bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu (01/01/91)
-------- I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and scanners. This machine did have a videodisc player hooked up with a control cable going from the Amiga (serial port, I think), and video input through a genlock card. The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? (The graphic image of the VCR distinctly said "SONY" on it, and had a jog-shuttle dial on one side.) I'm looking into VCRs and TVs, and this would be a handy thing to know. Thanks, -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sam Hill Cabal "If there's anything insidious going bwdavies@sunrise.bitnet on in the world, the media is behind bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu it!" -T.J. Teru
a143@mindlink.UUCP (Ed Meyer) (01/02/91)
> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: > > Msg-ID: <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> > Posted: 1 Jan 91 04:25:28 GMT > > Org. : Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY > > -------- > I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the > A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the > Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and > [ ... ] > The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? > [ ... ] > Thanks, > -------- > [ ... ] I'm not sure how applicable this is, but I've heard of an NEC VCR that has an RS-232 serial command interface. As I understand it, this VCR does jog & shuttle via computer control only: there is no J&S control on the front panel. The VCR is called an NEC PC-VCR. I understand that there are people looking to produce drivers et al for this "puppy" for the Amiga (although, who knows, they may already exist).
jet@karazm.math.uh.edu ("J. Eric Townsend") (01/02/91)
In article <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: >The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way >[that a laserdisk on a serial port does]? There's a big difference beteen using a laserdisk and using a videotape as source input. You *can* use a VCR for input (and genlock over it), but the amount of control (and granularity) you have over the tape deck depends on how much money you want to spend. I've seen devices that simply use remote control commands to control the tape, and there are also high-end decks that work with edit controllers to achieve more "profesisonal" results. -- J. Eric Townsend Internet: jet@uh.edu Bitnet: jet@UHOU Systems Mangler - UH Dept. of Mathematics - (713) 749-2120 "If you are the system administrator and this is the first time you are logging into your system, use the login name root." -- IBM RS/6000 docs
seanc@pro-party.cts.com (Sean Cunningham) (01/02/91)
In-Reply-To: message from bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu A driver for the Sony U-Matic 9 VTR is included with AmigaVision. I'd assume that this is the most common Sony 3/4" purchased...don't have a price on it though. It's probubly in the range of some high-end SVHS decks. Sean >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> .SIG v2.5 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< UUCP: ...!crash!pnet01!pro-party!seanc RealWorld: Sean Cunningham ARPA: !crash!pnet01!pro-party!seanc@nosc.mil Voice: (512) 992-2810 INET: seanc@pro-party.cts.com ____________________________________ // | * All opinions expressed herein | HELP KEEP THE COMPETITION UNDER \X/ | Copyright 1990 VISION GRAPHICS | >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
bj@cbmvax.commodore.com (Brian Jackson) (01/02/91)
In article <6657@crash.cts.com> seanc@pro-party.cts.com (Sean Cunningham) writes: >A driver for the Sony U-Matic 9 VTR is included with AmigaVision. I'd assume >that this is the most common Sony 3/4" purchased...don't have a price on it >though. It's probubly in the range of some high-end SVHS decks. We used Sony 3/4" machines at our TV station. The full editing decks run approx $5K. bj >Sean ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | Brian Jackson Software Engineer, Commodore-Amiga Inc. GEnie: B.J. | | bj@cbmvax.cbm.commodore.com or ...{uunet|rutgers}!cbmvax!bj | | "Paradise is exactly like where you are right now, only better." | -----------------------------------------------------------------------
anlhille@rose.ucs.indiana.edu (Joseph Hillenburg) (01/02/91)
In article <16991@cbmvax.commodore.com>, bj@cbmvax.commodore.com (Brian Jackson) writes... |In article <6657@crash.cts.com> seanc@pro-party.cts.com (Sean Cunningham) writes: |We used Sony 3/4" machines at our TV station. The full editing decks |run approx $5K. | Whats this? Commodore owns a TV station? |bj | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Brian Jackson Software Engineer, Commodore-Amiga Inc. GEnie: B.J. | | | bj@cbmvax.cbm.commodore.com or ...{uunet|rutgers}!cbmvax!bj | | | "Paradise is exactly like where you are right now, only better." | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ | // Joseph Hillenburg, Secretary, Bloomington Amiga Users Group | | \X/ anlhille@ucs.indiana.edu anlhille@iurose.BITNET | | jph@m-net.ann-arbor.mi.us | | "Have fun folks. It's the last time you'll be seeing this place" | +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
bj@cbmvax.commodore.com (Brian Jackson) (01/03/91)
