The Capture tool lets you save live video input, audio, and still images to your system disk and import them into any of the multimedia applications that run on Silicon Graphics, Inc. systems. This chapter contains these sections:
The Capture tool lets you save live video input, audio, and still images to your system disk and import them into any of the multimedia applications that run on Silicon Graphics, Inc. systems. Here are some sample uses:
On an Indy workstation, use the IndyCam, VCR, or video camera to view movie images and save them to your disk. Import them into Movie Maker to make a movie, or into IRIS Showcase™ to develop an online presentation.
Connect a microphone, VCR, or CD player to your workstation and use the Capture tool's audio capabilities to record music, voices, or any other sound you want. Edit the results in Sound Editor and import them into your movie using Movie Maker.
Create an image by taking a snapshot of an area on your screen or capture an image from the IndyCam or other input device you have connected to your workstation. Edit it with the ImageVision tools and import it into Movie Maker to use in your movie. See the “ImageVision™ Tools User's Guide” for information on how to use Image Works and ImgView.
You can open the Capture tool in one of several ways:
Double-click the camera icon on the desktop.
Double-click the capture icon on the Media Tools page of the Icon Catalog.
To open the Capture tool now, double-click these red launch words: Capture tool .
You can use the Capture tool to record video and save it as a movie file. This section describes the basic procedure. Also see “Adjusting Movie Settings.” It describes how to change the default settings for the video source, name, size, frame rate, image quality, and more.
 | Note: If your system has the Cosmo Compress™ or Galileo Video™ board, there are special icons (on the Media Tools Icon Catalog page) for using Capture with these boards. For example, when you double-click the Capture icon labeled capture_cosmo, Capture opens and is preset to record with the Cosmo Compress board. |
To make a movie:
If it is not already running, open the Capture tool by following the instructions in “Starting the Capture Tool” or by clicking the words Capture tool now.
Place the cursor over the icon in the lower left corner of the window, then press the left mouse button to reveal a graphical menu. Choose the video camera icon from this menu.
Figure 2-1 shows the graphical menu with the correct icon selected.
Click Record when you are ready to begin recording.
Click Stop to signal you are finished recording the movie.
When you click Stop, the movie is processed and saved to your disk. During the save process, the Stop button becomes a Cancel button. Click Cancel if you decide not to save the movie.
If you've chosen a frame rate that isn't compatible with your workstation, a dialog box may appear. See “Choosing a Frame Rate” and “Choosing the Size (Dimensions) of Your Movie” for information on how to choose an appropriate frame rate and size.
Your movie is saved to a file called capture.mv in your home directory. capture.mv is the default name for any movie you save. When you record another movie, you write over the original file. See “Choosing a Name for the Movie” to choose a new name before recording the next movie.
To watch your movie, click the Preview button or choose “Preview” from the Actions menu.
| Note: Movie files can be very large. Depending on your frame rate and other settings, just a few seconds of movie can occupy a significant portion of your disk. If you are planning to record a long movie, make sure you have plenty of disk space. |
This section describes how to use the Movie Settings window to adjust frame rate, image quality, compression settings, and more.
The section contains the following topics:
By default, the Capture tool uses the Indy Cam™ as the video source. If you have another piece of video equipment, say a VCR, connected to your Indy™ system, use the Video Control Panel to select this as the source from which to capture. To open this control panel now, click the red launch words: Video Control Panel .
If your system has the Cosmo Compress™ or Galileo Video™ board, there are special icons (on the Media Tools Icon Catalog page) for using Capture with these boards. For example, when you double-click the Capture icon labeled capture_cosmo, Capture opens and is preset to record with the Cosmo Compress board.
If your Indy contains two video devices (the standard video capabilities and the Indy Video™ option, for example), you have to run the Capture tool with command line options to switch the source.
Open a shell window by choosing “Unix Shell” from the Desktop toolchest.
Type capture -ev1 to designate Indy Video as the device to use.
