!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Title: Using the Drastic YCbCr Codecs Suite Product: Drastic YCbCr Codec Suite for Windows and QuickTime for Windows Copyright: Drastic Technologies Ltd. Release: December 2016 - Final Release Support: Discontinued Software: Free for private and Commercial use by the End-User Status: Stable but Discontinued for any further Development Platforms: Microsoft Windows 9x/SE/ME/NT/2K/XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 (32/64 Bit) Apple QuickTime for Windows 4,5,6,7 and later (32 Bit only) Language: English (US) Last Update: December 2016 (Revision 18) !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Great Care and very Intensive Tests where made by developing this Software before it was Released. This Software is "AS IS" and Drastic Technologies can not be made liable under any Circumstances for any Damages or Data-Loss of any Kind by installing and using this Software ! The End-User agrees to these Terms silently and uses this Software on his own Risk by installing and using this Software ! It is strictly forbidden to include and distribute the Drastic Codecs in so called "Codec-Packs" ! This Software is NOT FOR SALE or Re-Distribution of ANY Kind ! All Rights Reserved ! !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! IMPORTANT NOTE: The Drastic Codec is a legacy Codec and NOT a Driver for any IO-Cards and allows PC Users to view and edit Drastic/AJA/Kona/DVS/Optibase/Viewgraphics/VideoPump Media (MOV/AVI) on a PC or Workstation. The Drastic Codec Versions 2.9 and 3.4 have been excluded in this Service Release. We strongly recommend NOT to mix the Drastic VfW/QuickTime Codec Versions 3.0/3.5 ! All Informations about Version 3.5 are the same for the 3.0 Version. The older Version 3.0 can be tried if a older Video Application (pre 1999) does not work properly with Version 3.5 and we recommend to all Users to Install and use Version 3.5 first. Please Un-Install and remove ANY older or previous Versions/Service Releases of the Drastic Codecs BEFORE you Install this new Service Release ! Older Service Releases/Packs should ALWAYS be deleted to avoid any confusion or mix in the versions. The Downloads on the Drastic Website are the latest available from Drastic Technologies and we recommend to all Users to check our Website regulary for any Updates and latest News. We strongly recommend to read the Sections "Troubleshooting" and "Known Limitations" first at the End of this Document before installing the Drastic Codecs. Thank you. !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! ! IMPORTANT WARNING - PLEASE READ ! Some Sites report the Drastic Codec as a Virus/Trojan/Worm and this should be ignored because it's a complete false Alarm. These Hoax-Sites offer a "Fix" for the Drastic Codecs if the User makes a payment. PLEASE DON'T MAKE ANY PAYMENTS ! The Drastic Codecs DO NOT contain any Malware or other hidden Addware or Spyware in the Code so please ignore such Warnings and Web-Sites. The Drastic Codecs DO NOT NEED any "Fix" what so ever if the User downloaded them from the Drastic Website ! The Drastic Codec Version 2.9.0.504 that is still available from dubios Sites in the Internet should NOT be used because this Version is no longer supported or available from Drastic ! Other Downloads and Versions for the Drastic Codecs from other Sites than the Drastic Website should be avoided because they are outdated, DON'T WORK with 64 Bit Systems and still use a old 32 Bit Installation Routine which WILL lead to serious Problems on newer Systems ! The Drastic Codec Version 2.9.0.520 that's still available from other Websites should also NOT be used and they DO NOT work with 64 Bit Systems because of the foreign non-Drastic buggy Inf-Script ! We strongly recommend NOT TO USE any Tools where the Drastic Codecs can be enabled, disabled, changed or swapped to a third Party Codec with the same Colorspace (FourCC) after you installed the Drastic Codecs on your System ! This can lead to serious Problems, System instability and reduced performance of the Drastic Codecs because all of these Tools change the Uppercase FourCC's to Lowercase in the Registry and this affects all Codecs installed on the System ! ("vcswap" or "codectweak" for example) !