In article <1991Jan2.070902.27394@news.cs.indiana.edu> anlhille@rose.ucs.indiana.edu writes: >In article <16991@cbmvax.commodore.com>, bj@cbmvax.commodore.com (Brian Jackson) writes... >|We used Sony 3/4" machines at our TV station. The full editing decks >|run approx $5K. >Whats this? Commodore owns a TV station? In this case "our" equates to "my" in that it's a family owned business. I ran master control operations there for 2 1/2 years. bj ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | Brian Jackson Software Engineer, Commodore-Amiga Inc. GEnie: B.J. | | bj@cbmvax.cbm.commodore.com or ...{uunet|rutgers}!cbmvax!bj | | "Paradise is exactly like where you are right now, only better." | -----------------------------------------------------------------------
telam@pyrps5.pyramid.com (Thomas Elam) (01/04/91)
In article <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: >-------- >I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the >A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the >Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and >scanners. > >This machine did have a videodisc player hooked up with a control cable >going from the Amiga (serial port, I think), and video input through a >genlock card. > >The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? >(The graphic image of the VCR distinctly said "SONY" on it, and had a >jog-shuttle dial on one side.) Sony, just about now, is coming out with something called the VCR-PC. It allows frame-accurate control via an RS-232 port. I read about it in some video magazine I picked up for its article on "Amiga vs. IBM?" (or something like that). The VCR-PC will take a standard VHS tape, record timing signals on it, then use the tape under control of the RS-232 port. This is supposed to be good for editting and, I think the article said, for animation (I guess it could be). What's a jog-shuttle? >I'm looking into VCRs and TVs, and this would be a handy thing to know. > >Thanks, You're welcome. >Sam Hill Cabal "If there's anything insidious going Tom Elam
telam@pyrps5.pyramid.com (Thomas Elam) (01/04/91)
In article <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: >-------- >I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the >A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the >Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and >scanners. [stuff deleted] >The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? >(The graphic image of the VCR distinctly said "SONY" on it, and had a >jog-shuttle dial on one side.) I forgot to mention the price of Sony's VCR-PC. I don't remember exactly, but I think it was about $1500 or $2000 (too much for me, right now, but impressive). >Thanks, Again, you're welcome. >Sam Hill Cabal "If there's anything insidious going
telam@pyrps5.pyramid.com (Thomas Elam) (01/04/91)
In article <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: >-------- >I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the >A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the >Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and >scanners. [deletion] >The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? >(The graphic image of the VCR distinctly said "SONY" on it, and had a >jog-shuttle dial on one side.) I already feel very silly responding to the same message 3 times, so please don't flame me too hard, everyone. I just read Ed Meyer's response to Sam's posting that mentioned a "NEC PC-VCR". Now I must admit I wish I had checked my facts before posting. Maybe "NEC's PC-VCR" was it. The price *was* very cheap, though. I will go check my facts when I get home. >Thanks, Again (3rd time), welcome. >Sam Hill Cabal "If there's anything insidious going Tom Elam
jason@cbmami.UUCP (Jason Goldberg) (01/04/91)
In article <139803@pyramid.pyramid.com>, Thomas Elam writes: > Sony, just about now, is coming out with something called the VCR-PC. > It allows frame-accurate control via an RS-232 port. I read about it > in some video magazine I picked up for its article on "Amiga vs. IBM?" > (or something like that). The VCR-PC will take a standard VHS tape, > record timing signals on it, then use the tape under control of the > RS-232 port. This is supposed to be good for editting and, I think the > article said, for animation (I guess it could be). > Actually its not a Sony product, it is from NEC, its called the PC-VCR model PV-S98A2. Its a frame acurate S-VHS VCR, with an RS-232 port for interfacing to a computer. There is currently no edding software available for the PC-VCR/Amiga, only for the MAC (Light Source), there is a database manager (SantaFe Media Manager) in the works for both IBM/Amiga which uses the VCR as a image database though. NEC promises scripting programs to control the VCR, if the Amiga verson is AREXX this product could do a lot of nice things with existing software (AmigaVision/CanDo/SuperBasePro), it also shouldn't be too hard to create a VHS HardDRive BAckup program for the thing. For more info check your local NEC dealer or the February issue of "CamCorder" Magazine, where they have a review. List Price $2100 To complicate matters, the lattest news from rec.video is that NEC has just dropped their Audio/Video line in the US and will only be selling computer and game products. I don't know if the consider the PV-VCR a computer product or what. > What's a jog-shuttle? A Jog/Shuttle is a knob on a VCR which can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise on the VCR. When you rotate it the VCR tape moves forward or backwords (depending on which direction you turn) and the further you turn, the faster it goes. This allows fine control of where on the tape you are, and thus is a valuable add for editing. A true Jog/Shuttle also has an inner-ring which advances the tape one frame for every rotation. The PC-VCR does not have a Jog/Shuttle because they feel it will be mainly used with a computer. The software could obviously emulate a jog/shuttle and allow you to create an edit list. -Jason- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jason Goldberg UUCP: ucsd!serene!cbmami!jason Del Mar, CA
