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From: dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Amiga to VideoTape - Can it be done?
Message-ID: <6309@crash.cts.com>
Date: 14 Dec 90 01:16:17 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 28

In-Reply-To: message from monty@sagpd1.UUCP

You are right, a decent or semi-decent signal can be obtained straight out of
the 1000. My assumtion is that if you have a 1000 you know this. If you don't
have a 1000 (as you know) there is no video out. 
It is interesting that the "genloc" is needed to output video. Simply because
there is no such device as a genloc. Genloc is a VERB not a NOUN. One genlocs
video/computer devices to one another or a sync. source. Most devices sold for
the Amiga called a genlock, are in actuality a genlocking, decoding, keying
device. These are three distinct functions. As I mentioned the genlocking
function "times" the computer to  incoming video signal. This is necessary to
combine the signals like when you "key" Amiga graphics over video. That's the
second function of these devices- keying or overlaying computer output to
video. I believe this is done in the digital domain, that is, you see the
combined images on your RGB monitor. This is fine if you don't need to go
anywhere but if you want to record the image you will need to encode/decode (I
always forget which way is which)the signal into a video signal. This is the
third function of these devices- encoding video to computer and computer to
video. The only alternative is to "shoot" the screen with a camera that has
its scanning adjusted to the scanning of the monitor(which does have some
useful applications.)
So, yes, you were right about the 1000. No, you don't need to lock the Amiga
up to video to record the output but if you want to preserve signal integrity
you probably want to record the output directly to the master this shpould be
done in your edit with Amiga "genloced v."to the edit suite.
BTW. I believe most stand alone decoder/encoders cost around 1500$ and up. The
quality is questionable so for that kind of money you might as well get the
genlocking and keying functions as well. Hope this clarifies things.