#Wher's DCTV on CIS
4 messages in this thread
I think you can still get the upgrade to the latest DCTV software (1.1) from
Digital Creations, which is now part of Play Inc.
Bear in mind that DCTV's native graphics mode is really a specially encoded
16-bit IFF file. There aren't too many DCTV-specific utilities around, since
most Amiga programs already can handle IFFs, even DCTV-encoded IFFs, though
they likely can't display them properly. However, if you have the DCTV encoder
in place, they don't need to do anything special, as the DCTV.library will
handle the transformation. You can only see DCTV images in their proper colors
in composite mode UNLESS you have the DCTV RGB converter, in which case they
show up right on the same analog screen with the Workbench.
Scan on "DCTV" while browsing the library files here (if you're text mode, the
command would be "BRO /KEY:DCTV", I think) and you'll see whatever's available.
Get yourself Autopilot as a Compuserve front-end terminal if you've got
Workbench 2.x or up. It's easy to use and will save you money.
Thank you Mr. Legro!
I'm going to look through the catalogues with Autopilot, as you suggest.
DCTV 1.1 is the latest? Well, I can understand that. Digital Creations must
have stopped worrying about DCTV when the AGA chip set moved the Amiga market
to a new standard. There's no need to work with a hardware dependent product
like DCTV when a comperable product like Brilliance can have an eqal color
range.
I, however, have invested too much in my system. Commodore's demise this
last year didn't make the up-grading idea too promising either.
I feel like I am in a subculture, using DCTV, but am still pleased with it.
Stephen Paschke, Gardena, California
(Remember: Attire is what's worn by a wheel.)
DCTV is still useful, even after AGA. It's a terrific animation system (DCTV
anims are fast, high quality, and take up modest space), and it certainly lets
the OCS/ECS Amiga play with high-quality imagery. Plus, a lot of software like
Vista Pro, Imagemaster, etc. directly support DCTV. And, after all, it comes
with a great paint program/conversion utility and a solid slow-scan video
digitizer. Much life left in the product. I notice that Digital Creation's new
venture, Play Inc., has brought out a DCTV-type device for PCs called Snappy.
If you can find a DCTV RGB Converter at reasonable cost (say $150 or less), buy
it. It will add tremendous new versatility to the device. Lets you output DCTV
stuff via genlocks, mixing standard Amiga graphics, and also lets you see DCTV
imagery directly on the Amiga RGB analog monitor, even mixed DCTV/standard
Amiga screens.
Finally, DCTV isn't a subculture. There are many of them around and they are
used quite a bit by professionals. Indeed, you will see Toaster users who still
rely on DCTV to get decent Lightwave animation output at a low price, without
upgrading to the newest Toaster gear. At minimum it's a good prototyping tool.
— from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, via Amiga AUTOPILOT v1.78
[the only way to fly cyberspace]
Hello again.
I did a search of the AmigaUser files, as you suggested, Ron.
No DCTV Specific files showed up. (boo hoo!)
Do you happen to have the address for 'Play Inc.'?
Thanks Again.
Stephen Paschke, Gardena, California
(Remember: Attire is what's worn by a wheel.)