davidy@sumax.seattleu.edu (David L. Yee) (01/05/91)
In article <4293@mindlink.UUCP> a143@mindlink.UUCP (Ed Meyer) writes: >> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: >> >> Msg-ID: <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> >> Posted: 1 Jan 91 04:25:28 GMT >> >> Org. : Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY >> >> -------- >> I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the >> A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the >> Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and >> [ ... ] >> The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? >> [ ... ] >> Thanks, >> -------- >> [ ... ] > >I'm not sure how applicable this is, but I've heard of an NEC VCR that has an >RS-232 serial command interface. As I understand it, this VCR >does jog & shuttle via computer control only: there is no J&S control >on the front panel. The VCR is called an NEC PC-VCR. I understand that >there are people looking to produce drivers et al for this "puppy" for the >Amiga (although, who knows, they may already exist). In the Feb. 1991 issue of Camcorder magazine, there is a description of the NEC PC-VCR (as the above unit is named.) It says that this unit gives each frame op the tape "a separate address WITHOUT INTRUDING ON WHAT IS RECORDED (emphasis theirs.)" The computer it is hooked up to can advance or access any frame, or move forwards and backwards frame by frame. (This, says Camcorder, is why there is no jog & shuttle.) Despite the name of the "PC-VCR", it is said in this article Amiga driver software is on the way, this being a "special VCR version of (HSC's) SantaFe Media Manager." This is described to be a sort of visual/audio database, that will utilize the frame access capability of the PC-VCR. Of course, my knowledge of VCR's and video technology is limited to hooking them up and setting their programming. So why did I buy such a video magazine? Because it was chock full of Amiga articles! Seriously, there are eight (8!) articles that mention the Amiga, and in fact they have a lot on it, they don't just mention it in passing. Interestingly, the Mac seems to be almost dismissed (please no flames, it it not I who claim this, but Camcorder magazine that gives me this impression. I would be grateful for corrections if I read this wrongly.) They say "90% of consumer video production is done on the Amiga." (p.11) The article that caught my eye is one I think would be of interest to almost every Amigan. Who could resist "Amiga vs. IBM??!" This is a set of articles, one championing the Amiga for multimedia/video and the other the PC. (Again the Mac is not considered except in passing.) If there is interest I could post a summary of the PC article, but of course the best course is to read it yourselves. What I will mention is the VERY defensive tone of the PC article. Here was a PC devotee "exploding four myths" regarding the Amiga's video supremacy over the PC. I fear to start a flame war, but what the heck, I'll just claim I didn't write the stuff :^)! Myth 1: Desktop Video started on the Amiga. (It really started on the Mindset, a PC compatible. Such as it was, anyway.) Myth 2: Amigas and Macs are graphics machines. therfore are better suited for desktop video. Wrong! (says the author.) Myth 3: There is more software for the Amiga than for AT's, so it must be a better machine. Wrong! (This is SO intoxicating!) Myth 4: All the great desktop video add -ons are being created for Amiga. Yeah, right. Among other things, the author dismissed the Video Toaster as being three year old technology and said AT manufacturers were talking about releasing products to "fry the Toaster." We shall see, I suppose. And of course, he mentioned as the salient feature the AT's lower price. To me, all this seems very familiar, except usually I am sitting on the other side of the fence. Imagine the all-conquering PC world lashing out so! One might think it was one of those obnoxious Amiga owners writing a nasty letter to a PC rag :^). But do not malign Camcorder magazine, for they did print a extensive pro-Amiga article as part of the feature as I have mentioned. I didn't read it too closely, for I already know how the Amiga is wonderful and life is good. It almost seemed to me one of the Amiga mags was printing this magazine- that's how positive it seemed to me towards Amy. Yet there were no computer ads at all. Maybe that explains it- once the PC advertising machine starts pumping dollars their way, they'll change their tune, but that's just my opinion, and I hope they don't change. Well, as I say, check it out! It is interesting even to a non video Amigan. David L. Yee Email to:davidy@sumax.seattleu.edu
