AWCTTYPA@UIAMVS.BITNET ("David A. Lyons") (04/04/89)
For Immediate Release APPLE II CARD ADDS VIDEO OVERLAY CAPABILITY CUPERTINO, California--April 3, 1989--Apple Computer, Inc. announced today a product that allows teachers, students and home video enthusiasts to bring personal computer and video technologies together easily and inexpensively. The Apple II Video Overlay Card for the Apple(r) IIe and Apple IIGS(r) enables users to superimpose computer graphics (text, pictures and animation) over video images from an external source (VCR, videodisc, video camera or television signal) and view the result on a single screen. The final result, a blend of computer graphics and video, is richer in content and communication value--and more compelling--than either component alone. "The personal computer industry is in a wave of development aimed at seamlessly merging computer technology with sound and video technology--the most powerful communication medium that has emerged in recent time," said Bernard Gifford, Apple vice president, Education. "The Apple II Video Overlay Card is a significant step in this direction. It provides a low-cost capability that greatly adds to the utility of the Apple II for communication and learning. Moreover, it extends the value of video and computer equipment and software that customers already own." Markets And Uses The Apple II Video Overlay Card is expected to be used primarily in elementary and high schools, and in homes, the two markets with the largest installed base of both Apple II computers and video equipment. The installed base of Apple II computers is more than 4.5 million in homes and schools. According to industry research firm Market Data Retrieval, Inc., 60 percent of computers in U.S. primary and secondary schools are Apple II computers. According to Talmis, a Link Resources, Inc. subsidiary, 89 percent of U.S. public schools owned VCRs, and 9 percent owned videodisc players in 1988. Nielsen Media Research found 62 percent of U.S. households owned VCRs in November 1988, and 15.2 percent of those already owned video cameras. Video overlay is commonly seen on television where it is used to display a news reporter's name underneath the video of the reporter's image, and in sports, to sketch over video replays, highlighting the action. To enhance learning, video overlay could be used, for example, in physical motion analysis, video annotation and language and literacy training. Consecutive stick figure representations, superimposed on video images, can be used to analyze the gait of a horse or the swing of a golfer. Video footage of billiards shots can be traced to mark the path of the balls and demonstrate angles and geometric principles. In language training, video overlay can display a word while the student is hearing its pronunciation and seeing its image. The same visual material with different overlays can be used to teach different languages. Individuals can add special effects to home movies or easily make video greeting cards, explore landscaping plans by placing computer representations over video footage of property, or annotate videos created for insurance records. Product Description Computer video signals and video signals from television, a VCR, video camera or videodisc are commonly timed differently. The Apple II Video Overlay Card employs genlock circuitry to synchronize Apple II timing so both images can appear simultaneously on a single screen. The card produces high quality video output and improves the display on both the Apple IIe and IIGS. When the card receives input that meets the National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) RS-170A specifications, it produces RS-170A output which can be broadcast for NTSC television. The Apple II Video Overlay Card produces a variety of input and output options. It accepts video input from a VCR, videodisc, video camera or television, and sends both a red, green, blue (RGB) and composite video output signal. This means video and overlay can be viewed on either an RGB or composite monitor, and/or recorded on a VCR or broadcast for NTSC television. The Apple II Video Overlay Card is compatible with all software that works on the Apple IIGS, which includes over 95 percent of software for the Apple IIe. This means it extends the value of applications customers already own. Paint, animation, presentation, titling and authoring programs are most appropriate for use with the video overlay card. In addition to numerous applications programs already available, several developers are revising programs or producing new ones with overlay-specific features. System Requirements The Apple II Video Overlay Card and VideoMix software works on the Apple IIe with 128K RAM and enhanced main logic board revision B or higher, and on the Apple IIGS with 512K RAM and ROM version 01 or higher. Price And Availability The Apple II Video Overlay Package includes the Video Overlay Card, VideoMix software in both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch disk formats, an RGB cable, a video in/out cable, and Owner's Guide. Suggested retail price is $549. The package can be ordered at authorized Apple dealerships in the U.S. on April 3 and will be available in quantity at dealerships later in the month. (Press release authored by Regis McKenna Inc., Janet Male. Apple, the Apple logo, Apple IIGS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc.) --David A. Lyons bitnet: awcttypa@uiamvs DAL Systems CompuServe: 72177,3233 P.O. Box 287 GEnie mail: D.LYONS2 North Liberty, IA 52317 AppleLinkPE: Dave Lyons