TerraTec Cameo Grabster 200 User manual

English Manual
Version: 26.05.03

CE Declaration
We:
TerraTec Electronic GmbH, Herrenpfad 38, D-41334 Nettetal, Germany
hereby declare that the products:
VideoSystem Cameo Grabster 200,
to which this declaration refers are in compliance with the following standards or
standardizing documents:
1. EN 55022 Class B
2. EN 55024
The following are the stipulated operating and environmental conditions for said compliance:
residential, business and commercial environments and small-company environments.
This declaration is based on:
Test report(s) of the EMC testing laboratory
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and shall not be deemed as a warranty by the
seller. No warranties, express or implied, are made with regard to the quality, suitability or accuracy of this
document. The manufacturer reserves the right to change the contents of this document and/or the associated
products at any time without the provision of prior notice to specific persons or organizations. The manufacturer
shall not be held liable for damages of any kind arising from the use, or the inability to use this product or its
documentation, even if the possibility of such damage is known. The information in this document is subject to
copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any
purpose without the express written permission of the copyright holders. Product and brand names contained in
this document are used for identification purposes only. All registered trademarks, product designations or brand
names used in this document are the registered property of their respective owners.
©TerraTec®Electronic GmbH, 1994-2003. All rights reserved (26.05.03).
2 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

Contents
1. Preface........................................................................................................................... 4
2. Scope of delivery ........................................................................................................... 4
3. Product description.........................................................................................................5
3.1. Archive, edit and burn videos.....................................................................................5
3.2. ... in no time via USB 2.0 ............................................................................................5
3.3. Easily transfer your videos onto DVD or (S)VCD with a simple click of the mouse........5
3.4. Key features: ............................................................................................................. 6
3.5. Technical details: ...................................................................................................... 6
3.6. System requirements for AVI or MPEG 1 (VCD) recording:........................................... 6
3.7. System requirements for MPEG 2 (DVD) recording: .....................................................7
4. Installing the Cameo Grabster 200..................................................................................7
4.1. Installing the drivers...................................................................................................7
4.1.1. Installing DirectX 9.0 ...........................................................................................7
4.1.2. Driver Installation ................................................................................................7
4.2. Installing the hardware.............................................................................................. 8
4.2.1. Connections ....................................................................................................... 8
4.2.2. Bridge between analog video device and PC....................................................... 8
4.3. Driver settings ........................................................................................................... 9
5. The applications at a glance..........................................................................................10
5.1. Installing the software..............................................................................................10
5.1.1. Brief introduction to DVD MovieFactory 2 SE ......................................................10
5.1.2. Driver settings in DVD MovieFactory...................................................................12
6. Appendix ......................................................................................................................14
6.1. Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................... 14
6.2. Service at TerraTec. .................................................................................................. 15
6.2.1. Hotline, Mailbox, Internet. ................................................................................. 15
6.2.2. Broken?! ............................................................................................................16
6.3. General terms and conditions of service................................................................... 17
6.4. Glossary ...................................................................................................................18
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 3

1. Preface
Thank you for choosing a TerraTec product. Congratulations on your decision to buy this
sophisticated piece of state-of-the-art technology, the Cameo Grabster 200. Cameo Grabster
200 is a professional product that forms a bridge between the worlds of analog and digital
video. We are convinced that the Grabster will be both very useful and a lot of fun for you for a
long time to come.
The following is a brief overview of the features and capabilities of your new Grabster 200.
2. Scope of delivery
• Cameo Grabster 200
• S-video cable
• Composite cable
• Stereo audio cinch to mini-plug cable
• USB 2.0 cable
• Scart-composite/S-video/audio cinch (RCA) adapter
• Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 SE Studio Suite
• This manual
• Registration card with the serial number
Please fill out and return the registration card to us at your earliest convenience or register
online at http://www.terratec.net/register.htm. This will help our Support and
Hotline teams more effectively provide you with the answers to any questions you may have.
4 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

