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From: yamanaka@cv.sony.co.jp (Brian Yamanaka)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.graphics
Subject: Re: Single Frame recorders
Message-ID: <YAMANAKA.91Mar23092338@probe.cv.sony.co.jp>
Date: 23 Mar 91 00:23:38 GMT
Sender: news@cv.sony.co.jp (Usenet News System)
Distribution: comp.sys.amiga.graphics
Organization: Sony Corporation, Consumer Video Group
Lines: 62

In article <4989@mindlink.UUCP> Gord_Wait@mindlink.UUCP (Gord Wait) writes:

In a previous message Mr. Wait writes:

|Too bad... Technically it shouldn't cost much to add single frame capability,
|but they always seem to soak ya for it. Any video deck capable of a flying
|erase head insert edit is accurate enough to splice in a frame of video, but

Consumer level flying erase heads still do not allow a single frame to
be recorded.  There is a lot more involved in inserting a frame -
proper sync, tape stretch, etc.

|they all lack the timecode and timing electronics. (I have seen a timecode
|reader chip that sells for 10 - 20 bucks..) I think the real problem is the
|lack of a real market for a single frame deck.. you don't need single frame for

Time-code is a RSN feature of some consumer products (look at my sig
and see how I know), but this still won't allow inexpensive
single-frame recording.  The problem is not in the electronics, but in
the mechanical constraints.  Single frame recording records the VCR
to remain in pause for a considerable amount of the time. Contrary
to what some might believe, this puts the most amount of wear on a
VCR and the tape.  (That's why most VCR's will release pause after
several minutes.) In addition to pause the VCR must backspace and
pre-roll to the next insert point to insure proper video sync.  

All this movement require a mechanical deck which is constructed to
much higher tolerances than a standard consumer deck.  This includes a
head assembly that is of higher durability which adds to the cost.  Of
course we may soon have a single-frame VCR at a substantially lower
price, but as mentioned this requires sufficient demand for it to be
feasible.

|anything but animation, so why spend the extra bucks. To back up my claim that
|it should be cheaper, my $1200.00 pentax 8 mm deck has an 'animation' mode that
|allows me to do 4 frame assemble edits at every push of the record button. (8

|fields) This is ok for mucking about with claymation, but this gives you only
|30/4 = 7.5 frames a second, which looks fairly jerky. Not much farther to go to
|cause the thing to do 2 field edits, mind you, you have to start dealing with
|color frame problems......

This 'animation' mode is not really recommended for extensive use for
the reasons described above.  It was originally intended for simple
time lapse recording.  

|
|Gord Wait
|

This was not meant as a flame but an attempt to help others understand
that single frame recording is a lot harder than it sounds.

Of course everything mentioned in this note is my own opinion and in
no way reflects the views of my employer.

--
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  Brian YAMANAKA                         |"I knew I should have made that
  Sony Corporation, Personal Video Group | left turn at Alburqurque."
  Email: yamanaka@cv.sony.co.jp          |                      -Bugs Bunny
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