If you have several video devices attached to the board, use the Video Control Panel to select the one you want to use as the video source.
| Note: Use the Help menu on the Video Control Panel to access information about connecting video equipment to your workstation. For more hardware-oriented connection information, refer to your workstation owner's guide, or, if you have a video option board installed, see your video board owner's guide. |
By default, the Capture tool names each movie you create capture.mv. It places this file in the directory from which you run the Capture tool. If you run the Capture tool by double-clicking its icon, you save capture.mv in your home directory.
To specify a different name for the movie you're going to create, do the following:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. At the top of the window, you see a field labeled Save Movie File as.
Press the left mouse button and drag to select the text capture.mv, then type a new filename.
The next movie you create will have the new name.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
| Note: By default, the Capture tool uses the same name for each movie you create. If you want to record a series of movies, click the box next to Auto Increment after Save. The Capture tool automatically adds a number to each filename. For example, the first movie is named capture.mv, the second is named capture1.mv, and so on. |
By default, the Capture tool saves 15 frames per second. You can choose to capture the video at a lower or higher frame rate. To do so:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. In the middle of the window, you see a field labeled Frame Rate.
Type a number between 1 and 30 in the Frame Rate field.
The maximum rate is 30 frames per second. A high frame rate produces a fluid image and a large movie file. Choose a lower frame rate if you want to save disk space.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
Try recording a 5 second movie.
Recording a short test movie lets you see if the tool can capture frames at the rate you requested. If it can't, a dialog box appears after the movie has been processed. The dialog box tells you what frame rate the Capture tool achieved.
If you set the frame rate higher than the workstation can actually generate frames, you will see duplicate frames and the resulting footage will be jerky. For example, if you ask to capture 20 frames per second but your system can only capture 10, the Capture tool duplicates each frame. For example, when you play the movie, you see:
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10
 | Tip: To capture frames at a higher rate, consider choosing a small frame size and stopping other processes that may be running on your system. |
By default, the Capture tool creates movies that are one-half the size of a standard NTSC video window. You can choose a different size by doing the following:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. Near the top of the window, you see a menu button labeled Frame Size.
Choose an item from the Frame Size menu button. See Figure 2-2.
Choose “Full Size” or “Half Size” to increase the size of the video display.
The available NTSC dimensions are:
Quarter Size 160 x 120
Half Size 320 x 240
Full Size 640 x 480
The available PAL dimensions are:
Quarter Size 192 x 128
Half Size 384 x 256
Full Size 768 x 512
The video display changes.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
In addition to choosing from a list of default frame sizes, you can select a particular region you want to capture. This is called cropping. The crop area is determined by the size and shape of the red outline in the main window. See Figure 2-3.
To adjust the crop area visually:
Position your cursor over the red outline around the image area shown in Figure 2-3.
Press and hold down the left mouse button to move the cursor.
Moving the cursor adjusts the size of the crop box. You can move the lines or the corners of the red outline.
If the crop box is smaller than the display, you can move the box inside the display. Place the cursor inside the box, press and hold down the left mouse button, and drag the box around the image.
To adjust the crop area according to specific measurements, change the settings in the Movie Settings window.
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. In the middle of the window, you see a region labeled Crop area.
Change the measurements in the Crop Area field until the red box in the image area reflects what you want to capture, or choose one of the crop sizes under the Crop button. See the list below:
No Crop Selects the entire viewing area to record.
Square Crop Narrows the crop area to a square. This also turns on the Fixed Aspect Ratio so any adjustments in size will keep a square crop.
Portrait Crop Narrows the crop area to a rectangle with an aspect ratio of three to four. This turns on the Fixed Aspect Ratio so any adjustments in size will keep a three to four ratio.
Custom Crop Allows any rectangular adjustment of the crop box.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
By default, the Capture tool creates movie files with high-quality images. To change this setting:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. In the middle of the window, you see a menu button labeled Quality.
