sl9qw@cc.usu.edu (01/01/91)
I pulled this info off a local board. Start saving your pennies... John Z. SL9QW@cc.usu.edu <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> PROGRESSIVE PERIPHERALS & SOFTWARE INTRODUCES VIDEO BLENDER: Progressive Peripherals & Software introduces the Video Blender, a professional video switching system for all Amiga personal computers. The Video Blender features video switching, luma-keying, genlocking, local color generation in 16 million colors, video fading/wiping and stereo audio mixer. The Video Blender is an external, self-contained unit with power supply The Video Blender has four channels: composite video in with pass- through, externally synchronized NTSC RGB in, Amiga RGB in, and an internal 16 million color generator for background color. External video devices such as video cameras, 24-bit framebuffers, etc. may also be slaved to the NTSC RGB channel for a variety of video effects. Due to the Video Blender's exclusive technology, no time-based correctors are required. The Video Blender provides black burst out for studio and professional video applications, and provides "key in" for external chroma-key and special video devices. Hardware control of hue, saturation, and contrast is provided through the Video Blender's front control panel. Audio control is handled by two stereo input channels, which may be blended through synchronization to video in fades/wipes between video sources, or through user-timed audio gain or decay. Video Blender is controlled entirely through an ingenious software interface,which is connected via the Amiga's serial port. Through the mouse or keyboard control, the software allows easy selection of all video parameters and Video Blender settings using Amiga-standard sliders and gadgets. The software allows 256 levels of red, green, and blue to be selected manually for up to 16 million colors. Select color fading from one color to any other color at an adjustable rate to produce special local color effects. For precise audio control, the software provides 256 audio volume levels per channel. The software allows easy "Video Mixing" between up to three of the four available channels, at 256 levels per channel. Additional control is provided for quick channel selection, manually or automatically. Luma-keying is provided to achieve special advanced video effects. The Video Blender may key on any user-selected channel, which need not be an output channel. This allows for a variety of advanced keying applications, such as "weather-map", "ghost", "invisible man", "vanishing", "transporter", and other sophisticated video techniques. A user-definable window of any shape or size may be created for "window within a window" video effects. High-speed multiplexing ensures crisp, high-quality luma-keying to virtually eliminate chroma-creep and preserve edge definition. The Video Blender represents the state of the art in Amiga genlock technology, going far beyond the classic genlock application of Amiga graphics overlaid on a user-selected video source. Through the Video Blender's unique technology, video sources may be combined for a multitude of advanced genlock effects, such as fixed or animated wipes. Unlike other video accessories which have only a limited number of wipes, the Video Blender comes with MixMaster, which provides over 2,800 preset wipes in a complete custom wipe generation system. An unlimited number of wipes may be created rapidly with the Video Blender's MixMaster software. Any IFF picture or animation may be used as a video wipe, either appearing in the wipe, or "invisible" to the eye and used only as a control pattern for the wipe. The Video Blender wipe system allows anything from standard wipes, such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal, venetian blinds, diamonds, radar, spiral and random wipes, to complex wipes consisting of moving objects, shrinking and expanding objects, or video masking for three-dimensional effects. The MixMaster software provides a paint program and wipe script generator to create simple or advanced wipes quickly and easily, with full control of speed, direction, and other wipe parameters. Video Blender settings may be saved as complete sets called "sessions", consisting of up to 66 separate video "events". Sessions and events may be loaded later for editing or use. This timesaving feature allows recurring effects to be set up in moments for quick activation through function keys or external programs. The software allows creation of new events and sessions from existing ones through simple cut and paste operations. Sessions and events may be activated by MixMaster's control software through a video script, for chaining a series of effects or creating continuously looping video sessions. All of the above Video Blender capabilities may be combined to create video effects never before possible on any Amiga video workstation. By combining wipes with luma-keying and audio synchronization, users may easily produce and edit video more rapidly than ever before. The Video Blender may be connected to a wide range of video peripherals such as digitizers, framebuffers, the Video Toaster, ADO boxes, or progressive Peripherals' VideoMaster 32 to generate high quality