Home
Up
Video Editing
What's New
Links
Search
Sparky?
Feedback

Or Press the BACK button 

on your browser

Glitch Doctor v1.03

 

  

Introduction

Studio400 uses the Assembly Editing method to join new scenes to existing ones at the VCR. Not only are the video scenes joined in this fashion, but any added sound tracks need to be seamlessly joined at scene changes too. In order to do this with any precision, it is vital to know how the VCR behaves with regard to its Record and Pause delay response. These are not parameters that can be obtained from the VCR manufacturer, even though many machines are classed as 'Edit Quality'. 

Back at the beginning of '99 I was faced with the problem of calibrating my own Mitsubishi B52 recorder, which took me some while using trial and error, as the Studio400 Auto Delay Test was not accurate enough. Then I changed to a Panasonic S-VHS machine, and I was faced with repeating the task over again. Having recently joined in the Pinnacle Discussion Forum for the Studio400 system I discovered that there were many others with a similar problem, so I set about writing a program for the PC, that would make the task easier for us all. The result was Glitch Doctor (GDoc), which I gave away free to anyone willing to give it a try. Initially it was available on enthusiasts Mike Shaw and Jos Roijakkers's sites, then latterly Pinnacle added it to their Support Site. It has been translated into several different languages, and is now in use all over the world.

I originally intended to follow up this Freeware version with a more comprehensive Shareware version, but pressure of work, and other time-consuming projects, prevented me from completing the task. Besides I feel that, in the spirit of the hobby, the program should be free.

Here we are, one year on, and I have finally updated the original program to V1.03. This is not the major revision I had planned, but has had a few timing improvements added, bigger 'scissor' graphics, and a correction to a minor 'bug' when using the 'Cut on Frame Zero' option. As indicated above, this new version is still FREE.

I have made one change however, the User Guide has been completely rewritten, is now illustrated, and contains practical advice for checking out your complete system using GDoc. This 32-Page guide is available on-line for the nominal registration fee of $15. Also included is a free utility called The Assistant, which performs all the calculations outlined in the user guide - and more. Full details are given further down this page. (note that you do not have to buy this guide, there are basic instructions included in a 'readme' file included with the free GDoc program)

 

So, what does GDoc do? How does it work?          

If you need to manually determine your VCR delays, because you find the Auto Delay Test does not provide the right answers, Pinnacle recommends you videotape a stopwatch and observe the result of a movie made from this. GDoc now provides you with an ‘intelligent’ stopwatch that is calibrated in ‘frames’. It displays time in both Analogue and Digital form on your computer monitor, which you videotape using your camcorder, to generate your own Calibration Tape. With the help of colour and animations, you create scenes in your Studio400 Movie Window which you then use to make a movie. By using the ‘still frame’ facility of your VCR, and reading the advice on the frames at both sides of your cutting points on your tape, you will discover what corrections to make, and to which delay setting

While the program is running it also checks to see how well your PC can respond to real time events. The results of this are displayed in units of 'frames'. So, if your machine is regularly ‘pre-occupied’ that could make it one or two frames late, then GDoc will show you. Note that this kind of behaviour is common (in varying degrees) with PCs, but you would not normally be aware of it. It is possible that Studio400 is the only program that you have which demands such a high degree of fidelity (other than HiTech Windows games)

The program will also indicate if your Graphics Card is a bit 'lazy' or is stealing a lot of processor time. Whilst this may, or may not, directly cause sound glitches, this can provide a good indication that it is not up to the standard required by Studio 400 (and many other modern graphics-intensive applications). Not many people appreciate that the Graphics Card is, in fact, a key element in a well behaved, responsive, PC

A full-size screen shot of the latest version is shown below

 
 

To download your FREE copy of Glitch Doctor V1.03            

  • Click here to start the downloading process.  [gdoc103install.exe - 319K]

  • Save this file in a folder of your choice on your computer.

  • The file is a self-extracting zip. There are two files in the zip - gdoc103.exe and readme103.txt
  • Double click on the file and follow the installation wizard.
  • The self extractor only places the un-zipped files in the folder you choose. It does not install anything in your system area, or change your registry. (If you want to uninstall the files later, just delete them!)
  • When you click on 'Finish', the readme103.txt file is opened for you to read.
  • You may close this down, and read any time later. It will be in your chosen folder.

To Run Glitch Doctor:

  • Read the readme103.txt file for details and brief instructions.

  • Double-Click on the gdoc103.exe file

  • or, create a shortcut to the file, and place it on your desktop or use the Start/Run method.

