4-channel frame grabber with audio capture | Model 811
- 4 composite/S-Video + 4 stereo audio input channels
- Simultaneously captures on all 4 channels
- Captures raw RGB/YUV video or frames
- VBI support
- 4 digital I/Os configurable as inputs or outputs
Model 811 is obsolete. This archived information is provided as a courtesy to customers who own model 811 units.
Description
Model 811 is a PCI Express board that simultaneously captures four channels of analog NTSC/PAL video and four channels of stereo audio. It captures raw video frames from each channel at up to full frame rate, resulting in an aggregate frame capture rate of up to 120 fps for NTSC and 100 fps for PAL. The 811's high frame capture rate, coupled with its high performance bus interface, makes it well-suited for applications that require multi-channel audio/video capturing in a compact form factor.
The board implements a single-lane (x1) PCI Express interface that enables it to be plugged into a PCI Express slot of any width. All operating power is obtained from the PCI Express bus; no external power supply is needed.
Video
Each of the four video inputs may be connected to a composite or S-video source, or left unconnected if not used. It supports a variety of video capture resolutions, including D1, VGA, QVGA, QQVGA, SIF, 2SIF, 4SIF, CIF, QCIF, SQCIF, and 4CIF. Captured frames are formatted as raw RGB or YUV.
Stereo audio inputs
Four stereo audio channels are accessible from 3.5 mm jacks and from a flat cable header at the top of the board. Accessory board 811A-Audio breaks out these stereo channels to four rear panel jacks.
VBI embedded data
Embedded data may be added to each frame during the vertical blanking interval (VBI). Since the display is inactive during this interval, it can be used to transmit time codes, closed captioning, teletext, CGMS-A copy-protection indicators, and various data encoded by the XDS protocol (e.g., the content rating for V-chip use) and other digital data can be sent during this time period.
Digital I/Os
Four general-purpose digital I/O (DIO) signals are provided for controlling cameras and illumination sources, alarm signal monitoring, etc. The DIOs may be configured to function as all outputs or all inputs.
Connectors
Four BNC connectors are available on the board's mounting bracket for connecting external composite video sources. A spring contact terminal block is also located on the bracket for connecting digital I/Os to external circuitry. Discrete connectors for the audio inputs are accessible to internal host cabling.
A 34-pin header provides convenient access to all I/O signals on the board. This enables all of the board's I/O signals to be routed through a single cable to a custom termination system or to Sensoray's standard breakout boards (see Accessories).
Software
Software Development Kits (SDKs) are available for both Linux and Windows. The SDKs include drivers, programming examples, and comprehensive documentation to enable programmers to quickly develop custom application software for the 811.
Termination Boards
Sensoray also offers an optional termination board, Model 811TA-Audio and Model 811TA-SVideo, which can be top-mounted to the module to add convenient field wiring terminal blocks without enlarging the module's footprint. The spring-loaded terminals allow quick connection of 24-16 gauge wires.
Model 811TA-Audio and 811TA-SVideo Termination Boards
System requirements
Due to the extremely high data rates involved, a computer with sufficient bandwidth and processing power is required to ensure error-free processing of the video streams produced by Model 811. Sensoray has tested Model 811 with a cross-section of computers to help you determine whether your system will support these high data rates. For details see 811 Performance Benchmarks.
Accessories
Sensoray offers breakout boards that route the 811's video, audio and digital I/O signals to standard connectors on chassis mounting brackets. All of the breakout boards are designed to connect by cable to the 811's 34-pin I/O header.
Model 811TA-SVIDEO breaks out all of the 811's video inputs and digital I/O signals. It has four S-Video input connectors and a spring terminal block for the digital I/Os.
811TA-SVIDEO (4 S-Video in, 4 digital I/O)
Model 811TA-AUDIO breaks out all of the 811's audio inputs and digital I/O signals. It has four 3.5mm TRS stereo audio input jacks and a spring terminal block for the digital I/Os.
