Frequently Asked Questions Datavideo DAC-200
  Setup Guides
 
Q: Does the DAC-200 have locked audio?
A: Yes the DAC-200 does have locked audio.
Q: What is the importance of locked audio?
A: Below is an excerpt of an article written by Adam Wilt, posted on the internet
by "Video University".
  The entire article may be seen at http://videouniversity.com/dvformat.htm
  " Since DV was designed as a consumer format, unlocked audio was allowed as a cost-saving measure. In unlocked audio, the audio clock is allowed some imprecision, such that there can be a variation from the locked spec of up to +/- 25 audio samples written to tape for every frame, instead of a precise and exact number.
  This economy measure is simply one of allowing the audio clock to "hunt" a bit around the desired frequency; the phase-locked loop (or other slaving method) used to keep the audio sampling in sync with the video sampling can have a bit more slop in its lock-up, with the audio sampling sometimes running a bit slower, sometimes a bit faster, but always staying in sync over the long run. The total amount of sync slippage allowed in unlocked audio is +/- 1/3 frame -- not enough to really worry about.
  It's the difference between walking a dog on a short leather leash, always forcing the dog to stay right by your side (locked audio), and using a long, elastic leash or one of those "retractable clothesline" leashes that allows the dog to run ahead a bit or lag behind (unlocked audio). In either case both you and the dog will get where you're going at the same time, but along the way the "unlocked" dog has a bit more freedom to deviate from your exact walking pace.
  Unlocked audio should not cause audio sync to drift way from video over a long period of time. The audio clock is still linked to the video clock; it's just allowed a bit more oscillation about the desired frequency (more wow & flutter if you will) as it's trying to track the video clock. Like the dog on the springy leash, it can run a bit ahead or a bit behind the video clock momentarily (up to 1/3 frame ahead or behind), but in the long run it'll still be pacing the video clock and on average will be right there in sync with it. I have shot one-hour continuous takes of talking heads with a consumer DV camcorder
(DCR-VX1000) and experienced no drift at all between audio and video.
  DV cameras and VTRs generate unlocked audio, both in 32 kHz 12 bit and in 48 kHz 16 bit recordings. DVCAM and DVCPRO cameras and VTRs generate locked audio in 48/16 audio format, and DVCAM can also generated locked 32/12 audio. 44.1kHz, discussed below, is never locked; it has no neat integer relationship with either 625/50 or 525/59.54 frame rates."
Q: Why do I keep getting a Pink Screen on my monitor?
A: When the DAC-200 is not actively processing a video signal it displays pink. This is caused by a chip used within the converter and cannot be changed.
Q: I am playing video from my timeline and the converter is losing the video for a second or two and then comes back, what is causing this?
A: The DAC-200 has dip switches that control the clocking frequency when it is converting video. Dip switches 4 and 5 control the clocking frequency, if the dip switches are not configured for your operating system or type of device, a loss in video can occur. Please refer to dip switch chart below and make sure that your DAC-200 is setup correctly.
 
NTSC System (Factory Default U.S.A.)
:: Windows XP / MAC.
:: Use with a 1394 card that has the Texas instruments chipset.

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down)
NTSC System (Factory Default U.S.A.)
:: Windows 2000 (Option 1*) / Windows 98 SE.
:: Use option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000 users.)

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
NTSC System (Factory Default U.S.A.)
:: Windows XP/Generic Device.
:: Use with a 1394 card that does not have the Texas instruments chipset.

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
NTSC System (Factory Default U.S.A.)
:: Windows 2000 (Option 2*)
:: Use option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000 users.)

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
PAL System
:: Windows XP / MAC.
:: Use with a 1394 card that has the Texas instruments chipset.

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
PAL System
:: Windows 2000 (Option 1*) / Windows 98 SE.
:: Use option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000 users.)

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
PAL System
:: Windows XP / Generic Device.
:: Use with a 1394 card that does not have the Texas instruments chipset.

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
PAL System
:: Windows 2000 (Option 2*)
:: Use option 2 if option 1 does not work (*Note for window 2000 users.)

P.S. Please note On (up), Off (down).
Q: I have made changes to the dip switches on my DAC-200, but it did not solve the problem?
A: A: Once a dip switch has been changed, it will not take effect until the unit is rebooted. To reboot your converter power it off, wait a couple of seconds and power it back on.
Q: I have connected S-Video out to my recording device and I can see video, but I am unable to hear sound?
A: A: S-Video or Y/C as it is sometimes referred to does not carry an audio signal. When using S-Video out from the converter it is also necessary to connect the Left (It usually has a white connector) and Right (It usually has a red connector) audio patch cables from the output to your recording devices input.
Q: Can the DAC-200 convert a PAL Signal to NTSC or NTSC to PAL?
A: The DAC-200 has the ability to work with either PAL video or NTSC video but it cannot convert one video standard to another. A systems converter is needed to convert video standards.
Q: I am exporting video from my timeline and converting it from DV to Analogue but I am unable to see video output on my VCR, is the DAC-200 defective?
A: A: There are numerous reasons why video might not be displaying correctly in your VCR. VCR's typically have several inputs, usually one in the front and several on the rear panel. VCR's usually do not auto-detect the active line input, so it is usually necessary to set the correct line input from your remote control of your VCR or the MENU system within the VCR.
Q: I have set the correct line input in my VCR but I still cannot see video.
How can I determine the cause of the problem?
A: The best way to troubleshoot any problem is to isolate the devices that are involved. If you are exporting from the computer to the DAC-200 check to make sure that the DAC-200 is sending out a video signal, to do this connect the Audio/Video outputs directly to the input of a monitor or TV.
If you can see your video in the TV then the DAC-200 is exporting the video correctly. Reconnect your VCR and check to see if you can see video passing through your VCR.
Q: What is included with the converter?
A: One 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable, one power supply, one S-Video cable,
one composite RCA cable with L+R audio and one instruction manual.
Q: Does the DAC-200 come with software for editing?
A: No. The DAC-200 is sold as bridge to allow you to capture or export your video from your non-linear software.
Q: How long is the DAC-200 warranty?
A: The DAC-200 comes with a 1 year limited warranty from the original date of purchase. Please refer to your DAC-200 manual for specific warranty details.
Q: Can I "Monitor or Preview" my video captures from the output of the DAC-200?
A: A: Yes. The composite (RCA) video output from the DAC-200 can be plugged into your monitor or TV to preview your video while capturing. If you are using your composite port then the S-Video port can be used instead.
Q: Can the DAC-200 convert Black & White video from a CCTV camera?
A: A: The DAC-200 is unable to convert a Black & White video signal because it needs "color burst in the video stream." If you need to convert video from a Black & White camera, please take a look at our DAC-15 converter which can convert a black and white signal.
Q: Can the DAC-200 be used as an audio converter?
A: The DAC-200 needs color burst from the video signal in order to start the conversion process. The DAC-200 will be unable to convert the audio signal if a video stream is not present.
The only work around, is to run some video through the converter and later delete the video track in your system.