Frame Grabbers; Internal and External
There are varying kinds of frame grabbers, but you have to be aware of when you will require one. Let us first try to understand what a frame grabber is. In simple terms, frame grabbers are instruments used to convert and transfer a video from a camera on to a computer. For example, if you had a camera that needed to be plugged into your computer, then you would refer to that as the interface camera because a frame grabber would be necessary to interface with your computer.
There is a good chance that if you have a camera, it will use an S-video, but more than likely also a BNC composite cable. If you are able to plug the camera directly into the computer then you might not need the interface, which means that will be known as a direct connect camera.
For cameras that plug directly into your computer, it is more than likely that is uses a USB cable. A frame grabber is the connection between the camera and the computer. However, it is not every interface camera that will necessarily require a frame grabber and it is not every direct connect camera that can be used without a frame grabber.
You will have a variety of frame grabbers to choose from, but the most important are the digital and analog frame grabber.
The analog frame grabber will digitize the signal coming from the video in connection with the camera. The analog frame grabber will then transfer the digital data to the computer memory to which it is connected to.
The digital frame grabber will handle the transfer rate of digital data from the camera to the memory inside of the computer. Therefore, the only thing that the digital frame grabber does is to administer the data that is transferred to the memory of your computer to be stored, edited and controlled.
The frame grabber does more than just connect the interface to the camera; whether digital or analog, but it also can be used in industrial settings. One of the features that benefit a large vision system is the trigger input and output. The trigger output is able to be put on an automatic release in order to activate the precise light for the timing exposure. In addition, a different output can be utilized in order to control the shutter timing of the camera.
Some frame grabbers have a processing engine that includes digital signal procedures, programmed gate arrays, processors for wide-ranging purposes and look-up tables. There are some frame grabbers that are designed differently than others. Some of these have bus architectures that are uniquely designed. This includes some of the primary bus architectures such as the PCI and the newer model; the PCI Express. There are multiple frame grabbers that utilize USB inputs such as the AGP and the compact PCI. As mentioned before, there are others that utilize S-video inputs and BNC inputs. There are also some regular frame grabbers that are only uses as interface boards. In addition, there are more complex frame grabbers that generate specific functions.
There are also a number of different bus architectures, but this does not address the concern of what particular system really requires the frame grabber. If you are equipped with an analog camera that you are able to plug into your computer, then you will require a frame grabber. However, if you are equipped with a digital camera or a camera that you can directly connect, then you don’t really need a frame grabber.
A frame grabber is essential if you are using VGA capture from a military camera since it will need a higher resolution and more quality. If you were to connect the VGA capture to the USB, then the frame grabber would be a costly solution.
Frame grabbers, in this case, is able to assist with capturing signals from videos and convert them into digital streaming. On the market these days, there are many VGA frame grabbers that have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Compared to graphic boards and some converters, frame grabbers are at times, harder to run and to execute a wider series of functions. Frame grabbers sold on the market these days are both internal and external.
For those frame grabbers that are internal, a PCI card is required to be fit into the computer. These will convert video signals via the VGA port after capturing it. The conversion content is then saved in the appropriate format.
The frame grabber that is external is usually portable and a standalone item that captures VGA signals to the USB. For more information please Visit: www.alacron.com
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