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From: U3364521@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au (Lou Cavallo)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Cheesy Amiga Video (LONG followup).
Message-ID: <1031@ucsvc.ucs.unimelb.edu.au>
Date: 11 Sep 90 13:16:38 GMT
References: <29435@nigel.ee.udel.edu> <939@iceman.jcu.oz> <25@screamer.csee.usf.edu>
Organization: I.A.E.S.R., Melbourne University
Lines: 69

G'day,

{Sorry about the length of this article. I tried my best to shorten it. In fact
I have left out several details re real time video technology.}

GS> In article <25@screamer.csee.usf.edu>, stelmack@screamer.csee.usf.edu
GS> (Gregory M. Stelmack) writes: 

CA> In article <939@iceman.jcu.oz> cpca@iceman.jcu.oz (C Adams) writes:

CA> [...a discussion of new improvements to `IBM'/MSDOS PCs ala multimedia...]

CA> With all this stuff about the Amiga being "the machine" for multimedia, I
CA> am wondering why?  It's graphics are worse and IBM/Mac have/will have much
CA> more software available for them given the recent crush of multimedia hype.
 
GS> First, the graphics. The Amiga always has been, and hopefully always will
GS> be, tied to standard Video formats. As was pointed out in this news group
GS> a while ago, higher resolution should probably wait until S-VHS and HDTV
GS> settle on their standards. As for more colors, they would be nice, but
GS> going to a 24-bit format would kill Amiga animation, as it is simply too
GS> slow. 

I remember a few such discussions one of which I was part of in fact. Oh yeah
I agree here by the way.

However I have a different question this time. What do the gurus think of the
idea of an 8bit or 10bit HAM mode?  Would that mode be better suited for this
goal all Amigoids seem to seek {Grandi/Tanti Colore (great/plenty_of colours)
etc} so that animation would not be too expensive?

{It might be necessary to imagine high res screens eg 1K x 1K so that any HAM
mode edge smearing while in animations is less noticeable.}

GS> Second, multimedia. The Amiga is "the machine" for multimedia precisely
GS> because it is tied so tightly to the video standard. The Amiga is very easy
GS> to hook up to VCRs, LaserDisks, etc. Because it's graphics are based on
GS> standard Video, it is very easy to manipulate video images. And then, no
GS> IBM or Mac can touch the Amiga's sound & music capabilities. 

Now the reason I've jumped into this discussion. I agree with your above points
it is just that I think you've overlooked an important technology.

Real Time Video. IBM/Intel have a lead in this area with the DVI technology no?
{I'm most interested here in the "real time" video compression hardware. Apple
have also announced their interest to pursue video compression technologies.}

I wonder how the Amiga CDTV technology will mesh in with the Amiga approach to
`multimedia'?

GS> Don't even get me started on comparing Windows 3.0 to Intuition and Amiga
GS> multi-tasking...Intel chips just don't compare to Motorola...

Do Motorola have a real time video chipset or similar technology?

And yes, I apologise for getting you (or anyone else started) started on an
AmigaOS vs Windos 3.0 comparison but I'd really like to know how they cross
compare.  For example I here there will be `multimedia' extensions (by IBM)
to OS/2 (I think). I don't doubt Microsoft will be far behind.

{That is one case I really think should be taken to alt.computers.religion.}
{In case anyone wants to be sure no smileys here. Please lets avoid all the}
{usual flame festing etc in this group and move it elsewhere.  Unless there}
{is the chance of some useful/unemotional discussion this time.            }

GS> -- Greg Stelmack

yours truly,
Lou Cavallo.