a808@mindlink.UUCP (David R. Matthews) (12/06/90)
Hi there! You sound like you need a "genlock". This unit will allow you to overlay your computer graphics onto the live incoming video. Inexpensive units are approx. $100. Good units $400-$800. Excellent units $1000+. The low end will not do for professional use. Try before you buy. Have fun!!!
gt3791a@prism.gatech.EDU (JOHNSON) (12/06/90)
What is the best way to get high quality Amiga graphics onto video tape?
I'm interested in creating presentation quality videotapes that utilitize
real-world filming, as well as spliced-in computer graphics. Is this
possible with an Amiga, and if so, what equipment would I need? Finally,
how much would it cost (generally)?
M. Johnson
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt3791a
Internet: gt3791a@prism.gatech.edudak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) (12/08/90)
In-Reply-To: message from gt3791a@prism.gatech.EDU Can it be done? I think the Amiga was designed with the idea of putting the output to videotape. There are several ways to get the output to tape. The most cost effective would to purchase a genlocking device such as a Magni, Nerikkei, or SuperGen. The devices also allow you to key Amiga graphics over video. Providing you only want to overlay graphics on one video source at a time no TBC (timebase corrector) is required. If it's 24bit stuff a Toaster would be nice (1599$) and although you need a TBC to run video (VCR) "underneath" it may be worth it. What some people may not realize, is that once the Toaster has been activated, then deactivated, it functions as a genloc/keyer for STANDARD ONLY IFF images. If you're after even higher quality output there is the encoder/decoder option. These devices, which range from $900-$12,000 are not Amiga specific. They take the RGB signal from the 500/2000/3000 CPU and encode/decode the signal into composite/component/etc. video signals. Some have keyers build in but the better ones only convert the signal. With this device, as well as some others you can dump the images to tape (using "super Black" as color zero. A black which read 0 or negative IRE on a WaveForm monitor instead of video black 7.5 IRE (IEEEs) and key them on your film/video as you would with any ordinary graphic element. Some of those of us who sell our Amiga graphics often put them on tape so our clients can then shorten , lengthen or whatever to them from our tape. BTW: As weird as it may sound to others out there we use the old Amiga 1000 genloc to time our 2000 to house sync. and run the composite signal thru a Broadcast Proc. Amp. I know it sounds funky, but other users here in NJ, who use all the leading genlock devices mentioned above can't believe the output, infact, some have asked which monitor was the RGB display and which was the composite video! Hope this info helps. . . DAK
monty@sagpd1.UUCP (Monty Saine) (12/11/90)
In article <6162@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) writes: >In-Reply-To: message from gt3791a@prism.gatech.EDU >Can it be done? I think the Amiga was designed with the idea of putting the >output to videotape. >There are several ways to get the output to tape. The most cost effective ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The most cost effect way to Amiga output to video tape is to plug a cable from the composite output on your A1000 to the input on your VCR. You say you don't have an A1000....:) I am not a video buff, but why do you need a gen lock to record the output??? Monty Saine
king@dciem.dciem.dnd.ca (Stephen King) (12/12/90)
In article <963@sagpd1.UUCP> monty@sagpd1.UUCP (Monty Saine) writes: >In article <6162@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) writes: >>In-Reply-To: message from gt3791a@prism.gatech.EDU >>Can it be done? I think the Amiga was designed with the idea of putting the >>output to videotape. >>There are several ways to get the output to tape. The most cost effective > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > The most cost effect way to Amiga output to video tape is to plug > a cable from the composite output on your A1000 to the input on your > VCR. You say you don't have an A1000....:) Right. If you don't have an A1000, I'll rent you time on mine - just send a disc and a certified cheque ... Next cheapest thing is to build the circuit in Moto's linear databook for the MC1377 composite video encoder - about $35 for the parts. (this is what the A1000 uses) Use a 9 volt supply - it seems to work better than the 12V shown in the application circuit. Third option: buy a little box from Inline Inc., or, if you have $$$, Lyon Lamb, and several others, have broadcast quality encoders. > I am not a video buff, but why do you need a gen lock to record the > output??? You don't. -- Se non e` vero, e` ben trovato ...{utzoo|mnetor}!dciem!dretor!king king@dretor.dciem.dnd.ca
a218@mindlink.UUCP (Charlie Gibbs) (12/14/90)
In article <6309@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) writes: >It is interesting that the "genloc" is needed to output video. Simply because ^^^^^^ >there is no such device as a genloc. Genloc is a VERB not a NOUN. While we're picking grammatical nits, in my opinion (and still, thankfully, that of a number of dictionaries), "output" is a NOUN not a VERB. It's but one example of the growing tendency to force nouns into service as verbs because either people think it sounds like cool computer jargon or they're unable to think of a proper word. May I suggest one of the following: create generate produce write (none of this pompous "authoring" garbage!) send display print Some are more appropriate than others in various situations. Consult your local thesaurus for more. Sorry for the waste of bandwidth, but this really sets my teeth on edge, and I've already explained the difference between "baud" and "bits per second" to the locals. (Next time I'll explain why a so-called "DB-9" connector is actually a DE-9. :-) BTW the technical information was great. Thanks! Charlie_Gibbs@mindlink.UUCP Anyone who thinks the government doesn't tax the very air we breathe has never had a SCUBA tank refilled.
