G3 and a laptop

[savage om]

Lately, I've been toying with the RCA adapter that came with the camera.
I've been plugging it into the video capture card on my computer (ATI radeon Vivo).
I'm really really liking the concept of using a larger screen than the little LCD screen that comes with the camera. I have a vision for an ideal setup (if it's possible)

OK- all I need is a nice tripod, and a laptop with an rca adapter. Here are the questions I have for people who have already done this, or are saavy enough to do it.

1. Does Canon make a fancier remote control for the G3? The one that comes in the box does not have controls for most of the functions on the camera.
2. If video capture via RCA jack using a laptop is even possible, then how does it work? As in- is the RCA input a seperate card you buy for any laptop, or do you have to buy a laptop with one built in?
3. If video w/rca using laptop is not possible, then is it possible to stream the image using USB? I haven't found any contols for doing this using the software suite that came with the camera, but I have found the program that lets me snap pictures.

Thanks in advace to the person that knows the answers

[tonymac]

There is a program that came with the G3 that will let you shoot with the camera tethered to a USB port. I don't recall the name, but it gives you control over the exposure settings, live preview, and shutter control from the PC.

Alternatively, you could try
http://www.breezesys.com/PSRemote/index.htm
It does basically the same thing, but with more control than the canon software.

[savage om]

I think I know the program you're talking about-- maybe its the 'remote capture 2.6'. I think snaps pictures, and controls the camera via USB.
I've already used it a couple of times. I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but I have not found an option for streaming the live image in real time before snapping the shot.
The one advantage I've seen with the RCA method is the fact that I can both watch the image in real time, plus I can watch the image at full screen.

So far, here is the only thing I've found in refrence to 'video capture with a laptop':
http://www.jknelectronics.com/vcepro01.htm
Basicly, it's a pcmcia card with RCA jack. I'm still looking for solutions from anyone that has them.

[Brian Tilley]

Remote Capture works very well.

I have used it frequently to take shots of birds in my backyard garden.

To do this, you may need to get some USB extension cables. I have been using 40 feet of cable, including the 4 feet that comes with the camera. You don't need any hardware other than an available USB post.

With the camera on a tripod, you can get shots that you might not be able to get if you were to stand in the yard waiting for the right shot.

You may want to try setting up the timed release options. You can take shots at any interval you want, down to just a few seconds. This way, you don't even have to be there to take the shots, just let the camera do it for you.

If you select the option that stores the pictures on your hard drive rather than the flash card, you will almost certainly be able to take many more shots than you could with just the flash card.

Give it a try.

[savage om]

Brian Tilley wrote:
Remote Capture works very well.

I have used it frequently to take shots of birds in my backyard garden.

To do this, you may need to get some USB extension cables. I have been using 40 feet of cable, including the 4 feet that comes with the camera. You don't need any hardware other than an available USB post.

With the camera on a tripod, you can get shots that you might not be able to get if you were to stand in the yard waiting for the right shot.


Ok- I tried toying with remote capture 2.6, and found the 'viewfinder mode' (hitting self in head). That's a step in the right direction, but still not what I'm looking for. Close though-- very close. It does answer my 'stream via USB' question.

Viewfinder mode doesn't allow for full screen viewing. It's also framey (choppy video), and pauses at last frame whenever adjustments are made to the camera. Assuming there were no other alternative, it's nice to know I could use USB.
I guess the RCA to laptop question still remains.

[savage om]

I bought the tripod today. Now all I need is some sort of device for running video into a laptop through an RCA jack.

BTW- something just dawned on me--- assuming RCA input for laptops exists, it would mean the G3 can double as a relatively nice camcorder @ better than 320 x 240 resolution.
I can currently do this from my home PC-- I use whatever program i want to record video in whatever format (Windows media player or ATI multi media center, and codec of choice), and leave the camera running without snapping any shots/hitting the record button.

If anybody knows of a PCMCIA device, or anything that can priovide RCA inputs on a laptop, please let me know.

[dtrayers]

I don't know of any laptops that have composite video (RCA) input, but some of the better equipped models have s-video input.

If you have one of these, get a composite to s-video converter. A quick google search found one site that sells them. I'm sure there's others. Click on the image below:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/videoware_1758_1826172.jpeg (http://www.svideo.com/rcatosvideo.html)

[savage om]

dtrayers wrote:
I don't know of any laptops that have composite video (RCA) input, but some of the better equipped models have s-video input.

If you have one of these, get a composite to s-video converter. A quick google search found one site that sells them. I'm sure there's others. Click on the image below:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/videoware_1758_1826172.jpeg (http://www.svideo.com/rcatosvideo.html)


This is a huge help. Thanks.
Also- I have one of these (s-video to RCA converter)- now if only I can find a laptop with s-video in.
Do you have any suggestions for specific models/brand names? All of the models of laptops I found have an 's-video out' jack (so you can use a TV as monitor for your laptop).

[dtrayers]

I know that the IMB Thinkpad A31p models have s-video in and out (that's what I'm typing this message on).

[savage om]

Again- thanks. That was a huge help.

Gearing up to buy one possibly---
Questions: Do you use the video capture on your laptop?
What kind of program does IBM use to interface with it (name of application; a little about what using the program is like).
Will it display the image at full screen?
*IMPORTANT QUESTION* When you clean install windows, does the device appear in 'Hardware manager' without having to install additional drivers, or did you get the package with the ATI chip?

[dtrayers]

To be honest, I have no idea (I was afraid you would ask) :D

This laptop I'm using is for work and I've had to rebuild it several times (I should learn not to beta test on my primary machine!), so I never have played with the video in/out capabilities, because I haven't had the need and after the first rebuild I never re-installed the software (it's on a hidden, system restore partition).

However, I do know that IBM has an excellent web site and support forums (monitored by IBM techs) and you'll be able to find a lot of your answers there.

To get you started, here's a link to the driver matrix for the A31 Thinkpads:

http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4VGUYW

There are also many instructions on operating system requirements and upgrading the OS. For example, I had an older 600X that came with Windows95 and using the support site I easily found the instructions and drivers for installing Win2k. IBM is very accomodating when it comes to upgrades. You may want to look at their clearance items that come off of lease. If you can get the hardware you want, IBM probably has a migration path to the OS you want (including LINUX).

Good Luck!

[savage om]

Hmm -
Well, I kept looking for other stuff (In case IBM's 'video in' was a bit sketchy). I came up with a few interesting results:
http://www.hightech-store.com/zvport.html
http://www.computervideogear.com/digital_video_capture_card/pinnacle-studio-moviebox-dv-cardbus-card.htm#system%20requirements
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2007&pcount=&Product_Id=88962#

BTW- this has taken me all afternoon to find this stuff :-S

As for using the G3 as a camcorder (w/o using the movie mode), I realize the only remaining problem, now is how to get rid of the spot metering frame.