#NTSC Hardware HELP
22 messages in this thread
Need: Feedback on any NTSC Output cards for PCs. Considering the
Truevision TARGA+. Video Capture and GenLock are not an important factor
for now, but would be nice – looking ahead to the future. Must be
Broadcast Quality or near-to.
Use: For recording Computer Generated Animation and Graphics for video
production work – mostly documentaries (maps etc) and promo videos
(presentation graphics, etc).
Current Software: Animator, Animator Pro, ACAD11, AShade 1.1 (looking into
3D Studio for possible early/middle '93 – I hope, sooner would be nice 🙂
nice xmas present!)
Current Hardware: 386 PC, lotsa memory, lotsa Hard Drive. 4 Computers
total at my office.
Price: I don't want something like the Magni VGA Producer. I've seen a few
VGA-NTSC convertors such as this and they do not provide the quality.
Would like to stay between $1000 and $2500 for the card.
24-32bit video would be nice, but could settle for 8-16bit (since AniPro
only supports 256 colors on screen anyway), but am looking into the future
towards 3D Studio which supports higher color depth.
Besides my main occupation as a Shareware Author/Computer Consultant, I own
an 8-Channel Professional Studio where I compose Soundtracks. A local
Video Company whom I have created Soundtracks for Documentaries (Expo `86 @
Vancouver for one) will be performing the video recording. They have Sony
UMatic 3/4" machines, a Panasonic Controller and a Sony port-a-pack; decent
camera; medium quality Special-Effects generator for simple wipes/dissolves
etc.; medium quality Titler. Machines are currently Factory Video-In but
he's getting YC adapter boards installed right now.
How's the TARGA+ for speed with animations on AniPro? In the 512×486 NTSC
mode will I require a DiaQuest VTR Controller or similar to record it a
frame at a time, or can I real-time it to the recorder? Current VGA
640×400/480 VESA causes wiping on medium-size Frame Update values.
Thanks.
Truevision TARGA+64. It will cost you around $1,800, does what you want,
works with everybody (should say, everybody works with it) all gain no
pain. Stay away from cheap stuff unless you're up to driver hunting…
Gus,
The Truevision Targa+ 64 lists for $2495. If your number is
accurate, somebody done got a good deal.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Nobody pays "list" or "Suggested Retail Price". I just bought a Targa+ 64
and paid $1,800 for it plus $40 bucks for cables. If somebody is paying
more than that, they are the ones with a bad deal.
Gus,
Where did you locate your TARGA+64? Especially for $1800 (do you have the
name of the store, address, tel and FAX).
I live in Canada, and the local Computer Stores who deal with wholesalers
all over western Canada, don't have any listings for TARGA distributors up
here (I am contacting Truevision on Monday to get some info and see if they
have any outlets here in Canada).
Thanks,
David R. Green
Try B&H -> (212) 807-7474. That's NY BTW.
Thanks for the tel number,
David R. Green
Can't go wrong with the targa+32, although the playback speed with anipro
and the targa driver is fairly slowish, but acceptable for me for quarter
screen previews.
Martin,
How sluggish is sluggish?
Under AniPro, what's your average Frame Updates on acceptable real-time
animations versus ones that would require a VTR Frame Controller?
Thanks,
David R. Green
I haven't measured the speed of playback – but I've judged it acceptable
for quarter screen 320×240 on a 640×480 screen and unacceptable for full
screen. 15 to 30 fps is acceptable in my opinion and less, with discernible
tearing of the image, is not. In most of my flics there is a lot of
movement of the whole image and frame updates average 25k on the 320×240
screen. If you want full-speed full-screen flics played to tape you will
have to look at local-bus video solutions hooked up to an external encoder.
Thanks, I plan to check into single-frame VTR controllers etc. since it
looks like one is needed.
David R. Green
there is an ad in the new high color mag that some company is selling used
targa 16 + cards for 595.00. you could start here and upgrade the card
later to a 16/32 or a 64 +.
sherwood
Sherwood
Where can I locate a copy of the New High Color Mag? (I am located in
Northern British Columbia, Canada, and I have not sf
een that mag around
here).
Do you know what is involved in upgrading a 16 to 16/32 or 64 (ie just
plug in more RAM or perhaps a daughterboard?), and expense (is it cheaper
to get a 64 in the first place when compared to the price of an upgraded
16?)
Thanks,
David R. Green
High Color Magazine – (207) 236-6267
im pretty sure it works out to be the same price + shipping whether you
upgrade the board or buy it new with all the memory. you can not just add
memory to it like your computer, you have to send it to truevision or you
void any warrantee that might be left on the board. but i would ask kevin
krell here in the form for more info on those items.
sherwood
Sherwood,
Thanks for the help and all the info.
I'm gonna check with Truevision after the holidays and get some TARGA+
spec sheets, Canadian prices and distributors, etc.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
David R. Green
Parden me for Jumping in Here, David, but Where are you located?
I'm In Green Bay Wisconsin and would like to find people I could work with
on projects with.
James M. Murphy
James,
Hope I'm not to windy here, but this is a short bio.
I am located in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada. My Computer
Hardware/Software company is Li'l Chips Systems (I do not use this name for
my Studio work). I own an 8-channel recording studio (Otari MX-5050
MkIII-8 1/2" with TASCAM board, Roland and DeltaLab outboard gear,
Audio-Technica Professional Mikes, etc.). I have been a Computer
Technician for 15 years; Audio Engineer for 11 years; Computer programmer
for 10 years. I have authored articles for Electronics Today (UK & Canada
magazine) and Radio Electronics. I have lots of Shareware programs (some
also included with New Riders Books). I also work part-time as a computer
consultant for a medium size firm located here that does Architectural
Engineering, so I have some AutoCAD experience.
The Audio/Video work I have done is with a small Video firm called North
East Productions, located here in Dawson Creek. Besides the Expo 86 video
previously mentioned, we've also done a few for the Rendezvous 92
Canada/Alaska Hiway 100 year anniversary.
He's been getting his Computer animation done at a place called GasTown
in Vancouver BC, at $600 to $1200 per finished-second. I want to get into
it to supply the Graphics locally.
David,
The Targa+ is a good choice for quality (better if you go through an
encoder or transcoder w/house sync). Depending on your screen updates, it
might be a bit slow. Due to memory architecture, it actually performs
better once over 512 across, such as at 640×480, but you don't get the
video aspect and full overscan. Best and smoothest results would still be
through the Diaquest for frame-by-frame, although some real-time work is
acceptable.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin,
Thanks for the info.
The info I currently have on the TARGA does say that any rez over 512
wide is twice as fast. Do I understand you correct in that the over 512
modes do NOT have full overscan (ie you must be in the TARGA standard NTSC
mode of 512×486 for proper NTSC aspect and overscan?) Current VGA 640×480
gives a 1:1 aspect on PCs, what does it come out as on the TARGA? Is it
usable for video work, or do you have bad stretching and image borders due
to underscanning?
Can you tell me what the DiaQuest is running price-wise (or is this a
stupid question without knowing the video gear it will be connected to)?
Did you know that NTSC has recently been changed to an acronym for
Never-Twice-The-Same-Color? 🙂
Thanks,
David R. Green
David,
The Targa+ @ 640x480x16-bit is a 1.0 (square) aspect. Diaquest gear
starts at about $2300, depends on deck, + optional software, cables.
Targa+ can be upgraded, but they need to go back to Truevision for it
(VRAM).
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin,
Thanks for the information, it is very appreciated.
Regards,
David R. Green