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Special Thanks from Drastic Technologies go to: Microsoft Corporation - for the Cooperation and Support Apple Computer Inc. - for the Cooperation and Support Intel Corporation - for the Cooperation and Support AMD / ATI - for the Cooperation and Support Matrox - for the Cooperation and Support NVidia - for the Cooperation and Support Dell - for the Cooperation and Support Hewlett Packard - for the Cooperation and Support Karl Lillevold - from Real Networks for the Information about the problematic Osprey Boards Igor Pavlov - for the Freeware Program "7Zip" Lior Ostrowsky - for the Freeware Programs "Infast/Infstall" that we used in in the Past Marie NAGEL - for Digital Camera Color and Level Tests and Support Gabrielle HENKE - for Digital Camera Color and Level Tests and Support Nicolas OTT - for different Hardware/Software Tests and Support Jean-Michel BOURREAU - for intensive Ingest System Tests and Support Michael Henke - for Performance/Stability Tests, Development and Support Mickey Lee Jones - for Compatability Tests, Development, INF-Script, Documentation and Support And of course - All the Users in different Internet Forums Worldwide for their Feedback !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! IMPORTANT ! Please read the included "Install.txt" File BEFORE you install the Drastic Codecs for detailed Install-Instructions and Guidelines. Thank you. !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Changes in December 2016 (Rev.18) Affected Codec Versions: 2.9.0.520 / 3.0.0.0 / 3.4.0.18 / 3.5.0.20 - The "DCapture" (32 Bit) Utility has been removed. A Download is available on the Drastic Website. - All four Versions of the Drastic Codec are now available again in one File. - Included the FourCC Fixes in case the Drastic Codecs are replaced by the native Windows YUV Codecs. - The Install Programs (Infast/Infstall) by Lior Ostrowsky is no longer included ! - Included the "WXP64Fix.reg" File to fix the missing "I420" Codec if the Drastic Codecs are removed. - Solved Issues with HonesTech, Cinegy, MainConcept, Microsoft, Ligos, Cyberlink and Pegasys Encoders. Version 2.9 uses "CheckMMX 0x0000EDF0" CPU Instructions Version 3.x uses "CheckMMX 0x0000EDE0" CPU Instructions (3.0 / 3.4 / 3.5) INF-File: - Suits now all Windows Versions from 9x to 10 (32 and 64 Bit) in one INF-File. - Included the latest Drastic VfW/QT Codec Version 3.5.0.20 - The Configuration Tool and the QuickTime for Windows Codec are installed on all Windows Versions by default along with the Drastic Video for Windows Codec. - Solved Problems with Codec FourCC install Order. - Solved Problems with some Osprey, ATI, Matrox, Aurora, DVS and many other popular Videoboards. - Solved Problems with Empia, SynTek, Afa, K-World and many other popular Capture Drivers. - Solved Problems with Phillips VideoPlus, MoviePlus and PixelPlus Drivers. - Solved Problems with the Sony HDV-MPEG Capture Drivers. - Solved Problems with the Omisys DVBT/DVBS Drivers. - Solved Problems with the HonesTech PVR/TVR/DVR/HDV/HTV Drivers. - Solved Problems with LogiTech, Microsoft and many other WebCam Drivers. - Solved Problems with MainConcept Motion-JPEG and DVC Codecs. (dvsd/dv25/dv50) - Solved Problems with Morgan Multimedia Motion-JPEG and JPEG 2000 Codecs. - Included Support for Panasonic, Canon, Sony and Nikon DSLR/DSLM/Digital Cameras. (YCbCr Film/Photo) - Improved Performance and CPU-Detection Routines. - The INF-File contains the "AVID" Fix for all tested Windows Versions. - Solved Problems with the ICM Routines and FourCC Registry Entries. - Added compatability for the Helix I420/IYUV/YV12 Codecs from Karl Lillevold. - Native and third Party 64 Bit YUV Codecs are no longer replaced by the Drastic 32 Bit Codecs. - The new Uninstall-Routine removes all traces of the Drastic Codecs from the Registry, restores the default native Windows YUV Codecs and registers them with the DirectX 32/64 Bit Capture, Playback and Direct Show/Active Movie Engines and Modules. Codecs: These FourCC's are changed inside the Codecs: (Drastic QTime and VfW Codecs) Old New ------------ 