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From: buz@CS.UCLA.EDU
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: PC Controlled VCR
Message-ID: <7350@shemp.UCLA.EDU>
Date: Wed, 22-Jul-87 18:48:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: shemp.7350
Posted: Wed Jul 22 18:48:13 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jul-87 06:51:50 EDT
References: <1880@isis.UUCP>
Sender: root@CS.UCLA.EDU
Reply-To: buz@CS.UCLA.EDU (Robert Uzgalis)
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Lines: 41

In article <1880@isis.UUCP> ross@isis.UUCP (Ross McConnell) writes:
>Does anyone know of a VCR that can be controlled via a serial
>or parallel port from a PC? I just want to give basic commands
>such as RECORD, STOP, REWIND, etc, under program control.


There have been a lot of requests for single frame recording and computer
control recording of images onto video tape.  This is another in the
sequence.  The problems are still not solved at a reasonable price.  Control
with some other facilities is available from:


	GYYR Corporation
	1515 South Manchester Ave.
	Anaheim, CA 92802

	(714) 772-1000

This company specializes in time lapse recording (for security applications)
using video tape.  Their best machine has an RS232 interface, it is not
clear however that the RS232 interface (which is an option) also combines
with the color option.  They do not give a price for both combined.  If they
do combine, the result would have the order number TLC2051-C-232, and the
price will be in the neighboorhood of $4,000.

In answer to the people who want single frame recording and synchronization
with a PC monitor this machine will also record single frames, as long as
the frames are generated faster than every 2.5 minutes.  It will also require
conversion of the RGB to NTSC and a Genlock in the PC.  I have no idea how
well this scheme would work but somebody with money might try it out and let
us know.  I would sure like to find a cheap way to do animation.  Not that
5-6K is cheap, but it is the cheapest way I have heard of yet.

Because of the 2.5 minute restriction, many images will have to be precomputed
and stored on either a hard disk, floppys, or tape cassette to do real
animation.  This is a direction well worth exploring.

I talked to the people at GYYR and they seem receptive to this new market,
someone with money could really get something started.

	BUZ