Choose “Higher” or “Lower” from the Quality menu button.
What actually happens when you change the quality setting varies according to the hardware installed on your workstation.
On an Indy workstation, or on an Indigo with the VINO Video option installed, using a higher quality setting captures video as 16 bit YUV. This gets color space converted to 24-bit RGB. Using a lower quality setting captures the data as 8-bit RGB.
On workstations with Indy Video or Galileo Video options installed, choosing a higher quality setting captures every scan line in the image. Choosing a lower quality setting captures every even scan line (field) and replicates the data to generate the right sized image.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
By default, when you make a movie, you record video and audio. Use the Audio Control Panel to choose the audio source from which you want to record.
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. Near the bottom of the window, you see a section labeled Audio.
Select...
Mute if you want to record a silent movie (see “Making a Silent Movie”).
Mono if you want to record a movie from one channel.
Stereo if you want to record a movie from two channels.
Open the Audio Control Panel by choosing “Audio Panel...” from the Tools menu or by clicking the words Audio Control Panel now.
Select an item from the Input menu.
Choose “Microphone” from the Input menu if you want to record from the microphone.
Choose “Line” from the Input menu if you want to record from a device, such as a tape deck or VCR, connected to the Line In port on your system.
Choose “Digital” if you want to use the application CD Manager to record from your compact disc player. Also choose “Digital” if you want to record audio from a device connected to the Digital In port on your system.
By default, the movies you create have a soundtrack. To make a silent movie:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. Near the bottom of the window, you see a button labeled Mute.
Click the button labeled Mute.
A red checkmark appears. The audio will be ignored in future movies you create.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
Before recording a movie, decide how you want to the movie to be compressed or whether you want it to be uncompressed. By default, movies are compressed using the MVC2 compression scheme.
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Movie Settings window appears. In the middle of the window, you see a section labeled File Format.
Click on SGI or QuickTime, depending on which type of movie you want to create.
Choose a compression scheme from the Compression menu button. The button only highlights the choices available to you, based on the File Format you have chosen. The list below describes each option and its characteristics.
MVC1 Compresses relatively quickly, about 5 bits per pixel, on average. Results in a file that's 5 times smaller. Half-size movies play back at 15 frames per second, at least, depending on your system's capabilities.
MVC2 Compresses more slowly than MVC1. Compresses about 2 bits per pixel, on average. Results in a file that's about 20 times smaller. Half-size movies play back at 25 frames per second, at least, depending on your system's capabilities.
SGI Photo (JPEG)
This is software JPEG compression. Compresses the file so it's approximately 16 times smaller. Half-size movies play back at 2 frames per second, at least, depending on your system's capabilities.SGI Photo (Cosmo JPEG)
Available only if you have purchased and installed the optional Cosmo Compress™ video board from Silicon Graphics. Lets you record full-sized video at full motion frame rates (25 frames per second for PAL and 30 frames per second for NTSC).QuickTime Video
QuickTime Video is a scheme that is made to decompress and display movie frames as fast as possible. It compresses individual frames and works better on movies recorded from a video source than on animations.QuickTime Photo
QuickTime Photo uses the JPEG standard, which is best suited for compressing individual still frames. It works better on high-resolution continuous-tone images, such as photographs, than on crisp-edged, high-contrast images like line drawings.If you've selected any of the “Photo” compression schemes, adjust the JPEG Quality dial.
Choose a low number to get higher compression rates and lower quality images. Choose a high number to get lower compression rates and higher image quality.
Click the Close button to close the Settings window. Click the Restore Defaults button to revert to the original settings.
| Note: The compression scheme affects the playback rate of the movie. Some compression schemes require more processing power than others. Consequently, the movies may playback at a lower frame rate. |
This section lists a few scenarios and provides recommended movie settings for each.
You're creating a movie file to use as part of an online presentation. You want a high-quality picture, fluid motion, and a large frame size. Disk space is not your utmost concern.
