CompuServe Messages

Hilary, I think why we are failing to connect here is your quite reasonable assumption that more than one VTR is required for the Flyer. Only ONE vtr is required to work in ANY NLE environment, although machine control of more than one (or even ONE in the Flyer's case) is desireable. Don't get me wrong.. I have much invested in my plain old linear tape machines and would like to continue to have access to all my tape based footage during an edit session WITHOUT having to digitize it first, but apparently that isn't to be. What MIGHT be implemented in a future version of the Flyer software would be the capability to use the computer's serial port to communicate to ONE vtr for the purposes of batch capture of several segments from a previously compiled SMPTE edit list. My gut tells me that Newtek will probably let someone like Nucleus electronics (the makers of the Personal SFC) fill in the void since they have already done all the engineering required to operate RS422 tape machines from the Amiga serial port. For the mean time, you would connect the output of your TBC (which will be fed by your VTR or be internal to the VTR itself) along with the audio out connections to the Flyer's inputs and playback your footage while the Flyer captures it. Any subsequent manipulation of the video is done with the "captured" sequences. On the whole, I got the impression during the demonstration in SF that Newtek's vision of the new era of desktop video doesn't include machine control. The viewpoint being fostered by Jennison and Stranahan at that time essentially declares that "With a totally digital video environment, you won't need a vtr" except to play the footage "into" the system for the first time, then use it on the final pass to "capture" the final assembly of the seperate video/audio clips as they are spewed forth out of the Toaster's output. This process being required only if you wish to distribute your precious vid to the rest of the world on that antiquated medium called tape.<g> Stranahan even went so far as to suggest that you should capture your footage directly into the Flyer by taking it on location with you. While the idea of a main control room on your desktop being "fed" signals from your camera operator somwhere in the vicinity is appealing, I don't think it's very practical. Most footage will be "aquired" via tape based camera systems for some time to come. On your other question; The video/audio playback from hard drives is indeed "controlled", but through software that brings your Toaster's switcher environment "in on the process" of editing video in a very familiar interface. Because (for the time being anyway) all this magic is being performed within the confines of your Amiga, (Both Toaster and FLyer cards contained therein) there is no need to have a seperate "black box" interface to communicate between hard drives and Flyer. There IS of course the SCSI connection (3 of them) by which all kinds of lovely info will flow between Flyer/Toaster/Swithcher/Amiga Operating System. I have yet to actually see my new VTU so I can't really say how in depth the hardware coverage is. My assumption though would be that since there isn't much in the way of hardware to look at (just a board) there will be more emphasis on the software environment and an explanation of the procedures required to operate it by a typical user. Glad to hear Barry is doing so well after his illness. I will post him a note. Frank