3. Product description
3.1. Archive, edit and burn videos...
Cameo Grabster 200 is the perfect start into the digital video world. This is because it only
takes a few simple steps for this external video converter to connect your camcorder, DVD
player, satellite dish, VCR or any other source with an analog video output to your PC. Now,
using your computer, you can edit your videos conveniently, safely archive them or quickly
and easily burn them to DVD, SVCD or VCD.
3.2. ... in no time via USB 2.0
Cameo Grabster 200 has composite and S-video inputs and a USB 2.0 interface. This makes it
possible to copy your videos in very little time! You can copy in MPEG1 or MPEG2 to your local
hard drive and even create a DVD RW on the fly, without using space on your drive. Then you
can even create individual menus on your DVD and edit out annoying commercial
interruptions. The video resolution of 720 x 576 pixels guarantees the highest video quality.
This turns your PC into a multifunctional “digital video recorder” for DVD, SVCD and VCD!
3.3. Easily transfer your videos onto DVD or (S)VCD with a simple click of
the mouse
Become your own movie producer. With the Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 SE Studio Suite,
included with the Cameo Grabster 200, you have the ideal software for recording and editing
videos. It's everything you need to conveniently cut your videos and furnish them with your
own clips or individual menus. Afterwards, you can save them on your drive and burn them to
(S)VCD or DVD with the click of the mouse.
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 5

3.4. Key features:
• External convertor for analog video
• Transfer analog video on the fly onto DVD RW
• Direct creation of (S)VCD
• Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 SE Studio Suite software
• S-video and composite video inputs
• NTSC and PAL support
• Up to 720 x 576 pixels video resolution
• Recording formats: MPEG1, MPEG2, VCD, SVCD, DVD (on the fly DVD-RW), AVI
• Includes USB2, S-video, composite and audio cables, and Scart adapter
3.5. Technical details:
• USB 2.0 interface
• Video standard: PAL & NTSC
• Composite (RCA) or Y/C (S-video) Mini-DIN inputs
• Video “through” function
• PAL recording: up to 720 x 576 pixels/25fps
• NTSC recording: Up to 720 x 480 pixels/29.9fps
• Video resolution from 160x120 to 720 x 576 pixels
• Windows WDM driver
• Data format: I420, YUY2, RGB24
• Power supply via USB 2.0 (5V)
3.6. System requirements for AVI or MPEG 1 (VCD) recording:
• Pentium III / AMD Athlon 800 MHz
• USB 2.0 port
• Microsoft Win 2000, Win XP
• 128 MB RAM
• Sound card
6 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

3.7. System requirements for MPEG 2 (DVD) recording:
• Pentium IV 1400 MHz / AMD Athlon XP 1800+
• USB 2.0 port
• Microsoft Win 2000, Win XP
• 128 MB RAM
• Sound card
4. Installing the Cameo Grabster 200
4.1. Installing the drivers
Inserting the installation CD will automatically launch the installation routine. If this is not the
case, please manually execute AUTORUN.EXE in the root folder of the CD.
While the installation program will take care of most of the work, we were not able to
automate everything for you. A number of points must be observed to that the installation is
set up correctly the first time around.
4.1.1. Installing DirectX 9.0
We realize that things don't always go as planned. With the introduction of DirectX 9.0,
Microsoft offers many improvements and bug fixes that are essential for digital video editing.
Please install theses updates first!
4.1.2. Driver Installation
Please do not connect your Cameo Grabster 200 to the PC just yet!
1. Please close all active applications.
2. Insert the driver CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Choose your language.
4. Click the driver installation option.
5. Follow the instructions as they appear on your screen.
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 7

4.2. Installing the hardware
4.2.1. Connections
Description
uVideo Thru (cinch/composite)—Connect your TV/VCR, etc. here. The video signal that
is fed to vis sent on in analog form, for example to a television, through u.
vComposite input (cinch)—connect your analog video source here. The video signal is
sent on in analog form from uto a television for example, and is output digitally from
xto the PC.
wS-video input (Y/C)—If your analog video source has an S-video output signal, we
recommend that you use this input. The video signal is output digitally to the PC via
x.
xUSB 2.0 output—for connecting a PC.
4.2.2. Bridge between analog video device and PC
It is particularly interesting to create a bridge between an analog video device and the PC.
This lets you digitalize video material, edit it and then burn it to (S)VCD or DVD, or burn it to
DVD “on the fly”.
To do this, you need only connect the video output (S-video or composite) of your analog
video device (camcorder, VCR etc.) with the video input vor wof the Cameo Grabster 200,
and then connect the audio outputs to the line-in jack on your sound card. In this case, make
sure that your sound card is set to record through the “Line-In” input. Please use the
appropriate cables (included). If your analog video device has a Scart output, you can use the
Scart composite/S-video/Stereo audio adapter provided. Now connect the USB2.0 output x
to the USB2.0 interface of your PC. Use the USB2.0 cable provided. Follow the instructions as
8 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

they appear on your screen. Now launch your software. See “The applications at a glance”
section for more information on the ULEAD DVD MovieFactory 2 Studio Suite software. Do you
want to monitor the digital recording on your TV? No problem! As long as you use the
composite input v, you can pass the video signal via the video thru jack uto your television
or VCR.
4.3. Driver settings
The “Amcap” utility is all you need for complete control. In almost all situations, you do not
need to change any settings! Of course, you can also access the driver from the DVD
MovieFactory and VideoStudio software provided. This may be necessary if you use the S-
video input, or if your analog source is NTSC. After you have installed and connected your
Cameo Grabster 200 as described above, select the desired language on the installation CD
and then launch Amcap.
Under “Options/Video Capture Filter/Image”, you can determine whether the video signal is
to be fed into the composite input or S-video input, and whether the TV standard is PAL or
NTSC. Set the resolution under “Options/Video Capture Pin”.
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 9

