#PAR News Flash!
30 messages in this thread
Can the PAR be controlled by an 'external' edit controller? That is,
can it be used as a VTR in an AB edit setup with 'tape' VTRs? If so,
what type of 'drive' does it look like?
Is there a developers kit so that drivers and other controllers can be
written?
(All I have heard on this thread sounds great! I have a Fast VM for
editing and would need the PAR to interface with. (Fast is also
making a digital recorder but I can get very little info on it,
except that it will cost about twice as much as the PAR.))
Paul, I am wiring the PAR into my system as a standard VCR. it will
be controlled via the GPI trigger on the PAR. There is a conflict
with the PAR software and the standard 5 second preroll. The PAR is
GPI calibrated to 3 seconds. So I will be doing some experimenting
here to work around this. One approach is to develop a standard
number of first frame stills in the beginning to take up the extra
time. Until I get it wired next week I'm only guessing at how it will
actually work.
"Can the PAR be controlled by an 'external' edit controller? That is, can it
be used as a VTR in an AB edit setup with 'tape' VTRs? If so, what type of
'drive' does it look like?"
Not at the moment, the plans call for it to look like a laser disk recorder
from Sony. Rev 2.0, no dates available.
"Is there a developers kit so that drivers and other controllers can be
written?"
Not at the moment. Because not one developer that I have talked to can
understand that this is NOT a NLE. Contact me directly if you have plans for
anything else.
David White
Computer Products Manager
Digital Processings Systems
Dave: The best way to control the PAR via an edit controller is with the GPI
trigger, right? I just got the special gpi cable today so I won't have this
tested until tomorrow.
Dave: The best way to control the PAR via an edit controller is with the GPI
trigger, right? I just got the special gpi cable today so I won't have this
tested until tomorrow.
Yes it is at the moment, later (rev 2) feature is locking to a Horita timecode
reader off your serial port.
OK, Dave. I did some work with the GPI trigger and is there anyway to
change the roll time from 3 seconds to 5 seconds? For now, I've
built in a 2 second countdown *.ani I join to my subject ani to time
it. It works but a nuisance. In the next software release I wish
for two things: 1. relocate the GPI button to the front panel for
convenience since it must be turned on with each edit. 2. Allow the
pre roll time to be selected from say 3, 5, and 10 second settings,
not just fixed at 3 seconds. ( My controller can be set at 5 and 10
seconds but not at 3.)
The next release version (version 1.1), will have the varible preroll gadgets
in the preferences section.
As for moving it to the front screen the plans call to move the betacam switch
to prefs and put the GPI switch on the deck in its place.
Man oh man you guys sure are responsive. I do have it working with my little
countdown.ani joined but life would be easier if I had the 5 seconds from the
start. I know some edit controllers use 3 seconds, but mine does not. Thanks
Looking forward to having the GPI switch easily accessed on the front panel.
I might have already asked for this, can't remember.:
You need to add a range selection feature when selecting files in the DOS drive
window. Similar to holding down the shift key to select the range of files
like in Windows file manager. I had four animations in one directory today and
had to individually deselect 240 TGA's to leave the remainder 960 tgas desired
the only selected. If there already is an easier method, I'd like to know
about it.
There are several ways to accomplish this. Just do it from the DOS prompt
instead. I use XTree mostly. You can create all kind of filters for file
selection. After you've selected the group of files, just copy them all to the
par's drive letter. Another program I use is Lotus Magellan (long gone but
still a great utility). You can set just about any PAR parameter from the
command line. Just type PARDRV -? for a list of options. To check the current
set of parameters, just type PARDRV -v.
The feature is being added, at the moment the easiest way to to go to dos and
use the copy command to do chap*.* e:\myanim. This generally will copy them to
the PAR just fine.
Great, Dave.
I know about the work arounds in DOS but I just wanted to make sure you were
aware of the wish list item. The other little problem I did have, John Jordan
explained last night but I haven't had the time to try it yet. The PAR machine
has a rendering in progress for the last 15 hours. <G>
>> the easiest way to to go to dos and use the copy command to do >> chap*.*
e:\myanim.
Not really! This assumes that the files are all in order. In
network rendering, this is never the case, and your animation will
look a bit funny!
>Not really! This assumes that the files are all in order. In network
rendering, this is >never the case, and your animation will look a bit funny!
I guess that means that you did not sell them one for every computer. 🙂 A PAR
in every PC is my goal!
I'm good, but not that good! <g> Actually, that is what the IPAS
routine NDUMP.IXP does for you. See IPAS.TXT for full details…
Don:
I had a conversion with DPS Canada about the GPI trigger. In a future version
of the program it will be settable within the application.
The information for the default is stored in the hex file that gets loaded onto
the PAR when you start.