telam@pyrps5.pyramid.com (Thomas Elam) (01/05/91)
In article <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes: >-------- >I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the >A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the >Amiga/AmigaVision. This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and >scanners. [deletion] >The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way? >(The graphic image of the VCR distinctly said "SONY" on it, and had a >jog-shuttle dial on one side.) Well, now I've checked my facts. Ed Meyer was right. It was NEC's PC-VCR I was thinking of. Excerpts from the fact sheet accompanying Bob Wolenik's article in the Feb. '91 issue of Camcorder: February, 1991 FACT SHEET NEC Model PC-VCR/PV-S98A2 Suggestied List Price: $2,100 Format: S-VHS, VHS, NTSC Recording System: Rotary, slant-asimuth, four-head helical-scan system. Tape Speed: SP, EP Antenna Input: VHF/UHF, 75 ohms, unbalanced. Channel Coverage: VHS (2-13), UHF (14-69), CATV. VHF Output: Switchable between Channels 3 and 4, or off. Horizontal Resolution: S-VHS over 400 lines; 240 lines on VHS. But the sharpness control must be at the center position. Video Output: Seperate S-VHS input luminance and color siganals (Y/C). Sound: Stereo hi-fi, 90dB dynamic range, 60dB separation per channel, 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response. PC Interface: Via RS-232C port, female connector, 25 pin, asynchronous format, full duplex, eight data bits, parity zero, start/stop bit one, 1200 baud. Separate cable required for each application, i.e., IBM, Amiga, Mac. Display: Digital on front of unit. All playback features shown. Clock/Timer: blah, blah. Remote: .... Accessories Supplied: AA batteries, A/V cable (RCA to RCA tree-pin), Y/C (S-video) separate connector cable. Further: "Because of the fact that the VCR connects to a PC, it can digitally map an entire tape, noting the location of each frame. Taht means it can give each frame of the tape a separate 'address,' _without_intruding_on_ _whatever_you've_already_recorded. In short, you can record a tape in the usual way on your camcorder, then insert it into the PC-VCR and digitize the tape so that the unit can locate any individual frame! "You can go to that frame, then move forward or backward one frame at a time, and control it all from the keyboard of your PC just by pressing a few keys. (That's why there's no jog/shuttle--a question I am sure many readers were pondering.) "The machine also has the capability of recording time code, in case you want to use that precise mehtod of locating frames. "... including a flying erase head for precise edits." "...The only concern we had about the unit was the lack of software.... Light Source--(415) 626-1210.... ... works exclusively with Mac...." "However, software pakages to connect the PC to both Amiga and IBM ... is on the way ... early 1991. "...If you have even a passing knowledge of [BASIC], you can connect it, ... and be off in a flash. Yes, you can control the frame-by-frame feature using BASIC. "The PC-VCR makes professional home video editing a reality. It finally gives precise control of video editing to the home computer enthusiast. "For more information, write to Al Woodman, NEC Technologies, Professional Systems Division, 1255 Michael Dr., Wood Dale, IL 60191, or call (708) 860-9500...." >I'm looking into VCRs and TVs, and this would be a handy thing to know. > >Thanks, Sure thing. >-- >------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Sam Hill Cabal "If there's anything insidious going >bwdavies@sunrise.bitnet on in the world, the media is behind >bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu it!" -T.J. Teru Tom
peterk@cbmger.UUCP (Peter Kittel GERMANY) (01/07/91)
In article <16991@cbmvax.commodore.com> bj@cbmvax.commodore.com (Brian Jackson) writes: > >We used Sony 3/4" machines at our TV station. The full editing decks ^^^ >run approx $5K. > | Brian Jackson Software Engineer, Commodore-Amiga Inc. GEnie: B.J. | Gulp, interested: *WE* (Commodore) have a TV station???? Or what? (Sorry, couldn't resist :-) -- Best regards, Dr. Peter Kittel // E-Mail to \\ Only my personal opinions... Commodore Frankfurt, Germany \X/ {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!cbmger!peterk
bernheim@aramis.rutgers.edu (Sebastian Bernheim) (01/08/91)
In Walters hall of Rutgers University, we have our video editors hooked up to A2000s (three of them, I think). I know it is there, and it works fairly simply. I'll ask about it for you if it is anything obscure, but I don't know the details. It is interesting to note that at Rutgers, there are Amigas all over the place in the arts departments. They are used for a variety of applications having to do with producing works of art. For actual computing, however, they use IBMs and Suns, and some Apples for the lower level classes. There is only one Amiga in the entire Comp. Sci. department that I have ever seen, and it is sitting in our microcomputer lab with an IBM card on it. -- _______________________________________________________________________________ O++O Sebastian Bernheim =\/= "Love them little mousies!" "Ma che sciagura d'essere senza coglioni!" (something like that) Disclaimer: I just work here, they don't pay me enough to think! _______________________________________________________________________________