#New to the DTV Forum
5 messages in this thread
Hello John,
The Fader box works great. There is a speed knob which allows control over the
rate of fade, PC Graphics fade controls for fading in and out, and also Video
fade buttons for fading in or out. Video input/output can be RCA Video or
S-Video. The quality is great!
The Rocgen VGA is a good video scan converter, but there is some flicker.
However, I don't find it too bad. I did try the Rocgen Pro which has a flicker
reduction circuit built in, but found that I could not use my Video Titler
software with it. Also found that every time I changed screen mode, everything
when off-center on the Television output, so I removed it and re-installed the
Rocgen VGA. This gave me better results. (I can put up with the flicker —
its not that bad).
The Rockey VGA Chroma key device works fine. I have found that there is a 1/4"
blue line offset to the right — sort of a distortion. According to the
manual, it is recommended that I use more lights. (Currently, I only have four
48" 40 watt florescent tubes in the center of the room. They recommend 3
standard 6' florescents — one as a fill light, and the other two as key
lights. Since my room is not large enough, I ordered some halogen utility
lights. When they arrive, I will place them as recommended and test it. I'll
let you know how the quality is then.
What is also good about the chroma keying device is that keying can be done
using any color. There are 3 control knobs and three LED buttons (both knobs
and bottons control the RGB). A blue backdrop is recommended for optimum
results, but virtually any color can be used. Keying is done by selecting the
appropriate LED button, and by turning the knobs.
Again, I'll let you know how the quality is when I receive those lights.
See you later, Joseph.
Great Joseph, I was wondering how the RocGen stuff worked and it sounds
like it does the job well. Thanks for the report. BTW, a week or so ago
someone posted a message about a real good lighting book or tape, that he
said was pretty much a must have for anyone wanting to really learn how to
light for video. I haven't looked for it yet, but you might browse back
in the older messages if you are interested.
-John
Hello John: Special Report on the Rockey VGA Chroma Key device:
Well, my lighting came in and I tested out the Rockey VGA Chroma Key device
from Roctec and got the same results. It seems that I could not get rid of
that 1/4" blue line on the left side. Guess what…. I tried reversing the
connections from the Video-in and Video thru on the chroma key unit with the
Fader Box. I then ran the test again, and the unit worked perfectly! I have
to say that these items (Fader box, Chroma key unit, and Rocgen VGA Video scan
converter card) are good pieces of equipment.
I will write to Roctec Electronics and let them know that there is an error in
their manual concerning the wiring diagram. (It says to connect the camera
output to the Video in of the Fader box. But, it should say to connect it to
the video in of the Rockey VGA chroma keying box. The manual also instructs us
to connect a RCA cable from the Video-thru of the Fader box to the Video-in of
the Rockey VGA. This should say (connect the RCA cable from the Video-thru of
the RocKey VGA to the Video-in of the Fader Box… [just the opposite].
Just wanted to let you know in case you or anyone else in this forum is
interested in the Roctec products. It works GREAT now.
See you later..
Joe De Costa
Joe,
Thanks for the report and congratulations on your troubleshooting job!
-John
Not a very good manual at best is it? I always love it when you read what
translates from a foreign language, you have to translate the translation!
But it is good equipment for sure. Question – how much do these units sell for
on the market? I snapped mine up second hand at a computer store that sells
thing on consignment. I assumed the previous owner must have move up to
something higher ended as from the looks of this documentation and the boxs
this equipment is 1993 vintage which makes it practically new. They even sold
it to me with a written 30 day return warranty, no questions asked. If I just
didn't like it I could return it without any reason. I thought, that's a pretty
good deal. I bought it so cheap I had my doubts it would be any good, but think
differently now that I have used it. Sometimes a person just has to say – What
luck. $400 for those who wonder. That must have been a real deal?
If I had paid whatever the market ought to be it would still have been worth
whatever that would be today. This is an odd sort of endorsement isn't it? Kind
of makes up for all the other stuff that's filling up my closets – come to
think of it in the long run I behind more dollars than ahead.