#C.G. overlays
33 messages in this thread
Chuck-
Another suggestion for the next software update- allow a C.G. overlay to
continue over more than one clip. There are times when this ability is needed
in a production. There are also times that call for having different C.G.
overlays appear over a single clip and right now the only I think you can do
this is to duplicate the clip into several smaller clips, match all the in and
out points to the frame and then insert C.G. icons in between this points.
There should be an easier way, perhaps using the timeline of a clip suggestion
I made previously for cutaway inserts.
Bob
Just want to reinforce the utility of your suggestion to Chuck.
Michael
This is a frequent request.
Chuck Still no manual.
Also is there any chance that HQ5 will work better in the future or do we just
have to wait for faster drives.
Also – This back up situation is getting strange….
My dealler says you still do not have the back up stuff working nor a tape
system that you recommend….
I am starting to do some real work and need to get back up on line.
PMFJI Ed,
Using Diavolo Backup I am getting 5.8 MB/Min backups and 5.4 Mb/Min
restores, with excellent results, through my system scsi port.
Regards,
Norman Austin 70743,1535
Using Diavolo Backup I am getting 5.8 MB/Min backups and 5.4 Mb/Min
restores, with excellent results, through my system scsi port.
Hi Norman,,,,,I am not fimiliar with the Diavolo Back up.
How big is it and what kind of media is it…
If you are going through your system port then you must not be using the back
up utility in the flier software…..
How much,,,,tell be more please!
Ed
The Diavolo is available on the Amiga forum on CIS. The demo backs up, but
won't restore until registered.
I've also heard it can do multiple backups on one tape.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and
Service under all circumstances
Ed,
Diavolo Backup is a backup utility that can be purchased through CI$. You
can download the demo from AmigaVend libraries and check it out. I believe the
price is something like $60, I don't remember exactly. The drive I'm using is
a Wangtek DAT streamer which, uses 4mm DAT tapes, will hold 2gig of data. I
bought the streaming tape drive from Dan Wolf, also here on CI$. I've gotten
excellent result in both the sound and video and compared the restored clips
with the original clips and could not distinguish a difference. YOU MUST TURN
OFF COMPRESSION WHEN BACKING UP YOUR CLIPS, if you don't turn of compression,
you will only get about 4800Kb/Min backups. Oh yes, I have backed up four or
five clips on one tape, and the maximum amount of data I have been able to
backup was about 1.3 gig. The fault, I think, is with the WarpEngine scsi
drivers. There seems to be no way to turn off disconnect/reconnect through
software, as I can on my GVP scsi.
Regards,
Norman Austin 70743,1535
HQ5 has a hard performance requirement of 5M per second sustained over entire
drive surface, and like the previous modes better speed gets better results.
Again, in our original FAQ and other material fully lossless D2 occurs at from
8 to 12M sustained with any video; some video can be lossless at lower rates
(depends on the complexity and combination of colors, etc.), but most video is
going to require some compression to maintain playback speed at rates below
that.
For slower drives, we are still working on modifications to VTASC to more
successfully preserve quality in standard and extended mode. There are likely
to be limits to that, but we don't think we've reached them yet and we continue
to press the issue.
For the moment though, the entire team has made backup the priority, and this
will likely continue until we have this reliable, at which point we plan to
post an interim update here and on our BBS and ftp.newtek.com. Then we
continue working toward the rest of 4.1.
Chuck:
Thanks for the input.
Personally I don't have a problem with the D2 issue since it's unlikely I'll
ever shoot anything of my own with greater resolution than Hi8.
But I do have a problem with "For slower drives, we are still working on
modifications to VTASC to more successfully preserve quality in standard and
extended mode". The video quality of the Flyer is good, but I feel there's a
softness to its images. (I think other people have also mentioned this.)
My biggest concern, though, is the stuttering. Unlike others, I haven't had a
significant problem with it – but that's because I haven't done much with the
Flyer yet because of the problems with editing action and the lack of the
software upgrades.
I really think there's an issue here that should be addressed by a NewTek
"white paper" about drives. NewTek essentially spec'ed what drives would be
usable. I don't recall any mention of limitations. Now there's continual talk
of new drives being required – with no mention of what people who bought the
originally specified drives should do. Asking them to take that big a hit is a
big gulp, Chuck.
I fully agree with you and everyone else that backup is a major issue and
must be addressed very quickly.
Jerry
A daily part of my conversation for a long time following our announcement of
the Flyer at NAB 94 included regular discussion of drive speeds and what was
required for D2 fully lossless — 8 to 12 MB per second, information also
present in our FlyerFAQ, posted on internet, the BBS and distributed in other
formats and venues as well. We made it clear that the Flyer card was capable
of up to 20MB per second throughput per each SCSI port, that the drives
currently available were not even remotely capable of working with the Flyer
(that was spring of 94), but that capable drives at the 3.7 MB lower limit for
the Flyer to do "D2 allowed" compressed video would be available by fall — we
were working with their prototypes. The artifact of image softening — as
opposed to JPEG/MPEG pixelization artifacting — of VTASC compression is also
something that was part of every conversation and was documented, and while it
simply has to be true of any system that the more compression applied the more
the signature artifact will show, as I said we are working on getting to the
limits of the algorithm and we think we can squeeze more out of it. I'm
puzzled as to why I would say we are working on bettering those modes, and you
would say you're disturbed about it. I'd think you'd say, "Yes, Please Do,
glad to hear you think you can improve it." I'm not certain how that would
fair in the culture of "negative encouragement" that flourishes in the online
world, however.
