All the screen shots in this documentation are only example images. The images may vary
depending on the product and software version. Information presented in this
documentation has been carefully checked for reliability; however, no responsibility is
assumed for inaccuracies. The information contained in this documentation is subject to
change without notice.
Thanks for purchasing AV er Media D arkCry st al HD Cap ture SDK . This high q uality
capture card is especially designed for professional players with high standards
towards image/ video quality.
AVer Media DarkCrystal HD Capture SDK also comes with a powerful application
AVer MediaCenter, allowing you to capture high resolution images, record HD
video clips, create your own slideshows with both the captured and images of other
sources, and even create your own music library for both audio and video luxury.
Each function of AVer MediaCenter goes further with detailed options for a more
professional taste. There is no more need to compromise yourself with all fixed
default settings using a capture card.
This Chapter will guide you through the essential information of AVer MediaCenter.
Please read this chapter before using AVer MediaCenter.
Device Introduction ........................... 6
System Requir ement ......................... 7
Activating AVer MediaCenter ............ 7
Overview of AVer MediaCenter ......... 8
Running AVer MediaCenter for the First
Time ................................................. 11
Page 6
6
1.1 Device Introduction
What is video capture card and what can it do?
Video capture cards are a class of video capture devices designed to plug directly into expansion
slots in personal computers and servers.
A video capture card product typically includes a driver to get the device going and a bundled
software to bring out the best features of it. The bundled software usually further processes the video
for specific purposes. The functions of the video capture cards vary from one another. Some are
used to capture base band analog composite video, S-Video, some are equipped with tuners,
RF-modulated video, some others are specialized cards that support digital video via digital video
delivery standards including Serial Digital Interface (SDI) and some, with the emerging hi-tech HDMI
standard becoming more popular, support both standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD)
variants, and this AVer Media DarkCrystal HD Capture SDK
model.
you just purchased belongs to the last
The functions of the supplied AVer MediaCenter for video capture cards include converting a live
analog source into some type of analog or digital media, (such as a VHS tape to a DVD), archiving,
video editing, scheduled recording (such as a DVR), etc.
System requirements are described in details below. Before using AVer MediaCenter, please verify
that your PC meets the requirements below.
For SD Video Capturing:
Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz (Hyper-Threading)
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
For HD Video Real-time Capturing (MPEG-2 Format):
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 2.8 GHz
For HD Video Real-time Capturing (H.264 Format):
Intel Core i5 750 or AMD equivalent
VGA card with DirectiveX9.0c or above
512 MB RAM
PCI-E Slot
Sound card
Windows 7/ Vista/ XP (32/ 64-Bit)
Standalone graphics card is recommended for HD video capturing.
2GB RAM is recommended for HD video capturing
1.3 Activating AVer MediaCenter
To launch AVer MediaCenter, double-click shortcut on desktop, or go to Start -> Programs ->
AVerMedia. If AVer MediaCenter is launched, double-click AVer Quick “
of the system tray.
” icon on the lower right
Introduction
Page 8
8
1.4 Overview of AV er MediaCenter
Description
The functions of AVer MediaCenter are categorized into five buttons on the main menu, including
“Capture”, “Video”, “Music”, “Images” and “Settings”. This section briefly introduces main menu,
sub menus and initial setups. For more information on advanced operations, please refer to contents
from Chapter 2.
AVer MediaCenter Console
Title bar: Control over AVerMedia Console
Main function menu: Capture, Video, Music, Images, Settings
Playback window: Display of the selected source/ file
Playback window control panel: Control over the Playback window
System time display: indication of current time
Introduction
Page 9
9
Control Buttons On Title Bar
Go back to the main menu
playback temporarily.
TimeShift, etc.
Play the selected file.
Record the current program.
Play the previous/next file on
in intervals.
sequence of images.
Enable the PIP function.
volume.
Volume.
Click To …
Go back to a previous level
Bring out the user’s manual
Minimize AVerMedia Console to
system tray
Restore AVerMedia Console to
previous size
Exit AVerMedia Console
Control Buttons On Pla yback Window Contr ol P a ne l
Click To …
/
Switch from real-time video to
TimeShift mode. / Pause th e
Stop playback, recording,
the playlist.
Move backward or skip forward
Capture a single image or a
Switch to different aspect
ratios.
Mute/ Unmute the audio
Increase or decrease the audio
Introduction
Page 10
10
Navigation Tree
This is an overview of the operati ons und er each mai n function. For specific
operation of each function, please refer to the table of contents and go to its
according page.
