Frequently Asked Questions

Camera - Answers

How many digital video cameras can I use with a desktop system to capture live synchronized videos?
You can use a maximum of 6 digital cameras to capture synchronized video using PCI cards.

How many digital video cameras can I use with a notebook to capture live synchronized videos?
3 digital video cameras can be use if the notebook has a built-in FireWire port (a.k.a. iLink or IEEE-1394) and 2 PCMCIA slots available.

Can I use any kind of digital video camera?
Simi products generally work with all DV cameras as long as they have an IEEE-1394 (Firewire / iLink) output and are compatible with Microsoft DirectX.

Can the cameras be from different manufacturers?
Yes.

How many cameras are necessary to calculate 3D data?
At minimum 2 digital cameras are necessary for 3D data acquisition.

How are the cameras connected to the computer system?
All cameras are connected using FireWire Interface cables.

I have an IEEE-1394 FireWire PCMCIA Card that has 2 adapter ports. Will the software recognize the different 1394 ports on the 1 PCMCIA card, or do I have to have 2 individual PCMCIA cards to control 2 DV cameras?
You have to use 2 individual PCMCIA cards in order to capture synchronized with 2 digital video cameras. Most notebooks already have a FireWire port built in, that means that synchronized capturing with 3 digital cameras on a notebook is possible.

What file format does the program save the captured videos in?
The program saves the files in an editable AVI file that can be shared between different computers.

Can I use analog cameras?
Yes, with the use of frame grabber cards.

Can I use high-speed cameras from Redlake, etc.?
Yes.

Besides capturing live images, can images also be downloaded from a DV tape?
Yes.

Can repeaters be purchased at Radio Shack to extend cable length?
Yes.

Does the software allow extraction of the individual fields in the JVC-9800 high-speed mode? Can it re-arrange them consecutively at 240 Hz?
Yes.

What is the resolution of the images when captured in high-speed mode at 240 Hz with the JVC-9800? My understanding is that in high-speed mode, the CCD splits the image either horizontally or vertically for 120 fps, and both horizontally and vertically for 240 fps. I assume that this cuts the resolution of the picture in half as the camera is only using half of the CCD for each split. I am curious how much the increased resolution of the progressive scan CCD is offset by the reduction of the resolution in the high-speed mode.
About 308x184 pixels (NTSC frame: 720x480) (so it is less than half the size...).

You claim that individual frames captured from high-speed JVC cameras (240 Hz) can be displayed. However, the JVC GR-DVL9800 video camera only has a max shutter speed of 1/250 sec, which is not fast enough for our needs. Can you suggest any other video-cameras that have a higher-speed capability (>60 fps) and a higher shutter speed (1/1000 sec)? I have a Canon Optura that records at 30 fps in progressive scan, but I do not believe that it can display frames at a higher speed.
The Basler A600 series operates at up to 100 frames per second at full 656 x 491 resolution.
The Basler A300 series operates at up to 80 frames per second at full 658 x 494 resolution.

What pixel size and frequency do PAL and NTSC have?
PAL: 768x576, 25 full frames = 50 Fields/s
NTSC: 640x480, 29, 96 full frames = 59, 92 Fields/s

<< Back