professional video productions. The Video Blender comes with MixMaster software, interface control software, a power supply, cables, thoroughly illustrated manual with examples, and VHS tutorial videotape. The Video Blender will be released in fourth quarter 1990, NTSC or PAL versions, for a suggested retail price of $1295.00 PROGRESSIVE PERIPHERALS & SOFTWARE INTRODUCES VIDEOMASTER 32: 32-BIT DUAL FRAME BUFFER, 24-BIT PAINTING AND 24-BIT DIGITIZING SYSTEM Progressive Peripherals & Software introduces VideoMaster 32, the 32- bit dual frame buffer board with 24-bit painting and 24-bit digitizing capability. The VideoMaster is based on the 34020 32-bit second generation graphics processor by Texas Instruments, with optional 34082 32-bit math co-processor. The VideoMaster plugs into the Amiga 2000 and 3000 series computers, but uses its own internal RAM and processor exclusively, making it a virtual video Workstation for video professionals. Two software-selectable video input channels are provided for either NTSC composite or NTSC RGB in. Two software-selectable video output channels are also provided, for NTSC composite or analog RGB out with external synchronization capability (slavable) for connection with other video peripherals, such as Progressive's Video Blender. Using state of the art video technology, the VideoMaster offers dual frame buffers, each with resolutions of up to 1024 x 1024 in 24 bits (over 16 million colors) with 8 bit overlay (256 colors). The frame buffer can display out in resolutions up to 800 x 600 and 1024 x 512 in over 16 million colors. Instantaneous buffer display switching, hue, saturation and contrast may be quickly adjusted through software for the perfect video image. Video Canvas 24, a real-time 16 million color paint system is included. Video artists may use the Video Canvas to create graphics in a scrollable paint area of up to 1024 x 2048 pixels. The Canvas updates the display instantaneously as the user paints. State of the art palette selection and object creation methods are provided to generate works of video art quickly in 16 million vibrant, brilliant colors. Up to 8 'clipboard" areas for sketching or creating art may be allocated. For close-in detail work, real-time zoom capability of up to 8:1 is provided by VideoMaster. Standard IFF images may be loaded in and upgraded to 24-bit images, then saved as 24-bit IFF images or in VCAN, Video Canvas' own 32-bit compressed custom format. The VideoMaster offers optional real-time 24-bit video digitizing in all Amiga video resolutions up to 752 x 525, including overscan. NTSC composite or NTSC RGB video signals may be digitized in 16 million colors in 1/30th of a second, shown on the external display, or stored for later recall or editing. Through the use of leading edge technology and engineering, VideoMaster's crisp, realistic digitized images are virtually indistinguishable from live video. VideoMaster offers the video professional real-time 24-bit video effect generation capabilities. VideoMaster provides real-time video resizing, live "window within a window", animations, solarization, polarization, zoom up to 8:1, and an unlimited number of real-time ADO- style effects: flipping windows, inversion, rotation, and countless others, all real-time in 16 million colors. VideoMaster's unique hardware and software design allows generation of video effects which were formerly available only on high-end custom video production systems. The VideoMaster's design includes a programming and data RAM storage area of 1 megabyte, expandable to 8 megabytes. This area may be used for running blindingly fast custom 34020-based applications such as 3-D rendering, animation, ray tracing, image processing, and ADO effects generation software. The VideoMaster's 8-bit overlay allows for operating system windows and menu displays in up to 256 colors, overlaying the 24-bit video image. This design eliminates palette selection problems and allows for easy editing and painting in 24 bits. The VideoMaster's surface mount design assures the fastest possible speeds and optimal processing quality, making it an indispensible addition to any video professional's studio. By connecting the VideoMaster to other video peripherals, high quality professional video effects rivaling those seen on national TV networks can be achieved at a fraction of the cost. The VideoMaster is supported by many third party software products, including progressive's own 3-D Professional rendering and animation system, and many others. VideoMaster is scheduled for release in 1st quarter 1991. The VideoMaster comes with Video Canvas 24-bit paint software, diagnostic and control software, thoroughly illustrated manual with examples, and VHS tutorial videotape. Many configurations are available from a single-=buffer 32 MHz system with 1 MB program storage RAM, to a double-buffered 40 MHz system with 34082 co-processor, 8 MB program storage RAM, and digitizing capability. All configurations available in NTSC or PAL. for more info: PROGRESSIVE PERIPHERALS & SOFTWARE 464 KALAMATH STREET DENVER, CO. 80204 USA Voice: 303-825-4144 FAX: 303-893-6938
amigan@cup.portal.com (R Michael Medwid) (01/03/91)
I couldn't resist.."The PP Blender and more"..youch!