Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!pilchuck!amc-gw!kenb
From: kenb@amc-gw.amc.com (Ken Birdwell)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: NEC PC-VCR
Message-ID: <4609@amc-gw.amc.com>
Date: 20 Dec 90 23:29:07 GMT
Reply-To: kenb@polaris.amc.com (Ken Birdwell)
Organization: Applied Microsystems, Redmond, WA
Lines: 37

A few months ago I asked if anyone knew anything about the NEC PC-VCR (also 
called the PV-S98A).  It's a low cost ($2000) S-VHS machine that can be 
connected to your PC with an RS-232 port and can supposedly do single frame 
recording.  Well, no one knew so I called NEC and here is some of what's in 
the brochure they sent me.

    COMPUTER - CONTROLLED VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER REVOLUTIONIZES DESKTOP 
    VIDEO MULTIMEDIA - Desktop video multimedia presentations are now a 
    reality with NEC's new PC-VCR, the first S-VHS/VHS video cassette 
    recorder you can control interactively from your personal computer. The 
    PC-VCR from the Professional Systems Division lets you expertly 
    record,assemble and edit moving images and sound right at your own PC 
    desktop.

    A standard RS-232 serial port is all you need to turn your computer into 
    a command center allowing it to not only control all VCR functions but 
    to receive exact frame number and location data back form the video 
    tape. You can create interactive multimedia programs simply and easily, 
    all in-house...

    ...THE PC-VCR CAN RECORD FRAME CODE INFORMATION ON ANY PREVIOUSLY 
    RECORDED TAPE WITHOUT INTRUDING ON THE EXISTING PROGRAM....

    ...the PC-VCR is the best librarian you'll ever have. Its frame accuracy 
    and random-access capabilites let you prcisely locate individual frames, 
    passages or segments within the tape at a touch of your keyboard. 
    Updates are quick and simple, too, since you can avoid the expense and 
    delay of disc mastering associated with videodisc technology.

Anyway, they never use the phrase 'single frame recording' but they get 
pretty damn close.  Unfortunitly, no store in Seattle has one in stock and 
I can't get a 30 day eval from anyone local so I would like to confirm that 
it can actually do single frame recording before I spend my $.  Anyone 
used one of these?


--