Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!mailrus!ames!sun-barr!lll-winken!arisia!sgi!shinobu!odin!krypton!gavin From: gavin@krypton.sgi.com (Gavin A. Bell) Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi Subject: Re: Transfer Personal IRIS images to VCR Message-ID: <1543@odin.SGI.COM> Date: 20 Nov 89 18:46:21 GMT References: none <5025@yunexus.UUCP> Sender: news@odin.SGI.COM Lines: 166 gklaass@yunexus.UUCP (Gary Klaassen) writes: >We are considering getting a Personal Iris to do 3D colour graphics. >We would like to transfer the images, frame by frame if necessary, to >NTSC video (VHS and super VHS) for animation. Since several people have mailed me asking for information on the new VideoCreator product, I've decided to post the information. This information was sent out to the SGI sales force as a sales guide. Note that this product was only recently announced; it is expected to be available in quantity starting in March 1990. ----------------------------- On October 30th, at AutoFact, Silicon Graphics announced a new video interface product for the IRIS 4D workstation family called VideoCreator. VideoCreator is the second member of the 4Deo family of video interface solutions. The first product, the Live Video Digitizer, works with the POWER Series and lets users integrate live video images with real-time 3-D graphics on the same workstation. DESCRIPTION VideoCreator provides a complete, integrated video output solution which allows users to record computer-generated images from their IRIS 4D workstations directly onto standard video tape and disk recorders. The product consists of a VME board that plugs directly into Professional and POWER Series systems. For additional flexibility, the board can reside in a stand-alone box which connects to any of the workstations, including the Personal IRIS. Product features include real-time scan conversion, which allows the user to record onto video tape any image that appears on their high-resolution screen. In addition, VideoCreator allows applictions to record individual frames of computer-generated imagery sequentially, a key step in the process of creating computer animation. Unlike the Genlock option, this function can be performed in the "background" allowing the workstation to be used for other tasks while recording is taking place. SCAN CONVERSION Scan conversion is a commonly used term for taking a high resolution video signal (like the one used to drive IRIS workstation monitors) and lowering the resolution to be compatible with standard television equipment and recorders. Scan converters have been available from third parties like Lyon Lamb, Folsom Research, and RGB technologies for prices ranging from $13,000 to $26,000. VideoCreator's integrated scan converter allows images appearing on the workstation's high resolution screen to be recorded onto video tape in real-time. Scan conversion provides the simplest way to record computer generated images onto video tape. Since no special software is needed, it is the ideal solution for engineers and scientists who want to capture on video tape an interactive session with general purpose software. In addition, scan conversion provides anti-aliasing effects which can smooth lines and edges beyond what mighe be achievable by rendering images directly (frame-by-frame) to television resolution. FRAME-BY-FRAME Frame-by-frame recording is the method traditionally employed to produce computer generated animation. VideoCreator's television resolution VME frame buffer allows application software to render and output images without affecting the workstation's display. This means users can monitor the frame-by-frame recording process while running other applications on the workstation at the same time. VideoCreatorR CONTROL Most computer animation interfaces require the user to purchase an additional piece of equipment called a "VCR controller". The VCR controller allows the workstation to send commands to the VCR directly so that recording does not require the presence of an operator. Such equipment costs from $3,000 to $4,000. A unique feature of VideoCreator is Videomedia's V-LAN VCR control interface. The V-LAN system consists of a transmitter (that resides on the VideoCreator board) and a receiver connected togehter via a proprietary LAN (coax) interface. A customer wishing to use the V-LAN interface must purchase separately a receiver specifically matched to the VCR they will be using. Applications software can send VCR control commands directly to VideoCreator. VideoCreator's V-LAN transmitter sends those commands to the receiver via the coax interface. The receiver then converts those commands into ones understood by the specific VCR being controlled. In this way application software can have full control over the VCR, eliminating any need for operator intervention while doing frame-by-frame recording. CONFIGURATIONS VideoCreator is available for all Silicon Graphics workstations, including the Personal IRIS, Professional and POWER series. The product consists of a 9U VME board that plugs directly into the Professional and POWER series systems. For additional flexibility the board can reside in a stand-alone box which connects to any of the workstations. PRICING Description Price VideoCreator NTSC video $9,950 output, 9U VME board VideoCreator NTSC video $12,000 output, external box (required for Personal IRIS) NOTE: A V-LAN receiver must be purchased separately in order to use the VCR controller interface. The receiver should be purchased from the customer's local video dealer (where they purchased the VCR) or from Videomedia directly. Prices run from $1,000 to $1,650 depending on the type of VCR used. FEATURES BENEFITS Real-time scan conversion "What you see is what you get" video recording, application S/W independent Frame-by-frame recording Can be done in "background" without tying up workstations display Videomedia's V-LAN VCR Lower cost, complete integrated controller solution from one vendor Genlockable output Eliminates need for separate genlock board True RS-170 or EURO RGB Ability to connect to broadcast video output quality color encoders and produce a broadcast quality signal 24 bit true color output Maximize color quality of recording Support for RGB, composite Flexible output formats NTSC and S-VHS or PAL video output QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Does VideoCreator produce broadcast quality video signals? No it does not. The composite NTSC and S-VHS signals are "industrial quality". They are acceptable for recording directly to high-end consumer and low-end professional video recorders. For broadcast quality the user is encouraged to use a broadcast quality color encoder along with VideoCreator. Why is VideoCreator so expensive? Much of the expense associated with VideoCreator is for the integrated scan conversion feature, that makes video recording easy and simple for unsophisticated video users. Third party scan converters cost form $13,000 to $26,000. Therefore, VideoCreator provides scan conversion, "background" frame-by-frame recording, and deck control all for less than what you pay for many scan converters on the market today. When can I get one? VideoCreator should be shipping in quantity in March 1990.