2yuv -> 2vuy vuy2 -> yuv2 Y422 -> V422 CYUV -> cyuv UYUV -> UYVY The CPU Detection Routine "UnknownVendr" inside the Codecs is replaced with "GenuineIntel" (QT/VfW). Supported Codecs for AJA Kona/22/3/LS/HD Boards: (Tested) 2vuy = Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 v210 = Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 Supported Codecs for Optibase VideoPump SD/HD Boards: (Tested) 2vuy = 8-Bit 4:2:2 Component Y'CbCr v210 = 10-Bit 4:2:2 Component Y'CbCr Supported Modes for Optibase VideoPump SD/HD Boards: (Tested) 525-Line SMPTE 259M 8-Bit Serial Digital 525-Line SMPTE 259M 10-Bit Serial Digital 525-Line Progressive 8-Bit Serial Digital 525-Line Progressive 10-Bit Serial Digital 625-Line ITU-R BT.656 8-Bit Serial Digital 625-Line ITU-R BT.656 10-Bit Serial Digital 720-Line 296M-1996 Table 1 System 1 8-Bit Serial Digital 720-Line 296M-1996 Table 1 System 1 10-Bit Serial Digital 720-Line 296M-1996 Table 1 System 2 8-Bit Serial Digital 720-Line 296M-1996 Table 1 System 2 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 260M 30fps 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 260M 30fps 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 260M 30000/1001fps 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 260M 30000/1001fps 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 274M Table 1 System 4 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 274M Table 1 System 4 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 274M Table 1 System 5 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 274M Table 1 System 5 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 274M Table 1 System 6 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line SMTP 274M Table 1 System 6 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 7 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 7 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 8 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 8 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 9 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 9 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 10 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 10 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 11 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line 274M-1997 Table 1 System 11 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line Segmented Frame 24fps 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line Segmented Frame 24fps 10-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line Segmented Frame 24/1.001fps 8-Bit Serial Digital 1125-Line Segmented Frame 24/1.001fps 10-Bit Serial Digital Known Issues The Codec "About" Button: Version 2.9.0.520 shows Version 2.9.520 and Copyright "2007" Version 3.0.0.0 shows Version 2.9.0 and Copyright "2007" Version 3.4.0.18 shows Version 2.9.18 with "Copyright 2007" instead of "2011" Version 3.5.0.20 shows Version 2.9.18 with "Copyright 2012" Configuration Tool The "About CodecConfig" Window: (Icon on upper left Corner) "DTCodecs.exe" shows "Version 1.0" instead of 3.0/3.5 with "Copyright 2003" not "2007/2012" The Configuration Tool included in Version 2.9 and 3.0 came with the Drastic VVW-MediaReactor. The Configuration Tool included in Version 3.4 and 3.5 came with the Drastic Titan-MR-NXS. Note: The "Known Issues" have no Influence of the functionality for the Drastic Codecs and Tools. The new Installation Routine DOES NOT DELETE any of the native Windows or other third Party Codecs. They are only removed from the Registry and INI-File and replaced with the Drastic Codecs ! The "DTCodecs.exe" Configuration Tool for the Drastic 3.5 Codec requires the Visual C++ 2005 SP1 and Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Runtimes from Microsoft on older Systems ! WARNING ! ATTENTION ! Do NOT use the Drastic Configuration Tool "DTCodecs.exe" if the Drastic Codecs are NOT installed on your System ! This can lead to severe Problems with your System ! IMPORTANT CHANGES ! Single versions of the Drastic Codecs are no longer available. A Zip-Version of the Drastic Codecs is also no longer available. !