Multi-threaded VFW capture app?

[easy2Bcheesy]

Hi there,

Can any one recommend a VFW capture program that can make the most of my new dual core CPU? I'd like to compress on-the-fly as I capture and I'd like to dedicate as much processing power to the compression process as I can to get file sizes down.

Help much appreciated!

[Revgen]

Welcome to the dual-core club! :)

The MJPEG codec bundled with FFDShow has an option for using multiple threads.

But, unfortunately, it's borked and doesn't work. :(

Hopefully it will be fixed in the future.

Other than that, I'm not sure.

[easy2Bcheesy]

So is it the codec that has to be multithreaded rather than the capture tool itself? So for example, Virtual Dub could not be recoded as a dual core friendly app?

[Doom9]

So is it the codec that has to be multithreaded rather than the capture tool itself?The codec is generally the most CPU consuming task, so if it's optimized, you have the biggest gains. I don't know in which context capturing uses CPU cycles.. if it's your card's drivers, or if it's actually within VDub.. in the former case, there's really not much that can be done, in the latter, something could be done. Then there's filtering (if you're doing any), which could be optimized, but unless you have a very complex and CPU consuming filter chain, the gains won't be too great either.

[easy2Bcheesy]

The reason I ask is that the ProspectHD high definition capture suite performs best on dual Opteron processors, and I'm presuming that the programmers are therefore making use of the dual processor architecture. Aside from having to share the same bus, I'm presuming that a dual core chip will also do the job with that particular tool.

I'm not looking to filter footage as I capture - but as I'm capturing uncompressed HD, I could do with a decent codec to get file sizes down. The CineformHD codec offers superb 8:1 compression with barely any detail loss, but I can only imagine that it's their ProspectHD capturing software that is optimised for a dual core environment as the codec alone is effortlessly outquaffed speed-wise by good old Huffyuv. Unfortunately as a trial version of ProspectHD is unavailable I cannot test it with my hardware, but it got me thinking that the dual core optimisation could be the way forward.

[jggimi]

Are you doing an analog capture, or are you capturing a transport stream?

[easy2Bcheesy]

Hi there, I'm capturing directly from the source. I would say that I'm capturing an uncompressed source, except that in order to keep speed and throughput high, I'm capturing in YUV 4:2:2 using the huffyuv codec. Detailage on my struggles here:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=97427&page=1&pp=20

[Boulder]

Maybe you should ask Pegasus if they are planning on adding multithread support to PicVideo MJPEG. As dual-core processors will probably become a CPU for everyone, they might think about adding it sooner or later.

[vsv]

Hi there, I'm capturing directly from the source. I would say that I'm capturing an uncompressed source, except that in order to keep speed and throughput high, I'm capturing in YUV 4:2:2 using the huffyuv codec. Detailage on my struggles here:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=97427&page=1&pp=20

Hi,easy2Bcheesy
How i understood you have Accustream capture card and have possibility
capture only by wfv ? Try use mplayer classic for capturing to ProspectHD
with directshow. I've seen info (lost link,sorry) about successful experience
to capture 720p with DecklinkHD card to cineform directshow PHD1.2.

DeckLink HD $595
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/hd/

XenaHS $1790
http://www.aja.com/products_xena.html

AccuStream 170 $2995. Not including the cost of the input cables or the software.
http://www.foresightimaging.com/PRODUCTS/hdp/accustream170.htm

[easy2Bcheesy]

Thanks vsv for the info and the bump! It seems that the CineformHD codec has a VFW part with is single-threaded and also a DirectShow part which is multithreaded.

I notice that you have recommended Media Player Classic as a decent DirectShow capture tool. Is this is the best? Is there a Virtual Dub equivalent that can handle DirectShow codecs?

With regards the choice of capture boards - the cheaper boards can only capture HD-SDI. The AccuStream has a DVI input (also analogue compatible) which accepts any VESA or HD input making it far more versatile for my specific needs.