CompuServe Thread

#PVR USERS?

14 messages in this thread
#196025From: Mike Langieri/CT&MAOct 18, 1995 9:31 PM
Me Again… Are there any folks out there using the DPS PVR/AD-2500 on an Intel Pentium machine? Or are we all just speculating? Seriously, if anyone out there is actually using the PVR, many of us would like to know what success you're having, especially when it comes to which PCI video card you use, and which motherboard as well. If you're an experienced PVR/PC builder, don't be afraid to share some information with some who just want to try and add a PVR to their system. If they are told up front what will and won't work, they may just come to one of you to buy what they need. So c'mon, animators, editors and artists… show us your video cards!!! \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /
#196041From: Glenn KyllonenOct 19, 1995 12:36 AM
Hello mike. Are there any folks out there using the DPS PVR/AD-2500 on an Intel Pentium machine? Or are we all just speculating? I Have just finally got my PVR and daughter card working properly with Adobe Premeire 4.0a. My current system consists of a Gateway 2000, P5-90 with 32meg of RAM, booting from 1of 2 540 meg IDE hard drives,an Adaptec 2940 PCI SCSI HD controller, a 1.7gig 2217AV Micropolis HD ( for storing rendered images until I can move them on to my Barracuda perception drive), an ATI Mach64 Graphics Ultra Pro w2meg of Vram and a Sound Blaster Awe32 with 2megof ram. I am presently running version 202 of the Perception windows 3.? drivers and the system is configured to boot to Dos, Windows 3.11 or Windows NT. The audio and video syncs perfectly and even loops now. I had a problem with fades in premeire but have just solved it by setting my super black switch on in the codec settings dialogue box. I can tell you I am very happy with the output now and perhaps give you some other things to watch out for. I just tried to install the NT software and my system crashed as soon as I clicked on the perception icon. ………Any Ideas? also I could not scan with the Genius Colorpage2 connected to my 2940 controller. I had to get PCI extensions for my PVR card from DPS so I could move it to a slot and change the SCSI Disk ID # to 0 . This solved the problem. By the way 3DS will not recognize the built in math coprocessor in a 90mzh NEXTGEN based board. I know I tried. Anyway enough said, the thing works fine now under windows 3.11 and I had great tech support from Gateway, ATI, and Dan at DPS I hope this helps anyone else trying to solve problems. If you need more information I can be reached here or at viewport@junction.net Glenn out.
#196172From: Mike Langieri/CT&MAOct 19, 1995 7:47 PM
Glenn… Finally… someone spoke out! Yeah! Well, sounds like you're off and running. So far the only NT system I've actually seen working is a Raptor3 with a Diamond Stealth 64 VRAM card running Speed Razor MACH 3. I'm beginning to get suspect about the latest NT drivers v2.02 since we've experienced startup problems as well, but we're still trying to find out if the PVR is defective. FWIW, there's going to be a Non-Linear Video section established in the computer animation forum (which kinda makes sense) which might be a good central point for all NLV users. Glad to hear you're happy. \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /
#196174From: Bob KohlOct 19, 1995 7:54 PM
Mike, I've got a PVR without the input card ( AD2500 ) and it works great on my triton chipset P-100 with 64Mb ram and a Diamond Stealth 64 Vram 4Mb PCI. Note: Only the latest vibrant drivers 1.08C will work on the Stealth. I cannot tell you much more because I've just run a couple of tests with it. I can say though that once I did things everything worked first time without a hiccup. I got this setup after following zillions of messages on this forum and I was wrong with the Diamond stealth but not for long. As soon as I downloaded the driver tuesday, it worked first try. Bob Kohl Cedille inc. -Bob Kohl
#196208From: Peter KnowlesOct 19, 1995 10:30 PM
Mike, Got my PVR in early July and on the whole have been really thrilled, although it only works about half the time, but hey I'm having fun. As for MoBo and video I have an Asus (is that how it's spelt?) 90 Mhz Pentium and Matrox Impression + this all works great. This particular MoBo doesen't need the PCI riser. As for pitfalls, the day before a huge presentation my 4.3 gig Micropolis ground to a grinding screeching death. perhaps it was heat but I don't think so!! Annother one to wach out for, I thought I'd delay the spin up on the drive so my Micropolis wasen't running until I needed it, DON'T do it, the PVR won't wait for a spin up and writes to the drive while it's gaining speed, intstant data corruption. DPS suggests a low level SCSI format which my cheapie non Adaptec controller refuses to do. I also have observed the NT lockup. DPS tells me the PVR won't work with NT 3.5 which is what I have. Video capture and animation quality are spectacular and I eagarly await Razor MIII. I had my first look at MAX on monday, whoaaaa! MAX/PVR/Razor MIII a brutal combination. Pete Cornerstone Studios pknowles@stsim.com
#196311From: MARTIN G FOSTEROct 20, 1995 2:44 PM
Mike, I've had a PVR and capture board combo since July. Took a bit of getting used to, software wise, after the PAR. Now I'm fine with it. System: ASUS P54 EISA/PCI, no risers necessary, but no room for a sound card with all slots full. Diamond Stealth 64 4mb VRAM. Dos 6.22/Win 3.11/PC-NFS network software. Runs fine now. Minor mishaps: Timing off on PVR (bad frames). DPS cross-shipped replacement PVR – fine now. Seagate Barracuda 4.3gb burnt out, replaced it. The boards are starting to bend in the full tower case because of gravity and they aren't long enough to fit the ends in the plastic retainer. Should take care of that. I'm running the Windows 3.1 software and don't use any editting software other than what comes with the PVR. It's only for tests anyway, and final output is to one of our Abekas Diskus'. Considering Speed Razor.
