chapman@fornax.uucp (John Chapman) (09/09/86)
We have had news problems so if you have seen a previous posting of these articles by myself I apologize, but I would like to get any info. that is floating around out there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Has anyone out there tried any of these boards with or without AT&T's > > software? I'm looking for a review. > > > > Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter (TARGA): > > There are several versions of this board. They all capture in 1/30s from > > camera or VCR. Hardware zoom (2X, 4X, and 8X). Smooth independent vertical > > and horizontal scrolling. Bit-pane masking. "Robust" gen-lock capability. > > Up to 512 x 420 pixel resolution depending on color depth and model. > ^^^ > > The vertical resolution is adjustable; mine works fine at 483. > . . . > screen copies possible). In its standard configuration, the TARGA has > a non-broadcast horizontal blanking interval; there are black bands > to the left and right of the picture visible onscreen. However, an > option is available to change the timing, making the signal broadcast > compatible. Is this the (~$200) overscan option? Are the pixels square without the option? Are they 5/4 (or any other 'nice' ratio) with the option? > > The documentation is superb. Many helpful routines are shipped with > the board (in Computer Innovations' dialect of C, though I've had > little trouble rewriting them for QNX C). Between the two, it's been > very easy to get full function from the TARGA. The frame grabber is Could you give a brief summary of the software provided with the board? > very accurate, with no perceptible h-shift or field locking problems. > The output signal is very clean; there are no transients at intensity > boundaries, and the picture is quite stable. > > Two small problems: With the exander option installed (to adjust the > blanking interval) the board is a little wider than one slot. Also, > in my case, the genlock failed after several hours operation, due > to heat I suspect. It works fine with the cover off the PC, and I > expect that an expansion box with a fan will solve the problem. > > I have not found much use for the blend capability, and would have > preferred a graphics overlay channel instead. I understand this is > being considered. > > I have alot of software working with this board (z-buffer, utilities, etc.) > and would be happy to correspond with others about it. > > -Steve Miller ihnp4!bellcore!bambi!steve > Image Space Inc. > Suite #3 > 125 Washington St. > Hoboken NJ, 07030 > (201) 798-0429 john chapman {watmath,ihnp4,uw-beaver}!ubc-vision!sfucmpt!sfulccr!chapman