olsen@hpfcdq.HP.COM (John Olsen) (12/14/90)
monty@sagpd1.UUCP (Monty Saine) writes: > The most cost effect way to Amiga output to video tape is to plug > a cable from the composite output on your A1000 to the input on your > VCR. You say you don't have an A1000....:) > > I am not a video buff, but why do you need a gen lock to record the > output??? You can get Ami stuff on tape directly from an A1000 video out jack, but the signal is a bit 'hot' and doesn't record well. genlocks are used because it settles the signal down to something that doesn't bleed as badly when you play it back. If you use a 2000, the grayscale output is pretty good. Removing the colors cuts down on bleeding quite a bit. Yes, I have a videotape with A1000 direct, A1000 genlocked, and B2000 grayscale direct where you can see the contrast between them. Genlocked output is far superior, even with a cheap unit. -- John M. Olsen, Graphics Technology Division (303)229-6746 olsen@hpfcjo.HP.COM, olsen@hpfcdq.HP.COM Hewlett-Packard, Mail Stop 74, 3404 E. Harmony Road, Ft Collins, CO 80525
dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) (12/14/90)
In-Reply-To: message from monty@sagpd1.UUCP You are right, a decent or semi-decent signal can be obtained straight out of the 1000. My assumtion is that if you have a 1000 you know this. If you don't have a 1000 (as you know) there is no video out. It is interesting that the "genloc" is needed to output video. Simply because there is no such device as a genloc. Genloc is a VERB not a NOUN. One genlocs video/computer devices to one another or a sync. source. Most devices sold for the Amiga called a genlock, are in actuality a genlocking, decoding, keying device. These are three distinct functions. As I mentioned the genlocking function "times" the computer to incoming video signal. This is necessary to combine the signals like when you "key" Amiga graphics over video. That's the second function of these devices- keying or overlaying computer output to video. I believe this is done in the digital domain, that is, you see the combined images on your RGB monitor. This is fine if you don't need to go anywhere but if you want to record the image you will need to encode/decode (I always forget which way is which)the signal into a video signal. This is the third function of these devices- encoding video to computer and computer to video. The only alternative is to "shoot" the screen with a camera that has its scanning adjusted to the scanning of the monitor(which does have some useful applications.) So, yes, you were right about the 1000. No, you don't need to lock the Amiga up to video to record the output but if you want to preserve signal integrity you probably want to record the output directly to the master this shpould be done in your edit with Amiga "genloced v."to the edit suite. BTW. I believe most stand alone decoder/encoders cost around 1500$ and up. The quality is questionable so for that kind of money you might as well get the genlocking and keying functions as well. Hope this clarifies things.
mwm@raven.relay.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) (12/15/90)
In article <6309@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) writes:
In-Reply-To: message from monty@sagpd1.UUCP
You are right, a decent or semi-decent signal can be obtained
straight out of the 1000. My assumtion is that if you have a 1000
you know this. If you don't have a 1000 (as you know) there is
no video out.
Actually, if all you want to do is record Amiga graphics - no
genlocing, etc, then the A520 will do the trick. Plug it into the RGB
out of the Amiga (_any_ Amiga), and take composite video off of it.
It should cost less than $20.
BTW, I keep one on my A3000, attached to an el cheapo monitor (or
two). That way I can verify that the images that look great via the
display enhancer & a multisync monitor are sufficiently flicker-free
and are reaadable in monochrome.