There are issues of deep concern to all current flyer owners that we are
working on here daily because it is always our aim to make those who own our
products happy that they did and sure that anything they got to work with our
product was a good investment, and it is that light at the end of the tunnel
that keeps us going, not the dog on our ankle. That's just a source of
annoyances and distractions, plus the waste of a little blood and a little time
that could have been better used to get the job done. Although every now and
then, when applied to the proper ankle…. ;^)
Chuck,
Personally, I am not so concerned with D-2. MII would be just fine. In fact,
SVHS would be dandy for now if there was no stuttering.
Regards,
Gary
"I'm puzzled as to why I would say we are working on bettering those modes, and
you would say you're disturbed about it."
Sorry, Chuck, that my statement wasn't clearer. What I was referring to was
the issue of the slower drives – as if their existence was somehow a great
surprise to NewTek.
As I don't frequent the NewTek BBS, I never saw any statements about the
"artifact of image softening". It sure wasn't in your ads, press releases or
the fawning articles in VTU.
The D2 issue doesn't affect me directly since I'm working entirely in Hi8.
"because it is always our aim to make those who own our products happy that
they did and sure that anything they got to work with our product was a good
investment, and it is that light at the end of the tunnel that keeps us going,
not the dog on our ankle"
C'mon, Chuck. There'd be no dogs at anyone's ankles if the work had been done
prior to the release of the Flyer. I don't think most people understood just
how much of a pre-release 3.994 was going to be and just how long the road to
getting a usable product would be.
Jerry
Chuck,
>>I'm puzzled as to why I would say we are working on bettering those
>>modes, and you would say you're disturbed about it. I'd think you'd
>>say, "Yes, Please Do, glad to hear you think you can improve it." I'm
>>not certain how that would fair in the culture of "negative
>>encouragement" that flourishes in the online world, however.
Well there are some facts you ignored and some you (have to by virtue of your
paycheck) look at from the wrong end.
First, the limitations of the drives were not spelled out in any literature,
article, dealer letter, pre-order delivery notices etc. My dealer wasn't even
aware of the drive situation until I told them about it after NAB. So the
contention that either we all should have known or did know about it is off
base.
Second, designing to specs of a product that might be available someday, then
selling that product before its mandatory 3rd party add on is up to specs to
work with the system is just asking for this kind of response. NT seems to want
to cast the blame onto the dirve manufacturers' laps for delaying product that
they had no contractual obligation with NT to even produce. Had pre-order
people known this, they might have not ordered, or at a minimum, gotten smaller
(and cheaper as opposed to 'NT Certified') drives to make do until the real
McCoy hit the market.
The disturbance about your statement that y'all are working on improvements to
the lower quality levels means that D2 quality was not the only issue with
VTASC and the drives and, in effect, the basic underpining of the entire
technology isn't even done yet, and the "other shoe" has yet to fall on those
of us whou bought what we thought were lossless capable NLE systems with all
parts recommended by NT to get a system that worked right.
wmc – via Autopilot!
"…. that the drives currently available were not even remotely capable of
working with the Flyer (that
was spring of 94), but that capable drives at the 3.7 MB lower limit for the
Flyer to do "D2 allowed" compressed video would be available by fall — we
were working with their prototypes……
….as I said we are working on getting to the limits of the algorithm and we
think we can squeeze more out of it. I'm puzzled as to why I would say we are
working on bettering those modes, and you would say you're disturbed about
it……."
Chuck, the underlying frustration and dissappointment in the HD issue is based
on Newtek's decision to release the Flyer before drive technology was able to
work flawlessly with the Flyer.
The message that people are trying to give you here is that Newtek should have
either delayed the Flyer until the drives were more robust, or developed a
'worst case scenario' design that would have worked flawlessly with existing
drive technology.
For example, a design that used two 'ordinary' drives running in parallel, with
data inteleaving, plus associated high speed caching. If each put out 3.5
MB/sec….or even 3…, then the two could pump 7….or 6…..more than enough
to have avoided all the drive problems that people have struggled with. And at
the lower street prices for 'ordinary' drives, having to get twice as many may
have been a lot less painfull than having to worry about dealing with glitches,
crashes, and lost work.
More power to you in pushing the envelope on the 'algorithm'. But unless NT is
VERY confident that the fruit of that effort will result in more than a tweak,
pursuing a breakthrough solution (such as doubling drives) may be more in
Newtek's best interests.
Regards………….Nick
Nick,
Amen, Amen and well put.
wmc – via Autopilot!
"For example, a design that used two 'ordinary' drives running in parallel,
with data inteleaving, plus associated high speed caching. If each put out 3.5
MB/sec….or even 3…, then the two could pump 7….or 6…..more than enough
to have avoided all the drive problems that people have struggled with"
Yep. You got it down pat, Nicholas.
