Recommendations for a 4 channel capture card

[Robert L. Gillette]

I have four analog video cameras (30 fps) with BNC outputs. I used them in the past as part of a peak performance system with four vcrs. I see a lot of security systems set up where a computer captures multiple cameras. I have used them a couple of times where I captured 4 views into a security DVR but this created a lot of work finding the correct sequences.

I have a project coming up where I want to try using these cameras for additional views of action. These are short bursts of action, maybe 5 - 10 seconds. I would like to find a computer video capture card that allows me to capture the four cameras into a computer. I have two computers that I can choose from. One is using windows 7 and the other Windows xp. I have ramped them both up so that they should have what it takes to handle this kind of data capture. The slots are PCI and/or PCIe. I have looked and seen many cards to chose from in a wide range of prices. I would like to keep the price down below $200 with the lowest price the better, since this is an experiment on the system capture. I will be capturing four views (~simultaneously) of the action. I plan on using Innovision MaxTRAQ software. It might be good to include some suggestions of software used for managing the capture. Kinovea can only capture two views.

I may be asking more than is possible, but I guess it does not hurt to ask.

Thanks, Rob Gillette

[Wagner De Godoy]

Re: Recommendations for a 4 channel capture card

Dear Dr. Gillette,

I used Geovision cards to record 4 videos simultaneously for visual evaluation of gait.

http://www.geovision.com.tw/products.php?c2=27

I tried to use this system with Maxtraq 3d software for spatial coordinate captures, but a delay between the images was verified (approximately 1 frame or 0.03s) and this deviation compromised the calibration process of the MaxTraq system.
GV-650B model may be suitable for your project, however I think the cost of this cart is higher than the amount mentioned.

I hope this information is useful.

[Robert L. Gillette]

Re: Recommendations for a 4 channel capture card

Yes this information is very helpful. I will look into the Geovision cards. Do you think the delay was by the card and not the computer it was in? What did you end up doing? Thanks, Rob

[Wagner De Godoy]

Re: Recommendations for a 4 channel capture card

Dear Dr. Gillette,

I tried to set up a 3D motion capture system (low cost: < US$ 3,500) with 4 cameras and a Geovision GV800 card (this model was available 8 years ago and the slot of HP motherboard was PCI). Geovision support service reported that the images were synchronized by hardware, but some tolerance or delay of time must be considered between the images, because GV800 card is not designed for applications of 3d motion capture - for surveillance applications the synchronization has high quality. Perhaps, for studies with Maxtraq 2d in several views, this system may be useful.

The capture images were sent to Innovision and the company suggested that another capture system was evaluated. Innovision has complete software and hardware systems: http://www.innovision-systems.com/home.html

I paralyzed the project because of lack of resources - this project was made with private investments. The cameras and Geovision card were used as a complementary video system for clinical gait examinations (visual assessment of gait, especially feet, upper limbs and trunk).

I apologize for the translation failures.
Best Regards,