FCTY7284@RYERSON.BITNET (Peter Hiscocks) (02/10/89)
I've been using the CAD 3D and Cyber Control combo from Tom Hudson to do
some building and exploring of architectural spaces. This is a really nice
package for 3D modelling. My only item for the wish list would be support for
a math co-processor to speed up the redraws. All the more amazing for the
price.
Now I'd like to record the result to tape using Cyber VCR. Antic claims it's
been released but the local dealers haven't seen it. Anyone out there seen,
touched, and/or used it? Any reviews or sources?
Thanks for the help-
Peter
"If they don't wanta, you can't stop 'em."mike@pixar.UUCP (Mike Russell) (12/12/89)
This is a followup on my earlier request for information on using the Atari ST as an edit controller. Many thanks to Patrick (patrick@hpmcaa.mcm.hp.com) for providing the name "CYBER_VCR". I was able to discover this product at several loacl Atari Dealers, and bought a copy at Berkeley's MicroWorld ~$60 after a 15% discount. The product consists of a disk an adapter that connects the ST's parallel port to a SONY control-L socket. Being me, I popped open the connector and found an NPN transistor and a couple of resistors. I couldn't tell from the connector whether communication with the computer is two way or not. I suspect the software sits in a loop and noodles a data or control bit to send packets. I'd much prefer communication via a standard serial port instead of the parallel port, both for portability to other machines and for efficiency. The software, written by Tom Hudson, wastes no time on pretty icons but is still pretty nifty, allowing a color Atari ST to record a sequence of images to video tape. Unfortunately, you must have a system with al least 1 meg of memory, AND the ability to generate a composite video output. Can you say oxymoron? I have both a 1040 and a 512st and neither one will run the software. However they do give a list of folks who provide 520 memory upgrades and/or 1040/Mega RGB to composite converters. I haven't used the product yet, but it claims to be able to display animation loops, stills, and wipes, sourcing a long list of ST image formats (neochrome, degas, CYBERPAINT0. Alas, no spectrum 512. The manual is written in Tom Hudson's usual direct, lively style, and contains some good historical "anecdotes". I must mention that the definition of composite video he gives is only approximately correct but good enough for software folks. (Composite really means that sync and picture information are mixed, and does not refer to mixing of color channel information). Thoughts on Control-L: CYBER VCR's timing is in units of frames, and this got me wondering if single frame record is possible using control-L. I suspect, however, that the ST simply moves the video base address around to accomplish frame accurate timing, and uses control-L to manage the less time-critical functions of pausing the recorder. So - I have some exploring and experimenting to do here. The idea of using a personal computer talking control-L to control video equipment is something I bet we're going to hear a lot more about in the near future. Maybe this will do for video what MIDI did for synths. -- Mike Russell ucbvax!pixar!mike When the vark gets ard, the ard get varking.
greg@sj.ate.slb.com (Greg Wageman) (12/16/89)
Opinions expressed are the responsibility of the author. In article <8070@pixar.UUCP> mike@pixar.UUCP (Mike Russell) writes: > >The software, written by Tom Hudson, wastes no time on pretty icons >but is still pretty nifty, allowing a color Atari ST to >record a sequence of images to video tape. Unfortunately, you must have >a system with al least 1 meg of memory, AND the ability to generate >a composite video output. Can you say oxymoron? I have both a 1040 and >a 512st and neither one will run the software. However they do give >a list of folks who provide 520 memory upgrades and/or 1040/Mega >RGB to composite converters. I purchased Practical Solutions' Videokey box for my 1040. Depending on the quality you're aiming for, this may be "good enough"; the price is right ($99). Don't expect broadcast quality (not by a long shot). >So - I have some exploring and experimenting to do here. The idea of >using a personal computer talking control-L to control video equipment >is something I bet we're going to hear a lot more about in the near future. >Maybe this will do for video what MIDI did for synths. Well, it might- if Sony were still putting the jack on their equipment! The latest generation of Sony controllers use "Control-S", not Control-L. Control-S uses a 3-wire, stereo-mini-plug type connection, rather than a 5-pin mini-DIN. I have no idea how compatible they are at either the protocol or electrical levels. Copyright 1989 Greg Wageman DOMAIN: greg@sj.ate.slb.com Schlumberger Technologies UUCP: {uunet,decwrl,amdahl}!sjsca4!greg San Jose, CA 95110-1397 BIX: gwage CIS: 74016,352 GEnie: G.WAGEMAN Permission granted for not-for-profit reproduction only.