Optimal settings for capturing with a Logitech C920 webcam?

Matt Gregory

Newbie Joined: May 11, 2016 22:44 Messages: 9 Offline

Solved by

May 17, 2017 19:23

I need help. I'm trying to capture from a C920 webcam and the frame rate seems really low, much lower than 30fps, which is what the camera is supposed to be able to do.

It says 29.97fps when I look at the resulting .mpg file properties, but it can't possibly be that high. It looks more like 10fps.

I say this because I watch videos on YouTube that are not 60fps, so I think that means they're 30fps, and they seem much smoother than mine.

Can anyone advise me as to how to set up the parameters?

What is Rate Control and what is the difference between CBR and CVBR? What is the Average Bitrate and Maximum Bitrate? I have them set as high as I can, but they don't have any effect that I can see.

What is Advanced>Smoothing, Noise Removal, Frame Type, and Speed/Quality Indicator? What is the difference between Speed Mode and Quality Mode?

I've looked in the docs, but all it says is:

Quality Profile Setup

To set the file format and quality of the media you capture, click the Profile button. If this button is grayed out, that means that the original format and quality of the media is maintained, as set on the original media device (camcorder, etc.).The profile settings that are available depend on the capture device connected and the capture mode you have selected.

Yeah, gee, thanks.

MrMuffin

Newbie Joined: Dec 06, 2015 23:40 Messages: 1 Offline

May 18, 2017 06:14

I'm not going to attempt to answer most of what you asked, sorry.

I have seen the c920 struggle with keeping up with live 30fps 1080p before. You issue may not be with powerdirector.

You might want to test recording with the logitech webcam software to see if you get a better video out of it. This way, if there is issue, you know it's not powerdirector.

Are you shooting in a well lit room?

I know the c920 can't maintain framerate at all with the gain turned up too high. It may be because it's using a really low shutter speed at that point, which would reduce the FPS and cause what you are describing. My advice would be to take off the auto gain settings in the logitech webcam software, make sure gain isn't too high, and then preview the cam before recording to make sure it looks 30fps without frame loss.

stevek

Senior Contributor Location: Houston, Texas USA Joined: Jan 25, 2011 12:18 Messages: 4663 Offline

May 18, 2017 09:37

Ignore

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at May 18. 2017 09:51

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tomasc

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 25, 2011 12:33 Messages: 6464 Offline

May 18, 2017 09:58

Try pointing the webcam at a sunny window or a bright TV screen and check the recorded framerate to see if it is much better.

ynotfish

Senior Contributor Location: N.S.W. Australia Joined: May 08, 2009 02:06 Messages: 9977 Offline

May 18, 2017 18:25

Hi Matt -

I'm no authority on matters technical, but I have a Logitech C920 & can share my observations. I don't typically use it for capture via PDR.

The CBR & CVBR option in profile setting is Constant BitRate & Constrained Variable BitRate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_bitrate

Not sure why, but I get a more consistent frame rate using PDR's Capture than if I use the Logitech software. See attached MediaInfo reports.

Also attached is a screenshot of the profile settings I use. Again - no clue - but even when I set it to "Progressive" I still get interlaced... but not via the Logitech software.

Cheers - Tony


Filename	C920 Profile.png	Download
Description
Filesize	9 Kbytes
Downloaded:	204 time(s)


Filename	C920 MediaInfo.png	Download
Description
Filesize	70 Kbytes
Downloaded:	122 time(s)

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Matt Gregory

Newbie Joined: May 11, 2016 22:44 Messages: 9 Offline

May 18, 2017 22:40

Quote I'm not going to attempt to answer most of what you asked, sorry.

Quite alright!

Quote I have seen the c920 struggle with keeping up with live 30fps 1080p before. You issue may not be with powerdirector.

Fair enough. When a person is in the pitch dark, all they can really do is grope around blindly.

Quote You might want to test recording with the logitech webcam software to see if you get a better video out of it. This way, if there is issue, you know it's not powerdirector.

Yep, I'm getting the same results from the Logitech Quick Capture software.

Quote Are you shooting in a well lit room?

I know the c920 can't maintain framerate at all with the gain turned up too high. It may be because it's using a really low shutter speed at that point, which would reduce the FPS and cause what you are describing. My advice would be to take off the auto gain settings in the logitech webcam software, make sure gain isn't too high, and then preview the cam before recording to make sure it looks 30fps without frame loss.

No, I'm not! That makes perfect sense. A higher gain setting has extract the light from somewhere, and adding more time per frame is a simple way to get more exposure in a frame.

I actually have it pretty dark in here and the gain manually turned up to the max, so that is definitely a likely cause! I will give it another go again tomorrow, since I didn't have time today.

Thank you for the reply. It was very helpful. Even if it doesn't solve my problem, I will have learned something about Gain.

Matt Gregory

Newbie Joined: May 11, 2016 22:44 Messages: 9 Offline

May 19, 2017 17:53

Yeah, totally! That was it. When I turn the Exposure and Gain all the way down, the frame rate is amazing. Now I just have to find enough light. I ain't stupid, just ign'rnt. Thanks, you guys!

Jonny19

Newbie Joined: Feb 27, 2018 13:49 Messages: 1 Offline

Feb 27, 2018 14:09

This settings will lower a little the video sarpness
You have to use only manual settings by unceking the auto featurs
This settings will make the movment very close to real movement

1)Diactivate Write light
2)Put the EXPOSURE at the 3 step from left to write (the image will be more black then white) = aprox a quarter scale
3)GAIN max scale
4)Brightness near 3 quarters
5)Contrast 1 quarter
6)White balance 0
7)Auto-Focus to 0 , left side
The Auto-Focus will always go to auto when you open the settings , its a software deffect

And the 32 bit software seem to work a little better for performance in windows 7

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Feb 27. 2018 14:15