5. The applications at a glance
DVD MovieFactory 2 SE Studio Suite consists of two high-quality applications: VideoStudio and
DVD MovieFactory 2 SE. MovieFactory is an easy-to-use tool for transferring analog videos to
DVD-RW “on the fly” or saving them to hard disc. Of course, you can also use it to edit videos—
even those which have already been saved to DVD-RW “on the fly”. VideoStudio is geared
towards professional video editing and offers just about every possible function you can think
of. We have provided extensive documentation for both programs on the installation CD.
5.1. Installing the software
Install VideoStudio and DVD MovieFactory 2 SE from the installation CD. Simply follow the
instructions provided.
5.1.1. Brief introduction to DVD MovieFactory 2 SE
After you have installed and connected your Cameo Grabster 200 as described above, start
up DVD MovieFactory 2 SE. Be sure to select your sound card's line-in for recording.
If you want to copy your analog video directly to CD as an (S)VCD or onto DVD, just select
“Direct to Disc” vand follow the simple instructions on the screen.
Do you want to first transfer your treasured analog videos to hard disc, edit them and later
create an (S)VCD or DVD with an impressive menu? Not a problem: Select “Start Project” uon
10 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

the left, and in the center choose the corresponding format w. Now click “Next >” x. This will
open a new window:
This window lets you insert videos or pictures from the hard disc into your project. Here, we
want to briefly explain how you can digitalize your analog videos.
Click on “Capture” yin the upper left of the window. This will open a new window. You have
now started recording mode.
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 11

In the preview window, you can already see the video signal of your analog source. Under
“Capture Settings” {, you can adjust the settings. Under “MPEG Settings” }, you can specify
the desired bit rate (video quality) and audio format. Here is an example for the DVD recording
format:
If you select 4000 kbps CBR (constant bit rate), your blank DVD can easily hold over two hours
of DVD video. Of course, don't forget that the higher the bit rate, the better the quality, and
the larger the file size. Start recording (z).
5.1.2. Driver settings in DVD MovieFactory
The only thing the PC needs to know is whether the video signal is being fed into the
composite input or the S-video input, and whether the TV standard is PAL or NTSC. To make
these settings, just switch to the recording mode in DVD MovieFactory. There you will find the
12 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

PAL/NTSC and Composite/S-Video In settings under |“Capture Settings/Capture
Properties/Video Capture Filter/ 2nd Register Card 'Image'”.
After you have stopped recording (“ESC”), click on “OK”. This returns you to the main window.
You will see the recorded video sequence both in the storyboard and the preview window.
Now you can edit your video clip and organize it into chapters. Click “Next” to complete your
project.
You can now create your own menu. The next step lets you check the menu. In the final step,
you can decide whether to output your project to CD/DVD or hard disk.
Help is always at hand (in the lower right of the active window).
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 13

6. Appendix
6.1. Troubleshooting
There is no sound in the video recording.
Check all connections to your sound card. If everything is connected correctly, make sure
Line-In is enabled for you sound card (under Start / Settings / Control Panel / Sounds and
Multimedia). Read the operating manual provided with your sound card.
The PC crashes when I begin recording video.
Open the Device Manager. To open the Device Manager, press and hold the Windows key
(with the Windows logo) and press the Pause key. This opens the System Properties window.
Click the “Hardware” tab and then the “Device Manager” button. Under “Sound, video, and
game controllers”, disable the “USB Audio Device”. This has no other effect on your system.
I only see a very small picture with poor quality.
Make sure that you have activated the USB 2.0 input of your PC, and that you are currently
using it. Your computer probably has USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 inputs, or your USB 2.0 interface is
disabled in your BIOS settings. Read the manual provided with your motherboard.
14 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

