The EPIX PIXCI SV5L Analog Video Frame Grabber offers low profile video capture for the PCI bus. It has two mini BNC inputs and one S-video multiplexed input. The trigger connector has been removed to allow for a low-profile PCI form factor. A full-height bracket is sold separately if required.
The PIXCI SV5L digitizes analog video and transfers the digitized video through the PCI bus at full video rate. Video sources that use standard formats (NTSC, RS-170, PAL, CCIR, and S-Video) are supported. As a PCI bus master, the PIXCI SV5L board transfers image data without using the host computer’s processor. Images may be transferred at full or reduced frame rates, to computer memory for processing and/or analysis by the host computer’s processor(s), to the S/VGA system for display, or to other targets on the PCI bus such as disk controllers (real time video to disk).
The PIXCI SV5L and XCAP software can capture video sequences and store them to the computer’s hard drive. Live images may be displayed on the computer’s monitor during image capture. Up to eight PIXCI SV5L boards can capture videos in one computer simultaneously from multiple video sources.
Acquisition
The PIXCI SV5L provides 3-input video multiplexer signal selection from two mini-BNC inputs and one S-Video input. Programmable gain, hue, brightness, saturation, and contrast adjustments can condition the video signal.
A digital genlock circuit ensures precise synchronization of every image. The PIXCI SV5L imaging board genlock subsystem accepts video timing from a VCR.
A digital genlock circuit ensures precise synchronization of every image. The PIXCI SV5L imaging board genlock subsystem accepts video timing from a VCR.
Scaling and Cropping
The captured image can be cropped in single pixel increments, and then scaled down to as few as 4 pixels by 1 line. Horizontal and vertical scaling is performed in real-time by interpolation, providing a high quality representation of the original image.
Optimized Imaging Systems
With data transfer directly into the host's memory at video rates, the imaging potential of the PIXCI SV5L is limited only by the host computer and peripherals. A high-quality computer, a graphics card, a camera, lighting, and lens are recommended for best results. Applications include automated inspection, motion analysis, microscopy, medical imaging, robotics, laser beam analysis, object tracking, multimedia, and print quality inspection.
Epix Software
The PIXCI SV5L frame grabber is bundled with an imaging program that allows camera operation and frame grabber control without the need to write software. Capture and save images after unpacking the board and loading the software. The XCAP-Lite imaging program provided with the PIXCI SV5 purchase provides video format / mode selection, triggering, live display, and image / sequence capture to computer memory. Individual images can be saved in several industry-standard formats including TIF, BMP, and JPEG.
The XCAP is a menu-driven, interactive program for the PIXCI imaging board, allowing capture, display, viewing, processing, printing, analysis, measurements, loading, and saving of imagery. It includes a script language for customization and automating tasks. XCAP is available for Windows. The XCAP-Ltd program (sold separately) adds the ability to capture sequences (uncompressed full-motion video movie clips at 25 or 30 fps) to memory up to a maximum size of approximately 3.5GB (computer configuration dependent), and includes the ability to save sequences. XCAP-Ltd also supports annotation, which is the ability to write text on an image.
For image processing and video to disk, purchase XCAP-Std (sold separately). In addition to all of the capabilities just described, the XCAP-Std program offers extensive processing, measurement and analysis capabilities including filters, mathematical operations, blob analysis, and particle tracking. The availability of scripts and the blackboard allow customization and automation of included operations. Sequence capture options include the ability to capture video sequences to a hard drive. The PIXCI SV5L Frame Grabber, with XCAP-Std, can capture full-resolution video for 10 hours with a 750GB hard drive.
EPIX developer libraries ease custom software development with hundreds of functions for image capture, processing, measurement, and analysis. Libraries are available for Linux, Windows, and 32-bit DOS.
The XCLIB (sold separately) "C" library allows accessing the PIXCI imaging board. It supports DOS, Windows, and most popular "C" compilers. The library provides command and control functions for capturing image data from a video source and implements transfer to computer memory, graphics cards, or hard drives. XCLIB-Lite (sold separately) is an economical and reduced capability version of XCLIB.
The PXIPL library (sold separately, includes XCLIB) simplifies the development of software for processing, measuring, or analyzing images after they have been transferred into the computer. XCLIB and PXIPL provide high-level services that allow the software developer to concentrate on the imaging application rather than focusing on board level controls. Please see the XCLIB and PXIPL descriptions on the Products Page for detailed descriptions.
The XCAP is a menu-driven, interactive program for the PIXCI imaging board, allowing capture, display, viewing, processing, printing, analysis, measurements, loading, and saving of imagery. It includes a script language for customization and automating tasks. XCAP is available for Windows. The XCAP-Ltd program (sold separately) adds the ability to capture sequences (uncompressed full-motion video movie clips at 25 or 30 fps) to memory up to a maximum size of approximately 3.5GB (computer configuration dependent), and includes the ability to save sequences. XCAP-Ltd also supports annotation, which is the ability to write text on an image.
For image processing and video to disk, purchase XCAP-Std (sold separately). In addition to all of the capabilities just described, the XCAP-Std program offers extensive processing, measurement and analysis capabilities including filters, mathematical operations, blob analysis, and particle tracking. The availability of scripts and the blackboard allow customization and automation of included operations. Sequence capture options include the ability to capture video sequences to a hard drive. The PIXCI SV5L Frame Grabber, with XCAP-Std, can capture full-resolution video for 10 hours with a 750GB hard drive.
EPIX developer libraries ease custom software development with hundreds of functions for image capture, processing, measurement, and analysis. Libraries are available for Linux, Windows, and 32-bit DOS.
The XCLIB (sold separately) "C" library allows accessing the PIXCI imaging board. It supports DOS, Windows, and most popular "C" compilers. The library provides command and control functions for capturing image data from a video source and implements transfer to computer memory, graphics cards, or hard drives. XCLIB-Lite (sold separately) is an economical and reduced capability version of XCLIB.
The PXIPL library (sold separately, includes XCLIB) simplifies the development of software for processing, measuring, or analyzing images after they have been transferred into the computer. XCLIB and PXIPL provide high-level services that allow the software developer to concentrate on the imaging application rather than focusing on board level controls. Please see the XCLIB and PXIPL descriptions on the Products Page for detailed descriptions.
MUX
The multiplexer selects the video source for the Programmable Gain from either the S-Video input connector or from the composite video source on the BNC connector. The multiplexer may be switched during vertical blanking.
Programmable Gain
It compensates for reduced amplitude in the analog signal input. Gain can be programmed from 0% to more than 200%.
Luminance A/D
It provides analog to digital conversion of NTSC, RS-170, CCIR, PAL, and the luminance (Y) component of S-video sources.
Chrominance (Color) A/D
Provides analog to digital conversion of the color (C) component of S-Video.
Decoder
It separates the Y/C components and generates the U/V color difference signals.
Digital Genlock
It supports automatic synchronization circuitry for precise digitization and accommodates video sources which have variable periods, such as video tape recorders. It generates the pixel clock for transferring image data to the PCI bus interface.
Scaling, Cropping
Interpolation is used to scale images to 1/14 of their original size.
Temporal Scaling
Image sequences may be captured at full or reduced frame rates.
Trigger Input / Output (sold separately)
Four input and output TTL triggers can be used for synchronization with external events. The trigger signals are controlled by the host CPU.