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Drastic YCbCr Video Codec Description: The Drastic YCbCr Codecs Suite is a YCbCr Digital Video Codec for Microsoft Video for Windows and Apple QuickTime for Windows, supporting ICM and DirectShow/ActiveMovie in a Windows Operating System Environment. This Codec enables the exchange of Video Files from AJA/Kona, DVS HDStation, Optibase, VideoPump and Viewgraphics Systems as well as Drastic MediaReactor, Drastic DDR's and other popular Drastic Products to Microsoft Windows or Apple QuickTime for Windows and vice versa by using the AVI or MOV Container Format. For Example, AVI's using the "v210" (10 Bit) or "2vuy" (8 Bit) Colorspace can be played back directly with QuickTime for Windows and the Drastic QuickTime for Windows Codec. The Optibase VideoPump Codecs for QuickTime can also be used to play the AVI's with QuickTime made with the Drastic Video for Windows Codec as they use the same Colorspace (FourCC) in case the Drastic QuickTime Codec is removed from the System. The Format and Color Transcoding is lossless and fully conforms to International Broadcast, Production and Mastering SD/HD TV and Media Standards as defined by the ITU/EBU/ATSC Standards used Worldwide by TV/Broadcast Stations and Production/Mastering Labs for Cinema and Television Productions. The Drastic Codecs can also be used for Dual-Image 3D Animations and Movies. The Drastic YCbCr Codecs are not limited or "Crippled" in any Way and don't blend Logos or other "Funny" Stuff in your Video. The Drastic YCbCr Codecs are full functional and don't require any Online/Offline Registration or Serialnumber by the End-User. Also note that the Drastic Codec is NOT a Codec-Pack, it's a Multi-Format Codec, means one Codec handles many 8/10 Bit YCbCr RAW Formats for Video for Windows and QuickTime for Windows. !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Supported Four Character Codes: (Video for Windows FourCC) - All formats are uncompressed 012v - 10 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 10 Bit Interleaved v210 - 10 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 10 Bit SD/HD Interleaved (QT/VfW) a12v - 10 Bit 4:2:2:4 YCbCr 10 Bit Interleaved YV12 - 8 Bit 4:2:0 YCbCr 8 Bit Planar Swap I420 - 8 Bit 4:2:0 YCbCr 8 Bit Planar (Same as "IYUV") IYUV - 8 Bit 4:2:0 YCbCr 8 Bit Planar (same as "I420") P422 - 8 Bit 4:2:2/4:2:0 YCbCr 8/10 Bit Planar (Drastic DTYCbCr) YUYV - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit Interleaved (Same as "YUY2" and "YUNV") YUY2 - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit Interleaved (Same as "YUYV" and "YUNV") YUNV - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit Interleaved (Same as "YUY2" and "YUYV") V422 - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit Planar (Same as "YUY2") YVYU - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit Interleaved UYVY - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit SD/HD AVI Interleaved (Same as "2vuy" and "UYNV") (*) UYNY - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit D1 Interleaved UYNV - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit D1/DV Interleaved (Same as "UYVY" and "2vuy") 2vuy - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit QT SD/HD Interleaved (QT/VfW, same as "UYVY" and "UYNV") yuv2 - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit QT CineWave Interleaved 2Vuy - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit QT SD/HD Interleaved (Same as "2vuy") (#) yuV2 - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit QT CineWave Interleaved (Same as "yuv2") (#) cyuv - 8 Bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 8 Bit Invert Interleaved auv2 - 8 Bit 4:2:2:4 YCbCr 8 Bit Interleaved - From any supported YCbCr to any other supported YCbCr - From any supported YCbCr to RGBA, ARGB, BGRA, ABGR, RGB, BGR, RGB16, RGB15 - From RGBA, ARGB, BGRA, ABGR, BGR, RGB to any supported YCbCr - Inline output inversion is supported for all RGB types and some YCbCr->YCbCr types - FourCC Formats written in brackets are the equivalent formats without Colorspace conversion - All Colorspace conversions between the FourCC Codes are completly lossless NOTE: " 8 Bit" means 8 Bits per Color Channel (256 Steps from Black to White) "10 Bit" means 