I've ran into several problems with the new drivers in testing and I'm not sure if it is a problem with the drivers/FireCapture or both. I will try to explain what I am seeing so others can test and confirm.
I'm using FC 2.2beta Build #37
What is working completely fine under all conditions - 512x440, 512x400, 480x320, 320x240 resolutions are fine and are giving the increased framerate as advertised under all settings I have tried. YAY!
To point out what I am seeing in other resolutions or settings, I'll try to outline steps to show what I am seeing so it can be reproduced easily. I think there are several categories of problems I am seeing, and will categorize them here. A) Problem getting into several resolutions, B) Throttling of framerate in 640x480, and 640x560. C) problems with the auto FPS setting,
Settings:
exposure 4ms
gain 41
gamma 50 (off)
brightness 0
Auto FPS unchecked set at 90%
Scenario 1
1) Start FC, it opens to max size 1280x960, FPS (curr.) is 32.
2) Select ROI of 640x560, it takes about 8 seconds for the picture to show, when it shows, the FPS (curr.) is 28. Capturing here will only result in a capture at the FPS (curr.).
3) Switch ROI to 640x480, it shows immediately, and the FPS (curr.) is 32. Capturing here will only result in a capture at the FPS (curr.). NOTE: see Category B below!
Same slow showing of the image by starting and switching to 800x400, and 800x512.
1t takes about 10s for an image to show in 800x512, and FPS (curr.) shows 92
If you start FC, and then change it to 800x480, image shows immediately, BUT the FPS (curr.) shows 29. (FC may be locking the FPS to the original FPS that was showing in 1280x960 when the program starts). One thing that is reproducible is opening FC, switching to an ROI of 800x312 and then switching to 800x400 will crash FC.
Scenario 1
1) Start FC, it opens to max size 1280x960.
2) Select ROI of 640x560, it takes about 8 seconds for the picture to show, when it shows, the FPS (curr.) is 28. Capturing here will only result in a capture at the FPS (curr.).
3) Switch ROI to 640x480, it shows immediately, and the FPS (curr.) is 32. Capturing here will only result in a capture at the FPS (curr.).
4) Switch ROI to 512x400, it shows immediately, FPS (curr.) is 123, captures at 123FPS.
5) Switch ROI back to 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 113, captures at 113FPS.
6) Switch ROI back to 640x560, takes 8 sec for picture to show, FPS (curr.) is 28, captures at 28FPS.
It seems here that FPS is being locked at the original FPS at 1280x960 levels for 640x480, switching to 512x400 unlocks this, and the FPS for 640x480 goes back to maximum.
Scenario 2
1) Start FC, it opens to max size 1280x960.
2) Select ROI of 640x480, it shows immediately, FPS (curr.) is 99, captures at 99fps
3) Switch ROI to 512x440
4) Switch ROI to 640x480, FPS (curr.) is now 124
Scenario 3
1) with FPS Adjust set to 40%
2) start FC, it opens to max size 1280x960, FPS (curr.) is 14
3) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 69, captures at 69fps
4) Select ROI of 512x440, FPS (curr.) is 123
5) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 69, captures at 69fps
Scenario 1
Auto FPS Adjust IS CHECKED and at 90%.
1) Start FC, opens to 1280x960, FPS (curr.) is 32
2) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 99
3) Select ROI of 512x440, FPS (curr.) is 123
4) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 113
If I open up the driver panel at any resolution above 800x320, uncheck the Auto FPS box and then recheck the Auto FPS box, the FPS percentage will go to 42% within 5 seconds.
If I go to 800x320, uncheck the Auto FPS box and then recheck it, it WILL stay at 90%.
If I then close down FC, and then reopen FC, at any resolution the AUTO FPS percentage WILL STAY at 90%.
If I then uncheck and then recheck the AUTO FPS box, the % will go to 90, and then back down to 42% within 5 seconds at any resolution above 800x320.
Scenario 2
Auto FPS Adjust IS CHECKED and at 42%
1) Start FC, opens to 1280x960, FPS (curr.) is 32
2) Select ROI of 640x560, there is NO DELAY in image showing, FPS (curr.) is 60
3) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 70
4) Select ROI of 512x440, FPS (curr.) is 123
5) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 70
6) Select ROI of 640x480, FPS (curr.) is 60
It appears that the FPS adjust is throttling the framerate at the 640x560 and 640x480 resolutions. At 90%, that throttling can be unlocked by switching to a smaller resolution and then switching back. At 42%, those resolutions seem to have reverted to the old driver limits of 60fps and 70fps, and are not unlocked by switching to a lower resolution.
Some of this behavior may be due to the drivers and some may be due to FC, but I'm not sure right now. I may test some more tonight using SharpCap, but I think the above is enough to chew on for the time being :)
