joeb@marque.mu.edu (Joe Bronikowski) (04/16/89)
Greetings, I have a slight problem regarding single-frame recording of animations with a VCR that I hope someone out there can help me with. I have a Sony SLV-50 VCR with their 5-pin "Control L" port on it. I've been told that this is simply a serial port (I suppose ground, Tx, Rx, and maybe RTS/CTS), and it can be connected to the Amiga with the proper cable. What I'd like to do is use the single-frame-record feature to put complex animations on tape, using Aegis VideoScape 3D and the Amiga to control the recording operation. I'm also thinking of writing a video editing controller (using a genlock, and possibly supporting multiple decks) sometime in the future. So, what I need is a description of the serial protocol used by the Control L port. I called Sony's customer information center, and they told me that 1) they don't recommend connecting a computer to their VCRs, and 2) they don't have any manual describing the protocol. I asked about engineering documents, but of course they wouldn't send me something like that. :-) I also tried contacting Aegis, but they were unable to give me any information either (something about the original programmers having left the company). I suppose I could reverse-engineer the protocol, but I'd have to find somewhere to rent another Sony VCR or video camera (or maybe a real editing controller). Even then, I'd probably miss some commands by virtue of not knowing they exist. Therefore, if any of you Amiga video enthusiasts have the Control L protocol information, or a pointer to the information, I would be deeply grateful for a copy. Then all I'll have to do is produce something halfway presentable! (I wonder if videotapes qualify for the killer demo contest? :-) Thanks in advance for any help. Mail or post your replies. -- Joe Bronikowski ...!uwvax!uwcsd1!marque!joeb or ...!rutgers!marque!joeb
bhine@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov (Butler Hine sst) (04/17/89)
Good luck! I have been trying to get the same information myself, but without much luck. If you find out anything, please mail it to me or post it. Thanks. Butler Hine bhine@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov
milazzo@bbn.com (Paul Milazzo) (04/18/89)
A description of the Control L protocol exists. Order:
SONY part number 9-972-453-11
"Protocol of Control L/L "
F
My copy is dated March, 1986.
I have never built a Control L interface, but from what I read in the
manual, Control L is *not* an RS-232 interface. It appears to be a
TTL-level CSMA/CD bus using 9600-baud async framing. You must transmit
in sync with the frame rate, and check for collisions.
If anyone manages to connect their Amiga to a Control L bus, please let
me know!
Paul Milazzo <milazzo@bbn.com>
BBN Laboratories
Cambridge, MA