CompuServe Messages

John, It is possible to control a VCR from the Amiga. Check out TCCOMP.ARC in DL10 of the AmigaVendor forum. That file describes which VCRs are compatible with "Transport Controller", and a lot more. Once you've done that, and realized just how expensive the hardware is, know that I am working on direct control of VCRs, without an interface. I have already done it with the AG6500 and AG7500 VCRs (VHS & S-VHS). However, from frame-accuracy, you still need SMPTE time code. A SMPTE time code reader/generator for the Amiga is available for $800 list, or cheaper if you buy it from me. Also available with the SMPTE box is a program that will trigger a DPaint animation at exactly the proper video frame, for the "Roger-Rabbit" type of animation. This is already being done by a few people, who used to do it manually, and hope they hit the key at the right time to start the anim; now they can do automatically. Currently, to record single-frames frame-accurately it takes an industrial quality VCR ($3000+). Triggerring an anim at the proper time can be done on even the cheapest VCRs. Oh yes; the SMPTE software supports ARexx, so you can trigger an ARexx script frame-accurately. I'm told that you can use framegrabber to digitize an exact frame using it; useful if your VCR does not have a good freeze. Let me know if you have more questions. —Mike