From: hal@nexus.yorku.ca (Harvey Haldorson)
Subject: UPDATE: VIDEO MACHINE (tm) for MAC
Organization: York University
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 00:02:34 GMT

For those that don't know what the VIDEO MACHINE (tm) see my previous
post.

For the Mac folk that have requested it, the following is a post of
basic info on the VM for Mac due out in a few weeks.

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

VM for MAC II or Quadra

has, like its older brother for the PC:

	-six channel switcher
	-A/B roll editing 
	-digital signal processing (so no TBC's required)
	-same LANC support for three machines
	-DVE processing
	-anti-aliased character generator
	-standards converter
	-Genlock compatible
	-alpha channel on both switch channels

and has:
	-complete QuickTime and QuickDraw compatibility

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Unlike the PC version, the inputs are not upgradeable to CAV at this
time, and I doubt that they will be since the incoming signal is not
digitized to 4:2:2: CAV component (5.5 Mhz), but rather to S-video
(Y/C at 6.5Mhz) with oversampling.  Internal digital signal processing
is listed as "in 24 bit RGB format in true 4:2:2 YUV D2 quality".  My
reading of this convoluted phrase along with the digitizing into Y/C
makes me think that the digitized signal is internally processed
(digitally) as Y/C, but that the two frame buffers remain 24 bit RGB
(from other documentation, the MAC sees these as virtual/independant
video cards) and the DVE's are either CAV or Y/C.  In any case, the
RGB has to be converted down to Y/C digitally (internally) and the
DVE's if CAV would need to be tranposed to the Y/C signal.  In any
case what comes out the other end is at best Y/C, and for all intents
and purposes can be treated as if internally processed as Y/C (except
of course that it is digital, and thus has whatever benefits eschew
digital formats like D2).
  
Programmable 10mips DSP.

The Video Machine Studio Extension Box is replaced by a VM Extension
Box for the Mac/Quadra, which offer most everything that the IBM
version did.  The CAV input/output is not associated with this Box.

VM Paintbox Tools gives a  set of plug-ins for popular paint and
graphics programs like Adobe Photoshop, Painter, Letraset, ColorStudio
and Oasis

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

My personal impression is that the machines are pretty equal to the
task, but that the CAV internal of the PC version is superior (if I
understood the MAC info correctly).  If you don't want CAV in/outs and
you don't mind the decreased quality of the internal signal (it is
pretty hard to beat CAV for quality and clarity), then they sit on
pretty equal footing (correct me if I'm wrong, of course -- I'm no Mac
guru).  Above all else, it kicks the jam out of the Toaster (tm),
which processes internally composite analog, and only now with a
third-party add-on can accept and process Y/C signals (again in
analog).

Application wise, it appears that there is no detriment to either
version.  Again, my personal impression, unless you have it on a well
equipped Quaddra, the VM on a decently equipped 486 or Pentium PC
would be faster (and cheaper).   

One possible nicety of the MAC/Quaddra version is it must be SCSI
compliant -- then again I hope that migrates to the VM for the PC as
well.   

For more info, you can call the North American distributor Fast
Electronics at 1-800-248-FAST.


harvey.