They will look into just changing the default to 5 seconds instead of 3 as a
quick temporary solution for you in the hex file. Should be a quick change
(famous last words!), if I get it first I'll e-mail it to you.
Greg Pyros
Greg,
>> They will look into just changing the default to 5 seconds instead of 3..<<
HEY! HEY! The EVO is 3! If that becomes the default and there's no way to
change, then one problem has been fixed only to create another.<g> Unless I
can use the PAR.HEX file from this release with the new upgraded PAR.EXE?
-JE
Don't panic, John. Dave is aware of the need to make it variable and you need
to make the upgrade to ver 1.1. to get this feature according to what he wrote
tonight. BTW how do you plan to use the GPI trigger anyway? Does the EVO have
this feature? I checked a few spec sheets and it was not listed. Usually this
feature is found on edit controllers. However, if you're handy with the old
soldering torch and acid flux you may be able to burn one into your EVO control
board in a few hours. <BG>
Don,
>> Usually this feature is found on edit controllers. <<
Which just goes to show you what a cool little machine the EVO is! <G> And not
only that, but you can adjust the timing from between 00 – 60 frames.
-JE
>> And not only that, but you can adjust the timing from between 00 – 60
frames.
Timing for what? preroll? If so 2 seconds is pretty short. I thought the
shortest in the industry was 3 seconds.
Don,
>> Timing for what? preroll? <<
Typically GPI's are set to go instantaneously. Pre-rolls aren't accomplished
with GPI's. Typically they're used for things like triggering ADO's or Chryons.
That being the case, a 60 frame adjustment is a very wide window! The EVO is
the first device I've heard of where the docs actually suggest using a GPI to
trigger "editing". Sony provides the pre-roll codes etc. and are handled
through serial communications. Typically your edit controller sends the
appropriate signals to the decks for all these functions. Normally GPIs are
used only as triggering devices.
-JE
Don:
>> I thought the shortest in the industry was 3 seconds.
Sony laser disk pre-roll can be set to 0 seconds and works just fine! <g>
Greg (keeping you honest!) Pyros
John:
Not to worry! Just keep your hex file as you have it! The only change is one
byte telling it the optional preroll time! Relax! <g>
Greg Pyros
Greg:
I'm not worried! >> Relax! << Relax? That's what Frankie says! <g>
I will. Don's been telling me about how responsive DPS has been. I've got to
agree. That they would have an upgrade within 24 hours of his request sounds
like the way you and Gus responded to the EVO driver. You guys are starting a
precedent around here that's a very refreshing change from "business as usual."
My compliments. (SEE, I can be very relaxed when I have confidence in the
people I'm dealing with <g>)
-JE
Wasn't aware you were having the same problem with the GPI. What edit
controller are you using?
Don:
I'm not having any problems with the GPI, I was just trying to see if I could
help you with yours!
Greg Pyros
It would seem to me that the PAR would make a good storage device for
a visual database. For example real estate listings, museum
collections etc. If there were an API (windows DLL?) that could
allow an external program to call up images or animations by name, it
would be possible to link the PAR data to an external database (Of
course I would supply the titles, animations, etc. <g>).
It would seem to me that the PAR would make a good storage device for
a visual database. For example real estate listings, museum
collections etc. If there were an API (windows DLL?) that could
allow an external program to call up images or animations by name, it
would be possible to link the PAR data to an external database (Of
course I would supply the titles, animations, etc. <g>).
–Nat'n
Yes, these and many others are planned.
David,
I am having a couple problems and would like to know if you have heard of
them happening.
The PAR runs great except that when I exit all DOS charactors turn to some
ANSI triangle thing. I can go into say dosshell and on exit all is OK.
Second, I am having trouble loading 3DS except when I unload pardrv (pardrv
/u).
Any suggestions?
_Ralph
Type mem /c, what does it say right after boot up?
David,
For the last week I have been re-arranging and consolidating drivers.
Name Size in Decimal Size in Hex
————- ——————— ————-
MSDOS 15552 ( 15.2K) 3CC0
QEMM386 3088 ( 3.0K) C10
ASPI2DOS 10272 ( 10.0K) 2820
UNI_ASP 3920 ( 3.8K) F50
CUNI_ASP 1632 ( 1.6K) 660
COMMAND 2880 ( 2.8K) B40
MOUSE 16192 ( 15.8K) 3F40
VPRBIOS 32176 ( 31.4K) 7DB0
FREE 64 ( 0.1K) 40
FREE 569280 (555.9K) 8AFC0
Total FREE : 569344 (556.0K)
Total bytes available to programs : 569344 (556.0K)
Largest executable program size : 569008 (555.7K)
32817152 bytes total EMS memory
29802496 bytes free EMS memory
32505856 bytes total contiguous extended memory
0 bytes available contiguous extended memory
10371072 bytes available XMS memory
MS-DOS resident in High Memory Area
Any clues?
-Ralph