Jerry
Chuck,
Thanks for keeping us up on what is going on.
Getting the backup working should indeed be a priority (I wouldn't rank it
above fixing the stuttering problem, but hey as long as it all gets done).
Regards,
Gary
Actually the guy rewriting the sequencing code has kept at it, timesharing on
the tape issue. Getting some very interesting results, even with quite a bit
more coding to do. I should be able to let a cat or two out of the back in the
next week or so. er — the bag that is. 😉
Chuck,
Sure seems like you take alot of heat, I have been a Newtek customer since 1.0,
I have two Toaster 2000s, two Toaster 4000s and now a Flyer system, although I
have experienced a number of lock-ups, stuttering and crashes I am confident in
your company's ability to deliver a top notch product, I just recieved vers.
4.03 of your software and am looking forward to installing it…My advice to
you and Mr. Jennison is to keep your loyal customers as happy and contented as
possible with your products, ie: upgrades when ever possible, how about a
newsletter to all registered owners on a monthly basis or something…you have
to be careful though because we have choices now, Alladin, Media 100,
Perception, etc. Newtek is no longer the only game in town…So as someone who
uses your products everyday in my business, I am concerned that you maintain
high quality, great bang for the buck products.
thank you,
Mark Carey
Thanks for the return reply I do appreciate it.
I heard a rummer that the Seaget 4 gig drives you were approving now have a
modification that will improve perpormance…Is it true?
I haven't heard of any mods to the Seagate 4, but then everytime I get to pull
my head out of the modem they have loads of surprises for me. I'll check.
Also Chuck, Keep in mind regarding the drives….
Must of us bought the ones approved by Newtek to be assured of
performance……In the last three months the prices have droped
drastically….that means if we would have waited we could have saved
thousands. It makes the question of drives even harder to swallow.
I would also like to suggest that Newtek keep later office hours. At least for
Customer and tech support.
Why should us West Coasters have to deal with your time Zone.
I would love to get a manual!!!
At NAB they said they were going right out.
Since then I have been told they were in the mail.
Still Have not goten it. Ed Mellnik, EMA Video Productions,
3210 SW Dosch Rd Portland, Oregon 97201
Thanks.
Ed:
I have not recived a manuel either, I was going to call today but was too
busy to. Several peopl here have suggested that there was a recored keeping
error at NT that put some ofd us at NAB on the wrong list. The list Not to get
a manule now. anyway give them a call to clear things up. I will first thing
monday. Unless maybe CHUCK could straighten this out online…. (hint hint you
hear that Chuck!) 8)
Brad Hayes
Hayes Visual Communication
We do have those drive issues in mind, which is why we are continuing the work
on development almost exclusively on those drives, including the long since
discontinued IBM drives.
"Why should us West Coasters have to deal with your time zone."
Because you got all the sunshine and the ocean, that's why. ;^)
Actually we are currently working over the issues of servicing global technical
needs. And I thought I was through with shift work.
Glad you posted the address, Monday morning when there are people here other
ththan me and the guy in the office next door who doesn't havq a life either,
I'll do whatever is needed to se that a manual is shipped to you if it hasn't
been already.
Chuck,
Re: "Because you got all the sunshine and the ocean, that's why. ;^):
Yes…. and Earthquakes, Fires, Floods…. 😉
THANKS for all the hard work you and the NT folks are doing!
TP
Chuck:
I don't know if you got my last message about it, but I also have not yet
recived my manual. I was at NAB so could you look into it for me as well. I
will be caling first thing in the moring, but having an inside friend never
hurts… 8)
Brad Hayes
Hayes Visual Communication
Chuck another question – I have been experiencing occassional Posterized
playback of clips.
I know the clips are OK…they play by themselves ok.
But sometimes on a storyboard…every other clip willbe posterized and off
color.
Rebooting gets rid of the problem for a time.
Heard of that before???\
ED
Ed,
I experienced posterized clip playback for a while. I repeatedly re-auto hued
and re-calibrated until calibration would go thru without asking all the
anoying questions. Haven't seen it since.
Greg Welch
Greg Welch's reply has the first take on the problem. What we've found here is
that one autohue should be all that's needed, then run FlyCal several times,
until the channels are matched. If the problem is intermittent regardless how
many times you run FlyCal, call the Techline at 913-228-8282, if you get a
receptionist leave a message and include your flyer serial number. If you talk
to a tech have your serial number handy.
Robert –
Are you using 4.03? With 4.02 you couldn't control the start point, but the
time you set begame, added to the duration, the end point. With 4.03 the
settings seem to be fine and I've had several keys overlay a single clip.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and
Service under all circumstances
I was using 4.0 which didn't allow me to do more than one overlay, but I just
started using 4.03 and, you're right, now I can. However, I still need the
ability to use a C.G. overlay that continues over more than one clip and I'm
hopeful that Newtek will include this feature in their updates.
Bob
Pass the message to Chuck B to be sure it gets a vote for it.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and
Service under all circumstances