Introduction
Page 11
11
1.5 Running AVer MediaCenter for the First Time
When you run the AVer MediaCenter for the first time, the Setup Wizard will automatically pop up
and take you through all the necessary steps for a complete setup.
When Setup Wizard
11..
dialog box appears,
click Yes.
Select AVerMedia
22..
C727 HD Capture
Device under Primary
Device dropdown
menu and click Next to
continue.
Introduction
Page 12
12
Select from the
33..
dropdown menu of
Country/ S-Video/
Composite Video/ HD
Input according to the
place you use this
device, the signals
provided in your region,
and the signals of the
equipment connected
to your PC. Then click
Next.
The wizard will guide
44..
you through to
complete the setups for
the available signals.
Click Next to continue
or click Skip to ignore
the setups.
Click Finish to
55..
complete the initial
settings or click Next to
set up other devices if
any.
Note: To re-configure all the
settings, go to
“Settings” “General”
“Run Wizard Again.”
Introduction
Page 13
13
Chapter 2
Getting Started
This Chapter includes desc r ipt ions of the five main functions on AVer MediaCenter
main menu. Each basic operation is followed by more detailed information on sub
menu under each function.
Before us ing the AVer MediaCenter, it is highly recommended to read through the
contents of this chapter.
You can capture a high quality still image, a sequence of continuous images, or record a video clip
when watching videos either from live or previously recorded sources or playing games in AVer
MediaCenter.
Basic Operations
Select a video source from the left menu and then the desired input signal source from the
11..
dropdown menu on the upper right.
Click to capture a still image or to record a clip of video duri ng the vi deo pla yb ac k.
22..
The captured/ recorded files are saved under Recorded Files.
Getting Started
Page 15
15
Capture in Live
Live video refers to any available current video source ready for playback. This can refer to any
supported signal coming from the connected device, such as a DVD player or a video gaming device.
Note : Video source setup is supposed to be completed when running AVer MediaCenter for the first
time. If not, please go to Settings -> General for reconfiguration.
Select an input source from the dropdown menu on top of the main playback window.
11..
Click on the control panel to start the playback.
22..
Click to get a still im age or to start recording a c lip of video. C lick again to st op
33..
the recording. The captured images/ video clips are saved in Recorded Files.
Note
1. To find the captured/ recorded files, click Recorded File button on the left.
2. To change the storage location of the captured/ recorded files, go to Settings -> General ->
ConfigureStorage.
Getting Started
Page 16
16
Operations of TimeShift
The TimeShift function performs background recording of a video playback, and allows you return to
any part of the recorded program. At the same time, the live program continues to be recorded and
played back so you won’t miss any part of the show. You can also advance forward to skip
commercials or rewind to replay scenes again.
Select an input source from the dropdown list on the right. When the playback starts, click
11..
TimeShift on the left menu.
Click on the control panel. Both the back ground rec ording tim e and the curr ent-s ho w ti m e
22..
are shown on the upper-right of the main playback window.
Click to move backward in fixed intervals until reaching the part where you left off.
33..
Note
The application will create a temporarily recorded file when the TimeShift function is on for an
ongoing video. This file will be removed when you sele c t
.
Getting Started
Page 17
17
Operations of Recorded Fi les
All the recorded files are listed with recording time and date. Reorganize the files with the menu on
the left.
Go to Capture -> Recorded Files.
11..
Reorganize the recorded files by checking the options provided on the left menu.
22..
Select the desired file from the list and then click on the control panel to start playback.
33..
Getting Started
Page 18
18
Using Schedule Recordi ng
The TimeShift function performs background recording of a program, and lets you return to any part
of the recorded program.
Go to Capture -> Schedule
11..
Recording.
Click New Schedule to go to
22..
detail setting window.
Edit a name for the schedule,
33..
and select the desired option
from the dropdown menu
under Task and After Playback Mode.
Click Save on the left menu to
save your settings and bring up
the next edit window.
Getting Started
Page 19
19
Select the desired signal
44..
Source under Source.
Check the desired recurrent
55..
frequency and enter the date of
the program for the schedule.
Click Save on the left menu to
save your settings and bring up
the next edit window.
Enter the airing time of the
66..
program to be recorded.
Select the file format for the
77..
program to be recorded.
Enter the duration of the
88..
program to be recorded.