 

 

THE NEW GLITCH DOCTOR

USER GUIDE - Registration required       

 

 

This new User Guide is written for users who will value the illustrated step-by-step help with using Glitch Doctor, from  basic audio glitch reduction through to minimising freeze-frame errors. 

There is comprehensive help on evaluating the performance of all major components in the system, and advice on pinpointing the cause of sound and visual glitches.

The guide has been produced after more than a year's direct experience dealing with individual user's problems in this vital area of calibration.

It will be downloaded to you in the form of a Microsoft Word file which is compatible with Word6 and later. The page layout will suit both US Letter and European A4 paper when printed. If you do not have Microsoft Word, then click here to get details of a free downloadable viewer from Microsoft.

As a special BONUS, when you register you will also receive a FREE specially prepared Excel workbook (Glitch Doctor Assistant) that will perform all the calculations mentioned in the text. Just enter your GDoc movie results, and let the sheets do all the hard work! It will even assess your VCR's performance, check your camcorder for evidence of dropped-frames, and help you check out your soundcard, and a little more

Click here to find out more about the Assistant.

The cost of this unique package is just   $15

 

 

CONTENTS

  • INTRODUCTION

    • Installation

    • What is Glitch Doctor?

    • A Quick Tour Over The Screen

     

  • STANDARD CALIBRATION PROCEDURE

    • Preparing Your Computer

    • Make a Calibration Tape

    • Using the Calibration Tape

    • Make a Calibration Movie

    • Dealing With The Results

     

  • ADVANCED USE OF GDoc

    • Improving Transitions

    • Preparation

    • A Transition Calibration Project

    • Make a Transition Results Movie

    • Dealing With The Results

    • Modify VCR Delay Settings

    • Using GDoc Manually

     

  • CHECK OUT YOUR VIDEO SYSTEM

    • Reviewing your GDoc results

    • Frame Errors v Sound Glitches

    • How Good is your VCR?

    • Is Your Soundcard up to it?

    • Check out your Graphics card

    • Still have glitches?

     

  • ERROR ANALYSIS TABLE

  • FAQ

  • VCR DELAYS EXPLAINED

  • THE GLITCH DOCTOR ASSISTANT

    • How To Run The Assistant

    • Stage 1 - Basic Delays

    • Stage 2 - Freeze Frames

  • STUDIO400 ON THE INTERNET

 

                    

To Register your copy                        

  1. Click here to enter a secure site, where you can start the registration process. In a few moments you will receive confirmation and your registration key. This will also be sent to you via e-mail.

  2. When you have your key, you may download the file immediately, or later. You have 3 days to do this before the key becomes invalid. It is recommended that you do this sooner rather than later, to give you time to ensure your file is intact, and to prevent you from forgetting to download it.

If you have concerns about security of the on-line credit card registration process, click here to enter the registration site to check it out for yourself. You should also find alternative ways to register there (by mail, phone, fax). I have taken some time to choose a registration site that has a well proven track record, offers a fast, safe, straightforward and convenient international service to yourselves, and responds promptly to e-mail enquiries. Their service is provided 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. This even applies to 'phone enquiries.

The information you will be asked for when you register by credit card is the minimum amount required for the card verification process, and to be able to contact you. These details are encrypted and handled by a secure server. Only the registration authority has access to this information. At no time is this information passed on to a third party. I will have no access to any of your secure details except your name, and your e-mail address. This is needed by me to give you support.

To Non-US Customers - You may ask why, as my site is in the UK, that the registration site is in the USA, and the price is quoted in US$. Quite simply, we Brits just havn't got our act together with e-commerce yet. I have searched unsuccessfully for weeks for a Registration Site that offers the same security and service in the UK. The US$ has become the unofficial currency of the Internet, and is the most convenient to use when international transactions are involved. You will find that the exchange rate you get with your credit card is good, better than normal currency exchange rates. There are no US taxes levied on the transaction.

 

What to do with the file you receive.         

  • The file is called ug103install.exe . [299k]

  • Double click on the file and follow the installation wizard.
  • This is a self-extracting zip. There are three files in the zip - GDug103.doc, GDassist.xls, and ReadMeUG.txt
  • The self extractor only places the un-zipped files in the folder you choose. It does not install anything in your system area, or change your registry. (If you want to uninstall the files later, just delete them!)
  • When you click on 'Finish', the ReadMeUG.txt file is opened for you to read.
  • You may close this down, and read any time later. It will be in your chosen folder.