Very Cheap Image Capture

This image is of a CT scan of my right hip in 1994. I had fractured the femoral neck in 1990 and undergone fixation. The fracture healed but the femoral head went on to Avascular Necrosis (AVN). In 1992 I underwent Vascularized Free Fibular Grafting and the graft incorporated well. However, the dead bone was not revascularized and by the time these images were taken the femoral head was beginning to break up. The images of the CT scan were captured by setting up my old video camera on a tripod and focusing it on the film on a viewing box. The video camera was connected to a Video Capture Board (Snappy) which in turn was connected one of the line printer port of the computer. Snappy comes with video capture and image editing software and retails for about $200 Canadian.

Click to enlarge...

If you already have an old video camera this is probably the cheapest way to get images. You can use it for colour slides if your camera does 1:1 macro magnification (most do). Prints can also be captured. The main problems are that the process is very dependant on the quality of the lens of your video camera and that it takes a good deal of time. You get the best results from using a tripod and using the high resolution mode which takes about 10 seconds. Any movement or vibration during that time blurs the image.

Snappy Links

Play Inc. Official Page
Review
Views of the controls
Order on the Web
Snappy Gallery

There are many other video capture boards. A site that offers descriptions, reviews and sales of these devices is Safe Harbor.

Disclaimer. ISOST and the editor of this page (Myles Clough) have no financial interest in or responsibility for the products mentioned.