6.2. Service at TerraTec.
Nothing seems to work!—This can happen even on the best systems. If this happens to you,
the TerraTec team is happy to offer its service and support.
6.2.1. Hotline, Mailbox, Internet.
If you have a tough problem—where you cannot solve the problem yourself, the support in
this manual doesn't resolve the problem, and your dealer can't fix it either—please contact us
directly.
If possible, try our Internet support system first: at http://www.terratec.net/, you will
always find current answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the latest drivers. All of
this is also accessible via our mailbox system. To call us: [phone] (analog)
and [phone] (ISDN).
If these options do not provide the necessary help, please contact our phone hotline. You can
also reach us online. To do so, visit us at http://www.terratec.net/support.htm. In
either case, please have the following information handy:
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
your registration number,
this documentation,
a printout of your configuration files,
the manual of your motherboard, and
a screen shot of your BIOS configuration.
In addition, it would be helpful to our technicians if you are at your computer during the
phone call so that you can carry out our tips and tricks directly. Please do not forget to write
down the name of the respective support technician if you contact our Support Team.
You will need this name if a defect is present and your card needs to be mailed to us.
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 15

6.2.2. Broken?!
Before you return the Cameo Grabster 200, be sure to contact us! Make a note of the name of
your support contact and follow these simple instructions:
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Please fill out the service request form provided with your Cameo Grabster clearly and
completely. The more clearly and detailed you describe the problem, the faster we will be
able to help. Cards sent in without a description of the problem cannot be processed and
will be returned to you at your expense.
Be sure to include a copy of your purchase receipt (not the original) with the package. If
we do not receive a copy of a receipt, we will assume that the warranty for the product has
expired and will bill you for the repair.
Please use a sufficiently strong and padded mailing package. We recommend using the
original package. Remember that the card is a sensitive electronic component.
Be sure to include enough postage—we will cover for the postage for the return to you.
;-)
16 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

6.3. General terms and conditions of service
1. General
By purchasing and receiving the goods, you accept our general terms and conditions of
service.
2. Proof of guarantee
You will require a copy of the purchase receipt or delivery slip as proof of warranty. If you
do not supply proof of warranty, we will charge for repairing the goods.
3. Description of problem
Shipments that do not include a description of the fault or an insufficient description
('defective' or 'for repair' is insufficient) will be returned for a processing fee, because this
makes repair more difficult and could have been avoided.
4. Invalid returns
In the event of an unfounded complaint (no fault could be detected, probable operating
error), we will return the goods and a processing fee will be charged.
5. Package
If possible, please use the original packaging for return shipment. Any warranty claim will
be jeopardized by improper packaging. The warranty will not apply to damage caused by
improper packaging.
6. Foreign manufactured products
Devices that are not manufactured or distributed by TerraTec Electronic GmbH will be
returned and a processing fee will be charged.
7. Repairs liable to your expense
Repairs out of the warranty period are liable to your expense.
8. Transportation costs
The dispatcher pays all costs associated with shipping and insurance for the goods for
repair to TerraTec Electronic GmbH. If the goods are covered by warranty, TerraTec
Electronic GmbH will pay the shipping costs for returning repaired goods. COD shipments
will not be accepted for organizational reasons.
9. Final regulation
TerraTec Electronic GmbH reserves the right to change or supplement the general terms
and conditions of service at any time.
Otherwise the General Terms and Conditions of Business of TerraTec Electronic GmbH are
considered to be accepted.
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 17

6.4. Glossary
AVI – A Windows video format.
Bit rate – The bit rate indicates the volume of the data stream per second. A higher bit rate
results in higher quality. A distinction is made between constant bit rates (for -> VCD, for
example) and variable bit rates, e.g. for -> SVCD and -> DVD. Unlike constant bit rates, variable
bit rates adjust the size of the data stream according to the video material.
Blue screen – A variation of -> Chroma keying
Chroma keying – Chroma keying uses a surface with a single color in front of which an actor,
for example, is filmed. This color area is then made transparent during subsequent editing
and can be replaced by a different background.
Chrominance – Chrominance refers to the color signal in -> YUV, which is comprised of two
color components: U, the balance between red and cyan, and V, the balance between yellow
and blue.
Clip – A short piece of video material.
Composite video – Composite video is a transmission method common in the consumer
sector that is generally realized using cinch connectors and which is frequently used, for
example, on TVs. In this process, all signals (chrominance and luminance) share a single
cable. The quality of composition video is lower than that of -> S-video, for example, in which
chrominance and luminance are transmitted separately.
CPU – Central Processing Unit. The part of your computer (the processor, i.e. Pentium or
Athlon) that does the actual computing.
D8 – Digital 8 is the successor to the Hi8 and VHS-C camcorder formats. Hi8 or D8 cassettes
are still used, but the video data is recorded digitally in DV format.
Data throughput – see Data transfer rate
Data transfer rate – The data transfer rate describes the speed at which a hard drive can read
or write data over a sustained period. The data transfer rate is usually measured in seconds,
e.g. 7 Mbps.
Device control – In DV terms, this refers to the ability to control your camcorder from your PC.
DirectDraw – This is a graphics standard that was initially developed by Microsoft. Its features
include the capability to write graphics data directly to the memory of the graphics board for
the fluid display of video material.
18 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)

