#desktop video
15 messages in this thread
I recently purchased an Amiga 2000 with one major intent – to produce
videos of the output. I was told that the computer is ideal for desktop video
(although I don't understand how a computer with only a monochrome composite
output can be ideal for desktop video). Well, here's my problemideal for desktop video). Well, here's my problem-
I'm trying products to get color composite video out of the machine.
I have tried the C-LTD converter, and saw interesting colors (although not
the same as they should be). Next try was the Mimetics Amigen – again, the
colors produced had little relation to reality.
My question – Has anyone gotten good quality from any converter or
genlock tied to the 2000? I'm reluctant to buy the ProGen or SuperGen without
references on the quality – so far, the track record of these types of
products hasn't been too good. If anybody has tried any of these products,
please let me know your results – good, bad or indifferent.
Thank you.
Jeffrey Cohen
Jeffery,
Have you tried adjusting the monitor's settings?
Doug
The only way to get on the nose color is too use an I.Q. encoder in the
genlock. I. Q. encoders have the color bandwith broadcasters need. Shown at
the NAB show in Las vagas this year was a genlock unit with a boardcast
encoder for broadcasters. It is made by MAGNI, and every thing it does is
controled by software. You can only use it in a B2000 in the video slot. You
can contact MAGNI at MAGNI SYSTEMS, Inc. 9500 SW Gemi Drive , Beaverton, OR
97005 or call 1-800-237-5964. This is the first "Boardcast product" i have
seen for the amiga. This means big sales for the B2000 and soom monster size
programs for disk top video.
John Graham
I second that! Those R-Y, B-Y encoders (like the ones in all the cheap
encoders) can't hold a candle to the I,Q units, in terms of color fidelity.
joanne
Doe's any one know if the video toaster uses the 4:4:2 SMPTE digital
standard? Also will it's frame buffer work with animate 3D?
john
As for the first part of your question, I don't know the answer. But I do
believe that the toaster (in one of several eventual configurations) will
support the larger Sculpt-3D palette (millions of colors), although I don't
know about interfacing with Animate-3D….. j
Oops! thats 4:2:2 standard.
john
Jeffrey, the colors you see on your RGB monitor will not be reproduced when
viewed in composite. That is why an Analog RGB monitor is recomended for
working with the AMiga.
Jeffrey–
The SuperGen is definitely superior to the miGen, and has faders to adjust
the relative video levels, but it's still nowhere near as goo (oops) near as
good a picture as on an RGB monitor.
The best choice, I believe, is the SciTech GenKey, which I think runs
about eh same as the SuperGen, but has professional studio output, including
separate R, G & B faders for adjusting the composite color balance. They
also make a SuperVHS/Betacam model with separate luma and chroma outputs.
Maybe this is what you're looking for.
–Bill
Bill —
Thanks for your suggestion. Do you have any information on this
company – Address, Phone number, … ? I can't seem to find it in any
advertisements.
Also, are these products available now? Any place I called for the
other genlocks all told me the same thing – they should be shipping "next
week"
Another question. An article in "Amazing Computing" mentioned a
Commodore A520 modulator. Is this a real product? Does it work on the A2000?
Can I get it NOW?
Thanks, once again.
Jeff
Jeff–
I have Sci-Tech's info at home, but I'm actually typing this on an AT at
the American Airlines lounge at LA Internat'l…
I've seen their GenKey listed in some recent magazines, like the Commodore
Magazine products roundup that came out in the past few weeks
I think I've seen it listed in some other "hardware round-ups" in other
mags as well. It's supposedly available from SciTech.
As for the SuperGen, they're very hard to come by. They're very backlogged
and many places have long waiting lists. One possibility is to mail order
through Creative Computing in Santa Monica.
Afraid I don't know about the Commodore A520, but you could use the CLtd.
C-View composite adapter and hook it up to a $25 Radio Shack RF converter…
-Bill
Bill –
I found Sci-Techs number, and should be getting their info soon.
Thanks.
As for the C-View, that's the first product I tried. The green and
blue outputs didn't come out too bad. Unfortunately, the red output looked
more like purple on the composite. I tried 4 different convertors, and they
all had the same result.
I could probably adapt to this if absolutely necessary. However, I
just spent over a week making and generating an animation – the main color is
very bright red. You can't believe how disgusting it looks when (badly)
converted to composite.
Thanks again.
Jeff Cohen
Jeffrey,
I just received my order of SuperGens from Digital Creations the other
day. I placed the order about the middle of January. They're shipping, but
slooooooowly. I haven't received a single AmiGen from Mimetics yet, and I've
had them on order for at least as long as the SuperGen.
-John
The NTSC system unfortunately "throws out" a lot of the color bandwidth on
the way thru the encoding process… that's just the way it has to work to be
compatible with the American tv standards. So even the very best genlock/
encoder won't look as good (or as crisp) as the RGB outputs of the Amiga.
That's why it's best to wire the composite video out of your genlock/encoder/
whatever-is-hooked-up-that-makes-composite video to the composite input of
the monitor…. then while you're composing graphics, you should occasionally
switch to the composite mode, so you can see how the finished product will
actually look in NTSC…. saves a lot of rude surprises…..