We are pleased to introduce you to Gerard Virga, co-founder of PowerStream and founder of StreamDynamics and, an online platform reselling video capture devices. With more than 20 years of experience in the streaming industry, Gerard is going to share with us the best way to choose a video capture device for. So you want to, from an host, or anywhere else! You’ve done lots of research on options for a Content Delivery Network (CDN) and which software you’re going to use. Now, you need to get the video signal from your source (camera or production switcher) into the webcasting computer system.

• Free Video Capture Mac

You need a video capture device, but you’re overwhelmed with the wide choice of devices, with costs ranging from under $100 to over $1000. What’s the difference?

What matters for you? What is a video capture device, anyway? Most modern laptops have a webcam which makes live broadcast available to a software on that system.

Within the camera, there is a chip that converts the analog visual world into digital data. The system sees the webcam as a video device which can be used by software such as Skype or Google Hangouts.

It can also be used by most live broadcast software, like Telestream Wirecast or vMix. The unfortunate fact is that your little webcam doesn’t give you the ability to connect an external video source. This is where a third-party capture device comes to the rescue. It allows you to connect an external video feed to your computer, and makes that source available as a audio/video capture device selection in your software.

Alphabet soup warning: The video industry has no end to the number of acronyms they use. The Signal Over the last ten years, the video industry has transformed from Standard Definition (SD), to High Definition (HD), to Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD or UHD).

Your video capture device needs to support the signal format which you have available as an input. This may be as simple as an HDMI consumer camera that supports 1080p or 720p. But what does this mean? It all started with the National Television System Committee (NTSC) back in 1953, when the original TV standards were formed. They outlined that in North America, a TV image would contain 525 horizontal lines (483 are visible) and would be interlaced, meaning that only half (alternating) lines are rendered in each frame.

Today this early standard is known as Standard Definition (SD). Note on Interlacing: Interlacing was a method for cheating since there wasn’t enough over the air bandwidth for a single frame. They split alternating lines into tow frames and the phosphors in the old tube TVs glowed long enough for the alternating lines to blend. Interlacing is still used in HD application to lower the amount of data need to for the same effective resolution. While there are no longer phosphors used in displays the time on screen is so short that your eye cannot tell that you are only seeing half the image at once.

The DVD was the industry’s first implementation of digital technology, and specified a method for converting analog video signals into digital data and storing it on the DVD media. The effective resolution was 640×480, and referred to as 480i – the “i” meaning it was interlaced. While the DVD was a revolutionary at the time, the next wave of change to full digital TV was even farther reaching, and enabled higher resolutions. The new specifications provided for the whole TV ecosystem to be digital from camera to display, including over-the-air broadcast signals.

The new digital TV rules only provide guidance on how signals are handled, as opposed to the single mandated resolution of the early NTSC standard. This allows for a broad range of signals, but also causes lots of confusion, particularly with what we refer to as “HD”. The easiest way to think about a signal format is by its resolution. Common designations for HD are 1080p and 720p.

The number is the frame height in pixels, while the letter “i” or “p” is the interlacing method (or lack thereof). As above, “i” means Interlaced, rendering alternating lines in each frame. “P” mean progressive – there is no interlacing, and all lines are rendered in every frame. As you would guess, progressive delivers a better picture, because each frame contains a complete image – unlike interlaced, which is like looking at a picture through a fast flickering window blind. However, progressive content consumes twice the data to render same video as an interlaced signal.

This is especially important when the signal is broadcast over the air, but not so important when being recorded. Below is chart which outlines common digital signals and resolutions. Ii: Horizontal:Vertical The last aspect of the signal is just that – the frame “aspect” ratio. As you can see in the chart above 4:3 and 16:9 are most commonly used. The aspect describes the shape of the viewing frame; width to height being the multiplier used to determine the final resolution of the frame. Standard Definition is most commonly in 4:3 aspect and HD being 16:9. Fun fact: 4k is the newest term in the video industry.

This term was originally coined by the Digital Cinema Initiative (think NTSC for movies) and refers to the horizontal resolution of 4000 pixels. DCI’s specification is 4096 x 2160.

By comparison Ultra HD (UHD), the standard used for consumer 4K TVs, is 3840 x 2160. We could also call Full HD “2K” at its 1920×1080. But we don’t. The Connections Figuratively, and sometimes literally, there are two sides to a video capture device. The input – which accepts the incoming signal to the device – and how the device connects to the computer to output the digital signal.

The input side comes in many variations. The most common connection is HDMI for consumer sources and SDI for professional sources. However, there are several other sources as well: DVI, VGA, Component and Composite to name a few.

The connection to the computer falls into two main categories: internal and external devices. External devices usually connect via the Universal Serial Bus (USB) but some systems also have a Thunderbolt connection which is popular on Apple Mac systems. USB is the easiest method to add a video capture device to your system. Most modern systems support USB 3.0, which allows for connecting HD – and sometimes Ultra HD – devices.

There are two device types in this class: devices that need their own software (drivers) to work, and ones that support plug-and-play (no drivers needed). The latter is obviously preferred and easier to use. The second category is internal devices. They usually connect through the PCI Express (PCIe) adapter slot inside a desktop or rack system.

