November 1st, 1999

[5:00 PM] Video Capture Software Updated With New Features

The makers of BTV have bumped the video capture software to version 3.2.4. The new version offers several improvements despite the incremental version number increase. According to BTV:

BTV is the essential software for anyone with video input hardware. It allows you to easily view and capture video from any video digitizing source, either full screen or in a window. It has been successfully tested with a number of video sources including various video input cards, TV cards, built-in video hardware, USB and FireWire video sources.

Features of BTV are as follows:

  • Full-screen video with no menu bar
  • Video in a window which can be dragged around the screen or resized
  • Automatic monitor resolution switching to the resolution of your choice (usually 640x480 or 800x600) and back to the original resolution on quit
  • Multiple monitor support - play full screen video on one monitor while you work on another
  • AppleScript support - main commands are scriptable
  • Can capture a PICT file, either straight to the desktop with an automatic file name or through the normal save dialog box
  • Can record a movie to disk using custom video and sound settings
  • Easy access buttons to control record, PICT capture and muting
  • Can black out other monitors on a multi-monitor system
  • Can disable screensaver and powersaver
  • Can adjust size of picture with arrow keys and sound volume with + and keys
  • Can hide the mouse (this can be done automatically on startup)
  • Can spin down hard disks for less noise (this can be done automatically on startup)
  • Saves all video and sound settings

BTV 3.2.4 has a number of improvements over version 3.2.3:

  • Fixed capture problems with Miro DC30 card
  • Better capture performance with an ixTV (TurboTV) card
  • Added option to turn off video (and/or sound) while capturing, resulting in better frame rates
  • Added option to not remember sound volume

BTV 3.2.4 can be downloaded from the BTV web site:

http://www.btv.org.uk/

BTV is priced at US$15 as shareware. You can find more information and download links at the company's web site. The update is free to registered owners of version 3.x. As of press time, we were unable to access the company's web site.

BTV