Pseudo DV Data Transformer? at DVinfo.net

David Esp · April 1st, 2008, 11:28 AM

Anyone ever found a way of storing non-DV data in pseudo DV format? Could then use DV tapes as archive for higher-bandwidth ot just plain alternative formats such as HuffYuv or Cineform. The transformation I imagine would not be 1:1 frame:frame but eg would spread one high bandwidth frame over several DV frames. An untransformer program would then restore it back to proper frames in the original format.

Any such thing exist?

John Miller · April 1st, 2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Esp

Anyone ever found a way of storing non-DV data in pseudo DV format? Could then use DV tapes as archive for higher-bandwidth ot just plain alternative formats such as HuffYuv or Cineform. The transformation I imagine would not be 1:1 frame:frame but eg would spread one high bandwidth frame over several DV frames. An untransformer program would then restore it back to proper frames in the original format.

Any such thing exist?

Yes.

http://www.jakeludington.com/project...dv_camera.html

Personally, I wouldn't recommend it because the DV format includes a lot of error concealment optimized for human perception rather than the bit-by-bit accuracy. Unless these programs employ extremely robust error correction, you stand a high chance of problems.

David Esp · April 1st, 2008, 06:09 PM

I take your point about the error concealement/correction issue. That could indeed be a show-stopper.

In any case, the developer, CristaLink (http://www.cristalink.com/fsdv.aspx) announced that it has been discontinued. At the time of writing, they say:
<<<
Firestreamer-DV has been discontinued due to commercial reasons. Besides,

The DV tape is not the most convenient medium for data backups. You may want to use DVD, Blu-ray or an external HDD instead.
Microsoft Windows Vista is not compatible with Firestreamer-DV.
>>>

For academic interest only, the Jake Ludington website (http://www.jakeludington.com/project...dv_camera.html) said "Linux users can achieve similar results with the command line dvbackup tool available at Source Forge. In theory, an industrious Windows programmer could write a GUI and recompile the code for this app to create an open source alternative to Firestreamer."

April 1st, 2008, 11:28 AM	#1
David Esp Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alton in Hants and Swanage in Dorset, UK Posts: 45	Pseudo DV Data Transformer? Anyone ever found a way of storing non-DV data in pseudo DV format? Could then use DV tapes as archive for higher-bandwidth ot just plain alternative formats such as HuffYuv or Cineform. The transformation I imagine would not be 1:1 frame:frame but eg would spread one high bandwidth frame over several DV frames. An untransformer program would then restore it back to proper frames in the original format. Any such thing exist?

April 1st, 2008, 06:09 PM	#3
David Esp Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alton in Hants and Swanage in Dorset, UK Posts: 45	FireStreamer-DV discontinued I take your point about the error concealement/correction issue. That could indeed be a show-stopper. In any case, the developer, CristaLink (http://www.cristalink.com/fsdv.aspx) announced that it has been discontinued. At the time of writing, they say: <<< Firestreamer-DV has been discontinued due to commercial reasons. Besides, The DV tape is not the most convenient medium for data backups. You may want to use DVD, Blu-ray or an external HDD instead. Microsoft Windows Vista is not compatible with Firestreamer-DV. >>> For academic interest only, the Jake Ludington website (http://www.jakeludington.com/project...dv_camera.html) said "Linux users can achieve similar results with the command line dvbackup tool available at Source Forge. In theory, an industrious Windows programmer could write a GUI and recompile the code for this app to create an open source alternative to Firestreamer."