sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu (scott sutherland) (09/20/89)
Last week I posted a question concerning RF Modulators and their necessity in recording Amiga video output to a VCR. I got one response asking why one was needed and why I couldn't just take the Amiga output straight to a VCR. Well, I just purchased a copy of the SEPT/OCT issue of INFO magazine. In it there is a review of much of the Hardware needed for video work. First, let me state that my terminology was INCORRECT. An RF modulator is not required to get Amiga video to a VCR, a "VIDEO ENCODER" is. This device creates composite NTSC video from the RGB analog (non-composite) signal of the Amy. (This info is from the INFO article) QUESTION(s) ONE: I thought that, since we have interlace, it WAS NTSC!! Is the problem that I need to convert from non-composite to composite?? What does this mean??? It also states that SOME of these encoders also provide an RF signal for a TV output. (thus RF Modulator). QUESTION(s) TWO: I purchased a CMI Video encoder for my Amy. INFO rates this as the best available encoder that they actually tested. However, they state that there is a CMI VI-500 and a VI-2000. I have used mine somewhat and gotten reasonable results (except for bursts of what appears to be RF noise when I start recording), so I never looked closely at the box. I just did last night and I have the CMI VI-500!!! But I have been using it on my Amy 2000. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VI-500 AND VI-2000? Do I need the 2000 version? The place where I purchased it has closed. Can anyone affiliated with CMI (or anyone who plays one on TV ;^)) tell me the difference and if I can send in my VI-500 with the original box and trade it in for a VI-2000? If no one from CMI is on the net, does anyone out there know how I can get in touch with them? Thanks, Scott Sutherland sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu
dales@teksce.SCE.TEK.COM (Dale Snell) (09/22/89)
In article <677@orange6.qtp.ufl.edu> sutherla@orange6 (scott sutherland) writes: | | CAN SOMEONE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE | VI-500 AND VI-2000? Do I need the 2000 version? The VI-2000 is a card that fits into the A2000's Video Slot. If I remember rightly, the VI-2000 gets its video information from the Amiga's DAC bits, rather from the analog RGB signals. I think that the VI-500 just uses the analog signals. (I don't have a VI-500; in fact, I've never really looked at one.) If you are happy with the output from your VI-500, I really doubt you need the 2000 model. (Now if you want to talk *real* Broadcast Quality, you could get a Magni 4004. Merely $2000+ per unit...) | If no one from CMI is on the net, does anyone out there know how |I can get in touch with them? Here's CMI's address and phone number: Creative Microsystems, Inc. 19552 SW 90th Court Tualatin, Ore. 97062 Phone: (503) 691-2552 |Thanks, | |Scott Sutherland |sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu You're welcome! --dds STD.DISCLAIMER: I don't work for CMI, I'm just a satisfied customer. Hark! Hark! The dogs do bark, | Dale D. Snell: dales@teksce.SCE.TEK.COM The Duke is fond of kittens. | UUCP: ...!tektronix!teksce!dales He likes to turn their insides out, | Compu$erve: 74756,666 BIX: ddsnell And use their fur for mittens! | Disclaimer? I don't even *know* her!
billsey@agora.UUCP (Bill Seymour) (09/26/89)
From article <677@orange6.qtp.ufl.edu:, by sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu (scott sutherland):
:
: QUESTION(s) ONE: I thought that, since we have interlace, it
: WAS NTSC!! Is the problem that I need to
: convert from non-composite to composite??
: What does this mean???
NTSC includes color... That may be what they're talking about. The
Video out jack on the back of a 2000 is monochrome only. The encoder you're
asking about will be used to translate the RGB signal into a NTSC compatible
composite signal.
:
: QUESTION(s) TWO: I purchased a CMI Video encoder for my Amy.
: INFO rates this as the best available encoder
: that they actually tested. However, they state
: that there is a CMI VI-500 and a VI-2000.
: I have used mine somewhat and gotten reasonable
: results (except for bursts of what appears to
: be RF noise when I start recording), so I never
: looked closely at the box. I just did last
: night and I have the CMI VI-500!!! But I have
: been using it on my Amy 2000.
The bursts of noise are probably caused by hits on the +12V power
during floppy or hard disk accesses. One way you could minimize this is
by adding a large capacitor to the +12V near the big power connector and
another near the video circuitry. If you don't feel comfortable soldering
inside your 2000 *don't* try this!
: CAN SOMEONE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
: VI-500 AND VI-2000? Do I need the 2000 version?
: The place where I purchased it has closed. Can
: anyone affiliated with CMI (or anyone who plays
: one on TV ;^)) tell me the difference and if
: I can send in my VI-500 with the original box
: and trade it in for a VI-2000?
The VI-2000 is simply an internal version of the VI-500. For best
video quality you still want to disconnect the monitor from the system,
so you would probably be just as well off to keep what you have. The main
thing you'd gain with the internal one is a little more desk space.
: If no one from CMI is on the net, does anyone out there know how
: I can get in touch with them?
Well, I'm no longer with CMI, but their net address is:
...tektronix!sequent.UUCP!calvin!{richr|kellym|billc|lillian|stevef}
You can direct dial onto their system at (503) 691-2903. I
believe you logon as guest and get access to some limited text files
and such... BTW, calvin is PCPable, if you're a PCP person.
: Thanks,
:
: Scott Sutherland
: sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu
--
-Bill Seymour ...tektronix!reed!percival!agora!billsey
...tektronix!sequent.UUCP!calvin!billsey
Bejed, Inc. NES, Inc. Northwest Amiga Group At Home Sometimes
(503) 691-2552 (503) 246-9311 (503) 656-7393 BBS (503) 640-0842