#196359From: Eron Bruce CohenOct 20, 1995 8:27 PM
Martin, I am just wondering about something: Does the Discus output files to the SGI file format? If so, then couldn't you do your capturing on the SGI and then send the files over the network to your PVR drive as SGIs. Since the SGIs will automatically be converted to PVD (Perception Video Files) (and BMPs and TGAs…) couldn't you then do your editing and compositing…in Speed Razor? I have never seen a Discus, so please pardon my ignorance. Thanks. Eron
#196378From: MARTIN G FOSTEROct 20, 1995 11:12 PM
Eron, >> Does the Discus output files to the SGI file format? If so, then couldn't you do your capturing on the SGI << I don't know if the diskus has real-time capture ability – I'm really not that familiar with it's operation or capabilities. If it does have that capability we don't use it. Also, we only have 3/4" equipment in house which we use for tests, so if we need high quality backgrounds they are usually supplied to us on Exabyte at film or D1 resolutions. Finally delivery is usually on Exabyte off the diskus or on film using our film recorder. Also, I don't have Speed Razor yet. I've been trying to contact Jamie Carr over the last couple of months via phone and e-mail in order to get a demo but he just seems to ignore me 🙁 Not what I call a responsible attitude. I'm considering talking to 4dVision WRT their compositing software but I'm not interested in a DOS solution – nothing less than NT will suffice anymore.
#196433From: Eron Bruce CohenOct 21, 1995 2:15 PM
Hi Martin. I am glad you are interested in our Product. Please forward me your phone number so I can have someone call you re: Speed Razor! Kind Regards, Eron
#196562From: Oct 22, 1995 10:43 PM
Martin: >> I don't know if the diskus has real-time capture ability… Yes, it does, it can be controlled as part of an edit suite or from the keyboard as a recorder or as a player. Same as the Accom WSD/XL, that was the other unit we investigated when we were getting one. The Accom will also let you control it over Ethernet, I don't remember if the Discus will or not. >> I'm considering talking to 4dVision WRT their compositing software >> but I'm not interested in a DOS solution – nothing less than NT >> will suffice anymore. 4dVision's Digital Fusion is DOS only, perhaps NT sometime next year! Greg Pyros
#197089From: Terry Cotant[RSS]Oct 25, 1995 9:36 PM
Hey, if you're still having Speed Razor issues, please let me know.
#196482From: Tim Krego, [pro.image]Oct 22, 1995 12:23 AM
>The boards are starting to bend in the full tower case because of gravity and they aren't long enough to fit the ends in the plastic retainer. Should take care of that.< I had the same problem. I glued a plastic bracket on my case to prevent sagging.
#196572From: Bob KohlOct 22, 1995 11:52 PM
<<The boards are starting to bend in the full tower case because of gravity and they aren't long enough to fit the ends in the plastic retainer. Should take care of that.>> Aha, I must truly recognizer the quality of my dealer who recognized a possible problem the first time he saw the PVR and made and extension as to make it long enough to reach the retainer. Learning every day, Bob Kohl -Bob Kohl
#196603From: Mike Langieri/CT&MAOct 23, 1995 8:35 AM
Martin… Sounds like you have a SGI (like us) and you're using your PVR to edit animation files created on the SGI (what we want to do). Thanks for the tips on the boards bending. I'll pass that on to my builder/dealer. \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /