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Q: Does the
DAC-100 have locked audio?
A: The DAC-100 does not have locked audio. However, the DAC-100 has
never had a problem with keeping audio and video synchronized.
Q: What is the importance of locked audio?
A: Below is an excerpt of an article written by Adam Wilt, posted on
the internet
by "Video University".
The entire article may be seen at
http://videouniversity.com/dvformat.htm
" Since DV was designed as a consumer format, unlocked audio was
allowed as a cost-saving measure. In unlocked audio, the audio clock
is allowed some imprecision, such that there can be a variation from
the locked spec of up to +/- 25 audio samples written to tape for
every frame, instead of a precise and exact number.
This economy measure is simply one of allowing the audio clock to
"hunt" a bit around the desired frequency; the phase-locked loop (or
other slaving method) used to keep the audio sampling in sync with
the video sampling can have a bit more slop in its lock-up, with the
audio sampling sometimes running a bit slower, sometimes a bit
faster, but always staying in sync over the long run. The total
amount of sync slippage allowed in unlocked audio is +/- 1/3 frame
-- not enough to really worry about.
It's the difference between walking a dog on a short leather leash,
always forcing the dog to stay right by your side (locked audio),
and using a long, elastic leash or one of those "retractable
clothesline" leashes that allows the dog to run ahead a bit or lag
behind (unlocked audio). In either case both you and the dog will
get where you're going at the same time, but along the way the
"unlocked" dog has a bit more freedom to deviate from your exact
walking pace.
Unlocked audio should not cause audio sync to drift way from video
over a long period of time. The audio clock is still linked to the
video clock; it's just allowed a bit more oscillation about the
desired frequency (more wow & flutter if you will) as it's trying to
track the video clock. Like the dog on the springy leash, it can run
a bit ahead or a bit behind the video clock momentarily (up to 1/3
frame ahead or behind), but in the long run it'll still be pacing
the video clock and on average will be right there in sync with it.
I have shot one-hour continuous takes of talking heads with a
consumer DV camcorder
(DCR-VX1000) and experienced no drift at all between audio and
video.
DV cameras and VTRs generate unlocked audio, both in 32 kHz 12 bit
and in 48 kHz 16 bit recordings. DVCAM and DVCPRO cameras and VTRs
generate locked audio in 48/16 audio format, and DVCAM can also
generated locked 32/12 audio. 44.1kHz, discussed below, is never
locked; it has no neat integer relationship with either 625/50 or
525/59.54 frame rates."
Q: Why do I keep getting a Pink Screen on
my monitor?
A: When the DAC-100 is not actively processing a video signal it
displays pink. This is caused by a chip used within the converter
and cannot be changed.
Q: I am playing video from my timeline and
the converter is losing the video for a second or two and then comes
back, what is causing this?
A: The DAC-100 has dip switches that control the clocking frequency
when it is converting video. Dip switches 4 and 5 control the
clocking frequency, if the dip switches are not configured for your
operating system or type of device, a loss in video can occur.
Please refer to dip switch chart below and make sure that your
DAC-100 is setup correctly.
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NTSC System (Factory Default
U.S.A.)
:: Windows XP / MAC.
:: Use with a 1394 card that has
the Texas instruments chipset.
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down) |
 |
NTSC System
(Factory Default U.S.A.)
::
Windows 2000 (Option 1*) / Windows 98 SE.
:: Use
option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000
users.)
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down).
|
 |
NTSC System
(Factory Default U.S.A.)
::
Windows XP/Generic Device.
:: Use
with a 1394 card that does not have the Texas instruments
chipset.
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down). |
 |
NTSC System
(Factory Default U.S.A.)
::
Windows 2000 (Option 2*)
:: Use
option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000
users.)
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down). |
 |
PAL System
:: Windows XP / MAC.
:: Use with a 1394 card that has
the Texas instruments chipset.
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down) |
 |
PAL System
::
Windows 2000 (Option 1*) / Windows 98 SE.
:: Use
option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000
users.)
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down). |
 |
PAL System
::
Windows XP / Generic Device.
:: Use
with a 1394 card that does not have the Texas instruments
chipset.
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down). |
 |
PAL System
::
Windows 2000 (Option 2*)
:: Use
option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000
users.)
P.S. Please note On (up),
Off (down). |
Q: I have
made changes to the dip switches on my DAC-100, but it did not solve
the problem?
A: Once a dip switch has been changed, it will not take effect until
the unit is rebooted. To reboot your converter power it off, wait a
couple of seconds and power it back on.
Q: I have connected S-Video out to my
recording device and I can see video, but I am unable to hear sound?
A: S-Video or Y/C as it is sometimes referred to does not carry an
audio signal. When using S-Video out from the converter it is also
necessary to connect the Left (It usually has a white connector) and
Right (It usually has a red connector) audio patch cables from the
output to your recording devices input.
Q: Can the DAC-100 convert a PAL Signal to
NTSC or NTSC to PAL?
A: The DAC-100 has the ability to work with either PAL video or NTSC
video but it cannot convert one video standard to another. A systems
converter is needed to convert video standards.
Q: I am exporting video from my timeline
and converting it from DV to Analog but I am unable to see video
output on my VCR, is the DAC-100 defective?
A: There are numerous reasons why video might not be displaying
correctly in your VCR. VCR's typically have several inputs, usually
one in the front and several on the rear panel. VCR's usually do not
auto-detect the active line input, so it is usually necessary to set
the correct line input from your remote control of your VCR or the
MENU system within the VCR.
Q: I have set the correct line input in my
VCR but I still cannot see video. How can I determine the cause of
the problem?
A: The best way to troubleshoot any problem is to isolate the
devices that are involved. If you are exporting from the computer to
the DAC-100 check to make sure that the DAC-100 is sending out a
video signal, to do this connect the Audio/Video outputs directly to
the input of a monitor or TV.
If you can see your video in the TV then the DAC-100 is exporting
the video correctly. Reconnect your VCR and check to see if you can
see video passing through your VCR.
Q: What is included with the converter?
A: One 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable, one power supply, one S-Video
cable, one composite RCA cable with L+R audio and one instruction
manual.
Q: Does the DAC-100 come with software for editing?
A: No. The DAC-100 is sold as bridge to allow you to capture or
export your video from your non-linear software.
Q: How long is the DAC-100 warranty?
A: The DAC-100 comes with a 1 year limited warranty from the
original date of purchase. Please refer to your DAC-100 manual for
specific warranty details.
Q: Can I "Monitor or Preview" my video
captures from the output of the
DAC-100?
A: Yes. The composite (RCA) video output from the DAC-100 can be
plugged into your monitor or TV to preview your video while
capturing. If you are using your composite port then the S-Video
port can be used instead.
Q: Can the DAC-100 convert Black & White video from a CCTV
camera?
A: The DAC-100 is unable to convert a Black & White video signal
because it needs "color burst in the video stream." If you need to
convert video from a Black & White camera, please take a look at our
DAC-10 converter which can convert a black
and white signal.
Q: Can the DAC-100 be used as an audio
converter?
A: The DAC-100 needs color burst from the video signal in order to
start the conversion process. The DAC-100 will be unable to convert
the audio signal if a video stream is not present.
The only work around, is to run some video through the converter and
later delete the video track in your system. |
