don't think either uses a motherboard with DVI output, though I suppose another card could be worked in.

Serge Victorovich · August 13th, 2007, 08:17 AM

I shall agree with Chris Swartz - GIGABYTE GA-G33M-DS2R LGA 775 Intel G33 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard is very good to build a mobile "windows capture station" with Intensity card.
Onboard Video Chipset Intel GMA 3100 good enough for this task if you not gamer:) Regards PCIe-16x you can add any modern video card.
Also look at very usefull Jon McGuffin recommendation

August 12th, 2007, 10:55 AM	#1
Joseph H. Moore Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 362	Building a Windows capture station Here's the dealio ... hopefully some of the fine brains out there can help me cobble together the right solution: - 90% Mac guy. All editing done in FCP. - Recently got a Canon HV20, which can output live via HDMI and bypass crappy HDV compression. - BlackMagic's Intensity can capture that HDMI stream as 1080i 4:2:2. - I have a spare 20" Apple CinemaDisplay that I can use for live monitoring (DVI.) I'd like to put together a capture machine. A new MacPro is way overkill for this, not to mention weighs just shy of a Volkswagen Beetle, so I'm thinking that a small form factor PC would be a better solution. I'm really confusing myself trying to find a machine that: - Is relatively small, durable form factor - Has a fast enough CPU - Has enough RAM - Has firewire - Can support the Intensity (PCIe, 1 lane) - I in the neighborhood of $1k. Assuming such a beast exists, is it safe to assume that BlackMagic's M-JPEG codec is cross-platform compatible? (i.e. if I capture on the PC, will I be able to edit on the Mac without jumping through hoops?) Thanks in advance, Joe

August 12th, 2007, 02:06 PM	#2
Serge Victorovich Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 376	Joseph, you can find a lot useful information in next discussions: Chris Swartz solution:Intensity Capture Station Kevin Kondra released idea: Wearable Computer System for HD Capture ...and best codec for MAC<->PC is Cineform with MOV<->AVI non destructive wrapper ;) Also you can install MAC OS and XP as dual boot on same computer with Intensity card.

August 12th, 2007, 06:29 PM	#3
Joseph H. Moore Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 362	Thanks, Serge. I had seen those threads. I don't think either uses a motherboard with DVI output, though I suppose another card could be worked in.

August 13th, 2007, 08:17 AM	#4
Serge Victorovich Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 376	I shall agree with Chris Swartz - GIGABYTE GA-G33M-DS2R LGA 775 Intel G33 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard is very good to build a mobile "windows capture station" with Intensity card. Onboard Video Chipset Intel GMA 3100 good enough for this task if you not gamer:) Regards PCIe-16x you can add any modern video card. Also look at very usefull Jon McGuffin recommendation