10 Bits per Color Channel (1024 Steps from Black to White) The Output Formats "4:2:0" are 12 Bit and the "4:2:2" Formats are 16 Bit "Interleaved" and "Invert Interleaved" FourCC's are Packed YUV Formats "YVYU" is equivalent to "YUYV" except the U and V samples are swapped The Width Factor multiplies by 2,4,8,16,32,64 (4 recommended) with Square Pixels The Height Factor multiplies by 2,4,8,16,32,64 (4 recommended) with Square Pixels Support for Non-Square Pixel and Square Pixel Types Frame Sizes range from 16x16 to 8192x8192 (PC) and up to 10000x10000 on a Workstation (!) Frame Rates range from 1 Fps to unlimited Fps Interlaced Frames (TFF or BFF), Alternating Scan Lines or Progressive Scan/Frames are supported All TV Norms and Standards for PAL, SECAM and NTSC LD/SD/HD/UHD (ITU,EBU,ATSC) are supported Full Support for AVI1 (Video for Windows) and AVI2/OpenDML (ActiveMovie/DirectShow) Legend: (*) = Default FourCC Code and Colorspace used with QuickTime and Video for Windows (#) = The FourCC's "2Vuy/yuV2" are reserved ! (Double FourCC conflict with "2vuy/yuv2" in Win OS) (!) = The maximum Frame Size depends on the Hardware and Video Editing Program (NLE) Resolution TFF = Top Field First (Upper Field First/Odd Field First/Odd-Even Field Order) BFF = Bottom Field First (Lower Field First/Even Field First/Even-Odd Field Order) Fps = Frames per Second !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Supported Color Spaces Codec Configuration Dialog ("General Encoding Parameters" Tab) Standard Definition: (For PAL/SECAM/NTSC Frame Sizes) CCIR 601-2 Video Range -> CCIR 601 Standard (Default) (Y=64..940 *) CCIR 601-2 Computer Range (FULL) -> CCIR 601 Extended (Y=0..1023) High Definition: (For HDTV/Film/VESA Frame Sizes) SMPTE 240M Video Range -> SMPTE 240M Standard (Y=64..940) SMPTE 240M Computer Range (FULL) -> SMPTE 240M Extended (Y=0..1023) SMPTE 274M Video Range -> SMPTE 274M Standard (Default) (Y=64..940 *) SMPTE 274M Computer Range (FULL) -> SMPTE 274M Extended (Y=0..1023) NOTE: For SMPTE 293 use CCIR 601-2 (Standard Definiton) For SMPTE RP-177 use SMPTE 274M (High Definition) For ITU-R BT 709-2 use SMPTE 274M (High Definition) For ITU-R BT 709-1 use SMPTE 240M (High Definition) For SMPTE 296M use SMPTE 274M (High Definition) For Vesa use SMPTE 274M (High Definition) ITU Reference Table Codec Configuration Dialog ("General Encoding Parameters" Tab) Standard Definition: (For PAL/SECAM/NTSC Frame Sizes) ITU BT.601-2 Limited Range -> CCIR 601 Standard (Default) (*) ITU BT.601-2 Full-Range -> CCIR 601 Extended (Y=0..1023) High Definition: (For HDTV/Film/VESA Frame Sizes) ITU BT.709-1 Limited Range -> SMPTE 240M Standard ITU BT.709-1 Full Range -> SMPTE 240M Extended (Y=0..1023) ITU BT.709-2 Limited Range -> SMPTE 274M Standard (Default) (*) ITU BT.709-2 Full Range -> SMPTE 274M Extended (Y=0..1023) Limited Range 8/10 Bit: Y=16-235 and U,V=16-240 (YUV422/YUV420) Full Range 8/10 Bit: Y=0-255 and U,V=0-255 (YUV422/YUV420) QuickTime Codec: You can Export Material using one of the Drastic Codecs in the List: "10 bit 4:2:2 SDTV/HDTV Y'CbCr" (uses FourCC "v210") "8 bit 4:2:2 SDTV/HDTV Y'CbCr" (uses FourCC "2vuy") If you also installed the Aja/Kona QuickTime Codecs then you see: "Drastic 10 Bit YCbCr Codec" (uses FourCC "v210") "Drastic 8 Bit YCbCr Codec" (uses FourCC "2vuy") Important Note: All Settings made in the Configuration Dialog for the Drastic Codecs are GLOBAL (!), means, when you configure the QuickTime Codec then the SAME Settings are used for the Windows Codec and vice versa ! This behavior is NOT a Bug and is meant to work this Way. This also happends when you use the "DTCodecs" Tool to configure the Drastic Codecs. It is NOT recommended to use the Drastic Configuration Tool if the Drastic Codecs are not installed on your System ! The Drastic Codec Configuration only needs to be done once to meet your System Configuration. It is NOT recommended to change the Codec Configuration unless you change your Hardware or need to change the Field Order for some buggy third Party Codecs or Drivers. The Intel Indeo Codecs share the same behavior when the Options are changed, for Windows and QuickTime, if the Indeo QuickTime Codec is installed. The Quality Slider in QuickTime for Windows has no Influence and defaults to the "Middle" Position (Normal Quality) when the Drastic 8/10 Bit Codecs are selected. A registered Pro-Version is required to export Videos with Apple QuickTime for Windows. Legend: (*) = Default Drastic Codec Configuration Setting (AVI/MOV) !