CompuServe Messages

Francois, The price of Truevision products varies with the country in which it is sold. However, the VideoVGA card (one of 8 bit , and one better at 16 bit per pixel) will probably cost from around $800. I gather this is a stripped down VGA version of the one I use which is the Targa+ 16P. I think the price in the US is perhaps from around $1500 for the Targa+ range, and the Targa+16/32P is probably around $1850. The software you will use depends on the kit you buy. I acquired the Targa+ 16P for capturing high quality images and am currently using it with a Sony PAL camcorder. The images are then used for remote discussions via a desk top conferencing set up I have installed. The software supplied with my Targa card – "V-Maker" is equivalent to a small video editing studio with all kinds of genlock, chromakeying, digitall linear keying facilities. It is fairly easy to use – though to get the best results two monitors are required – one which can run at horizontal 15.75Khz ( e.g. a Commodore type.) The other is a normal VESA VGA monitor. It is possible to use a pass through if you have a multisync monitor capable of the lower frequency I noted above. To save guesswork however, there is a forum on Compuserve – "Go Truevision". I am sure they will be delighted to give you all the information you require – with a certainty of accuracy beyond my experience. They will also be able to give you details fo you local suppliers etc.. I will try to download a file to the library for you to inspect in the next few days. It will be a converted .TGA file in full bitmap format so that you should be able to view it in Windows "Paintbrush" or some such. Typically you should expect to see a file of about 0.9MB – and it may well be of a dermatological condition! It will be called FRANCOIS.BMP Hope this is of use – let me know how you get on. Kind regards, John.