Cards by Canopus Corporation for nonlinear editing

 

Review contents:
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DVStorm2 Pro

The cards of DVStorm series are the most popular in line of the equipment for nonlinear editing, produced by Canopus. By autumn 2003 by Canopus has produced DVStorm2 Pro that is the new version of this card. As well as previous models of this series, card DVStorm2 Pro is intended for editing in DV format, however in version Pro a possibility of the output of component signal YUV was added. Using of scalable technology, based on joint use of hardware and software for processing of video, allows to create the flexible and efficient system with possibility of the modernization on software level without change of hardware part of system block. Using of own technology on the base of codec Canopus DVBK1 and picture filtering provides the high quality of the picture during video material processing.

DVStorm Series card

DVStorm2 Pro allows to realize the capture and output as analog, so and DV-videosignal in real time, as well as by means of hardware MPEG-coder provides the possibility of video capture and output in real time in format MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 for making VCD, S-VCD and DVD (software Ulead DVD Workshop for compositing and recording on disk is included into kit of the supply).

DVStorm2 Pro provides processing up to five streams of video and graphics in real time, unlimited number of the layers, containing filters, graphics and subtitles, as well as execution in real time such effects, as chroma key, “picture in picture”, color correction, white balance, two- and three-dimensional transitions, effect of “old cinema”, etc. The total number of filters is up to 30; these filters can be used separately or in combination with each other. For color correction in DVStorm2 Pro the professional instruments of the signal quality checking are used: vectroscope and oscilloscope.

Applicable in DVStorm2 Pro own DV-codec by Canopus with colour presentation YUV 4:2:2 allows reaching the high velocity of the signal processing and excellent quality of the picture.

The card DVStorm2 Pro has digital (FireWire) and analog (S-Video and composite) input/output. Additional to hardware MPEG-coder, which there is on each card of the DVStorm series, affiliated card is installed on the main card DVStorm2 Pro with component output for output of component videosignal to different devices? This possibility of DVStorm2 Pro allows realizing the recording of edited material by video recorder, for instance, in Betacam SP, or output video for preview on professional video monitor with component inputs. DVStorm2 Pro also allows outputting the picture on video monitor from such programs, as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and NewTek LightWave.

For editing of video with DVStorm2 Pro is possible to use the popular software Adobe Premiere Pro or program Edius by Canopus for editing, but for making three-dimensional animated subtitles the program Ulead Cool 3D is used, which includes into kit of the supply.

Particularities of the DVStorm2 Pro are the following:

• Use of YUV space under video processing;
• Possibility of the use up to five video layers in real time for editing;
• 30 video filters in real time;
• 7 audio filters in real time;
• Effects “prospect” and 3D PIP (three-dimensional “picture in picture”) in real time;
• Availability of 28 two/three-dimensional editing transition, for which 100 alternate versions of the preliminary parameter settings are provided;
• Digitization according to schedule;
• Possibility of the simultaneous capture of the material from three DV-sources (additional interface IEEE 1394 is required);
• Support of the AVI2 format;
• Possibility of material copying on a DV- and analog video recorder directly from time scale in real time;
• Export to MPEG-2 IBP (DVD) format in real time;
• New video filters such as Mirror, Raster Scroll, Tunnel Vision, Loop Slide, Strobe, White Balance/Black Balance filter;
• Set of professional tools such as colour correction by means of the white balance filter, oscilloscope and vectoroscope in real time; the switched module for picture output from After Effects, Adobe Photoshop and NewTek LightWave 3D; audio filters: Equalizer, Delay, High Pass Filter, Tone Controller and others.

DVRaptor RT

DVRaptor RT is a family of inexpensive, but it is enough production video cards, intended for DV-editing in real time. Also, the line of these cards was recently updated, renewed by new card DVRaptor RT2 and its extended version DVRaptor RT2 max.

Allowing realizing the high-quality processing of video in YUV 4:2:2 color space the DVRaptor RT2 cards provide the support of three video streams in real time, up to 30 layers of graphics, 30 filters, as well as allow realizing the color correction and chroma key.

To the functions of previous version in new card DVRaptor RT2/max the possibility of the output of video in real time to DV- and analog outputs is added, and in version DVRaptor RT2 max is also included the support of editing software Adobe Premiere Pro and Canopus Edius (earlier the editing was produced in Adobe Premiere environment). Besides, in both new versions (DVRaptor RT2 and DVRaptor RT2 max) is increased the number of effects and filters, executed in real time.

Unlike DVStorm2, the card DVRaptor RT2 has no hardware support MPEG-coding and is not provided by analog input (there are digital FireWire inputs/outputs and analog S-Video outputs and composite output, that, naturally, does her cheaper. However, if required, the problem of the analog signal input is resolved by purchase of additional analog-to-digital converter Canopus ADVC-50, but for making MPEG-files in kit with DVRaptor RT2 a programmed codec is delivered. Also in kit of the supply the software for coding MPEG-2 and creation of DVD/VCD/S-VCD is included.

DVRex RT Professional

In higher price range, than DVStorm2 Pro and DVRaptor RT2 cards, the videocard DVRex RT Professional is located, which is offered to user the extended possibilities for professional editing in real time.

So, DVRex RT Professional card provides in real time an input/output of the material under DV interface and analog interfaces (composite, S-Video and component YUV), which inputs/outputs are located in external 19" switching block, intended for fixing in rack.

Also in real time are realized the following: processing up to seven video streams; creation of two- and three-dimensional effects, transitions and subtitles; execution of color correction and chroma key under colour and brightness keys.

DVRex RT Professional comprises of hardware DV-codec Sony DVBK-1 for digitization of analog video to standard DV-format and of DV output from time scale in real time. Coding in MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 provides by hardware MPEG-codec Panasonic. Audio input/output is realized both as through symmetrical input (connector XLR), so through asymmetrical input/output (RCA). Control of DV- and DVCAM units is realized through interface IEEE 1394, but control of analog units is realized through interface RS-422. Also, the editing is possible in environment of Adobe Premiere and own software Canopus Edius.

Material is provided by Canopus Corporation and Era Company