Analogue video to FireWire converter recommended to streamline the capture, digitisation and conversion of analogue video from camcorders and medical video devices
For people who want to stream analogue NTSC/Pal video into PCs and laptops, where plugging in a framegrabber is not possible or not preferred, Kane Computing recommends the use of the PixeLink PL-A544 analogue video to FireWire (IEEE1394) converter.
The PL-A544 series uses the FireWire (IEEE1394) digital bus protocol to streamline the capture, digitisation and conversion of analogue video from a variety of NTSC/PAL sources, including industrial video cameras, camcorders and medical video devices. One FireWire cable supplies power, PC control and real-time video streaming capabilities to an attached camera, dramatically simplifying the installation process.
The PL-A544 provides an uncompressed data stream, resulting in the highest possible image quality.
The PixeLINKT PL-A544 is designed to capture and convert NTSC/PAL video streams into digital images, with full software control of the video input.
The FireWire interface allows fast installation using a single cable to carry all signals.
The PL-A544 is flexible, scalable and easy to use with one cable able to transmit power control and data.
It also supports 3rd party software applications via three industry standard software interfaces, DirectShow, Twain, and QuickTime, including real-time compression.
In addition to a BNC Y/C interface the PL-A544 offers an S-Video connector and second FireWire port, which could be used to connect a FireWire camera to the host PC, as well as analogue cameras.
The Developers Kit offers an extensive Application Program Interface (API) for configuring, controlling and selecting the video inputs and to support direct communication with the video source via an RS-232 connection.
The PixeLINKT PL-A544 FireWire Video Converter is available from stock and prices start at just over £500.