811TA-AUDIO (4 audio in, 4 digital I/O)
Specifications
| System Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Computer | Due to the extremely high data rates involved, a computer with sufficient bandwidth and processing power is required to ensure error-free processing of the video streams produced by Model 811. Sensoray has tested Model 811 with a cross-section of computers to help you determine whether your system will support these high data rates. For details see 811 Performance Benchmarks. | |
| Video | ||
| Inputs | Channels | 4 simultaneous, in any combination of composite or S-video |
| Formats | NTSC, PAL | |
| Connectors | Composite: 4 BNC; signals also available on multi-function, 34-pin header S-Video: Multi-function, 34-pin header |
|
| Impedance | 75 Ohms | |
| Capture | Modes | Raw digital frame or video, RGB or YUV |
| Frame Rate * (maximum) |
120 (30x4) frames/sec for NTSC 100 (25x4) frames/sec for PAL * See Maximum Frame Rate section below for details |
|
| Resolution | D1.NTSC: 720x480, D1.PAL: 720x576, SIF: 352x240, 2SIF: 704x240, 4SIF: 704x480, VGA: 640x480, QVGA: 320x240, QQVGA: 160x112, CIF: 352x288, QCIF: 176x144, SQCIF: 128x96, 4CIF: 704x576 | |
| Audio | ||
| Inputs | Channels | 4, programmable as stereo or mono per channel |
| Signal level | Line-in level, ±1.0V | |
| Connectors | 4 TRS StereoJack (3.5mm); signals also available on multi-function, 34-pin header | |
| Capture | Sampling Rate | 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, or 48 kHz |
| Digital I/O | ||
| Channels | 4, configurable as all inputs or all outputs | |
| Signal Type | TTL compatible | |
| Connector | 5-circuit spring contact terminal block; signals also available on multi-function, 34-pin header | |
| Other | ||
| Bus | Type | PCI Express, single lane (x1) |
| Compliance | PCI-Express Base Specification (Revision 1.0/1.1) PCI-to-PCI Bridge Specification (Revision1.2) |
|
| Power | Nominal | 6.6W, +3.3V @ 2A |
| Temperature | Operating | 0 to 70°C |
| Mechanical | Dimensions | 4.2” x 4.2” (107mm x 107mm) |
Maximum Frame Rate
Sensoray bundles industry standard drivers with Model 811 for both Linux and Windows. The Linux driver is a high performance driver that makes possible simultaneous full frame rate capture at D1 resolution from all four input channels. The Windows driver, which is a closed source product of Trident Microsystems, has lower performance that may require tradeoffs between the number of active channels, resolution, and frame rate.
The following table shows the maximum frames per second that will reliably result in error-free performance on a typical host computer. In most cases these performance levels will be enhanced when using higher performance host computers.
Nominal Driver Performance
| Driver | Active Video Channels | Resolution | Frames/Second/Channel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTSC | PAL | |||
| Linux | 1 - 4 | QVGA, CIF, D1 | 30 | 25 |
| Windows | 1 | QVGA, CIF | 30 | 25 |
| D1 | 25 | 25 | ||
| 2 | QVGA, CIF | 30 | 25 | |
| D1 | 12.5 | 12.5 | ||
| 3 | QVGA, CIF | 30 | 25 | |
| D1 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 4 | QVGA | 30 | 25 | |
| CIF | 25 | 25 | ||
| D1 | 3 | 3 | ||
Documentation
| File | Version | Date M-D-Y | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuals | ||||
| 811 Hardware Manual | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | 512 KB | |
| 811 Windows SDK Manual | 1.0.6 | 10-17-24 | 241 KB | |
| 811 Quick Start Guide - Linux | — | 10-17-24 | 23 KB | |
| Mechanical Drawings | ||||
| 811 mechanical drawing | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | 116 KB | |
| 811 connector pinout | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | 195 KB | |
| Application Notes | ||||
| 811 Performance Benchmarks for D1/VGA Resolution | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | 345 KB | |
| Transcoding and Streaming using VLC | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | 336 KB | |
Downloads
| File | Version | Date M-D-Y | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDK Release Notes -- please read before using the SDK | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | 5 KB | |
| 811 Linux SDK | 1.0.3 | 10-17-24 | ZIP | 50 KB |
| 811 Windows SDK | 1.0.7 | 10-17-24 | ZIP | 27.46 MB |
| 811 LabVIEW Demo | 1.0.0 | 10-17-24 | ZIP | 175 KB |
| Other Operating Systems | ||||
| Need a software development kit for another operating system? We can port our SDK to your OS for a NRE fee or, with a volume commitment, at no additional cost. Contact Sales for details. | ||||