CompuServe Thread

#Another PAR Installation

19 messages in this thread
#91254From: John EllisMar 15, 1994 2:48 AM
Chris, Congratulations! The JPEG artifacts are not going to be seen on NTSC composite in most cases. Where they will show up is with SVHS or Component output. But its not a big deal in most cases. Dr. Pixel is now selling an external case for PAR and drive, so should you decide you need the slot for something else, you might want to check it out. Hope you're having fun!
#91304From: Ted BoardmanMar 15, 1994 9:56 AM
John Could you give us some more info on the external PAR case. I had to remove a floppy and my tape backup to make room. Thanks TedB !^NavFont01F0007MGHHG6BB916
#91336From: John EllisMar 15, 1994 11:00 AM
Contact Dan Kemmis A.K.A, Dr. Pixel @ 71621,606 for more info on the external PAR case.
#91310From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Mar 15, 1994 10:02 AM
John, << PAR >> After installing our TBC our networking card failed. Anyone know of the address the PAR and TBC map to? jonas[adesk]
#91334From: John EllisMar 15, 1994 11:00 AM
The PAR and network Cards can have a problem with their I/O addressing. Also framebuffers like the Targa use an I/O address along with Audio Boards like the Soundblaster. So you can see how it can get pretty cluttered. The PAR has 4 white toggle switches to set the I/O which I have set at HEX 208. The Lan Card I have set at 300. The Par is smart in that it finds whatever address you have the switches set at with Auto Detect. Typically the Targa is at 220 or 240 unless you're using a SoundBlaster which likes 220. The rule of thumb is to keep your addressing spaced at least two I/O addresses apart. So if you have a Targa an a Soundblaster try 220 and 260. The PAR should be safe at 208. I use 110 for SCSI controllers. Hope this helps.
#91485From: S WhiteMar 15, 1994 9:01 PM
Good advice John….that was one of my install problems. You have got to keep track of used addresses. SW
#91588From: John EllisMar 16, 1994 6:27 AM
>> Good advice… you have to keep track of used addresses. << Thanks. And one other thought. If you use Lantastic 5.0 and you move an adaptor you have to run NRCONFIG again, even though you don't have to specify its address. That's because it loses is memory with regard to where it was sitting. That's even assuming you've kept track of your I/O's, which can be confusing as you figure that there shouldn't be a conflict. What happens however is that the adaptor defaults to whatever the default setting is. The software however remembers what your previous setting was, so it just needs to be re-run. This is just an addendum for those having similar conflicts. -JE
#91755From: Chris JohnstonMar 16, 1994 8:40 PM
Thanks. I'll be working with VHS primarily (at least for the time being) and only bumping up to a better format for final copies, so I won't look for the JPEG artifacts till then. The external case sounds interesting. I'll have to look at it if I ever need the space. Chris
#91836From: John EllisMar 17, 1994 4:07 AM
The JPEG artifact thing is over rated, more apparent in stills than in motion. With VHS or even SVHS you won't see it. But trust me you'll get spoiled fast! When you see the image on your monitor and then go to VHS and play it back you won't be thrilled. On the other hand with SVHS and an SVHS cable out of the PAR you'll get decent results, especially for the money. And because you can join animations on the PAR you can basically edit segments together for a clean finished product. Broadcast is another story, but I've got a "How to" animation in the works and the people involved are very happy with the PAR output which is going to Beta SP.
#92082From: Don LandisMar 17, 1994 10:19 PM
John: I finally got the beta SP deck here and I want to tell you it is fabulous!. The CAV output from the PAR to beta SP and played back with the internal TBC — I just can't tell if it's live or tape anymore. Now for the bad news: The tape stock is roughly 3 times the price of what I paid for 3/4 SP stock. That's it for any negative thoughts on this deck so far. I now need to get a new editor to fully integrate this deck here. Any ideas? I've had my eye on the a/b roll version of the TAO Editizer. With one serializer I could use the UVW for a source or editor and the 5850 for a source or editor, and the BVU-950 for a source or editor. The TAO runs roughly $2500. If you get to NAB I would like you to keep your eyes peeled for a new technology that I understand will be introduced. Picture a box that plugs into your external SCSI port or some other means to your PC and has software that resembles a VCR. It looks like a tape deck to ANY edit controller, including the new PC edit controllers like the Video Machine. The difference is it is just a specially designed hard drive. Be on the lookout for it. I'd like to know more about it.
