ugpete@sunybcs.UUCP (03/31/87)
< a line a day keeps the line-eater away >
A short time ago I posted a message about a Video Control Sequencer.
Since then I've received a lot of mail about it. Most people just wanted to
know where they could get one. Instead of answering everybody individually
I'll post the info here.
First of all, for those of you who missed the first posting; What is
a Video Control Sequencer? Well, It's a device that allows the computer to
control a VCR and record frame by frame animation. ie: the computer can
take it's time drawing as complex an image as it wants (such as ray tracing),
and then command the VCR to record one, two, or more frames from the current
screen being displayed. Then the computer draws the next frame in an animated
sequence.
The specific device I'm using is called "Videolink" from BCD Associates
(see their address below). The commands you send it to control the VCR are
extremely simple. Over the serial port you send text such as "FF 1" to advance
one frame. (that's just an example, I dont have the manual in front of me.)
The good news is it makes VERY clean pictures, even on VHS machines
(of course you CAN use 3/4" video-decks and other expensive equiptment if
you have them). The bad news is it isn't as inexpensive as I was led to
believe. It turns out that the price I quoted in the last article (I think
it was $400) was for a RGB -> NTSC converter I am using on a Number Nine
graphics board. I don't know what the price for the Sequencer is, but anyone
who's interested can write or call BCD and find out.
Here's their address:
Videolink. RS-232 Video Controller.
BCD Associates, Inc.
205 Broadway Tech Center
7510 N. Broadway Ext.
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405/843-4574
ITT Telex 499 1435 BCD OKC
Somebody asked if it can be used on any VCR; The manual mentions a few
models that are known to work with it. Others may also. Here is the list
from the Videolink manual:
VTR types:
SONY - Type V series (VP 5000 - VO 5850)
BVU series, SLO-323, SLP-303, SLP-305, SLO 383
VO-2611, VO-2811, VO-2850, VO-2860.
PANASONIC - NV-9200A, NV-9500A, NV-9240,
NV-9600, NV-8200, NV-8170, NV-8500,
AG-6100, AG-6200, AG-6300.
JVC - CR-85OU, BR-6400U W/special modification.
Well, that's all for now. If anyone finds out the price, post it
for everybody.
Peter Theobald.
-------------------------------------------
"There are two kinds of people in this world.
Those with guns, and those who dig... You dig."
Peter Theobald
SUNY/Buffalo Computer Science
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