2 cameras recording to one computer at DVinfo.net

Trevor Allin · January 13th, 2007, 05:59 PM

Hi

Anyone know how I could record from two cameras using the firewire into one computer at the same time? Is there any software that does this? I use DV Rack but I do not think it will take two inputs.

Thanks

Trevor

Keith Winstein · January 13th, 2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Allin

Anyone know how I could record from two cameras using the firewire into one computer at the same time? Is there any software that does this? I use DV Rack but I do not think it will take two inputs.

This is possible (we do this under Linux with custom software), but difficult. My recollection is that the cameras default to broadcast on Firewire channel 63, and we had to write software to switch them to different channels so that we could receive streams from four at a time. (My comments apply only to HDV mode -- the HD100's DV mode uses a completely separate Firewire interface that could behave differently.)

I'm happy to share our software with you, but unless you're willing to use Linux and muck around at a low level to adapt it to your needs, it probably won't be of much use to you. If the existing programs can't do this (I've never used HDV Rack, so I don't know one way or another), just be aware that you would be in for a significant undertaking that would probably require custom software.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful,
Keith

Bill Ravens · January 13th, 2007, 07:35 PM

I beleive it's possible with M$ Windows and firewire, but, in order to make it work you need a seperate firewire bus for each device. That means one adapter card for each camera and one adapter card for each HD. If you're recording to an internal HD, I'm not sure how to handle that.

Trevor Allin · January 14th, 2007, 12:54 AM

Thanks for this.

Bill, any idea what software package would do it, given the hardware you suggest?

Keith, thaks for the offer but its out of my league I think.

Trevor

Ken Hodson · January 14th, 2007, 03:35 AM

If it is possible to run multiple instances of VLC videoLAN player, have a seperate firewire interface per cam, and configure stream capture to a seperate drive, it might be possible. Of course have enough cpu and ram to handle it all. Shouldn't be that bad though.

Bill Ravens · January 14th, 2007, 08:35 AM

I would assume multiple instances of the capture program would work. The capture programs usually have a dropdown window allowing you to select the input device.

Uli Mors · January 22nd, 2007, 11:54 PM

Hi,

there is a german software company who made a program called "dual dv" or "multi dv" with their HDV brothers "HDV dual" and "HDV multi":

http://www.video-tools.tv/

its recording from different fiwi inputs to Harddisk and writes the same TC to all streams - so when done you´ll find up to 6 videostreams with synced TC.

Ive never seen it in real live - no idea if its worth the money (HDV multi goes for ~500$)

Uli

January 13th, 2007, 05:59 PM	#1
Trevor Allin Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 152	2 cameras recording to one computer Hi Anyone know how I could record from two cameras using the firewire into one computer at the same time? Is there any software that does this? I use DV Rack but I do not think it will take two inputs. Thanks Trevor

January 14th, 2007, 03:35 AM	#5
Ken Hodson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 1,315	If it is possible to run multiple instances of VLC videoLAN player, have a seperate firewire interface per cam, and configure stream capture to a seperate drive, it might be possible. Of course have enough cpu and ram to handle it all. Shouldn't be that bad though. __________________ Damnit Jim, I'm a film maker not a sysytems tech.

January 13th, 2007, 07:35 PM	#3
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	I beleive it's possible with M$ Windows and firewire, but, in order to make it work you need a seperate firewire bus for each device. That means one adapter card for each camera and one adapter card for each HD. If you're recording to an internal HD, I'm not sure how to handle that.

January 14th, 2007, 12:54 AM	#4
Trevor Allin Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 152	Thanks for this. Bill, any idea what software package would do it, given the hardware you suggest? Keith, thaks for the offer but its out of my league I think. Trevor

January 14th, 2007, 08:35 AM	#6
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	I would assume multiple instances of the capture program would work. The capture programs usually have a dropdown window allowing you to select the input device.

January 22nd, 2007, 11:54 PM	#7
Uli Mors Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 565	Hi, there is a german software company who made a program called "dual dv" or "multi dv" with their HDV brothers "HDV dual" and "HDV multi": http://www.video-tools.tv/ its recording from different fiwi inputs to Harddisk and writes the same TC to all streams - so when done you´ll find up to 6 videostreams with synced TC. Ive never seen it in real live - no idea if its worth the money (HDV multi goes for ~500$) Uli