CompuServe Thread

#PAR q's/PAR + Windows

11 messages in this thread
#122537From: Robert A. WeilSep 7, 1994 10:25 AM
Alan- I've still haven't been able to get a clean boot (without Netroom memory manager and stacker), but I'm working with Helix Software on how to uninstall Netroom – it's a long, complicated story and I won't bore you with the details. I have been able to get the PAR software to start from inside Windows, however (I know it's not designed to operate in Windows), and I can recognise drives and files, copy and play files, etc. I created a customized PIF file for the PAR to use, and I'm able to launch and exit the PAR software without crashing wWindows. I'm just now hooking up a monitor to see if the animations will play. A really dumb question – shouldn't the middle (NTSC) BNC connector, when tied into a "F" connector, play through the "cable in" of any normal TV? I can't seem to get that to happen. TIA bob
#122584From: ALAN IGLESIASSep 7, 1994 1:02 PM
I'm glad you have gotten it to work, Bob. No, the composite-out from the PAR has to be plugged into a composite-in on a monitor or VCR or some sort of RF modulator to work properly. Your "Cable-in" expects a different signal, the type that comes down an antenna or TV cable. So just go ahead and plug the PAR's composite-out to the monitor-in (usually an RCA connector), if your TV has one, or to a VCR's composite-in. -Alan
#122687From: Robert A. WeilSep 7, 1994 7:28 PM
Alan – Thanks for the info – you'd think I could have figured it out. By the way, are you on the beta for Xaos Pennello? I've been having fun with it, but I was curious how others were using it. I've only found one "production environment" use I've been able to apply it to over the last two months. . . great effects, though! If you don't have Mirage yet, you might want to come up to our Saturday, September 16 meeting – Gary Gosha of Mirage Graphics will demo their Video Post Ipas, and give away a copy. It's liquid TV, Xaos Pandemonium sorts of effects. Really wild. In the October meeting, I'll demo beta 3 of Pennello (have approval from Xaos), and a non-linear digital editing Windows package called Razor. Hope to see you! Thanks again! bob
#122730From: ALAN IGLESIASSep 8, 1994 12:01 AM
You're very welcome, Bob. Nope. I told the Xaos folks that without gauranteeing me a (free) shipping version of the software at the close of the beta cycle, it would be impossible for me to test it. They said that was against policy, so I said "suit yourself". I've been testing software since 1986, and have NEVER been told to pay for the "right" to test it, or told I "may" get a copy when the product ships. The whole thing made no sense at all to me. I hope someone finds more production uses for the software. It'll be a tough sell at 995$ if folks don't perceive it as being extremely useful, I'd suspect. I showed Mirage at our last meeting, and it is a lot of fun. Ripples and waves to your heart's content. The AXP and KXP versions should be quite interesting too, I'd guess. Take care, Bob. -Alan
#122862From: M. G. BATCHELORSep 8, 1994 4:22 PM
Hi Alan, PMJI, but I had the exact same feelings about Pennello and the XAOS beta approach – but I did agree to test it, and I've been trying to tell them it has to do more, or do it for a lot less – over & over <g>. I'm very curious about Mirage in general, as well as the AXP/KXP versions you mentioned. In general, I've only seen really one basic type of effect it produces. Could you elaborate more to me publicly or privately on this ? Thanks, BILL
#122912From: David StinnettSep 8, 1994 8:46 PM
>>Could you elaborate more to me publicly or privately on this ? Publicly, please. 🙂 (I'm very interested in Mirage too.) David
#122918From: M. G. BATCHELORSep 8, 1994 8:54 PM
Hey, I believe (or believed) everything should be public, but it seems that's not neccessarily the way it works sometimes <g>. BILL
#122964From: ALAN IGLESIASSep 9, 1994 2:10 AM
Sure, Bill. The Mirage suite of Plug-Ins (the .IXP is available now, with the .AXP and KXP's available later this year) are essentially ripple and wave generators with a very cool real-time preview ability. The .IXP generates all kinds of ripple and wave effects on a image-process basis, and has the ability to mask off areas for effects using alpha information and custom masks. Effects like the Predator stuff and Star Trek-style "cloaking" are it's strong points. Although DavidA from Digimation could tell you for sure (I'd suspect), I'd imagine that the .AXP will generate, perhaps, waves and ripples of particles<?> and the .KXP would do the same for motion paths. Maybe DavidA will pop in and cover anything I've missed or messed up<g>. -Alan
#122741From: Robert A. WeilSep 8, 1994 1:57 AM
Alan – Well, I managed to pry defeat from the jaws of victory! I went out and bought an "F" to RCA connector and connected the board to video in on the TV, video in on the VCR with no luck. No signaI, picture or disturbance graces the TV screen. (I have a BNC coax cord connected to a coax with "F" connectors, which is in turn connected to the RCA connector.) Do you have any other suggestions? Should I try to locate an RF modulator and connect it to another input? I also have a S-Video in on the set. TIA bob
#122770From: Brick EkstenSep 8, 1994 8:04 AM
The F connector on your telivision is not NTSC video in. This is a common misconception. The F connector is modulated RF (cable TV/Anten.) not straight video. Some monitors had RF video inputs disquised as video in connectors, even going so far as to label them 'video in'. You should run the board to the S-Video in on your Television. It is confusing to see a television with RF in and S-Video in, thats like 70's technology mixed with late 80's early 90's technology. Wierd.
#122796From: ALAN IGLESIASSep 8, 1994 10:11 AM
Like Brick says, definitely use the SVHS in! It'll be a lot cleaner signal, and the picture quality will show it! Just connect a standard SVHS cable from the PAR's SVHS out, to the TV's SVHS in. You may have to find a switch on the TV to direct it's input from the SVHS socket. The composite signal (BNC from the PAR) just isn't compatible with *Cable-in* (F-connector) on a TV, Bob. The way to do it is to get a BNC-to- RCA jack and go into the *video-in* (RCA jack) on the TV (if it has one), or VCR. Again, you may have to switch the TV's input to Video-in. But the SVHS solution makes WAY more sense, so grab an SVHS cable and go for it! -Alan