#Nucleus SFC
17 messages in this thread
I have just purchased a new Panasonic AG-7750 single-frame recording
VCR and the Nucleus Electronics Personal Single Frame Controller. I
have carefully followed all instructions for setting up the AG-7750
included in the SFC manual, ran the Nucleus SFC cable from the serial
port of the Amiga to the 9P connector on the back of the AG-7750,
switched the VCR to remote, ran the SFC software and get the message
in the configuration editor "no VTR detected". However, from the
main screen of the SFC software, I am able to pause, stop, and
shuttle the VCR. Play and record do not work. In all cases the
status window of the SFC returns error code 32 when any of the
transport buttons are selected in the SFC. My system configuration is
as follows: Amiga 2000 with 105 MB internal hard drive, GVP Series II
68030 Combo board with 12 meg of ram, Megachip 2000 with 2 meg of
chip memory, two Personal TBC's Model VT-1000, and the Video Toaster
2.0. I am running V.1.33 of Workbench. If anyone out there has
experienced problems involving using the Personal SFC with the
AG-7750 and can offer help or advice I would be most appreciative.
I am using the PSFC with the AG7750 on a A2500 equipped with the A2630
card. My system has 9 megs total ram, one meg of chip ram and and use the
A2091 HD controller, all under Toaster 2.0 control. It works fine…
Ask your Authorised Service Center to check the Pico-fuses of the
serial port of your Amiga… I solved the same problem in my machine
with this!
Patrick,
Thanks for the info. I have had my local Amiga dealer check my serial port
for proper voltages on all pins. Everything looks OK. Also I am now using
the modem on this serial port and it is functioning fine. Finally, I have
editing software from Future Video which connects to my editing controller
through my Amiga's serial port with the editing controller in turn driving
my play and record decks. This, too, all works fine in all modes from my
Amiga's keyboard. In spite of all this, I still do wonder if the problem
is with my Amiga's serial port. However, I am having a new Nucleus cable
sent to me to try and eliminate this variable. Thanks again.
Tom
– via Whap!
Tom,
First, make sure the serial port is functioning normally. Best bet
would be to use a modem or something that communicates
bidirectionally, since if the problem is the port, based on your
description, the problem is on the receiving end (you can transmit
just fine which is why you can remotely control the deck).
I just finished playing around with a 7750 in our online facility — it was
really neat! We got some source footage on SVHS so I rented the deck for a
day and hooked it up to our edit controller in place of a Beta-SP deck. It
ran flawlessly — I was very impressed with it. Anyway, since I just had my
mitts on one, I wonder how your dial menu settings are configured?
Depending on those settings, the deck might not identify itself properly to
the Personal SFC (of which I also own one). In particular, I'm assuming
that it's in 9-pin mode, not 34 (it'd probably have to be for your remote
functions to work, but it's worth checking), and as I recall from the
personal SFC manual, they want the 9-pin I.D. set to "SVHS I.D.". Just for
the heck of it, if it's set that way and it's not working, try setting it
to "OTHER SYSTEMS" and trying again. Remember also that when you change
these settings and exit out of the dial menu, you have to press the SEARCH
button to make the changes "take". Otherwise it reverts to the old
settings.
One more thing. With the current version of Personal SFC software (vers.
1.0n), you can start the program from the CLI by typing
RUN PERSONAL_SFC IDENT
.. and once the program starts, you can click the EJECT button on the
screen and instead of ejecting the tape, Personal SFC will cause the deck
to send its I.D. string to the screen. If nothing is sent, you probably
have a hardware problem.
Let us know how you make out!
Pete
Pete,
Thanks very much for the info. I believe the serial port on my Amiga
is fine for the following reasons: (1) I am using a modem now on the
serial port without problems. (2) I had my local Amiga dealer check
my serial port and it checked out fine, i.e. proper voltages and
currents on the proper pins. (3) I use an online editing package
(EDL-1000) from Future Video which uses my serial port to relay
instructions to my editing controller which in turn controls my play
and record decks. All of this works fine when operated online from
the Amiga's keyboard.
The Panasonic AG-7750 is definitely in the 9P, not 34P, setting. Also I
have tried both the "SVHS I.D." and the "OTHER SYSTEMS" setting with the
same lack of success. The SEARCH button was always pressed to make sure
menu changes were recorded. I have also started the SFC program from the
CLI using the command RUN PERSONAL_SFC IDENT, and once again I get the
message "No VTR detected". So… I agree I have a hardware problem, but I
don't yet know whether the problem is with the 9P port on the new 7750, the
Nucleus cable running from the serial port to the 9P port, or some
undetected problem with my Amiga's serial port. I should receive another
new Nucleus cable tomorrow to try and eliminate this variable. I would hate
to think Panasonic is shipping out 7750's without checking out their 9P
ports!
Thanks again for your help.
Tom
– via Whap!
Tom,
Given your success with other programs and equipment connected to your
serial port, I'd agree that you can eliminate it from consideration.
I'd be interested in hearing how you make out with the new interface cable.
Pete
Yesterday I finally received a second Nucleus SFC. When I hooked up the
new cable, the software immediately recognized my AG-7750 and the rest of
the evening proceded well. I rendered a 100 frame animation directly to
tape from the Toaster with absolutely no problems. Boy, when you play it
back 3.33 sec really goes by fast! Thanks for your help and interest. I
may be getting back to you with questions as my experience with the SFC and
the Ag-7750 grows. Again thanks for the help.
Tom
– via Whap!
Do you need a Time Code card in the AG7750 if you want to use the Personal
SFC!?
– Pat, Whapping from Quebec City!
Patrick,
It is absolutely essential to have the AG-F700-P time code generator/reader
installed in the AG-7750 to use it with the Personal SFC.
Tom
– via Whap!
Does anyone know if the Neucleus or Personal SFC will work with the
Sony VO 5850 3/4" machine? If so does the 5850 need time code? (Is it
available?)
Thanks…
…Joel
No, the Personal SFC will NOT work with a 5850. The 5850 does not use
timecode, and uses a parallel interface to the edit controller. The
Personal SFC requires a deck which uses a serial RS422 interface and has
built-in timecode. This is only available on newer (and relatively
high-end) machines.
Pete
Joel,
For any single-frame VTR to work with the Nucleus SFC it must have time
code. I am not familiar with the Sony VO 5850 machine, so I really can't
tell you whether time code is available for it.
Tom
– via Whap!
Modem worded ok even if the PICO-Fuse was broken on my system… only MIDI
and Personal SFC didn't work!
– Pat, Whapping from Quebec City!
Patrick,
In my case the problem was definitely with the Nucleus SFC cable. I
purchased a second SFC, plugged in the cable from it, and everything worked
fine. I have now recorded several animations.
Tom
– via Whap!
What is the revision of your software!??
– Pat, Whapping from Quebec City!
Pat,
I believe the version of the Nucleus SFC software that I am using is 1.00o.
Tom
– via Whap!