<mike
--mwm@raven.relay.pa.dec.com (Mike (My Watch Has Windows) Meyer) (12/15/90)
In article <6309@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) writes:
In-Reply-To: message from monty@sagpd1.UUCP
You are right, a decent or semi-decent signal can be obtained
straight out of the 1000. My assumtion is that if you have a 1000
you know this. If you don't have a 1000 (as you know) there is
no video out.
Actually, if all you want to do is record Amiga graphics - no
genlocing, etc, then the A520 will do the trick. Plug it into the RGB
out of the Amiga (_any_ Amiga), and take composite video off of it.
It should cost less than $50.
BTW, I keep one on my A3000, attached to an el cheapo monitor (or
two). That way I can verify that the images that look great via the
display enhancer & a multisync monitor are sufficiently flicker-free
and are reaadable in monochrome.
<mike
--bleys@tronsbox.xei.com (Bill Cavanaugh) (12/15/90)
Yeesh! Folks, there's this little doohickey they used to sell for $30 retail, and that they're giving away with the A500. It's a Commodore Amiga 520, and you plug it into the RGB output. It converts to both composite out and rf video out, you're choice, and it sends the audio (mono) out with the rf signal. You really DON'T need to spend hundreds, or thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars... /**************************************************************** * All of the above copyright by the below. * * Bill Cavanaugh uunet!tronsbox!bleys * * "A language is a dialect with an army and a navy." * ****************************************************************/
lshaw@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (logan shaw) (12/17/90)
In article <4130@mindlink.UUCP> a218@mindlink.UUCP (Charlie Gibbs) writes: >In article <6309@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com >(DAK Productions) writes: >>It is interesting that the "genloc" is needed to output video. Simply because > ^^^^^^ >>there is no such device as a genloc. Genloc is a VERB not a NOUN. >While we're picking grammatical nits, in my opinion (and still, >thankfully, that of a number of dictionaries), "output" is a NOUN >not a VERB. It's but one example of the growing tendency to force >nouns into service as verbs because either people think it sounds >like cool computer jargon or they're unable to think of a proper >word. Don't you know that there isn't a single word in the English language that can't be verbed? :-) :-) :-) :-) -- =----------------Logan-Shaw---(lshaw@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu)----------------= "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths" - Proverbs 3:5-6
lphillips@lpami.wimsey.bc.ca (Larry Phillips) (12/17/90)
In <41496@ut-emx.uucp>, lshaw@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (logan shaw) writes: >In article <4130@mindlink.UUCP> a218@mindlink.UUCP (Charlie Gibbs) writes: > >>In article <6309@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com >>(DAK Productions) writes: >>>It is interesting that the "genloc" is needed to output video. Simply because >> ^^^^^^ >>>there is no such device as a genloc. Genloc is a VERB not a NOUN. > >>While we're picking grammatical nits, in my opinion (and still, >>thankfully, that of a number of dictionaries), "output" is a NOUN >>not a VERB. It's but one example of the growing tendency to force >>nouns into service as verbs because either people think it sounds >>like cool computer jargon or they're unable to think of a proper >>word. > >Don't you know that there isn't a single word in the English language >that can't be verbed? :-) :-) :-) :-) Boy, you sure truthed that one! -larry -- The best way to accelerate an MsDos machine is at 32 ft/sec/sec. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | // Larry Phillips | | \X/ lphillips@lpami.wimsey.bc.ca -or- uunet!van-bc!lpami!lphillips | | COMPUSERVE: 76703,4322 -or- 76703.4322@compuserve.com | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
vidynath@function.mps.ohio-state.edu (Vidhyanath K. Rao) (12/17/90)
In article <4130@mindlink.UUCP> a218@mindlink.UUCP (Charlie Gibbs) writes: |While we're picking grammatical nits, in my opinion (and still, |thankfully, that of a number of dictionaries), "output" is a NOUN |not a VERB. May I suggest one of the following: | [list of verbs follows] How about "put out":-) [couldn't resist]. -- Vidhyanth Rao It is the man, not the method, that solves function.mps.ohio-state.edu the problem. - Henri Poincare (614)-366-9341 [as paraphrased by E. T. Bell]
swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren) (12/17/90)
