CompuServe Thread

#Still-store conversion

7 messages in this thread
#27022From: Alan WolneyFeb 23, 1993 12:07 AM
Is there any program available that can convert Toaster still store files into standard Amiga Graphics files? Need to be able to access the test signal generator's files that are a part of the DPS personal waveform monitor/vectorscope package. Only problem is that these test patterns are only output in Toaster still-store format. I do not have a Toaster to access them. All help would be greatly appreciated! Alan Wolney
#27033From: Frank VanellaFeb 23, 1993 10:24 AM
Alan, You might try contacting DPS directly. Although someone with a toaster could import the frames to ToasterPaint and save them as RGB files, they are optimized for the Toaster's frame buffer displays. If they are viewed on anything else they would no longer be accurate as test patterns. Perhaps DPS could provide them in some other format for you, or a Toaster owner could transfer them to videotape. Regards Frank
#27051From: Alan WolneyFeb 23, 1993 7:55 PM
Frank, Thanks for the insight on the Toaster Still Stores. I have already contacted DPS by phone, only to find out that they do not offer the test patterns in any other format.Toaster only! As far as recording to videotape is concerned, There is nobody in my immediate circle of people who own one. Some time back on BPF, I noticed that you were running some for sale ads. Was there a Y-688 transcoding TBC in the lot? I am also the person who has listed a want ad from time to time looking for a Sony BVE-3000 or 3000a. Should you ever run across someone looking to sell one in working condition, please let me know! Thanks for taking time to reply to my message! Alan Wolney 72615,256
#27069From: Frank VanellaFeb 24, 1993 12:12 PM
Alan, You might check to see if there is a local Toaster Users Group in your area. If there is, there must be someone in the group willing to make you a tape of the test patterns for a small fee, if not, try posting a message in the Newtek area. I will keep my ears to the ground for the BVE-3000/a and parts thereof. The Y-688 I had sold in a heartbeat! Makes me wonder if I was pricing it too low, oh well, somebody got a good deal, and I was happy to make room for new gear to replace it. A suggestion you might want to consider, is to have the Y-688 ins and outs on your decks converted to Y-358. There is an outfit in Southern CA that has a kit for converting the outputs only, it sells for $150, and you need someone with some technical experience to do the install. For that matter, if you have someone with some expertise in broadcast engineering available, they can probably modify the ins as well as the outs for a good price (under $300 a deck sounds reasonable to me). I have had it done to one of my JVC 3/4 units and it's nice to be able to "bump" up from Hi-8 and "S" formats to 3/4SP through a newer model TBC that has more correcting range than 32 lines. If you decide go this route, you would have access to a ever growing selection of lower cost TBCs that have full frame/Freeze/Strobe options for about the same money you would probably dish out for a relatively featureless used Y-688 model.
#27041From: Peter GreciFeb 23, 1993 3:45 PM
You might try getting Mike Berro's Shareware prg Video Tools on Tap(VTOT) for some Color Bars and other Video tools instead of converting the ones from DPS.
#27052From: Alan WolneyFeb 23, 1993 7:59 PM
Peter, I have been corresponding with Mike, and it looks like I will be ordering his package. DPS does not have the test patterns available in anything other than toaster still-store format. Thanks for showing interest and taking the time to reply! Alan Wolney 72615,256
#27104From: Peter GreciFeb 25, 1993 4:39 PM
No problem Alan,Always glad to help.