Check Split file Size if the file
99..
size of the program to be
recorded is estimated to be
over the capacity of one DVD.
This is useful if you want to
burn the file onto DVD disks.
Click to change the
1100..
default destination folder for
recorded files.
Getting Started
Page 20
20
2.2 Video
You can watch video files besides the recorded files in Video.
Playing Video Files
Go to “Video”.
11..
The video files recorded by
22..
AVer MediaCenter are listed
on the right. Double click to
start playing the selected file.
Use the main playback
window control panel to
control the playback.
To find more videos, click
33..
Change Disk on the left
menu, all available disks on
your PC are shown in
thumbnail icons on the right.
Click on the icon to locat e
44..
where other video files are.
Getting Started
Page 21
21
2.3 Music
You can add, delete, and reorganize your music files and create your own library for enjoyment in
Music.
Adding Music to your Playlist
Go to “Music” “Add Music”
11..
and then the desired folder of
music files.
Select the tracks you wish to add
22..
to the playlist.
Select OK to go back to the
33..
previous level.
The selected files are added to
44..
the blanks on the right of the
window.
Click / to reorder the
55..
playback sequence.
Click to remove one track or
66..
select Remove All to delete all
tracks in the playlist.
Getting Started
Page 22
22
Playing Music
To play music:
Go to “Music”.
11..
Check Sequential to play tracks
22..
in order or Random for shuffle
playback.
Check Loop for repeat playback.
33..
Click to start playing music.
44..
Click on the following buttons to
55..
control your playback.
Advance the playback.
Rewind the playback.
Play the next track.
Play the previous track
Freeze the playback.
End the playback
Getting Started
Page 23
23
2.4 Images
Images allows you not only to view captured images/ pictures but create and playback a slide show.
Viewing the Captured Images
Go to “Images”.
11..
The captured images are displayed
22..
in matrix on the right of the window.
Click on the thumbnails to view the
33..
images in full screen.
Click More Pictures to locate the
44..
folder of the desired pictures and
add them to the Images.
Note: You can view thumbnails and enjoy live music at the same time
Playing Slide Show
Go to “Images”.
11..
Click Play Slide Show to start a
22..
slide show.
To stop the slide show and go back
33..
to the previous page, click on
Title Bar.
Getting Started
Page 24
Chapter 3
Advanced Operations
Beyond basic usage, what else you can do with AVer MediaCenter in this chapter;
we take you to the next level and explain the advanced features of this application.
General Settings .............................. 25
Capture Settings ............................. 28
Video Settings ................................. 32
About ............................................... 34
Page 25
25
3.1 General Settings
In General Settings, you can change the destination folder for recorded files, edit recording time and
file size, assign the number of image you want to capture, and reset the Windows power options, etc.
Configure Recording
Go to “Settings” “General”
11..
“ConfigureRecording”.
Click to locate a preferable
22..
folder for recorded files as
desired.
Click to go back to the
33..
previous level or Click Change
Disk on the left menu to relocate
from hard drives.
Click OK to confirm the selection.
44..
Enter the desired length of
55..
recording time, or the recording
continues until the hard drive of
recording storage folder reaches
its maximum capaci ty.
AVer MediaCenter allows you to
66..
divide the recorded files in
segments for burning onto CD
(650 MB) and DVD (4 096 MB) .
Check Split File Size and select
the appropriate video file size
from the drop-down menu so that
CD/ DVD burning doesn’t fail due
to over-sized files. Or you can
click Customize to assign the file
size you want.
Click Save to save the settings or
77..
click Cancel to abort wit ho ut
saving. To change back to factory
default settings, click Default.
More Settings
Page 26
26
Configure Snapshot
Go to “Settings” “General”
11..
“Configure Snapshot”.
Click to locate a
22..
preferable folder for captured
images.
Enter the desired number of
33..
images to be captured, the
interval between each image
taken, and the format of the
captured image to be saved.
Advanced Operations
Page 27
27
More Options
Go to “Settings”
11..
“General” “More
Options”.
Select the language for the
22..
application.
Click Save to confirm the
33..
selection.
Advanced Operations
Page 28
28
3.2 Capture Settings
In Capture settings, you can select SD (Standard Definition) or HD (High Definition) sources for
capture/ recording results.
SD input sources usually refer to signals coming from analog TV systems, VCR (Video Cassette
Recorder)/ VHS or older video game stations, connected by composite RCA connectors or S-Video
(Separate Video) 4-pin mini-DIN connectors.
