#Uggh! (SoftVTR)
19 messages in this thread
Ugggggghhh!
I finally got my Targa cables (cancelled the order with B&H and got them from
Cables to Go), and I got out SoftVTR and installed it, and apparently I am
lacking part #E25M372062 witch goes between the EVO-9650 and the funny
twisted-pair type cable they use and their funny twisted-pair type cable to
serial connector.
Does anyone know what this cable is supposed to do? I guess it converts
between RS422 and RS232. Why the heck didn't they include this obviously
two-bit part with every copy of a package that costs several hundred dollars?
Does anyone know of a workaround I can hack, buy, or make in case the SoftVTR
people are slow at getting the part to me?
Oh, well, I'm not yet done with the material for my two-minute demo tape, and
having the Targa+ working is nice anyway.
Bailey
B&H? Cables to go? Bailey, Bailey, Bailey … Didn't you ever hear of Radio
Shack? I don't know where you live but I'm sure there must be a dozen stores
nearby. If you can hack you should be able to draw out the pin configs of a
two bit adapter and buy the stuff … up and running in an evening. Now if its
a four bit part you're probably SOL (grd). Seriously, I buy the pieces,
db9,db25, shells and wire at Radioshack for about 1/4 the price of prewired
cables except for the common molded ones. Not sure about the RS422-RS232
protocols but I've been wanting to verify what I was told, ie. It is only a
match of signals to proper pin numbers from db25(RS232) to db9(RS422). I might
look this up in the specs tomorrow.
Don,
I'm sorry but I'm strictly a software guy. The only thing I've ever fabricated
was a null-modem cable and that pushed my soldering abilities their limits.
The whole time I was using the soldering stand I was waiting for the hardware
guys to walk in and start laughing. Big blobs of silver goo on each
connection.
SoftVTR appears to have good support. They are sending me the four-bit part
which I don't know what it does and a dongle which I could never make. This is
the first I've heard of the dongle but they say I need it. I don't know why
the hell I didn't get this stuff in the original package, but they are sending
it to me FEDEX Saturday delivery so it is no loss.
Bailey
The dongle is an 8 bit part.$$g.
I know what you mean about the laughing at your soldering skills. My
brother-in-law is an expert (my evaluation) C programmer and when he looked at
the code I wrote to do underwater cave mapping in Basic he just started
laughing. That was the last attempt I ever made at writing code!
Glad to hear SoftVTR took care of you. I'm planning to purchase this software
in the near future.( Hi Angelo.) Don't like that dongle though. Got four of
them now. I designed a structural steel device to support them sticking out
the back and was considering patenting the device.
Keep us posted on your progress with SoftVTR.
Don Landis
Hmmm… but it's fairly cheap to buy a short cable to allow you to lay the
dongles anywhere you'd like. <g> We've had to do this with having 3DS CADAM and
something else – otherwise the computer would be a foot from the wall behind
it.
Dave
I was just kidding about the steel thing. Can you imagine it if all software
required one of those dangle thangs. It does seem to be catching on lately. I
think I would give up computers. Actually, I would like to find out who
invented those things and subject em to some North Vietnamese POW torture!
Don, one of your remarks made me wonder if the dongle could ever be designed
into the computer, and set up with software instructions. You had made some
comment about how they're catching on, and there was discussion about how far
away from the wall the computer would have to be.
Nik
Nik:
>> dongle questions
We have ALL of our dongles inside the computers! Makes much more sense,
especially when you do as many shows and presentations as we do!
And then loop the last one out to the back of the computer so we still have
use of the parallel port.
Works great!
Greg Pyros
Hey! Clever. It makes sense (dongles inside the computer, etc.).
Nik
Just a dongle comment… I put the lock inside the case too, fastened to one
of the D25 knockouts common on todays cases. Helps keep the silly thing from
walking away. Some enterprising sort should market a little kit consisting of
some short ribbon cables and instructions for those without hardware resources.
(Sounds like the perfect job for the superheros at Pyros & company. <g>)
JKJ
John,
I was away for a few days and am late on this thread. Are you having a problem
with the software?
Ang
Mr. Ang,
>problems with the software…
No, I just caught up with a couple of notes on dongle etiquette and thought I
butt in with my 2 cents worth. (some small talk about managing dongles with
brackets, mounting, and such) You know me, if I had any problem with anything,
I've got your number! <g>
Since this seems to be a SoftVTR thread, let me ask you one… I may be doing
some work for a group that has a couple of video editing suites full of BetaSP
equipment (I don't know exactly what equipment they have yet.) What questions
do I have to ask to find out if I can single frame to their equipment with your
SoftVTR? I don't have room for a hardware controller and hope that the
software will do the trick. Is SoftVTR still around $900? Thanks.
JKJ
Nik:
I understand there is a card that holds multiple locks internally but this
takes up one more precious slot. My 12 slot MB is already full! I don't
follow your logic on setting up a ROM with instr. as a security measure. This
sounds like entering serial numbers during install which is hardly a security
measure. But, your thought leads me to the following idea:
How about a highly personallized code that address the user's name at various
operations throughout the program, not just on startup. I don't think I would
want my name showing up on hundreds of computers I had bootleged to. Kind of
like leaving your name and address after you've committed a crime, so the cops
can find you. This would have to be imbedded in the code by the
dealer/installer. I know this depends more on the guilt psychology thing
rather than mechanics but can you imagine if all software released from now on
required these devices. We do need a better solution.
—–Just read more ideas on this thread which should have a new name. I liked
the routing internally fixing the last one to the cutout for the printer cable.
Let's see now…. I have 61 different pieces of software with locks (ca. 1996)
…gads I've run out of internal volume in my case!<g>
Don,
They didn't get it to me today. I don't know what happened, but I hope they
can explain it Monday.
Bailey
Just enough to drive ya up the wall. And then when ya call on Monday some temp
receptionist tells ya everybody's at comdex but not to worry because they call
in daily!<g> right!
The only work around I know of is Diaquest.
Sorry, I've had a lousy day.
Theres a better work around then that, V-LAN!!
The Animax Card or Alix external desk top controllers . Less expensive then
Diaquest. Great support. More flexibility. Better upgradeability. Supports
more VTRs. Rotoscoping in 3DS. Targa+, ATVista, Illuminator Pro support for
digitizing.
Upgrade to OZ Video Editing with the same hardware. If you have any questions
contact me.
Are you interest in a V-LAN controller to help with some of these problems.
For only about $200.00 dollars more then what you paid for SoftVTR, you would
be done. Plus you have the advantage of having the best controller on the
market, upgradeablility at any time to more machine control and editing. If
you are interested in some information, contact me. SoftVTR is very limiting.
(and as your pointing out very troublesome)
Larry,
Yes, for a couple of days there I wish I had gone with your product. But now
SoftVTR is working and I'm happy for now. I'll call you guys again when I have
two decks.
Bailey