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From: telam@pyrps5.pyramid.com (Thomas Elam)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: VCRs working with Amigas?
Keywords: VCR, AmigaVision, Video
Message-ID: <139932@pyramid.pyramid.com>
Date: 4 Jan 91 21:23:04 GMT
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Organization: Pyramid Technology Corporation, Mountain View
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In article <1991Jan1.042528.2441@rodan.acs.syr.edu> bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu writes:
>--------
>I was playing with an Amiga 3000 in a local store last week, and in the 
>A3000 demo there is a picture of a VCR in use as a video source for the 
>Amiga/AmigaVision.  This was alongside cameras, videodisc players, and
>scanners.  

[deletion]

>The question is: are there VCRs that work with the Amiga in a similar way?
>(The graphic image of the VCR distinctly said "SONY" on it, and had a 
>jog-shuttle dial on one side.)

Well, now I've checked my facts.  Ed Meyer was right.  It was NEC's
PC-VCR I was thinking of.  Excerpts from the fact sheet accompanying
Bob Wolenik's article in the Feb. '91 issue of Camcorder:

February, 1991		FACT SHEET

	NEC Model PC-VCR/PV-S98A2
	Suggestied List Price: $2,100
	Format: S-VHS, VHS, NTSC


Recording System: Rotary, slant-asimuth, four-head helical-scan system.

Tape Speed: SP, EP

Antenna Input: VHF/UHF, 75 ohms, unbalanced.

Channel Coverage: VHS (2-13), UHF (14-69), CATV.

VHF Output: Switchable between Channels 3 and 4, or off.

Horizontal Resolution: S-VHS over 400 lines; 240 lines on VHS.  But the
sharpness control must be at the center position.

Video Output: Seperate S-VHS input luminance and color siganals (Y/C).

Sound: Stereo hi-fi, 90dB dynamic range, 60dB separation per channel,
20Hz to 20kHz frequency response.

PC Interface: Via RS-232C port, female connector, 25 pin, asynchronous
format, full duplex, eight data bits, parity zero, start/stop bit one,
1200 baud.  Separate cable required for each application, i.e., IBM,
Amiga, Mac.

Display: Digital on front of unit.  All playback features shown.

Clock/Timer:  blah, blah.

Remote: ....

Accessories Supplied:  AA batteries, A/V cable (RCA to RCA tree-pin), Y/C
(S-video) separate connector cable.


Further:
     "Because of the fact that the VCR connects to a PC, it can digitally
map an entire tape, noting the location of each frame.  Taht means it can
give each frame of the tape a separate 'address,' _without_intruding_on_
_whatever_you've_already_recorded.  In short, you can record a tape in
the usual way on your camcorder, then insert it into the PC-VCR and
digitize the tape so that the unit can locate any individual frame!
     "You can go to that frame, then move forward or backward one frame
at a time, and control it all from the keyboard of your PC just by
pressing a few keys.  (That's why there's no jog/shuttle--a question I
am sure many readers were pondering.)
     "The machine also has the capability of recording time code, in
case you want to use that precise mehtod of locating frames.
     "... including a flying erase head for precise edits."
"...The only concern we had about the unit was the lack of software....
Light Source--(415) 626-1210.... ... works exclusively with Mac...."
     "However, software pakages to connect the PC to both Amiga and IBM
... is on the way ... early 1991.
     "...If you have even a passing knowledge of [BASIC], you can connect
it, ... and be off in a flash.  Yes, you can control the frame-by-frame
feature using BASIC.
     "The PC-VCR makes professional home video editing a reality.  It
finally gives precise control of video editing to the home computer
enthusiast.
     "For more information, write to Al Woodman, NEC Technologies,
Professional Systems Division, 1255 Michael Dr., Wood Dale, IL 60191,
or call (708) 860-9500...."

>I'm looking into VCRs and TVs, and this would be a handy thing to know.
>
>Thanks,

Sure thing.

>-- 
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Sam Hill Cabal				"If there's anything insidious going
>bwdavies@sunrise.bitnet			 on in the world, the media is behind
>bwdavies@rodan.acs.syr.edu		 it!"	-T.J. Teru

Tom