Frame size Half
Quality Higher
File Format SGI
Compression SGI Movie [MVC1]
Frame Rate 15 to 30 frames per second
Audio 22 kilohertz or higher
You're creating a movie file and want to store it on disk or on a CD so that other people can view it at their leisure. You want a high-quality picture, fluid motion, and a large frame size; however, you also need to conserve disk space.
Frame size Half or one-quarter if the movie is being stored on a CD.
Quality Higher
File Format SGI
Compression SGI Movie [MVC1] or SGI Movie {MVC2] if the movie is being stored on a CD.
Frame Rate 12 to 15 frames per second
Audio 22 kilohertz or lower. If the movie is being stored on a CD, use 8 or 11 kilohertz.
You're recording a movie and plan to use Media Mail to send it to a co-worker. You want the file to be small and fluid motion is more important than the frame size or the video quality.
Frame size One-quarter
Quality Higher (This setting actually produces smaller files when combined with the MVC2 compression.
File Format SGI
Compression SGI Movie {MVC2]
Frame Rate 12 to 15 frames per second. Use 12 to save space; use 15 for a smoother playing movie.
Audio 8 kilohertz
You're creating a movie to play on other systems that support QuickTime. You want a small frame size, to maintain the highest possible quality. You'll vary the frame rate and audio settings depending on the movie.
Frame size One-quarter
Quality Higher (This setting actually produces smaller files when combined with the MVC2 compression.)
File Format QuickTime
Compression QuickTime Video
Frame Rate 15 frames per second
Audio 11 or 22 kilohertz. Use a higher rate if you know the target system will supports it.
You have installed the optional Cosmo Compress video board and want to use the Capture tool to produce a professional-quality movie. You want a large frame size, a high frame rate, and high quality images.
Frame size Full size (possibly half while previewing your work).
Quality Higher (possibly Lower while previewing your work).
File Format SGI
Compression Cosmo JPEG. Adjust the quality to suit your needs.
Frame Rate Automatically set when you use Cosmo JPEG. Setting depends on the format you're using—NTSC or PAL.
Audio 44.1 or 48 kilohertz for CD- or DAT-quality audio)
The Capture tool lets you record audio files that you can playback on your workstation, add to a movie, or import into an online presentation. You must have audio capabilities on your workstation to use the Capture audio tool.
To make an audio recording:
If it is not already running, open the Capture tool by following the instructions in “Starting the Capture Tool” or by clicking the words Capture tool now.
Place the cursor over the icon in the lower left corner of the window, then press the left mouse button to reveal a graphical menu. Choose the microphone icon from this menu.
Figure 2-4 shows the graphical menu with the correct icon selected.
Use the Audio Control Panel to choose the audio source from which you want to record.
Open the Audio Control Panel by choosing “Audio Panel...” from the Tools menu or by clicking the words Audio Control Panel now.
Select an item from the Input menu.
Choose “Microphone” from the Input menu if you want to record from the microphone.
Choose “Line” from the Input menu if you want to record from a device, such as a tape deck or VCR, connected to the Line In port on your system.
Choose “Digital” if you want to use the application CD Manager to record from your compact disc player. Also choose “Digital” if you want to record audio from a device connected to the Digital In port on your system.
Note: See your workstation owner's guide for instructions connecting audio devices to your workstation. Alternatively, if your system has a audio option board, see the owner's guide that came with the option board for information on how to connect audio devices to the option board.
Use the Audio Control Panel to adjust the input level.
The pair of sliders on the left side of the window controls the input level. For the best results, set the level to six or seven.
Click the Record button on the Capture tool when you are ready to begin recording.
The display area shows a waveform that represents the sound you are recording.
Click Stop to signal you are finished recording the audio.
Your audio is saved to a file called capture.aifc. capture.aifc is the default name for any audio you save. To choose a different name for the files you create, see “Choosing a Name for the Audio File.”