Configure SD Input Source > SD recording f orm a t
Go to “Settings” “Capture”
11..
“Configure SD Input
Source”.
Click Configure Recording.
22..
Select a desired file format
33..
from the dropdown menu for
the recorded file.
Click Edit to bring out an e dit
44..
page on more detailed settings
of the file to be recorded.
Advanced Operations
Page 29
29
Configure SD Input Source > SD Timeshift & Color Adjustment
Go to “Settings” “Capture”
11..
“Configure SD Input
Source”
Click Configure Timeshift.
22..
Check to decide on the video
33..
quality of SD Timeshift.
Configure SD Input Source > SD Color Adjustment
Go to “Settings” “Capture”
11..
“Configure SD Input
Source”
Click Configure Color
22..
Adjustment.
Use / to adjust the
33..
values for SD color brightness,
contrast, hue, saturation and
sharpness.
Check Apply All to confirm all
44..
your settings.
Advanced Operations
Page 30
30
Configure HD Input Source
In Capture settings, you can select SD (Standard Definition) or HD (High Definition) sources for
capture/ recording results.
HD signal sources usually refer to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition (SD)
video, and most commonly indicates resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels (720p) or 1,920×1,080 pixels
(1080i/1080p). HD signals sources usually come from digital TV systems, set-top boxes, the optical
disc delivery system such as upconvert DVD players, HD DVD players, and Blu-ray Disc players, the
video tape format D-VHS or latest video game stations, connected by component connectors or HDMI
cables.
Go to “Settings” “Capture”
11..
“Configure HD Input
Source”.
Select Configure Recording.
22..
Select the desired format for
33..
the recorded file from the
dropdown menu.
Click Edit to bring out an Edit
44..
page.
Click to select an opt ion
55..
from the dropdown menu, and
use
values for HD recording sizes,
rate and audio quality.
/ to adjust the
Advanced Operations
Page 31
31
Video Standards
In Video Standards, you can change the settings that were made when you first ran the AVerMedia Center. Click to select from the dropdown menu and then Save to confirm your changes.
Go to “Settings” “Capture”
11..
“Video Standards”.
Click to select the desired
22..
options from the dropdown
menu for from
Country/Region to HD Input
Source.
Closed Caption
The "closed" in Closed Caption means that only those who choose to decode or activate this
function can see the captions of the audio script on the programs, and sometimes non-audio
descriptions or information of the programs are included as well. This function is initially designed for
the hard of hearing, and then extended its service for people whose first language is not the spoken
language, for most of the time it refers to English.
Go to “Settings” “Capture”
11..
“Closed Caption”.
Click to select the desir e d
22..
closed captioning channels
from the dropdown menu.
With the PIP/PBP feature, you are able to playback recorded video files, and at the same time, watch
video.
Go to “Video” “More Videos”.
11..
Select the desired file, or select
22..
to locate the desired video files.
When playing the video file, click
33..
on the control panel to enable the PIP
function.
Click to switch between Full
44..
Mode)
(Full Screen
screen mode, PIP mode and PBP mode
(as shown on the right).
By default, the selected recorded video
55..
is displayed on the main screen, and
the live video source is on the PIP/PBP
screen.
To switch and listen to the sound of
66..
either video, click on the arrow buttons
to switch between the PIP/PBP
screens.
In PIP mode, to change the size of the
PIP screen, click
image or click
image.
T o exit the PIP-sizing mode, click .
88..
to shrink the
to enlarge the
(PIP Mode)
Advanced Operations
Page 33
33
3.4 Images Settings
In Images settings, you can set up the playback details for the captured images, or even add in other
images of your previous collection to edit your own slide show.
Go to “Settings” “Images”.
11..
From Play Settings dropdown menu,
22..
select Sequential to play a slide show
in order or Random for shuffle
playback.
Enter a number under Interval Time for
33..
each image to be shown.
Select the transition effect between
44..
image shift under Transition Effect.
Click to locate a preferable folder
55..
for recorded files as desired.
During the location of a desired folder
66..
for the recorded files, click
back to the previous level or Click
Change Disk on the left menu to
relocate from hard drives.
Click OK to confirm the selection.
77..
Check Including Sub-Folder Pictures
88..
to create a slide show with all the
pictures in the current folder and its
subfolder.
to go
Check Hide windowon slide show
99..
mode to view pictures without frames. Click Save to confirm your settings or
1100..
click Cancel to abort wit ho ut sav in g.
