Path: utzoo!utgpu!cunews!cognos!alb
From: alb@cognos.UUCP (Al Belyea)
Newsgroups: comp.ivideodisc
Subject: Re: computer controlled VCR
Message-ID: <9289@cognos.UUCP>
Date: 5 Feb 91 05:43:39 GMT
References: <754@anaxagoras.ils.nwu.edu> <9265@cognos.UUCP> <1991Feb4.183844.13097@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Reply-To: alb@cognos.UUCP (Al Belyea)
Organization: Cognos Inc., Ottawa, Canada
Lines: 31

In article <1991Feb4.183844.13097@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> tmkk@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Scott Coleman) writes:
>>but you can connect it to a serial port and control it thru the computer. 
>A minor note: Connecting to a ^L port is a bit more involved than simply
>wiring up the correct cable and plugging one end into an RS-232 serial port.
>For one thing, the ^L port operates at TTL voltage levels (0-5VDC), not
>RS-232 levels (+/- 12V or so). To control a Sony deck using an RS-232
>serial port requires some sort of interface box. The FutureVideo edit 
>-- 

> ... stuff deleted ...

Thanks for the tech details Scott. My comments were based solely on my 
experiences with the Apple IIGS and Macs. On these boxes, the VidClip
package that I mentioned earlier plugs into the serial port on one end 
and into the the Control-L port on the other. I was not aware of the voltage
differences or other magic electronic-type stuff that has to go on.

But then again, I guess the Mac and IIGS serial ports aren't your standard
RS-232 ports anyhow.

Thanks for the comments - you may have saved someone from frying their VCR.

BTW, do you know of any other video devices that support the Control-L 
port interface? Is it strictly used by Sony or are other companies starting
to adopt it?

-- 
Allan Belyea              UUCP:                          3755 Riverside Dr.     
Cognos Incorporated       alb@cognos                     P.O. Box 9707         
(613) 738-1338 x3822      uunet!mitel!cunews!cognos!alb  Ottawa, Ontario       
"... when in a Desparate situation, challenge." Sun Tzu  CANADA  K1G 3Z4