Stone Design Forums

yesterday i tried to run videator on my MBP with two DV-Cams.

Here is the configuration:
- MBP latest model 2.4 GHz, 4 GB Mem
- Canon MX250i
- JVC GR-D23E

Setup:
- Canon connected to FW800 port
- Canon used to convert an analog Signal (AV->DV, Karaoketext)
- JVC connected to FW400 port

I tried imovie if both cameras could be accessed -> positiv.

Videator was only able to access the canon.

Then i started to search...
and i foud this strange behavior:
- I connected only the jvc
- the jvc was found by videator
- videator used it as a base input
- i connected the canon, videator still running
- videator changed the base input to the canon
- jvc could not be accessed anymore.
- isight could be accessed all the time.

I tried using a fw hub, to connect both cams to one MBP port, same behavior
I tried Canon on FW400 and JVC on FW800, same behavior

Profiler showed both cams connected

Do you have a suggestion what to do?

I only have one Canon DV camera - so I can't test your setup. I've definitely hooked up three cameras before, so I know that works. I'm using Apple published API's to get the images from the camera, so I'm not sure why it's not working. When the Canon is the base input, and you choose "Add Another Camera...", does the JVC get added?

ftp://ftp.swcp.com/pub/tmp/a/Videator.dmg is the 4.1 prerelease.

did you use an intel mac?

tried 4.1, same problem.

MBP like you!

do you have the chance to test it with a second cam?
i would give you mine, but there are more than 6000 km between us.

i tried it on my old pmg5, without any luck, its to old, no coregraphics.

I'll try to drop by a friends this week and hook up several DV cameras...

thx

if you have a solution to capture my analog signal using u usb device, this would solve my problem also.

because im using the second cam only for converting the analog signal to dv.

http://www.stone.com/stoneforum/viewtopic.php?t=962

Any good news?

sorry to bother you, but i just have some days trail left, and want to see it running before i buy.

tia
harald

No luck other than I was able to easily reproduce the bug: I went to my friends, we hooked up multiple Canon DV cameras and the act of plugging the second into the 800 firewire port "stops" the first one from working. What's weird is that you can connect two isights and a DV no problem. So I'm wondering if it's something in the DV spec.

I'll keep looking at this next week - but also, I'm looking at some new QT API's that might be able to work around this.

OK - I spent all week secretly embedding the new QuickTime 72 features (the same that allow iMovie et al to do cool stuff).

It's almost done, and should fix the problems you saw! I'll have more to say about it when I finish - but basically, you'll be able to "on the fly" change input cameras, and they should NOT fight each other

thx andrew,

pls let me know when the new version with this feature is available.

thx again
.h

ftp://ftp.swcp.com/pub/tmp/a/Videator.dmg is now QTKit 7.2 aware -

if anyone has Tiger 10.4.9 or lower installed - please downlod this and try it and see what happens (it should just be good ol Videator).

If you have Tiger 10.4.10 (or higher), you'll probably have QTKit 7.2 installed and the new feautures automagically appear!

You can switch camera and audio inputs on the fly from the main window, AND when you "Add another camera", you can switch that video feed on the fly. It becomes aware of any hot-plugged cameras, too. And you can see your audio recording level as well. If you have an HDV camera and FCP installed, then you can use that as well. More cameras should be supported now, and I'm very interested in hearing if your bug was fixed!

hi andrew,

thanx for the new version.

but one problem showed up:
i can select my isight, canon and jvc as a base input - no problem switching, working perfect.

but everytime i'm trying to add a second camera videator showed my the dialog attached.

how can i add the second live input?

tia
.h

I have successfully connected 3 cameras no problem (iSight, external iSight, and Canon DV).

Did you see all the cameras listed in the Video popup?
When you choose Video -> Add Another Camera, doesn't it just add it, and in the options area, do you see the Popup button which lets you choose another camera??