From: lgibb@burner.com (Lance Gibb)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.graphics
Subject: Re: DCTV questions +
Date: 21 Jan 93 15:15:54 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.graphics
Organization: The Back Burner BBS (via C-Net Amiga)

On Thu 21-Jan-1993  7:53a, Arthur Entlich wrote:
AE> 1.  What is the latest version of DCTV and it's software? Have
AE> any hardware cahnges been made since the first version?

Version 1.1b is the latest software upgrade.  The hardware has remained
unchanged since the beginning.
  
AE> 2.  I use both a Commodore 1960 (without flicker fixer) and
AE> 2002 RGB monitor.  I recall there being a problem using the
AE> 2002 monitor.  Does anyone know if the problem with the 2002
AE> has been corrected, or do I need to make a change within the 2002
AE> for DCTV to work with it, and can DCTV be used with the 1960 (in
AE> terms of pass thru, I do understand DCTV is a composite video
AE> display system, and that the 1960 does not offer this option)?

I can't answer your 2002 question, but DCTV will let you pass through your
video to be used on the 1960.

AE> Has anyone heard if Digital Creations is going to be providing
AE> a card version of DCTV that would slip into my Amiga 2000? Is
AE> a version for CDTV available?

I highly doubt it - there is currently no version for CDTV.

AE> 4.  What is the actual display resolution of DCTV, and how
AE> many colors does it capture and display in?

DCTV is a true NTSC medium, with a resolution of 736x482 and between 2 and 4
million colors.

AE> 5.  If I were to purchase an AGA Amiga computer (which has the
AE> new HAM8 mode) is there a way for me to convert DCTV images
AE> (after manipulated via your DCTV Paint program) to HAM8 for
AE> display in RGB mode, or would it require the DCTV hardware RGB

Sure, ADPro does this job well.  Simply save out your images as 24bit and have
adpro convert them.

AE> 6.  I currently own a NewTek Digiview digitizer.  Is there a way
AE> to take the Digiview 
AE> and is there then a way to convert them to HAM8?  Does the

Again, AdPro wil do this job nicely.  DigiView images can be converted to 

AE> Digiview have any advantage at all to the DCTV for digitizing?
From what I am told, Digiview images can look somewhat better when displayed
on a 'true' 24bit device as opposed to their DCTV counterparts.  But since you
are using the DCTV and possibly HAM8 for display, there shouldn't be any
difference.  (I am pleased with the quality of my DCTV scans)

AE>  
AE> 7.  Is there a way to view and manipulate the 21 bit Digiview
AE> images on the new AGA AMigas using HAM8?
AE>  
Again, AdPro or any other image processing program that supports 24bit will
allow you to manipulate digiview images and then save them back out as
either DCTV/HAM8/IFF24.  To my knowledge, Adpro, ImageMaster and Image Effects
all support HAM8, DCTV and DigiView.  From what I have heard, Image effects
will allow you to actually 'paint' in ham8 while retaining true 24bit depth. 
The new paint program Brilliance should also have this feature.

AE> 8.  For DCTV and DCTV Paint to operate at it's full capability,
AE> how much Chip and Fast RAM memory is necessary?
AE>  

I find that 4 megs is about minimum to use DCTV with its undo buffers,
multiple screens, etc... and still maintain a decent workbench.

AE> 9.  Does DCTV or its paint program benefit from accelerated
AE> Amigas (020, 030 or 040 processors)?  Does a math co-processor
AE> speed up any operations?  Does Digiview/Digipaint benefit
AE> from accelerated Amigas?
AE>  

DCTV benefits GREATLY from an accelerated machine and an FPU - digiview would
gain little.  DCTV would be cumbersome on a 68000 based machine (the paint
program that is - scanning shouldn't matter either way)

AE> 10.  With the advent of the AGA chip set, has anyone heard if
AE> Digital Creations have any plans to develop a unit which will
AE> make better use of the new RGB display modes on the new Amigas?
AE>  

I highly doubt it.  The HAM8 modes are EXTREMELY nice, and most people who
don't need true 24bit will be pleased with the built in modes of the new
machines, DCTV is bound to drop considerably in sales.  However, DCTV is still
an EXCELLENT scanner, great animator (MUCH faster than HAM8), and it comes
with the best paint program in the business.

AE> 11.  Is there a way to use DCTV with Kodak's Photo CD display
AE> system, either via software or hardware?

No, not yet anyhow.
 
-Hope that helps.

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