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Welcome to VidBlaster
Welcome to VidBlaster, the easy to use video production tool to create anything from a simple holiday video to a live television broadcast. Use VidBlaster to easily create and record videos for sites like YouTube, or holiday videos for personal use, or create video podcasts and publish them with one click to any WordPress site. Or use VidBlaster to create television-like recordings using multiple cameras, or stream it live to the internet! You can even create an entire tv control room, with multiple monitors and a professional video switcher, all of course in broadcast quality or even HD. Whatever edition you will use, VidBlaster will put live video production at your fingertips! DISCLAIMER Although this product has been thoroughly tested, CombiTech claims no responsibility for any damages caused by the use or misuse of this product. This product is distributed 'as is' with no warranty expressed or implied. CombiTech and its agents, distributors, resellers and contacts will not be responsible for any losses incurred, either directly or indirectly, by the use of this product. Use this product entirely at your own risk.
Training Videos
Several training videos are available on the web site of US reseller VidBlasterUS. Quickly learn the functions of each module and maximize your production efforts. In addition, the VidBlaster Introduction Video can be viewed on YouTube and Vimeo.
About Codecs
To support other video formats than those supported by Windows, like Apple's QuickTime formats, Windows uses codecs. A codec is a piece of software that helps Windows to code and decode file formats it does not recognize. If you try to open a video file that Windows does not recognize, and for which a codec is not available, VidBlaster will show a dialog telling you it cannot load the file. Fortunately, VidBlaster comes with a licensed codec of very high quality for the most popular video formats. This codec does require that QuickTime version 7 (or higher) is installed. QuickTime can be downloaded for free from quicktime.com.
Note some other program on your PC may already support this format, but for copyright reasons the codec w ill be locked to that program and so w ill not be available to other programs, including VidBlaster. The codec that comes w ith VidBlaster is also licensed exclusively to VidBlaster, and so cannot be used by other programs.
About CombiTech
CombiTech is a Netherlands based company owned by Mike Versteeg, developing software for over 15 years. Programs like Mscan Meteo, Mscan SSTV, StudioRack, CastBlaster and WinPodder all have high quality and ease of use in common. Check out the VidBlaster support forum for all VidBlaster related support, announcements, downloads etc.
Using a Camera
VidBlaster supports just about every video device you can connect to a PC, be it a webcam, a video camera or a video capture card (also called frame grabber), or in fact that is not even connected to a PC like IP cameras. Each video device can be controlled in VidBlaster by one or more Camera modules.
Connecting Cameras
All video devices that are either natively supported by Windows (firewire devices) or come with a WDM driver or DirectShow support (USB cameras, most video capture devices) or are available over IP can be used as camera in VidBlaster. Typically this will be a video camera connected through USB, firewire or a video capture device. You can connect several cameras, and even use a different way to connect each one (e.g. one camera connected via a USB port, another one connected via firewire). A camera can also be virtual and represent (part of) the screen: this is called screen capture and allows you to incorporate spreadsheets, video calls or anything else you can see on your monitor. When you're done connecting all video devices, create as many Camera modules as you need. Each Camera module has a drop-down list allowing you to choose which video device you wish to open: select one video device for each module. Right click the module for video device specific settings like video standard and input. You can enter the camera man's name in the operator field. Select Screen Capture if you wish to create a virtual camera, and then right click the module to select which part of the screen you wish to capture. Select IP Camera to input video from a camera that is connected over IP, then right click the module to enter the IP Camera URL. Here are some general guidelines for the various methods of connecting a camera. Firewire cable + natively supported by Windows + digital, no loss + no additional costs - possibility of unstable system - short wires - video delay A word about firewire: connecting multiple firewire devices, especially camers, can be tricky. Don't use hubs as this will overload the firewire port, instead use a unique port for each camera. If you are not sure each port has a unique firewire controller, then play safe and use one firewire card per camera. Also note Windows can become unstable when dealing with multiple firewire devices, especially when changing the number of devices when Windows is already running. If you see weird behaviour, reboot while leaving all hardware connected. Vista seems a lot more stable than XP. USB cable + digital, no loss + no additional costs - potential video delay A word about USB: connecting multiple cameras via USB, especially high resolution camcorders, can be tricky. Don't use hubs as this will overload the USB port, instead use a unique port for each camera. If you are not sure each port has a unique USB controller, then play safe and use one USB card per camera. USB2821 frame grabber + clean install + cheap + very stable Before connecting this interface to your PC, make sure to install the driver (other software is not needed). Never use hubs. The USB2821 is sold under many names, including Conceptronic Home Video Creator, Startech USB 2.0 Video Capture Cable and Plextor USB Video Converter. Pinnacle Dazzle (red and blue USB models) + rugged enclosure - huge install - unstable at times Before connecting the dazzle to your PC, make sure to install Studio10 (and the upgrade if you use Vista). Never use hubs. An up-to-date list of supported is available on the VidBlaster Installation forum.
Using Cameras
In the Home and Pro editions of VidBlaster selecting a camera can be done by clicking the Cut or Take button. A take can also be accomplished by clicking the camera image or using the Video Switcher (with its corresponding keyboard shortcuts). Cut always does a hard cut, to set the transition for the Take button right click the module and choose the desired Transition. Each module has a tally light indicating if the camera is off (black), or displayed on the Preview (green) or Program (red) monitor.
Available in Studio and Broadcast editions only
Monitors
The final mix of all video input channels can be monitored on the Program monitor (Modules | Add | Program), optionally in conjunction with the Preview monitor (Modules | Add | Preview). Both monitors are identical. Besides their display function, monitors also have an option to copy the video signal to a video output on your PC. That signal can be used for broadcasting, display on a physical monitor, projection, video wall etc.