Click Default on the left menu to
restore to factory default settings.
More Settings
Page 34
34
3.5 About
AVer MediaCenter provides a convenient tool, allowing users to access to our customer after sale
service via AVerMedia’s website easily.
Go to “Settings” “About”.
11..
Connect to the Internet and then click
22..
Product Information to access the
product information webpage. Or Click
Te chnical Support to connect to our
technical support webpage.
Please leave the information on your
33..
product model and driver version on the
webpage for us to solve your problems
more efficiently.
More Settings
Page 35
Appendix
More tips and explanations are included
in this chapter.
Hot Keys ................................................ 36
Move up, down, left or right to select the desired item.
Tab
Move to next item.
Space
Confirm the selected tracks or folders when under the main menu
-Music.
F1
Open the user manual.
F8
Turn off / on the sound.
F9
Volume Down
F10
Volume Up
Back
Back to previous page
Ctrl + A
Choose between available audio modes.
Ctrl + Shift + A
Change aspect ratio
Ctrl + D
Display the OSD.
Ctrl + E
A shortcut to your main menu-- “Video”.
Ctrl + Shift + F
Skip forward in intervals.
Ctrl + I
A shortcut to your main menu-- “Images”
Ctrl + M
A shortcut to your main menu-- “Music”
Ctrl + N
Capture an image or a continuous sequence of images.
Ctrl + Shift + N
Play next file in the playlist.
Ctrl + O
View the recorded file list.
Ctrl + P
Freeze the playback temporarily.
Ctrl + Shift + P
Play the selected file.
Ctrl + S
Stop the playback, recording, TimeShift, etc.
Ctrl + Shift + S
Enable the TimeShift function.
Ctrl + T
A shortcut to your main menu-- “Capture”
Ctrl + Shift + T
Show Video programs in full screen.
Alt + Home
Go to the main page of AVer MediaCenter
Ctrl + R
Record the current program.
Ctrl + Shift + R
Play previous file in the playlist.
Alt + T
View Teletext information.
Alt + B
Jump to the Blue Teletext page.
Alt + G
Jump to the Green Teletext page.
Alt + R
Jump to the Red Teletext page.
Alt + Y
Jump to the Yellow Teletext page.
Alt + Shift + S
Set the time to put your computer into Stand By/Hibernate mode,
exit the application or turn off the computer.
Alt + S
Turn on/off the PIP-sizing function.
Alt + P
Turn on/off the PIP-positioning function.
Alt + M
Activate the Picture in Picture function (PIP).
Ctrl + Shift + C
Switch between available signal sources.
Hot Keys Description
Appendix
Page 37
37
Glossary
AVI
AVI is the most common video file format for
playback on the computer. It can be saved in
uncompressed form if you want high quality
video, or compressed using any of the available
codecs if you want to minimize the file size.
Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio indicates the ratio of the width of an
image to its height. The two most common
aspect ratio of home video is 4:3 and 16:9.
DVD
When you choose this format, the recorded
video file will be saved in MPEG-2 format that is
compliant with DVD standards. Standard DVD
A video format base on H.264 standard but has
smaller video bit rate. I t’s an iPod -compatible
format.
MPEG-2
Videos compressed using MPEG-2 have
extremely high quality pictures and full
CD-quality sound. Choose MPEG-2 format for
video files that are intended for DVD-ROM
playback on a computer or if you want
broadcast quality videos.
PIP (Picture in Picture)
PIP allows you to view two or more video
sources at the same time wherein the small inset
screens overlaid on the main screen.
frame size and frame rate are 720 x 480 pixels at
29.97 fps for NTSC and 720 x 576 at 25 fps for
PAL.
H.264
Videos compressed using MPEG-4 standard are
two or three times more efficient than MPEG-2.
This format can be app li ed to a wide varie t y of
applications or networks and systems like
HD-DVD, Digital TV, Broadcast and Streaming
applications.
Hibernate
Hibernation is a state in which your computer shuts
down to save power but fi rst save s everythi ng in
PBP (Picture by Picture)
PBP allows you to view two or more video
sources side by side on a display so that all
channels are visible.
Stand By
Stand By is a state in which your monitor and
hard disks turn off, so that your computer uses
less power.
memory on your hard disk.
iPod
Appendix
Page 38
38
www.avermedia.com
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