Tips & Tricks
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Because of their automatic internal calibration, standard hard disks have the
disadvantage of regularly interrupting the continuous data stream in order to
recalibrate themselves. During recording, this is not apparent since Windows
images are temporarily stored in a buffer. However, during subsequent
playback, only a limited number of images can be temporarily stored in this
manner. Therefore a continuous data stream—with no interruptions—is
required. Without it, the image will “jerk” at regular intervals, even though all
frames are present and the hard disk can handle the data rate.
The standard miroVIDEO DC30 series package includes the miroVIDEO
EXPERT program with which you can measure your hard disk’s data rate and
attainable capture quality. During installation of the application on the hard
disk, this program is copied to the miroVIDEO DC30 series program group.
Use the Start menu and the commands DC30 series and Tools to activate
miroVIDEO EXPERT.
Prior to recording videos, use an appropriate utility to defragment your hard
disk.
After this, we recommend the following procedure for digitizing videos:
To ensure the fastest possible playback, defragment your hard disk again after
editing all the digitized sequences.
IDE or SCSI
We recommend fast enhanced IDE hard disks as most economical video
storage solution. To make such a drive work fast, make sure the following
settings are done:
•
In the BIOS setup, switch on “Fast E-IDE”.
Follow the instructions in your computer’s user manual.
•
In the Control Panel activate the DMA check box. Go to Start > Settings >
Control Panel > System > Device Manager > Disk Drives > Properties >
Settings.
However, UW SCSI hard disks are faster and therefore more suitable for digital
video at very high data rates.
RAM
The more RAM you have, the better miroVIDEO DC30 series works. To run
Adobe Premiere 5.1, you need at least 32 MB. 64 MB are recommended.
CD-ROM drive
Do not operate an enhanced IDE CD-ROM drive in parallel with an enhanced
IDE hard disk. This combination can lead to an unnecessary reduction in the
speed of your hard disk. Instead, use the second IDE interface for your CD-
ROM drive.
miroVIDEO
EXPERT
(Windows 95
/ 98 only
Preparing your
hard disk
