PRB: Black lines in video capture using Integral Technologies FlashBus

Document ID: Q101015

This article applies to the following:
Product(s): Second Opinion Standard, Second Opinion Professional
Hardware: Integral Technologies FlashBus
Last Revised On: April 24, 2001

Summary

Black lines appear in the captured frames and, if running in Preview mode, in the video preview window.

Discussion

The FlashBus capture card requires a compatible video card to capture images properly. Not all video cards are fully compatible.

If you are using Windows NT, read Second Opinion Knowledge Base article Q101010 HOWTO: Install the Integral Technologies FlashBus under Windows NT to make sure the FlashBus capture card is properly configured. 

Changing the resolution sometimes fixes the problem:

1. Click on the Windows Start button, then click Settings, Control Panel, Display
2. Click on the Settings tab.
3. Change the Screen Area or Desktop Area slider to a different setting. Choose only settings that enable True Color (24 bit or 32 bit) or High Color (16 bit) modes. True Color modes are preferred and provide much higher viewing quality.
4. If you have a Test button, click on it to verify that your monitor is compatible.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK. You may have to restart your computer.

To test the capture in the new mode:

1. Click Start, Program Files, FlashBus, FBG32.
2. Increase the size of the window to 640x480.
3. While a video source is playing, click Grab on the menu.
4. If the still contains black noise, repeat the above process to change to a different resolution.

If you cannot find a resolution that works, your video card is probably incompatible with the FlashBus card. At this point you should try replacing your video card with one that is compatible (contact your video capture card seller for a list) or replace the FlashBus with a different video capture card.

NOTICE: The FlashBus card may not work properly with non-Intel processors due to timing issues. If you experience problems you may need to replace the FlashBus card with a different video capture card.

See Also

Q101021 - PRB: Every other line is black in still captured from videoconferencing output