Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!epicb!jerry
From: jerry@truevision.com (Jerry Thompson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.multimedia
Subject: Re: Toaster server
Keywords: Video Toaster
Message-ID: <1991Jan31.145430.14609@truevision.com>
Date: 31 Jan 91 14:54:30 GMT
References: <4825@cuisun.unige.ch>
Organization: Truevision Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Lines: 67

In article <4825@cuisun.unige.ch> simon@cuisun.unige.ch (Simon Gibbs) writes:
>
>	Does anyone know if it's possible to write
>a program which directly controls a Video Toaster,
>ie, does the Toaster come with a documented interface or
>a subroutine library which allow you to bypass NewTek's
>user interface?
>
>	For the application I have in mind, we would like
>to use an Amiga and Toaster as a video effects server.
>The parameters for an effect would be calculated on another
>machine and then sent over Ethernet to a process running
>on the Amiga and controlling the Toaster.
>
>	Thanks for any help. I've seen NewTek's brochure
>but it doesn't answer this question.
>
>Simon Gibbs
>
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>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>Simon Gibbs
>Centre Universitaire d'Informatique             
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We have done exactly that.  The "documented interface" for the Toaster is...
ARexx!  In fact, it comes with an ARexx script to allow you to control the
Toaster from a remote Amiga.  The trick is, do a "newshell aux:" first, and
then "rx remote.rexx" from the remote machine.  Then just type in commands
from the Toaster manual like "grid a46", "auto", "page 001", etc.  

Although it is possible to send ARexx commands from an AmigaVision flow 
running on the same machine, I would recommend using a second Amiga (say, 
an A500) as a remote control machine.  Once the Switcher is up and running, 
it doesn't leave other applications many time slices.  I ran some music in 
the background and only got a very muddled rendition.  This would be perfect
for what you are doing, as the commands are coming from a remote machine 
anyway.  I am not sure if the Ethernet driver will handle be able to keep up
the connection with the Switcher running.  You may have to run ethernet to one
machine, then run a serial cable to the Amiga with the Toaster in it.  I just 
got an Ethernet card on my Amiga, so I will check this out.  This also means
that you could run a serail cable from ANY machine, making an Amiga/Toaster a
great external video effects box for a PC or Mac (but why?).  Shhh, don't tell! 
Incidentally, the only way I have found to flip between the Switcher and 
Workbench is under ARexx control ("tosw", and "towb").  Also, I have not been 
able to flip back to any other screen except the Workbench screen.  It must be 
actually doing something like closewb and openwb.  

Using VoRecOne on a remote machine, we have been able to control the
Toaster under voice control.  The VoRecOne has done a lousy job of voice
recognition.  I am lucky to get 70% accuracy.  Many times it seems like I am
getting less than 20% correct hits.  How can it confuse words like "flyin"
and "tumble"?  Anyway... I have been able to get about 10 very distinct words 
to be recognized reliably.  As long they are very different, like "attack" 
and moo.
-- 
Jerry Thompson                 |     // checks  ___________   | "I'm into S&M,
I loved the peace and solitude | \\ //   and    |    |    |   |  Sarcasm and
so much, I invited my friends. |  \X/ balances /_\   |   /_\  |  Mass Sarcasm."