Dropped frames – These are individual images missing from the video data stream, usually
due to a slow hard drive.
DV – DV stands for Digital Video. The DV standard uses a compression rate of 5:1. This
corresponds to a data rate of 3.125 Mbps, which can be handled by virtually all newer hard
drives. The quality of the DV standard is very high; it is therefore frequently used in
professional productions. A number of different cassette types exist in the DV sector, which
vary in size and maximum playing time, but which are compatible with one another in terms
of video data. MiniDV is designed for the consumer sector and supports playing times of up to
one hour. The DV format used in the professional sector supports playing times of up to three
hours.
DV-In – Usually, the DV jack of a camcorder can transport video data in both directions—to
and from the camcorder. Many camcorders in Europe do not feature DV-In, however. Also see -
> Enabling.
Enabling – Due to European import duties, imported digital video recorders are more
expensive than imported digital video playback devices. For this reason, manufacturers of
camcorders have begun to modify their products for the European market and to disable the
digital input -> DV-In. Needless to say, clever developers found a way around this restriction
very quickly. This is known as “enabling”. Enabling the DV camcorder is a precondition for
sending video material back to the camcorder. Enablers are available for almost all
camcorders and can be purchased freely.
Fading – Fades are soft transitions, often involving special effects, from one clip to the next.
Fields – Rather than displaying 25 frames per second (as per the PAL standard), 50 fields are
displayed per second to reduce TV display flicker. These fields consist of either the odd-
numbered rows (these are sent first) or the even rows of the image being displayed.
FireWire™ – Apple's name for -> IEEE 1394
Frame rate – The number of frames within a given period of time. The frame rate is frequently
stated in frames per second (FPS).
Hi8 – Analog video recording system that separates color and brightness information, thus
offering quality better than that of VHS-C, for example.
“Hosiden” mini-DIN connector – A small connector with four conductors used for -> S video
signals.
IEEE 1394 – This is a universal bus system originally developed by Apple for digital data
communications. The devices are connected by cables with a maximum length of 4.5 m. The
system supports transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. However, a standard has not been
Cameo Grabster 200 (English) 19

established for video data due to the lack of specifications for the format of video data using
this bus. Sony got down to brass tacks and closed this gap by installing FireWire™ sockets in
its digital camcorders and developing its own protocol. Thanks to FireWire™ and the Sony
protocol, the dream of loss-free video editing has finally come true.
iLink – Sony's name for -> IEEE 1394
Interlacing – see Fields
Linear editing – The origins of linear video editing date back to analog video. The original
video data is generally present in the same sequence as the edited video clips. A simple type
of linear editing would be, for example, transferring video material from an analog video
camera to a video recorder while discarding a number of clips. If you then insert a new clip in
the middle, however, all of the following clips will also require editing.
Luma keying – Unlike chroma keying, the transparency of the video is determined on the
basis of brightness in luma keying.
Luminance – Luminance refers to brightness in -> YUV. (Y)
Main memory – see RAM
MiniDV – The consumer version of the DV format. Also see –> DV.
MiniDVD – This is a process in which -> DVD data, including the DVD directory structure and
navigation menu, is burned onto a blank conventional CD. Many of the currently-available
DVD players can play MiniDVDs. Due to their lower capacity, MiniDVDs can only store around
18 minutes of video data. If you do not own a DVD burner, we recommend recording video
material on -> SVCD.
MJPEG – Motion JPEG is a compression process in which every single frame in the video data
stream is compressed individually.
MPEG – The Motion Picture Experts Group is a consortium of leading manufacturers and
developers of video technology that determines new standards such as MPEG-1 or MPEG-2.
Nonlinear editing – Unlike -> linear editing, individual clips can be edited without affecting
subsequent clips. For example, with nonlinear editing, you can shorten or remove a clip at the
beginning of a video project without having to edit the following clips as a result.
NTSC – NTSC is the video standard used, for example, in the USA and Japan. NTSC has a
higher frame rate than PAL (30 frames or 60 -> fields per second), but a lower resolution (525
rows, with 480 visible). Color depiction in NTSC is realized in -> YIQ.
20 Cameo Grabster 200 (English)