recording an image off a computer monitor

[kidspot]

I've got a creativity/technical problem. I need to find a way to videotape a scene with a computer monitor in it, but I can't have the fluctuations that recording a VGA monitor normally gives. At the moment the only alternative I can come up with is putting a 13" television picture tube into my 15" monitor casing. Any other ideas?

[Pertti]

Kidspot,

How about faking it ?

Scale a picture/video/whatever into the monitor in your NLE program - no fluctuations.

I have done this in couple of projects, and it came out just fine (although I wasn't trying to get rid of the fluctuations).

Pertti

[kidspot]

I had considered doing that. The timing was going to be a problem. The storyline at this point involves a computer generated character talking with a person next to the monitor - I am using a second video camera and my G400TV to put the character's image (an actor, not an actual generated character) on my monitor (with the windows desktop in the background.)

If all else fails, I will just use a TV tied into my marvel as a second monitor, but I thought it would look more realistic to use an actual computer monitor.

[Pertti]

Have you tried adjusting the monitor refresh rates ?

Pertti

[kidspot]

is the difference in refresh rate? if so do you have any ideas what refresh rate would most closely match a TV?

This would be ideal!
Thanks for the idea -I'll try it as soon as my camera gets back from the repair shop.

[Lawrence Lin]

NTSC: 60Hz
PAL: 50Hz

[Marijn]

Maybe you should try to set the refresh rate as high as possible. If you have a newer monitor you are probably able to set the refreshrates to 100 or 120Hz. This might be too fast for your camera to notice.

An other option might be to save the talking figure on the monitor as an avi-file that you playback using full screen playback. Now record the person next to the monitor while playing this AVI-file. Capture the video of the person as well. You now have two video files that are perfectly synchronous. Only thing you now have to do is to overlay the animated figure file onto the videofile with the person next to the monitor.

Marijn

[DrMordrid]

The best way is to match the cams refresh rate. L. Lin had the correct figures to use on your VGA display.

If you're using a Matrox card PowerDesk 5.x should allow you to set this up in the PowerDesk/Settings/Advanced/Monitor Settings tab.

Dr. Mordrid

[This_Idiot]

Of course, if you are using some kind of super-frreeque card, you could double up on the frequencies (IE 120Mhz etc). Not common, but not impossible either

[kidspot]

Thanks for all the ideas guys -

I'm running a G400 Marvel with a Viewsonic P815. So I'll set it at 60hz.

[jeff b]

One other note: if your camcorder has adjustable shutter speed, you can pretty quickly find a setting that will record the monitor without any flicker or scan anomalies.