CompuServe Thread

Definition of Kiron?

9 messages in this thread
#6704From: Paul EdwardsMar 16, 1991 5:52 AM
I need a definition of kiron for another book we're writing. Can someone help? The dictionaries we have don't.
#6705From: SyndesisMar 16, 1991 10:05 AM
You mean "Chiron"? Like the brand name for a character generator, typically owned by TV studios? It's a company, I'm sure if you call them, they'll snd you literature. It's a character generator, it makes overlay words to put beneath talking heads.
#6715From: Paul EdwardsMar 16, 1991 5:39 PM
Many thanks, John. Tch..tch… I did not even know how to spell it. Thanks again.
#6727From: SyndesisMar 17, 1991 10:09 AM
I made the mistake of giving the classical spelling, while of course the computer company bastardized that, so…
#6813From: Jeff LanderMar 20, 1991 12:09 AM
For the record the name is Chyron. It is an outdated but very pro-looking character generator some even have frame store capabilities. You never see a studio without one. Jeff
#6733From: Pete GouldMar 17, 1991 2:55 PM
CHYRON. Any of several standalone character generators by the recently bankrupt Chyron Corporation. At the low end of the scale is the Chyron VP-1, which contains the character generation circuitry but lacks a keyboard or other user-interface and possesses no means of storage. The VP-1 is intended to be connected via a serial interface to a PC or other source of input. Then there's the VP-2, which has its own keyboard and (3-1/2" flexi) disk drives. Different fonts are available as plug-in chips, which must be purchased from Chyron. Fonts may not be user-created or downloaded. There are no means for animated transitions like the ProVideo and Broadcast Titler Amiga products: the units are straight character generators. They do offer higher resolution than the Amiga (35ns pixels as opposed to the Amiga's 70ns ones) but the new Amiga Super Denise will equalize that. Higher up on the scale are the Chyron Scribe and SuperScribe, which will do animated page transitions, flips, wipes, etc. These units store fonts on disk rather than in firmware, and the fonts are outline, rather than bitmapped, so fonts of any size may be generated. In order to actually use a font, the operator must select the outline shape (s)he wants to use and determine an appropriate point size. A bitmapped font of the appropriate size is then genererated from the outline. These units go for $20K+. Pete
#6779From: Paul EdwardsMar 19, 1991 4:04 AM
Pete, you are the right person to ask about Chyron. Even bankrupt, I imagine their name is an asset. I hope they're in corporate reorganization (chapter 11) vs. liquidation (chapter 7). Thank you for the rundown. By the way, after I found out Chyron was a company name, we used "character generator" but at least now I will know what we're talking about when in a production situation. Thanks again.
#6801From: Keith P. NeffMar 19, 1991 8:11 PM
Don't forget the Infinite from the now chapter 11 Chyron. IMHO they deserve to be in trouble, an arrogant company who treated their customers poorly and traded on their name, not their technology for years. Keith
#6804From: Paul EdwardsMar 19, 1991 9:25 PM
Such behavior as you describe often leads from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 without a change of management and attitude.