CompuServe Messages

What the Octree unit apparently does is this: Using a decent 4 head VCR (so they can get seamless edits), they record a frame for several seconds along with an SMPTE time code. Then they render the next frame, rewind the tape to several seconds BEFORE the frame they just recorded, start playing it, and when the time code indicates retrace right after the frame they just recorded, they start recording with the next frame. Since the edits are smooth due to the VCR's good edit capabilities, and the computer is fast enough to start the record at exactly the start of the proper frame, you effectively get single frame recording. You can then have the Octree software render every frame from a script and end up with a recorded animation of any length (hours, even…). The only effective method of doing this otherwise is to film the screen frame by frame with a movie camera (which has it's own problems…), or get a video recorder capable of single frame recording. Such VCR's do exist, mostly for professional broadcasting, and they tend to run a bundle.