Another DMK question

matt · #1 10-03-2007, 11:28 AM

A few more questions:

I notice I can't use the Contrast and Sharpness sliders, even when they are on screen in the toolbar?

Also, Registax seems to be having trouble with my files. I get this message: "Failed to start AVI decompression" when I try to open my AVIs in Regi

Also, even though I set me fps to 30... when I'm recording an AVI and I have the Recorded Video File dialog box open it doesn't appear to be ticking over at that rate. More like 11 or 12 frames per second

Many thanks for whatever help is forthcoming.

Apologies for so many questions. There's likely to be many more!!!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 10-03-2007, 11:40 AM

I think you will find that you can't use the contrast and sharpness because you are recording in RAW. If you used a difference codex than Y800 they should work.

I have had the same problem with the avies at times. I'm not sure what is going on there. Sometimes the avies open and sometimes they don't. If that happens I convert them to bmps.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 10-03-2007, 11:44 AM

Check your frame size too Matt. For some reason/somehow my frame size changed to 720x480. That was when I'd get the message. For 640X480 it didn't seem to be a problem ......that I can remember

matt · #4 10-03-2007, 11:45 AM

Thanks Phil.

Which codec do you use? Is there a prefered/ most popular codec?

I've noticed I have to set the prefered codec every time I plug in and fire fire the camera up. For example, there appears to be no way of saving Y800 as the default codec

It always reverts to LEAD MCMP/MJPEG Codec (VFW)

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 10-03-2007, 11:46 AM

I don't have a problem with it saving as Y800. That is the prefered RAW capture setting. I'll have a look at it later if Dennis or Mike don't answer.

Welcome to the learning curve

matt · #6 10-03-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Check your frame size too Matt. For some reason/somehow my frame size changed to 720x480. That was when I'd get the message. For 640X480 it didn't seem to be a problem ......that I can remember

How do I check that?

I can see the Toolbar telling me I'm working in Y800 (640x480)

Is there somewhere else that I have to check/confirm this?

Thanks

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 10-03-2007, 11:51 AM

Go into window explorer and open the folder that contains the file. Select Details from the view toolbar icon, right click on the label bar at the top that says name, type size etc and select "More" from the pop up menu. Scroll down and select "Dimensions". That way it is up all the time.

Alternatively right click on the file, select properties, select the summary tab and click the Advanced button.

matt · #8 10-03-2007, 12:03 PM

Well... they're all 640x480

However, the parameters vary from one AVI to the next

Some were compressed, some weren't, and for some AVIs the codec is shown and for some it isn't.

Oh dear... what have I bought into?!?!?!

matt · #9 10-03-2007, 12:18 PM

So... which codec do you use???

There's a choice of about 20 in the DMK!!!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 10-03-2007, 01:16 PM

uncompressed Y800

matt · #11 10-03-2007, 02:14 PM

Just plugged the camera in for a few more test AVIs. Mainly to test data transfer rates.

Quite impressive. Using the uncompressed Y800 codec my little Dell Inspiron 6000 lappie managed 30fps very nicely. 150 frames captured in just 5 seconds... no compression applied to data. Gotta love firewire

When I jumped to 60fps... that's when it struggled a little. Still managed to transfer 266 frames out of 300 (5sec test AVI again) uncompressed.

Changed to the default compressed codec LEAD MCMP/MJPEG Codec (VFW) and it send the full 60fps down the cable easily.

Dennis · #12 10-03-2007, 05:39 PM

Hi Chaps

Been out for the day and just got back to see this thread.

Due to poor weather, I've only used the DMK for two sessions, and never had any problems with Registax opening the AVI's. From memory, Y800 is what I use and it appears to be the default as I have never changed it?

Cheers

Dennis

matt · #13 10-03-2007, 05:43 PM

But there's a limit to how many frames Registax likes to deal with, isn't there Dennis, before it chucks a hissy fit???

I thought it was around the 2000 frames mark?

Beyond that you have to convert the avi into bmps and drag them into Regi??

Dennis · #14 10-03-2007, 05:54 PM

Hi Matt

Yes - if I am shooting an object not limited by the need to capture the required number of frames in a certain time period, e.g. the Moon, Saturn, etc., I limit the number of frames to 2100.

The only time I managed to grab Jupiter I limited the time to 90 secs with a frame rate of 15 fps, so I never hit the 2300 limit that seems to crash Registax.

I've never tried the bmp conversion and then drag/drop - life is hard enough in mono, grinding out simple AVI's. I dread the time when I start using a colour filter wheel...

Cheers

Dennis