Conference hydra::amiga_v1

4604.0. "Video Blender" by KAHUNA::SUMNER () Tue Mar 19 1991 11:44

Taken from:

                           PROGESSIVE TIMES
               October 5-7, 1990 Ami-Expo, Anaheim, Caifornia

                             Video Blender

Progressive Peripherals & Software introduces the "Video Blender".  A 
proffesional video switching system for all Amiga personal computers.
The Video Blender features video switching, luma-keying, genlocking, local
color generation in 16 million colors, video fading/wiping and stereo 
audio mixing.  The Video Blender is an external, self-contained unit with
power supply.

The Video Blender has four channels: composite video in with pass-through,
externally synchronized NTSC RGB in, Amiga RGB in, and an internal 16
million color generator for background color.  External video divices such
as video cameras, 24-bit framebuffers, ect., may also be slaved to the
NTSC RGB channel for a variety of video effects.  Due to the Video Blender's
exclusive technology, NO time-based correctors are required.  The Video 
Blender provides black burst out for studio and professional video applica-
tions, and provides "key in" for external chroma-key and special video devices.
Hardware control of hue, saturation, and contrast is provided through the
Video Blender's front control panel.

Audio control is handled by two stereo input channels, which may be blended
through synchronization to video in fades/wipes between video sources, or 
through user-timed audio gain or decay.

Video Blender is controlled entirely through an ingenious software interface,
which is connected via the Amigas's serial port.  Through the mouse or keyboard
control, the software allows easy selection of all video parameters and Video
Blender settings using Amiga standard sliders and gadgets.  The software allows
256 levels of red, green, and blue to be selected manually for up to 16 
million colors.  Select color fading from one color to any other color at an
adjustable rate to produce special local color effects.  For precise audio
control, the software provides 256 audio volume levels per channel.  The soft-
ware allows easy "Video Mixing" between up to three of the four available 
channels, at 256 level per channel.  Additional control is provided for quick
channel selection, manually or automatically.

Luma-keying is provided to achieve special advanced video effects.  The Video
Blender may key on any user-selected channel, which need not be an output
channel.  This allows for a variety of advanced keying applications, such
as "weather-map", "ghost", "invisable man", "vanishing", "transporter", and
other sophisticated video techniques.  A user-definable window of any shape
or size may be created for "window within a window" video effects.  High speed
multiplexing ensures crisp, high-quality luma-keying to virtually eliminate
chroma-creep ande preserve edge definition.

The Video Blender represents the state of the art in Amiga genlock technology,
going far beyond the classic genlock application of Amiga graphics overlaid
on a user selected videw source.  Through the Video Blender's unique technology,
video sources may be combined for a multitude of advanced genlock effects,
such as fixed or animated wipes.  Unlike other video accessories which have 
only a limited number of wipes, the Video Blender comes with MixMaster, which
provides over 2,800 preset wipes in a complete custom wipe generation system.
An unlimited number of wipes may be created rapidly with the Video Blender's
MixMaster software.  Any IFF picture or animation may be used as a video wipe,
either appearing in the wipe, or "invisible" to the eye and used only as a 
control pattern for the wipe.  The Video Blender wipe system allows anything
from standard wipes, such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal, venitian blinds,
diamonds, radar, spiral and random wipes, to complex wipes consisting of moving
objects, shrinking and expanding objects, or video making for 3-D effects.
The MixMaster software provides a paint program and wipe script generator
to create simple or advanced wipes quickly and easily, with full control of 
speed, direction, and other wipe parameters.

Video Blender settings may be saved as complete sets called "sessions", 
consisting of up to 66 separate video "events".  Sessions and events may be 
loaded later for editing or use.  This timesaving feature allows recurring 
effects to be set up in moments for quick activation through function keys or
external programs.  The software allows creation of new events and sessions
from existing ones through simple cut and paste operations.  Sessions and 
events may be activated by MixMaster's control software through a video script
for chaining a series of effects or creating continuously looping video 
sessions.

All of the above Video Blender capabilities may be combined to create videw
effects never before possible on any Amiga video workstation.  By combining
wipes with luma-keying and audio synchronization, users may easily produce
and edit video more rapidly than ever before.  The Video Blender may be 
connected to a wide range of video peripherals, such as digitizers, frame-
buffers, the Video Toaster, ADO boxes, or Porgressive Peripherals' Video
Master 32 to generate high quality professional video productions.

The Video Blender comes with MixMaster software, interface control software,
a power supply, cables, thoroughly illustrated manual with examples, and 
VHS tutorial videwtape.

The Video Blender will be released in fourth quarter 1990, NTSC or PAL versions,
for a suggested retail price of $1,295.
______________________________________________________________________________

An article I read in AC said this might be a contender for the VT.  I would
get one along with the VT.  Asked PP&S for specs on the VB and he said they're
not available yet.

Also, the VideoMaster 32 is renamed "Rembrandt".  It's a 32-bit dual frame
buffer board with 24-bit painting and 24-bit digitizing capability.  It's 
based on the TI 34020 32-bit second generation graphics processor.  Frame
buffers have a resolution of of up to 1024 x 1024 in 24 bits with 8 bit 
overlay.

If anybody is interested:         Progessive Peripherals & software
                                        464 Kalamath Street
                                         Denver, CO  80204

                                       Phone # (303) 825-4144

Neat Stuff!

~Ray

re .0

	"released...fourth quarter of 1990..."

	Hmmm, sounds like it has more than just functionality
	in common with the VideoToaster    ;-}

	Also, given that it's driven from the serial port, it
	would probably be pretty easy for PP&S or (whoever) to
	port the software to some other hardware platform.

	Soon, I imagine there'll be a Video Cuisinart, and then
	a Video Diswasher, maybe even a Video MrCoffee.  Could
	have been worse, I suppose; they might have chosen to use
	bathrooms for the metaphor (e.g., the infamous Video Toilet).

	Art

    How about the Video Spatula the compression engine!