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Important Information about the Drastic YCbCr Codec Field Order: When we speak of "Top Field First" in our Codec Configuration Dialog, then we mean the "Upper Field". Some Devices use "Bottom -> Top" for the Vertical Orientation for Planar RAW Video while other Cards or Devices use "Top -> Bottom" for the Vertical Orientation. Most common is "Top -> Bottom" and here the "Top Field First" Option should then remain unchecked (Disabled) in the Codec Configuration. A exception is the "Aurora Igniter" NTSC D1 Video Board - the Option "Top Field First" MUST be enabled here for these Boards as they use "Bottom -> Top" for Planar RAW Video. "Top Field first" Option ENABLED = Bottom to Top "Top Field first" Option DISABLED = Top to Bottom Uncompressed video is either progressive, meaning that each frame is a complete representation of the video image, or interlaced, meaning that each frame is composed of two fields. One field contains the odd lines (1, 3, 5, and so on) of the video frame. This field is called the odd field or top field. The other contains the even lines (2, 4, 6, and so on), and is called the even field or bottom field. Top and bottom fields are displayed alternately. Interlacing is used in television formats, and facilitates a higher frame rate by refreshing only one field of the video image at a time. There are only two established Standards for Interlaced Material: PAL/NTSC SD DV (720x576/720x480, always BFF) and PAL/NTSC HD/HDV (always TFF). PAL/NTSC HD in 1280x720 always uses "Progressive Scan", means "Non-Interlaced" Frames. PAL/NTSC SD/HD for Film (24 Fps) is always based on progessive Frames, never Interlaced. How to find out what Field Order you have: Other PAL/SECAM Material normaly uses "Top Field First" and NTSC "Bottom Field First" but depends on the Capture Card/Device used. Consult your Manual for more Information about the Field Order. If the Documentation does not help you any further, then simply make a Test Capture with the native Codecs, NOT the Drastic Codecs, using UYVY or YUY2 Uncompressed (RAW), once in PAL/SECAM and another in NTSC if possible, with a minimum Resolution of either 352x576 or 480x576 for PAL/SECAM and 352x480 or 480x480 for NTSC and select a short Sequence with a lot of Motion in it. Now open the Material in VirtualDub without loading any Filters, select under "Options" the Option "Preview Field Mode" and select "Field Order A" for "Top Field First" and press the "Space Bar" on your Keyboard. If the Video looks "Fuzzy" and has a jerky Playback, then stop the Playback, select "Field Order B" and restart the Playback. If the Video looks fine now with a smooth Playback, then you have the correct Field Order of your Capture Card or Device. Please be aware that some Cards and Devices switch the Field Order to meet the Standards while other Cards or Devices keep the same Field Order for PAL/SECAM and NTSC ! If your Card or Device supports PAL/SECAM and NTSC, make a Test Capture in PAL/SECAM and one in NTSC to verify the Field order. After you installed the Drastic Codecs, re-open your Test-Captures in VirtualDub following the same procedure as before to verify the correct Field Order. If the Test Captures for PAL/NTSC are correct with the "Top Field first" Option DISABLED in the Drastic Configuration inside VirtualDub, then your Capture Drivers behave normal. If not, close VirtualDub, run "DTCodecs" from the command line, select a Drastic Codec and ENABLE the "Top Field first" Option. Start VirtualDub again and load the Test Captures for PAL/NTSC to verify the correct Field Order again. Here is a List of some other Definitions from various Video Editing Programs and Codecs: Interlaced PAL SD DV and NTSC SD DV/D1 using Even Lines: - Bottom Field First (BFF/Edius/Serif/MainConcept/XviD/VirtualDub Filter) - Lower Field First (LFF/LightWorks/HonesTech) - Field