#92120From: John EllisMar 18, 1994 12:20 AM
Hot Dang Don! A beta SP deck! IS it live or is it memorex! Ah you're going to get so spoiled, I can see it now. <g> And you got it before April 1. Good deal! I wonder what you were paying for 3/4" SP and what are you paying for the Beta SP? I didn't think there was that big a differnce. But its been awhile since I bought 3/4". I'll keep my eyes open for the box you've mentioned. If I find it I'll grab some extra literature. Actually I'll grab what I can that might be relevant and send it to you. The TAO sounds pretty good at $2500. I'll also keep my eyes open for the latest in edit controllers. Glad your having fun with your Beta SP deck, you've earned it! 🙂 -JE
#92298From: Chris JohnstonMar 18, 1994 7:38 PM
John: Yeah, I want to get one for work, too. It looks like it would produce better video than my VO-5850, and a **lot** faster. Even for "broadcast quality" video output the PAR is going to be really useful for refining an animation. I would run all of the test runs on the PAR and only record to the final format when everything looked right.
#92324From: John EllisMar 18, 1994 11:38 PM
Chris, I think you've got it covered on your prospective use of the PAR. I've got no complaints within the context that you've expressed. -JE
#92698From: Chris JohnstonMar 21, 1994 8:29 PM
Thanks, John. It also turns out to be the cheapest way to go, too! Do you have any experience with the SONY videodisk recorder? How does its image quality compare to Betacam SP? (I'm talking about the older two piece deck with the seperate control unit and recording deck.) Chris
#92741From: John EllisMar 22, 1994 3:03 AM
Chris, are you referring to the LVR 5000? If so it is still an excellent laser disk recorder. It is still sold and is actually better than the 3000 but only because you can do hi-rez black and white. Laser Disks are considered Beta quality, (not consumer Beta, but industrial Beta) as opposed to Beta SP. A very decent picture can be obtained, better than the PAR and only surpassed by Beta SP and better. If you can get one inexpensively, I wouldn't not hesitate recommending a buy.
#93111From: Chris JohnstonMar 23, 1994 8:56 PM
John: Yeah, the LVR-5000 sounds like it. One of my friends has a couple at work. He is thinking about moving to an all-digital (non-video) system and has kinda almost offered to let me have one of them. I'll gladly make room in my animation rack, maybe even move out my old VO-5850! <g> Chris
#93139From: John EllisMar 24, 1994 12:06 AM
The LVR 5000 is a workhorse and you'd be glad to have it. You can go beta or rgb or composite and don't need a special transcoder. It is large so it might be a hassle to get it to a post house to transfer to Beta, but I know people who do it. And it would be a fast way to transfer. Almost as fast as the PAR. And 3DS has drivers for it so you wouldn't need a controller. (Thanks to Gus and Greg P.) Man, you'd be set! -JE And you can render to whatever resolution your frame buffer is. If he wants to sell it I'd be interested but if he's willing to almost give it to you, I definitely go for it.
#93524From: Chris JohnstonMar 25, 1994 8:27 PM
My friend has been capturing simultaneous frames from two cameras for a stereo velocimetry project. They seem to be heading toward going with an all digital system instead of recording video and then frame grabbing. They aren't selling the decks – that is almost impossible for us to do, since every piece of surplus equipment is first made available to other people on base, then to the other centers, then other government agencies, then schools and universities and only then sold to the public. As a result, by the time it gets to public sale it is usually pretty worthless. Chris
#93542From: John EllisMar 26, 1994 12:37 AM
Chris, No big deal on the LVR, I thought your friend was working in the commercial market. I know how it is with Government equipment. And I was half serious. Just thought if you had the opportunity it would be a good decision to get the LVR if you could. -JE