[coolmac]

What do you think of it, especially for watching TV on the Mac and video capture.

I'd also like to know if the new OSX software (tevion 1.2) is an improvement over the older software.

[Ganesha]

Video Capture: Very good quality, easy to use plug and plays with iMovie/FCP.

Watching TV via the built in tuner: Works, but poorly implemented UI. (I relay TV though a cable box, via RCA so I can use the cable remote to change channels.)

Version 1.2 Software: Gets better and better, brightness and contrast control a very welcome addition. Still feels like a beta, however.

[d0ct0rteeth]

absolutly agree.

my only complaint to add is that you cant watch full screen.

seems like a basic request overlooked,

but everything else is good. works great w/ fgp

C-

[joe]

I'm very happy with my Formac Studio. The latest v1.2 of Tevion has better a/v sync and video quality than previous versions. And the new video adjustment sliders (color, contrast, etc) are a nice touch. Video capture was always good even with the earlier Tevion revs. The a/v sync problems I had were intermittent and only in real time viewing - which seems to be corrected in v1.2. Tevion can capture / record up to 640*480 in DV format which is compressed in real time by the Formac Studio hardware. 1/2 and 1/4 capture sizes supported as well.

I agree about full screen (TV Modus) - it doesn't work in OSX yet. Also, some features in Formac's OS9 software (ProTV) haven't made it to their OSX software (Tevion) either - like the mult-channel preview and support for the radio tuner. But I'd forgo those features if Formac added a scheduling feature instead I'd rather have my Formac Studio record my fav shows while I'm out (ala TiVO).

Previously I owned an ATi Xlcaim TV USB which is a great value for the money. But having said that - NOTHING beats Firewire for video quality. Whatever complaints about the software, the difference between the Formac Studio and any USB video device is like night and day........joe

[jeronimo]

Hello guys, I just installed a Formac Studio my dad had sitting around for almos a year.
He has a G3 400 w/ 896 Mb of RAM and hes running Final Cut Pro 1.2 on OS 9.2.
I just hooked up the Formac and opened FC tried to import the video (log & capture mode) and I had those problems:
1. Video is sluggish, kinda stoping and starting all the time, you know? Like if the video card wasn't taking care of the business...)
2. When I try to capture the video that is playing thru the Formac, FC tells me it's waiting for the timecode to start capturing and just don't capture nothing.
I though I needed to install the ProTV software that came with the Formac and then I did it.
After all installed, I tried to capture from within the ProTV app and the sluggish video thing keeps happening...
Can you guys help me?! Please!!!

[joe]

jeronimo - Although I haven't run into that problem, here are a few suggestions you might want to try:

- Capture at 1/2 or 1/4 size in ProTV. If that works, it's possible your system might not be able to keep up with the DV data rate at full size.
- If that doesn't work, another possibiliity is low DC power from your Firewire card (Studio is bus powered). Formac sells an optional DC power supply for the Studio in case your Firewire card can't supply enough.
- Or you might want to consider testing your Formac Studio on a friends Mac. So far I've tested my Formac Studio on a friends dual USB iBook and another friends iMac DV (both 500MHz G3 with native Firewire ports). I use the Studio on my G4 Cube almost daily. Right now "Unforgiven" is playing on FX (CATV channel 39) in a 640*480 window while I'm typing this
- Finally, if none of these suggestions help, you might want to contact Formac via email tech support.
Hopefully, one of these suggestions will help. regards.......joe

[Ganesha]

Here are my GUESSES on #1 and #2:

#1: Is this happening all the time, or only during capture? Make sure your using the native DVPRO compression. Also try toggling the high quality play option to off. (I can't comment on how since I don't run the OS 9 version of the software.)

#2: My guess FCP is looking for the timecode that many DV Camcorder records. This is what allows FCP and iMovie to do scene detect (when it sense a break in the time code). Obviously the signal from the Formac studio doesn't have the time code in it.

One thing to check, is to start up the Formac with the Pro software and set it to the video source you want to capture, and then close the Pro software. You are not able to do this from within FCP.

[jeronimo]

Where do I set the compression to the Formac one?