#Amiga to Video?
3 messages in this thread
I have my Amiga controlling a Panasonic AG7500 S-VHS deck. I am using
the program "Transport Controller", available from MicroIllusions, which
just happens to have been written by me. You also need the interface twixt
the Amiga and the VCR (1/2", 3/4", 1", BetaCam, etc.), which can run from
$2K to $5K. What I get is completely frame accurate automated single frame
recording. Time code (of one form or another, depending on the interface)
is recorded on the tape, so I can go back weeks later and insert a single
frame accurately. Transport Controller comes with an automated
page-flipper, or it interfaces directly with VideoScape3D and
MicroIllusions' 'Cel Animator".
You of course need to create the NTSC video signal, or the S-VHS signal.
In either case, if you do not need to genlock to existing video (and for
straight recording you don't), I recommend the CMI VI500 or VI2000 for
about $60. For another $99, there is a box that attaches to the CMI unit
to give you excellent S-VHS signals. If you want to genlock and chromakey
the Amiga over video, look at the SuperGen ($750), the GenOne ($850), or
the ProGen(~$400?). For best quality, the Magni ($1700 A2000 only) and the
Neriki ($2200) or at the top of the line for the Amiga.
If you need an A/B roll editing system, there is one for the Amiga by RGB
Creations in Florida. Transport Controller also supports their hardware.
It is somewhat pricey, however, and may not be available yet. If you go
with an edit controller designed for your VCRs, make sure it is
frame-accurate. Most of them are +-3 frames, even if they advertise frame
accuracy. If they don't use time code, they aren't. —Mike
Mike, thanks for your reply. Several questions: 1) You are using the
Panasonic AG7500 S-VHS deck. Does this deck have the single frame
capability, or do you move to another deck for that editing? Price
(approx)? For average use, would this deck be suitable for nearly all
editing purposes? (ie. or would I need a more featured deck also….) 2)
You mention an 'interface' tween the Amiga and VCR for @ $2-5K.
I know that one is necessary, but can't find any info on how to proceed. Is
this a piece of Amiga hardware, or video hardware? Is it just a hardware
box, or is it software controlled, etc? Why the big difference in price?
(2-5K is quite a spread) Any particular brands you can suggest? 3) I
gather that the above (along with CMI stuff or genlock, etc) is all that is
necessary to do true single framing and very good editing, correct?
You said that the 'Transport Controller' will interface to Videoscape, etc.
How about Sculpt/Silver/etc. I assume each program uses its own driver,
etc… are drivers avail or can they be custom written? (ie. for my own
software development…) 4) I gather that the final product (particularly
for broadcast) would then be taken to a Video shop for transfer to 3/4" or
1"? Important question: can all other work be done with the equipt you
describe? I am trying to get a system that let's me do NEARLY ALL by
myself… Thanks for your help…. –jp–
John, 1) The AG7500, like most VCRs, does not inherently have
single-frame capability. It is the interface hardware that provides this
ability. The interface hardware provides it for many machines, some much
cheaper than the $5000 for the AG7500.
The only requirement for the VCR is that it is an "editing" deck,
meaning that it has a flying erase head. The FEH allows clean insert
editing. 2) I will upload the compatibility chart for interfaces and VCRs
into DL10 of the AmigaVendor Forum. Note that new VCRs get added seemingly
every month. I will keep it updated.
The $5K interface encodes the time code info into the video itself, and
is a very sophisticated unit. It also controls the widest variety of
VCRs. You only need to change cables to change VCRs controlled. Others
require a new PROM or a new unit.
The cheaper units record time code on an audio channel. If there are
dropouts on the tape, you lose accuracy. They are also less sophisticated,
meaning that error conditions are not as well reported. However, I still
get excellent results with the cheaper units.
The Lyon Lamb MINIVAS ($4800) is the best (actually, they make a $12K
version). They are at (818) 843-4831.
The Videomedia VLAN ($2500) is expandable to multi-machine. It requires
an external time code generator ($400+), and must be ordered for a
particular VCR. They are at (408) 745-1700.
The BCD VideoLink ($2500) is self-contained. Sculpt-3D also directly
talks to this controller. They are at (405) 843-4574.
The Pico Systems ($2000) is self-contained, but only works with a few
VCRS (the 7500 is one), and is quite primitive. The others give full
machine control (play, rewind, etc.) from the Amiga, this does not. The
number is (314) 962-6103.
For such a purchase, I recommend you get brochures on all these units.
3) Right now Videoscape is the only renderer that interfaces directly to
Transport Controller. The TC page-flipper supports the file numbering
formats of TSilver and Sculpt. Most renderers (including Caligari) are
working on supporting TC directly. Code examples in both C and ASM are
included in the instruction manual to roll your own. I will even write the
code for any developer if needed. 4) Yes, you can take the S-VHS tape to
most anyplace (I'm near Hollywood, so there are a ton of places), to
transfer it to a better format. S-VHS is comparable to standard 3/4" in
quality, although 3/4" SP is much better (and $16K as well).
Tell me what you want to "do". You only need a good quality editing
deck and one of the animation interfaces (and Transport Controller) to
record anything from the Amiga frame accurately. However, you can't do
editing with only one deck; you need a source deck too. The source deck can
be a cheaper play only deck. You then need an editing controller to
synchronize the two machines, and frame accurate ones start at $8000. Call
me at MicroIllusions (818) 360-3715 if you have any specific questions.
—Mike