Order A (older Ulead Video and Media Software up to 2003) - Field Order B (VirtualDub Preview and Filter) - Even Field First (Adobe/MGI/Corel/Magix) - Even/Odd Field Order (Aist/Cinegy/newer Ulead Software/VirtualDub Filter) - 1st Line Bottom (Microsoft Media 9) - Field B (Pegasys TMPEGEnc) Interlaced PAL D1/HD/HDV and NTSC HD HDV using Odd Lines: - Top Field First (TFF/Edius/Serif/MainConcept/XviD/VirtualDub Filter) - Upper Field First (UFF/LightWorks/HonesTech) - Field Order B (older Ulead Video and Media Software up to 2003) - Field Order A (VirtualDub Preview and Filter) - Odd Field First (Adobe/MGI/Corel/Magix) - Odd/Even Field Order (Aist/Cinegy/newer Ulead Software/VirtualDub Filter) - 1st Line Top (Microsoft Media 9) - Field A (Pegasys TMPEGEnc) Remember: The "Top Field First" Option MUST be enabled for the Aurora Igniter NTSC D1 Board ! !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Known Limitations: QuickTime Movies (MOV) that where rendered with the Blackmagic or AJA/Kona QuickTime for Windows Codecs CAN NOT be played with the Drastic QuickTime Codec because the Blackmagic and AJA/Kona Codecs transform YCbCr to RGB24 and vice versa ! Movies that used the Unthinkable Research YV12 Codec for QuickTime as a AVI-File CAN NOT be decoded with the Drastic Codec (YV12) ! Videos that where rendered with the OptiBase Videopump Codec as a MOV/AVI File (vp.qtx) can be played and edited with the Drastic QuickTime and VfW Codec. Videos encoded with the Microsoft YUV Codecs (UYVY,YUY2,YVYU), the Helix YUV Codecs (I420,IYUV,YV12) or the Microsoft RTE Codec (I420) can be decoded with the Drastic Codecs. Videos that where encoded with the Intel I420 and Intel IYUV Codec (iyuv_32.dll) CAN NOT be decoded with the Drastic Codecs because the Intel Codec uses 24 Bit to display the Video, NOT 12 Bit ! Such Videos can only be played with QuickTime for Windows if the Drastic Codecs are installed. Videos encoded with VirtualDub using UYVY,YUY2 and YV12 can be decoded with the Drastic Codecs. Other VfW Codecs that use the FourCC "v210" are NOT compatable with the Drastic Codecs ! This includes Videos that where saved with VirtualDub using the "v210" Format because it DOES NOT conform to the YCbCr FourCC-Norm and the Industrial Standards ! Videos encoded with the Drastic Codecs using I420 or IYUV can NOT be played back with the Intel I420/IYUV (iyuv_32.dll) or Microsoft RTE I420 (msh263.drv) Codec because the Drastic Codec transforms 12 Bit to 16 Bit for a lossless Color Conversion. The Drastic Codecs only stay in 12 Bit for direct Hardware Captures and processing if I420, IYUV and YV12 is selected and directly saved. The Limitations in Detail: The Microsoft/Intel Codecs don't use any CPU Routines. Only the Microsoft RTE Codec uses MMX. The FourCC I420 is always swapped to IYUV by the Microsoft RTE and Intel IYUV Codec. The Microsoft/Intel Codecs can not be used to encode Videos with Alpha-Channel and have limited support for Fields with Interlaced Sources. Microsoft YUV (UYVY,YUY2,YVYU) 32/64 Bit = msyuv.dll = Decode only Microsoft RTE (I420) 32 Bit = msh263.drv = Decode only with optional MMX Intel IYUV (IYUV) 32 Bit, (I420/IYUV) 64 Bit = iyuv_32.dll = Encode and Decode, see Note ! Note: The Intel Codec uses 12 Bit during direct Hardware Capture and decodes to 24 Bit. If the Intel Codec is used inside a NLE as a Target Format then it only accepts 24 Bit as a Output Format, NOT 12 Bit ! 64 Bit Programs use the original Windows YUV Codecs (Microsoft, Intel), NOT the Drastic Codecs ! 32 Bit Programs use the Drastic Codecs, NOT the Windows YUV Codecs (Microsoft, Intel) ! Means: 64 Bit Programs use the Windows Codecs for UYVY,YUY2,YVYU,I420 and IYUV while 32 Bit Programs use the Drastic Codecs for the same FourCC's and is meant to work this Way. 32/64 Bit: Microsoft YUV (UYVY,YUY2,YVYU) = Can be encoded/decoded both Ways with the Drastic Codec. Means: Videos using the 64 Bit Microsoft YUV Codec can be decoded with the Drastic Codec in a 32 Bit Program and Videos using the 32 Bit Drastic Codec (UYVY,YUY2,YVYU) can be decoded with the Microsoft 64 Bit YUV Codec. 