In article <4710020@hpfcdq.HP.COM> olsen@hpfcdq.HP.COM (John Olsen) writes: [...] >You can get Ami stuff on tape directly from an A1000 video out jack, but the >signal is a bit 'hot' and doesn't record well. genlocks are used because >it settles the signal down to something that doesn't bleed as badly when >you play it back. [...] I saw an article a couple of years ago that explained how to hack the video output circuit on the 1000 to get a good signal for direct recordings. I can't even remember which rag it was in, but something tells me it was Amazing Computing. Does anyone else remember reading about this hack? The author was really knowledgeable about video. Apparently the hack was quite simple, and consisted of changing the values of a few resistors in the output stage of the video amplifiers. Something about the way the resistors were selected in the 1000 design was out of spec with the original design equations for the amplifier in the composite video output. I am a little vague because my memory has deserted me ;^). -- _. --Steve ._||__ DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own. Warren v\ *| ---------------------------------------------- V {uunet,sun}!convex!swarren; swarren@convex.COM
bobl@pro-graphics.cts.com (Bob Lindabury, SysAdmin) (12/18/90)
In-Reply-To: message from lshaw@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu >>In article <6309@crash.cts.com>> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com >>(DAK Productions) writes: >>>It is interesting that the "genloc" is needed to output video. Simply because >>> ^^^^^^ >>>there is no such device as a genloc. Genloc is a VERB not a NOUN. >>While we're picking grammatical nits, in my opinion (and still, >>thankfully, that of a number of dictionaries), "output" is a NOUN >>not a VERB. It's but one example of the growing tendency to force >>nouns into service as verbs because either people think it sounds >>like cool computer jargon or they're unable to think of a proper >>word. > >Don't you know that there isn't a single word in the English language >that can't be verbed? :-) :-) :-) :-) Hmm..I think the original message wasn't nitpicking grammar. It was nitpicking terminology. The Amiga community has this name for any overlay device that is incorrect when you are talking Video jargon. Genlock is a verb that applies to what is done to a video signal. Genlock is not a device. You genlock a device to an incomming video signal. You genlock your Amiga to an incomming video signal. You do not put a Genlock on your Amiga. You genlock 2 video cameras so that they are in sync. And so on. Of course I am not an engineer so I don't know the precise ways in which genlocking of signals is accomplished so some of my examples may be just a little off. (This is to reduce the amount of flames from the nitpicking engineers of the world who will most likely find a flaw in some of the above examples) <grin> -- Bob ______ Pro-Graphics BBS "It's better than a sharp stick in the eye!" ________ UUCP: crash!pro-graphics!bobl | Pro-Graphics: 908/469-0049 ARPA/DDN: pro-graphics!bobl@nosc.mil | America Online: Graphics3d Internet: bobl@pro-graphics.cts.com | CompuServe: RIP _________ ___________ Raven Enterprises 25 Raven Avenue Piscataway, NJ 08854
dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) (12/21/90)
In-Reply-To: message from swarren@convex.com Yes! I remember reading the same article, it was in Amazin, a few months after I read it I asked if anyone had the copy and no one responded, maybe now there's more interest and someone will dig it out. If YOU find it let us know! DAK
monty@sagpd1.UUCP (Monty Saine) (12/22/90)
In article <6386@crash.cts.com> bobl@pro-graphics.cts.com (Bob Lindabury, SysAdmin) writes: >Hmm..I think the original message wasn't nitpicking grammar. It was >nitpicking terminology. The Amiga community has this name for any overlay >device that is incorrect when you are talking Video jargon. Genlock is a >verb that applies to what is done to a video signal. Genlock is not a device. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Then the A1300 is a verb, right? Monty Saine
swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren) (12/22/90)
In article <6446@crash.cts.com> dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions) writes: >In-Reply-To: message from swarren@convex.com > >Yes! I remember reading the same article, it was in Amazin, a few months after >I read it I asked if anyone had the copy and no one responded, maybe now >there's more interest and someone will dig it out. If YOU find it let us know! >DAK Hmm, I was hoping someone who remembered would save me the trouble of scanning through every Amazing article for this one. Do you realise how tall my stack of magazines is? -- _. --Steve ._||__ DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own. Warren v\ *| ---------------------------------------------- V {uunet,sun}!convex!swarren; swarren@convex.COM