curtiss@umiacs.umd.edu (Phil J. Curtiss) (12/31/90)
I need some help with converting RGB (sync signal on G) video output from some frame buffers to some composite (NTSC most likely) signal and then distributing the composite signal to various locations on our building. Our building is such that the composite video signal will need to run from the distribution box through coax cables to its destinations. If anyone knows of any companies that sell converters and/or distribution boxes (amps, etc) for video signals I would appreciate knowing about these companies (phone number and contact person would be wonderful). Also, if anyone out there has been through a similar project (I suspect some of you media people have ;-), I would appreciate hearing your comments, warnings and any advice you would be willing to share. Thank you all in advance. -- Domain: curtiss@umiacs.umd.edu Phillip Curtiss UUCP: uunet!mimsy!curtiss UMIACS - Univ. of Maryland Phone: +1-301-405-6744 College Park, Md 20742
sheasby@dgp.toronto.edu (Michael C. Sheasby) (12/31/90)
curtiss@umiacs.umd.edu (Phil J. Curtiss) writes: > If anyone knows of any companies that sell converters and/or >distribution boxes (amps, etc) for video signals I would appreciate knowing >about these companies (phone number and contact person would be wonderful). >Also, if anyone out there has been through a similar project (I suspect some >of you media people have ;-), I would appreciate hearing your comments, >warnings and any advice you would be willing to share. Here at the University of Toronto we've got a computer-controlled video network which offers bidirectional audio and video communication between a set of geographically disparate nodes (each using a camera and monitor, with a Mac controlling the central switch via ethernet) the switches that we've settled on are the Akai DP2000 and DP3200. the 2000 gives 16x16 video and audio control, and the 3200 gives 32x32 audio only control. We're using a sun to control the switches, communicating through a Mac speaking midi (at a hacked speed) to the switches. the switches are excellent; there is some image degradation but for live video applications we haven't had any noticeable problems. If you need sync while switching between sources, you'll need a TBC for each one of your final nodes (if you can handle a slight jitter whenever you switch sources, then I'm sure this won't be necessary; we make do just fine without) You can get a dedicated controller if you don't need the ability to control the switch remotely. We put a lot of effort into making the switch controllable via our Macs and Suns. I'd recommend these switches for your application. if you need more than a 16x16 switch, you might want to try and track down a paper that Bill Buxton wrote for EuroPARC a few years back on multi-switch configurations. If memory serves, he illustrates a way to get a 72x72 switch with 13 16x16 switches, with very few 'busy' lines. Let me know if you have any other questions... video networks are fun stuff. ---Mike. sheasby@dgp.toronto.edu (416) 967-7223