32 Bit: (Windows 9x to XP) Microsoft RTE (I420) = Limited to 640x480 at max 30 Fps and can be decoded with the Drastic Codec. Intel IYUV (IYUV) = Limited to 640x480 at max 30 Fps, 12 Bit Input is converted to 24 Bit. Means: The Drastic Codec CAN NOT decode Videos that where encoded with the Intel IYUV Codec ! 32/64 Bit: (Windows Vista to 10) Intel IYUV (I420,IYUV) = 12 Bit Input is converted to 24 Bit. Means: The Drastic Codec CAN NOT decode Videos that where encoded with the Intel I420/IYUV Codec ! 32 Bit: Helix YUV (I420,IYUV,YV12) = No Problem and can be decoded with the Intel 64 Bit and Drastic Codec. Means: The Intel Codec can only decode Videos with a max Resolution of 640x480 at max 30 Fps ! !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Technical Notes: The Drastic Codecs are RAW Codecs and don't vary in the Bitrate. A large Resolution with a high Frame Rate results in a higher Bitrate and vice versa. Most Consumer Devices are limited to VGA if the User selects I420/IYUV/YV12 (640x480) because Windows does not support natively higher RAW Resolutions using these FourCC's with the native YUV Codecs. Most Devices offer higher Resolutions if UYVY/YUY2 is selected and the Drastic Codecs only support the Resolutions that are available with your Capture Card or Video Device for the available FourCC's. "RAW" means = Uncompressed I-Frames only, no Predict/Bidirectional/Delta-Frames at a constant Bitrate. Example: A PAL/SECAM Video captured in I420 at 640x480 with 25 Fps and Stereo PCM Audio (44.100 Hz, 16 Bit) consumes around 30 GB for a 45 Minute Video on your Harddisk while a Video with the same Settings in YUY2 consumes around 41 GB on your Harddisk. So be aware that RAW Video consumes a lot of Space on your Harddisk in exchange for a superb Quality. If you capture a Video with Microsoft's "Amcap" or "WM9Cap" Utility then you capture in RAW-Mode with the Drastic Codecs. "What you see is what you get" - No loss of Quality and highly depends on the Capture Card or Video Device and the Settings inside the Capture Driver. The majority of Capture Modules inside NLE's are based on the Source Code of Microsoft's "Amcap" Capture Tool. File Size Limitations: FAT16 = max 2 GB for RAW Video FAT32 = max 4 GB for RAW Video NTFS = No Limit for RAW Video IMPORTANT ! NEVER use your System Partition (C:\My Files etc.) to capture Video ! This WILL lead to serious Problems and strong File Fragmentation on your Hard Disk ! If you only have a single Partition, connect a external Hard Drive or add another Hard Disk to your System to capture Video and use the NTFS File Format. We recommend NOT TO USE the new exFat Format for Video Captures ! With a Capture Card or Video Device you can select the Colorspace of your Choice. This is mostly UYVY, YUY2 (*), I420 (*) and YV12. Capture Software that directly encodes MPEG 1/2/4 or Motion-JPEG Videos use the Drastic Codecs for the Colorspace Conversion before such Videos are compressed by the Encoder. MPEG-1 uses 4:2:0 MPEG-2 uses 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 (Depends on Capture Encoder and Resolution) MPEG-4 uses 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 (Depends on Capture Codec) MJPG uses 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 (Depends on Capture Card and Motion-JPEG Codec) Legend: (*) = Always available with all Video Devices !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Thank you for using a Drastic Technologies Product. !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! Contact: Drastic Technologies Ltd 523 The Queensway Suite 102 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M8Y 1J7 Tel: 001-416-255-5636 (9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST) Fax: 001-416-255-8780 Web: http://www,drastic.tv Email: support@drastictech.com (C)opyright 1995-2016 Drastic Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The Drastic Video Codec is Copyright 1995-2016 by Drastic Technologies Ltd. "Drastic(tm)" and the Drastic logo are trademarks of Drastic Technologies Ltd. Use of these trademarks are expressly prohibited without prior written consent of Drastic Technologies Ltd. Other product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. !----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------! -EoF-