garym@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."