There is also the small form factor – Mini PCIe version or Newer M.2 standard. These cards have the benefit of being connected directly to the system, which enables higher performance. This higher performance also allows for multiple input channels on one device. Video switching software packages like Wirecast or vMix are a perfect match for cards with multiple capture channels for multi-camera webcast production. That’s a lot of info! What’s right for you?

Now that you understand the ins and outs of video capture devices, you can focus on your needs and deciding what type of device is best for your application. This leads to 3 questions about your specific needs: 1.How many video sources do you desire – single camera, or multiple video sources? This is the first question you must answer. If your project only requires a single camera (or video source), then a USB device will likely be your best bet. We recommended the Magewell USB Capture line of driver-free devices.

It’s as simple as it can get – truly plug and play. The USB Capture family is available with HDMI or SDI input.

The USB Capture Plus line comes in HDMI, SDI and DVI models, with signal loop-through (out) on the HDMI and SDI versions, and analog audio input and output. If you need more than one source available to your software, then a PCIe capture card would be best. Magewell has a complete line of PCIe Capture cards with a vast array of input options. These cards come with one, two and four channels on a single card. Does your solution need to be portable?

Again, a USB device might be the best option if portability is important. Otherwise, you might want to consider a purpose-built system like the StreamDynamics StreamMini X4. This compact, small-form-factor system incorporates the Magewell Pro Capture Quad card, which provides four live camera sources to your software. What type of type of output connectivity does your camera(s) or switcher support?

In general, the most common digital signal is HDMI, which is available from both consumer and professional cameras. SDI is also a common video output professional signal. The biggest difference between HDMI and SDI is that SDI cables can run a much longer distance before losing signal strength. Depending on the age your equipment, it may also support several other types and connections (such as composite, s-video or component video; and balanced or unbalanced analog audio).

Once you know the type of output and signal format you will be using, select a video capture device that supports it. It’s also worth noting the All-in-One class devices which have single capture channel and allow you to select from a broad array of a/v input types, from analog to digital and SD to HD. There is even a 4K All-in-One card which spans from SD to 4K capture resolutions.

Below is a chart of signal types and the connectors that are commonly used with them. Conclusion Selecting a video capture device can be as easy as 1 – 2 – 3:. Step 1: Select your input type and video format. Step 2: Select the number of channels you desire. Step 3: Select the type of device interface – USB or PCIe Just remember:. USB = portable and easy.

Free Video Capture Mac

PCIe = performance and multiple channels I know that was a lot of info – I hope you found it helpful in order to as successfully as possible. And don’t forget that we’re here to help! Let us know your questions and feedback in the comment section below, and we’ll get back to you. For exclusive offers and regular tips, you can also join our.

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EchoFX - Video Capture For Mac OS X Home IMPORTANT NOTICE: macOS 10.14+ users will not be able to use VideoGlide. As of February, 2018, the VideoGlide software is officially deprecated. It will not work in any macOS version higher than 10.13. In the fall of 2018, Apple will be removing 32-bit application support from their upcoming macOS 10.14 system software. VideoGlide is built upon Apple's QuickTime architecture, which is itself 32-bit only.

There is simply no way to make VideoGlide work in macOS 10.14 without a complete ground up rewrite. VideoGlide will only function in macOS 10.13 and earlier.

USBVision will only function in Mac OS 10.8 and earlier Mac OS 10.9+ users must use VideoGlide version 1.5.4 or later to avoid kernel extension warnings when plugging USB devices in. Audio support for older devices such as the DVC-100 has been permanantly disabled in Mac OS 10.9.

Newer devices will continue to function. Look for your USB device in the Sound Settings.

'Source' panel to determine if it is supported or not. Mac OS 10.8+ users. If you plan to install the VideoGlide or USBVision software, you must use version 1.5 or later.

Version 1.5 includes the authentication necessary to install software on Mac OS 10.8. Use the download buttons on the right to get the latest software. Mac OS 10.7+ users on newer hardware may lose the ability to use the audio inputs on some older capture devices, notably the Dazzle DVC-100. Although it may appear to work, captured files will be corrupt.

The only solution right now is to capture audio through the Mac's line in port. An will be required to convert the audio source to the appropriate connector. Once the line in port has been connected, set the Source in the Sound Settings. Dialog to 'Line In'. EchoFX sells Mac OS X software drivers for USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 video capture devices. If you have one of the many devices we support, installing 'USBVision' for USB 1.1 devices or 'VideoGlide' for USB 2.0 devices, will allow you to preview and capture video using the device.

If you have a device and are not sure whether it will work, install the appropriate software, plug in the device, and launch the capture application. If your device is supported, a registration dialog will appear. You can use the 'Demonstration' mode to test the software. VideoGlide For Mac OS X. USB 2.0, 640 x 480 Video Capture VideoGlide video capture devices are USB 2.0 'High-speed' devices based on Empia 28xx chipsets. They capture video at full-screen resolutions from NTSC, PAL or SECAM video sources. For detailed information about the VideoGlide software and a list of supported VideoGlide devices please visit the page.

USBVision For Mac OS X. USB 1.1, 320 x 240 Video Capture USBVision video capture devices are USB 1.1 'Full-speed' devices based on Nogatech / Zoran chipsets. They capture video at quarter screen resolutions from NTSC, PAL or SECAM video sources. For detailed information about the USBVision software and a list of supported USBVision devices please visit the page. © EchoFX, Inc.