To listen to your recording, click the Preview button or choose “Preview” from the Actions menu.
The Audio Settings window contains controls that let you choose a new name for the audio file you're going to create and specify the number of channels.
By default, the Capture tool names each audio file you create capture.aifc. It places this file in the directory from which you run the Capture tool. If you run the Capture tool by double-clicking its icon, you save capture.aifc in your home directory.
To specify a different name for the audio file you're going to create, do the following:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Audio Settings window appears. At the top of the window, you see a field labeled Save Audio File as.
Press the left mouse button and drag to select the text capture.aifc, then type a new filename.
The next audio file you create will have the new name.
| Note: By default, the Capture tool uses the same name for each audio file you create. If you want to record a series of audio files, click the box next to Auto Increment after Save. The Capture tool automatically adds a number to each filename. For example, the first audio file is named capture.aifc, the second is named capture1.aifc, and so on. |
By default, the Capture tool records audio from one channel. If you have a stereo device attached to your system, you can change this setting. To do so:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Audio Settings window appears. In the middle of the window, you see a region labeled Audio Options.
Click the button labeled Stereo to make a stereo recording.
If you have a video device attached to your system, you can use the Capture tool to make a movie. You can also use the Capture tool and your video device to take a static picture.
To take a picture:
If it is not already running, open the Capture tool by following the instructions in “Starting the Capture Tool” or by clicking the words Capture tool now.
Place the cursor over the icon in the lower left corner of the window, then press the left mouse button to reveal a graphical menu. Choose the 35 millimeter camera icon from this menu.
Figure 2-5 shows the graphical menu with the correct icon selected.
Make sure the lens cap is open, then arrange your subject in front of the camera.
Choose “Settings” from the Actions menu to specify a name for the picture you're going to create and to choose the size of the image. See “Adjusting Picture Settings” for details.
Click Record to take the picture.
The image is saved to a file called capture.rgb. capture.rgb is the default name. To choose a different name for files you create, see “Choosing a Name for the Picture.”
To look at the picture you took, click the Preview button or choose “Preview” from the Actions menu.
You can use the default settings to take a simple picture, or you can use the Capture Settings window to adjust the default settings.
By default, the Capture tool names each picture you create capture.rgb. It places this file in the directory from which you run the Capture tool. If you run the Capture tool by double-clicking its icon, you save capture.rgb in your home directory.
To specify a different name for the picture you're going to create, do the following:
Before recording your movie, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Capture Settings window appears. At the top of the window, you see a field labeled Save Image File as.
Press the left mouse button and drag to select the text capture.rgb, then type a new filename.
The next picture you take will have the new name.
| Note: By default, the Capture tool uses the same name for each picture you create. If you want to take a series of pictures, click the box next to Auto Increment after Save. The Capture tool automatically adds a number to each filename. For example, the first picture is named capture.rgb, the second is named capture1.rgb, and so on. |
By default, the Capture tool displays video at half of its full size. You can increase the frame size before taking a picture. To do so:
Before taking the picture, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Capture Settings window appears. In the middle of the window, you see the label Frame Size, followed by a menu button. By default, the menu is labeled Quarter Size.
Place the cursor over the menu button, then press the left mouse button to reveal the choices. See Figure 2-6.
Choose “Full Size” or “Half Size” to increase the size of the video display.
The available NTSC dimensions are:
Quarter Size 160 x 120
Half Size 320 x 240
Full Size 640 x 480
The video display changes.
In addition to changing the size, you can select which region you want to snap. This is called “cropping” an image. See “Cropping Images” for details.
To take a screen snapshot:
If it is not already running, open the Capture tool by following the instructions in “Starting the Capture Tool” or by clicking the words Capture tool now.
Place the cursor over the icon in the lower left corner of the window, then press the left mouse button to reveal a graphical menu. Choose the monitor icon from this menu.
Figure 2-7 shows the graphical menu with the correct icon selected.
Click the Sweep area button.
