Build your own DV25 (DVTS)
streaming PC.
Using the
following two PCI cards, one can build a PC with full analog I/O for DVTS
streaming without the need for standalone converters, power adapters, and
separate Tx/Rx machines. You can send and receive
simultaneously from one box directly to an analog display and audio system,
just like a regular codec, except without the $10,000 hole in your wallet!
Video I/O is via S-Video or Composite. Audio I/O is stereo unbalanced on RCA or
1/8” TRS mini.
|
Hardware |
Model / Minimum specifications |
Comments |
Cost |
|
PC |
2 PCI
expansion slots 2.8 GHz+
CPU 512+ MB
RAM Windows
XP Professional SP2 |
Minimum
x2 PCI expansion slots. More if you wish to add separate GigE NIC or display
adapter. Any modern
PC should be suitable, but dual core CPU’s highly recommended (slower CPU can
be used if dual core) and the more RAM the merrier. |
$400+ |
|
DV input
card |
Discontinued
but still available on eBay and AcademicSuperstore.com.
Substitute with the ACEDVio if it can’t be found. |
$100
(eBay) $179.95
(Academic) |
|
|
DV output
card |
The
successor to the ADVC-1394, the ACEDVio can act as
an input or output and audio connection changes from RCA to 1/8” TRS mini. |
$249.95
(Academic) $329.95
(Retail) |
New World
Symphony built two of these using the CappuccinoPC.com Expando series. A small form factor PC was required in
this case to facilitate easy shipping (8 lbs). This model works well but a
faster CPU and buss is recommended. Because of the tight space in this model
the power supply had to be relocated within the unit. If size/weight is not a
requirement, a standard form factor PC with more power and expandability can be
purchased for less, or in a rack mount version. NWS does not recommend this
particular model because it is slightly underpowered, but serves as an example
of what might be done.
Quirks with
the Canopus DV cards:
·
While
this shouldn’t be necessary, sometimes in order to use the analog I/O of the
·
Both
cards are identified by the system as generic video devices with the same name.
After installing the cards, use a test video input to identify which card is
which and rename the cards accordingly in Windows Explorer.
·
This
renaming however does not effect the name of the devices that show up in
DVTS—two generic devices with the same name will appear in DVTS. How do you
know which is the input and output device? Trial and error. Click one and test
send. You must close and reopen DVTS every time you change the source if you
have not picked the correct one. Once you have identified which card is which,
make a note—the order of devices that appears in DVTS will always be the same.
For example, when I first installed the cards in the Expando,
I physically put the ACEDVio output card on top of
the ADVC-1394 input card. I discovered however in DVTS that the cards showed up
oppositely—the input card always appeared as the first device and the output as
the second. Instead of relying on my memory, I rearranged the physical order of
the cards in the PCI slots, so now they physically agree with what shows up in
DVTS. Badda bing.