a300@mindlink.UUCP (Mark Gray) (10/22/89)
I am looking for a video board which will import live video from a laser disk
or other video source into a window on the Mac II. The purpose is to
incorporate video clips into interactive multimedia presentations.
A dealer suggested the Color Space II video board from Mass Microsystems. This
board allows the importation of live video and synchronizes Mac graphics with
the video signal. Graphics can be overlaid on the video signal and the result
displayed on an appropriate multisync monitor. Although this board has some
very sophisticated functions, its principal drawback as far as I am concerned
is that it does not permit the video image to be displayed in a window -- the
video image takes up the entire screen and any graphics are overlaid.
I saw an advertisement for the Personal Vision board from Orange Micro which
apparently allows the video image to be displayed in a window with the graphics
alongside. This board may accomplish my purpose.
If you have any insight into or information on these boards, or just as
important, if you can suggest any alternative product, I'd very much appreciate
hearing from you. You can reply directly to me
and I'll then summarize the results to the network.
Thanks in advace,
--
Mark Gray
Vancouver BC Canada
using "Mindlink" BBSgarym@telesoft.com (Gary Morris @nova) (10/25/89)
[ please post followups to comp.sys.mac.hardware ] In article <614@mindlink.UUCP> you write: >I am looking for a video board which will import live video from a laser disk >or other video source into a window on the Mac II. The purpose is to >incorporate video clips into interactive multimedia presentations. I asked a similar question recently and got some references from USENET people. While I was just looking to capture a single video frame into a PICT file, some of the systems referenced are able to do both. I haven't yet purchased a system so I can't give firsthand experience but these references may help you also. Here's a summary of the responses I received. --GaryM From: captkidd@athena.mit.edu (Ivanski) > I work on a multimedia development project, and one of the pieces of > equipment we use is a NTSC capture/RGB video board made by TrueVision, Inc. > While this board has other features that we use (live video overlay and what > not), it can certainly do true video capture in any screen depth up to > 24-bit. This should give you enough manipulation leeway with the programs > you mention. The software also permits saving in PICT format, TIFF (for > DigDkrm and others) or TrueVision's proprietary TGA (Targa) format, > compatible with the one for its PC boards. The NuVista is one of the > costlier capture boards, but it performs flawlessly. Since cost is always a > concern, however, keep in mind there are similar boards out there which > perform video capture as well, I just haven't had any hands-on experience > with them. Some of ther other ones are: > > Mass Micro's ColorSpace II board > Orange Micro's MacVision (I think) > (and a number of others which I can't remember now). > > For more info, check recent (Summer) issues of MacUser and MacWorld, > which focused on "Desktop Video." > > -Ivanski > Internet: captkidd@athena.mit.edu [I have May-Oct MacUser (except July) and didn't see anything, so it must be in July. If someone can confirm that (email please), I'll order a back issue. --GaryM] From: Jeffrey Joseph Barbose <jb28+@andrew.cmu.edu> > There are nuVista boards that capture composite video, but these are _very_ > expensive. the 4MB board (which you'd probably want for highest capture > quality) lists for $6500 retail. From: Michael J Kobb <mjkobb@media-lab.media.mit.edu> > Some folks here at the lab use the ColorSpace FX board in a Mac II. It > seems to be fast, and it is a magnificent piece of hardware. I've never > used one personally, but you might want to check one out. It's made by > Mass Microsystems. There's an ad for one of their boards inside the back > cover of this month's MacUser. "Call (800) 522-7979 for a dealer near you." From: Adrian Hill <woz@torch.co.uk> > We produce an 8 Bit video input and framestore board, with software programmable > resolutions which include those meeting the full picture requirements of both > European and USA broadcast TV standards. Installing 3 cards enables the system > to input/output 24 true colour. > > Mixing of live video and graphics is possible by using the overlay and keying > functions. > > We also ship a 'C' library, and associated header files, to allow applications > programmers to access extra driver functions. > > * 1,2,4 or 8 times independant horizontal and vertical hardware zoom. > * Smooth hardware panning in single pixel increments under mouse control. > * Optional Encoder/Decoder board for PAL or NTSC. > > APPLELINK: UK0058 UUCP: woz@torch.co.uk PHONE: +44 223 841000 -- Gary Morris {uunet,ucsd}!telesoft!garym TeleSoft N6FRT garym@telesoft.com San Diego, CA, USA ASEL garym@nynashamn.telelogic.se +1 619 457-2700 "If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right."