The display changes. It provides a magnified view of the area around your cursor.
Move the cursor to the area of the screen that displays the graphics you want to capture as an image.
Use the magnified view to place the cursor precisely.
Press the left mouse button and drag the cursor.
A red outline surrounds the area you're capturing.
Release the mouse button and the image is captured.
The image is saved in a file called capture.rgb. capture.rgb is the default name for any image you save. To choose a different name for the files you create, see “Choosing a Name for Image Files.”
To see the image you created, click the Preview button or choose “Preview” from the Actions menu.
By default, the Capture tool names each image file you create capture.rgb. It places this file in the directory from which you run the Capture tool. If you run the Capture tool by double-clicking its icon, you save capture.rgb in your home directory.
To specify a different name for the audio file you're going to create, do the following:
Before taking the screen snapshot, choose “Settings” from the Actions menu on the Capture tool.
The Image Settings window appears. At the top of the window, you see a field labeled Save Image File as.
Press the left mouse button and drag to select the text capture.rgb, then type a new filename.
The next image file you create will have the new name.
| Note: By default, the Capture tool uses the same name for each image file you create. If you want to record a series of image files, click the box next to Auto Increment after Save. The Capture tool automatically adds a number to each filename. For example, the first audio file is named capture.rgb, the second is named capture1.rgb, and so on. |
The contents of the Settings window change depending on what you're capturing—audio, a movie, or a still image. This section describes the controls that appear in each case. Refer to:
The Movie Settings window contains controls that let you choose a new name for movies you create and adjust the image quality, size, and frame rate. See “Adjusting Movie Settings” for instructions.
The Audio Settings window contains controls that let you choose a new name for the audio file you're going to create and specify the number of channels. See “Adjusting Audio Settings” for instructions.
The Capture Settings window lets you choose a name for the image file you're going to create. If you are taking a picture from a video device, it also has controls that let you specify the frame size. See “Adjusting Picture Settings” for instructions.
The Image Settings window lets you choose a name for the snapshot you're going to create. See also “Choosing a Name for Image Files.”
This section lists several potential problems you may encounter while using the Capture tool:
You don't see any video in your movie and images are blank.
If the Capture tool appears without an image, check to make sure the lens on the Indy Cam is open. If you open the lens cap and still don't see an image, open the Video Control Panel and make sure the Indy Cam is selected as the default input source.
You can't select the video camera icon or the regular camera icon from the graphical menu in the lower left corner.
Your system doesn't provide video support, or the system software that provides this support has been installed incorrectly. Use the Software Manager to verify that you've installed the necessary software. The following subsystems should be installed:
IRIS Detail Media Execution Environment
Video Execution Environment
In addition, you need at least one of the following, depending on what video you use:
Indy Video-In Execution Environment (for use with vino, Indy's built in video)
Galileo Video Execution Environment (for use with Galileo, Indigo2 Video, IndyVideo)
Audio files and movies you create are silent.
Check to make sure the microphone, or other audio source, is connected. Also check the Audio Control Panel to make sure you have selected the correct input source.
You received a message saying the Capture tool could only capture a certain number of frames per second.
Try choosing a smaller video size or a lower frame rate. See “Choosing a Frame Rate” and “Choosing the Size (Dimensions) of Your Movie” for details.
You have a camcorder or VCR connected but only see video from the Indy Cam.
Open the Video Control Panel and select analog as the default input source.
You can't find the image, audio, or movie file you just created.
Choose “Settings” from the Actions menu. The name displays in the upper portion of the window. Also check in your home directory or the directory in which you started the Capture tool.
The Capture tool changes its appearance slightly depending on the media you choose to record. For example, when you record movies, the display area shows video. When you record audio, the display area shows a waveform.
Figure 2-8 shows the controls you use to choose which media type to record.
The Actions menu contains controls that let you record and preview audio, movies, and images. The Tools menu lets you open the Audio Control Panel and Video Control Panel.