Newsgroups: comp.multimedia
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uupsi!cci632!ritcsh!ultb!rhm5684
From: rhm5684@isc.rit.edu (R.H. Mowery )
Subject: Help with PC multimedia packages
Message-ID: <1991Apr29.200448.14543@isc.rit.edu>
Reply-To: rhm5684@ultb.rit.edu (R.H. Mowery )
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 91 20:04:48 GMT

I am currently examining various multi-media boards and packages
for a firm where I am doing my co-op(paid internship).  I have 
received a great deal of literature and some demos and even video 
tapes (thanks to the IBM Multimedia group).  My problem is that 
there are so many great things out there it is hard to choose. 
So I am requesting advice and sugesstions from anyone out there who 
may have or are currently developing multi-media applications on 
the IBM - PC platform.  I know it is not the best, yet things are
getting better for the PC environment in this regard.  What I have 
reviewed so far is the toolbook system by samnatec, the Plus system by
Spinnaker, and the IBM AVC environment.  The later seems to be the best
I havelooked at so far, in that it allows one to capture live motion
video and build a nice little presentation or training aid. Our main
goal behind this is for in-house use and for building presentations of
our machines to take and show our clients. The machines are for use 
in a manufacturing environment and perform as such.  

	My only reason for questioning the IBM system is that it seems 
that the run-time (at least from what I read) will only work on PS/2
systems.  If this is true, that means luggin our system with us and also
limits us from sending out a disk to let the clients view our machines.

Has anyone out there used the IBM AVC software with the Motion video
Apdater A card, or the 750 motion media card?  IS there anything out
there that will allow me to do this kind of quality?  We do have true
blues at work, but of course at home I don't, so no taking work home.
It seems I have seen many capture boards, but nothing to grab full
motion and store it in compressed format.  IBM says that 1 hours worth
of video can be stored on 650 MB drive, because the 750 card captures
and compresses in real-time.  Any arguments on that???  I also cannot
seem to find any software that can handle live motion video other than
the IBM motion video.  They also said the card  only works on the PS/2
series because of the Multi-Channnel Arch.  Why would this be true?
Could it be designed around this -- guess it's just there way of selling
more machines???  I must say they were very helpful in getting me
information, but I still would like opinions from the rest of the world.
Thank you.  Email or post responses here.  


					-R. Mowery III