Available in Studio and Broadcast editions only
Players
VidBlaster can 'play' various file formats, including Windows and Apple native video formats, audio files and still graphics. The files are loaded into a Player module which not only is used to control the file, but it will also take care of any necessary scaling. To add a Player module, click Modules | Add | Player.
Requires QuickTime 7 or higher
Select transition used when Trans is clicked. Aspect Ratio Choose the aspect ratio of the player's video output. Select Auto to use the file's original aspect ratio. Audio Device The player's audio signal will be output through this device. Volume Set player's audio output volume in percent. Deinterlace Video If the video is interlaced, enabling this option will make sure the video signal is deinterlaced while playing. Info Shows file's name, resolution, frame rate and current position. Clear Unloads the file currently loaded, releasing all resources. Remove Module Clears and removes the module.
Playlists
Playlist modules hold a list of files which can be sequentially read by player modules. The combination of a player with corresponding playlist module is often used for automatic playing of videos.
Recording
For "live to disk" recording the Recorder module is available in VidBlaster. Recordings can be saved to disk in various formats, and even uploaded to the internet.
Uploading a Recording
After you have saved the recording in the desired format, you can upload it to a server using any (FTP) program you prefer. If you use Mevio (former PodShow) to host your recordings as a video podcast, or a WordPress blog, there is a much easier way. Simply click the Upload button in the Recorder module to open the Upload dialog. Now select the platform you want to use: Mevio or WordPress. If you select Mevio then enter the email address and password you used to register
your Mevio account in Platform Username and Platform Password. If you select WordPress, enter the blog's upload path, username and password in the next 3 fields. You will also have to fill out the details of the FTP server you will be using to host the actual recording. Next make sure to get a list of your shows (or blog categories) by selecting [refresh list] in Show. Now select the appropriate show and fill out all the details. Notice the Shownotes field has a built-in HTML editor, right click your mouse to get a popup menu with all available commands. When done, click Start Upload to start the uploading process.
Replays
Video replays are often used in sport matches, where a brief period of video from e.g. a camera can be played again. The Video Replay module can delay a video stream from any video source with an adjustable time.
Streaming
VidBlaster includes a Streamer module, which enables you to stream live video over a LAN, to the internet or to another video application. As a result, streaming live video to a Windows Media or Flash Media Server, or to Content Delivery Networks like Ustream.tv, Livestream, Justin.tv, Stickam or Ubroadcast is extremely easy. VidBlaster Broadcast supports multiple Streamer modules, allowing you to quickly and easily setup multiple streams.
Settings Depending on the type of server or CDN you are streaming to, you will have to enter the server's Address, Channel name, Username and/or Password here. Info Open the Info dialog, showing the stream's current resolution and frame rate. As soon as streaming to a Network Port has started, the host's IP address will also be displayed here for your convenience. Remove Module Clears and removes the module.
If you use Flash Media Encoder, make sure to use version 3.0 or higher
Chroma Keying
The Video Effect module has an extremely powerful feature built in: a chroma keyer. Chroma keying is the process where a uni-coloured background is replaced with either a static graphic or video. Note the chroma keyer uses the video card's GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) to take most of the workload from the CPU. Most video cards manufactured after 2002, and all video cards manufactured after 2005 will support the chroma keyer. Be assured that if your video card does not support chroma keying, it will be completely unsuited for real time video processing and should be replaced.
Video Switcher
The Video Switcher allows for easy switching between video sources, especially when a 2 monitor preview/program setup is used. The switcher works exactly the same as a professional video switcher in a television control room. Additionally it can be programmed for automated switching in case no operator is available for manual switching.
Available in Studio and Broadcast editions only
Presenter mode
Currently disabled. Choose Layout|Presenter (or Ctrl+P) to switch the program into presenter mode, increasing the size of the recorder window so it can be viewed from a distance. To switch back to the normal layout, press the space bar or Ctrl+P. In presenter mode, the program can be remote controlled using a device called a presenter. In its simplest form, a presenter is a small device with 4 buttons, often positioned in a circle. Originally the device was developed for PowerPoint presentations. Pressing the top (F5) button starts/stops the selected video clip (shown in the bottom right of the screen). Clips are loaded in sequence, starting with the clip in player 1. The left (Page Up) button is to (de)select camera 1, the right (Page down) button to (de)select camera 2, and the bottom (B) button to (de)select camera 3.
Available in Pro version.
CPU Usage
Due to its nature, video demands a lot from your PC. Video processing demands even more, especially when it has to be done in real time. Whenever your PC is not up to the current task, VidBlaster will automatically display the CPU Usage window. A red line indicates that CPU usage is over 75% which means it is critical. To reduce CPU usage, try one or more of the following suggestions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. lower the frame rate lower the video resolution reencode videos before playing them reduce the number of cameras don't use screen capture, or capture only a small part of the screen try using a different way of interfacing cameras (some webcam drivers are extremely slow).
Another obvious solution is to buy a faster PC, note that not only the speed of the CPU is important but also that of the bus, video card and (when recording) that of the hard drive. This topic is also discussed on the VidBlaster forum.
System requirements
Recommended for 320*240 CPU Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM Recommended for 640*480 CPU Core 2 Quad/Intel i7 920, 3 GB RAM, video GeForce 8800 Recommended for HD CPU Intel Core i7 965 OC'ed, 6 GB RAM, video dual GeForce GTX280 Windows XP or Vista with Windows Media Player 10 installed, QuickTime 7 (necessary to play Apple format video clips), any webcam, streaming video camera (USB or firewire) or video capture device with WDM driver, audio mixer. All hardware requirements are indicative.
Credits
VidBlaster uses licensed video technology by Datastead. For flv, mov and mp4 encoding, VidBlaster spawns ffmpeg which is licensed under GPL v2.