#New Video Capability?
14 messages in this thread
Too cool! Now, for the practical questions: How much is the hardware to
control VCR's and laserdiscs? (anybody still own a laserdisc player, btw?)
Do they recommend their own genlock for overlays? Is all the remote
control intended for use out the one serial port? etc, etc. Is it a
standalone animation system without any external hardware?
I think I can help a little here. Using a laserdisk player with the
multimedia stuff requires a player that has an RS-232 port on it. Note that
most consumer stuff doesn't support this (yet?), so they tend toward the
upper end. Otherwise, I don't think any other hardware is required; it's
all in the "driver" software that comes with AmigaVision (and it woiks!) A
local fellow gave a demo of AmigaVision (he couldn't show the actual
sofware, but was allowed to show any applications that he wrote – neat
stuff!), using a Pioneer laserdisk player and an old 1300. Looked very
nice, and the application turned out very professional in appearance. Gee,
maybe for those of us that can't afford the high-priced 232 decks, some
enterprising hardware hacker could dream up a RS-232-to-infrared remote
converter!
Thank you, Karl! The Computer Chronicles demo also used a laserdisk to
play the backgnd video. All the Mac/PC demos on the same show used VCRs
(fancy ones, I'm sure). I'm just wondering what the home user of
AmigaVision is supposed to do <smile>. You're right: someone should do a
RS232 to infrared remote gizmo. Hmmm… actually I could swear someone has
just come out with one for the Amiga; I think I saw it announced in BYTE a
coupla months ago. I'll have to look. <sigh> Why don't the VCR makers
include something along these lines anyway?
Stay tuned about VCR stuff.
Kevin,
I believe the lack of a VCR interface is a function of the random-access
speed: horrendous. That's where the real advantage of a laserdisk is seen;
the video quality is a bonus.
As to what AmigaVision can do without a laserdisk player, ask around to
see what folks are doing with CanDo: assembling pics, anims, sounds. Think
of the laserdisk setup with you supplying digitized images instead of laser
video!
Karl
Thanks Karl.
That's pretty much what I'm asking: without a laserdisk, is AmigaVision as
useful as say, CanDo?
Hmmm… altho they seem to be pointing AV towards the educational, and
business markets (at least according to C= ads), and perhaps those markets
would have more access to laserdisks, etc.
Kevin,
I'll be very anxious to watch someone who's good at CanDo tear into
AmigaVision, and to hear what they think. I don't know enough about this
kind of software to be able to judge them accurately.
Yes, you could look at it backwards as well. Someone may need to make a
kiosk and wish they had a low-cost approach for it. I know someone who
budgeted >$30,000 for a few IBM-based kiosks; when they heard about the
Amiga, they realized they could get many more units, and it may be easier
to create as well!
Karl
Well, AmigaVision builds its applications virtually totally with an
icon-based graphics interface, unlike CanDo's reliance on a LOT of script
writing. (Though CanDo does have a lot of automated script writing help).
Each AmigaVision "module" shows up on the flow chart as an icon. Double
click on that icon, and the subsequence pops up with each item having an
icon of its own. It can be a sound, a still graphic, a screen with buttons
on it which link to other modules or actions, an animaton, etc. Also
included (according to the fellow who showed it to me at WOA here in New
York) is a built-in DBaseIII compatible database utility. He was working
up a trade-show application which would let people explore the Amiga's
various capabilities via touch screen, and then enter their names,
addresses and phone numbers for follow up into a data base — all by touch
screen! (A keyboard came up on screen, and you were prompted to enter
first name, last name, etc. by touching the screen images of each letter).
Looked very interesting. Lot's of different ways you could built buttons,
etc.
Karl, not only speed but random access…
–Gabe
Doesn't everyone own a laserdisk player nowadays? <grin> Seriously,
they're a *lot* more common than you might think. As for the hardware
required to control it, it depends on the player. Most of the ones likely
to be used just need the right cable, and that's it. Others might need an
infrared dohickey (I've seen one demoed a few years back, so they exist) to
control it. But in either case, the hardware cost is minimal.
My LD player has a small connector on the back labeld I/O port. I was told
when I bought it 5(!) years ago that it was to allow computer control.
Will Amigavision be supporting this port, or do I need a player with a full
size RTS232 port on the back. Maybe this could be cabled to an RS232
connector? Any guesses?
My LD600, bought used last year, also has such a port.
Ron
Heh. I dunno. My own LD player has a similar port on the back, but I
never did figure out what makes it tick. I don't *think* it's a serial
type port, but one never knows. If it *is* serial, than all you ought to
need is a cable. In any case, it's too early to speculate on what exactly
AmigaVision will be supporting until it's released.
According to Video Times magazines, Sony/Phillips is making CD-ROMs
for IBM, Mac AND Amiga.
— Ethan