#Output to video
5 messages in this thread
I would like some pro advice pertaining to the output of animation to video. I
am currently runnin a 486/33 with 12 megs RAM + 220MG HD. Obviously, this setup
is far from adequate to output quuality animation to video, and I am planning
to upgrade. However, there are a myriad of options. (MPEG playback, frame by
frame to VTR, 320×200 simple output from memory) If anyone could respond with
some possible options with a fairly low budget(ceiling of $1500 or possibly
$1800. Thank you.
Ed,
There are lots of different ways to get out to video. If you've only got $1800
to spend then your choices narrow significantly. It will also depend on what
kind of quality you need. If you're only going to be doing .AVI's or .FLC's for
multimedia titles then you don't need additional hardware. If you want to be
able to put your work on tape then you will need at least a scan-converter.
This is a device that converts a computer video signal to NTSC which can be
recorded or played on a TV. The quality won't be anything to brag about though.
If you need high quality to video you will want to look at something like a PAR
or a PVR. These run somewhere around $1800 but need dedicated hard drives which
don't come with. Then of course you'd also need a VTR on which to record your
work.
There are other options like the Targa+ but you'd have to single frame it. This
is becoming less and less common as DDR's like the PVR can be had quite
affordably.
Anyway, there are many options. You need to decide what you want in terms of
quality first.
DM
The quality I need will most likely be 320×200, but the animation will be very
long, so I will need a device that can playback a great deal of animation at
one time. I think frame by frame will be far too expensive, and I am versed on
scan converters. I am not however, familiar with playback options in the PC
world. I have a videovision card(not Studio) on the Mac, but it would be
impractical for me to use that for my 3d Studio projects. Can you please 1.
Define PAR & PVR. 2. Refer me to practicaly priced brands($700 range).
Thanks.
Ed, Sorry, I can't recommend anything in your $700 price range. You might want
to check out the MARS card from Daewoo however. It plays back MPEG video from
any ol' hard drive and the quality is pretty good. It even outputs in NTSC. I
think it may be easily within your budget. I've seen one in action and it
actually works very well. It includes drivers for 3DS etc. There are probably
even some dealers here on the forum that could ge you more details. The PAR/PVR
are cards that allow full resolution, 24 bit color, images to be played back in
realtime from a dedicated hard drive. The PAR is the older version with the PVR
being its successor. They are both made by Digital Processing Systems and list
for around $1800. Both cards are very nice and work well. Many people use them
(myself included) for going from 3DS to tape. Take care.
DM
Maybe you can look at the Miro DC1 TV card. It costs about $550. It doesn't
have
3ds driver, but you can convert the TGA to AVI in the windows. It works well
for me in Win3.11, but I heard there is problem with Win95 driver. You can
check it out by " Go Miro"
Ken