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Text File | 1994-11-23 | 21.7 KB | 522 lines

Frequently Asked Questions about the Video Toaster Flyer Preliminary: 9/7/94 Features and Specifications subject to change without notice. * * * Video Editing Features * * * Q: How does the Flyer handle "A/B roll" editing? > Think of the Flyer hardware as replacing two D2 decks and two DAT players, all operating simultaneously, with instantaneous Rewind, Fast-Forward and Pre-Roll. > Video segments can be recorded in any order to any of the Flyer's high-speed drives. They appear as icons in a storage window, and can be dragged freely into a sequence of edits in a storyboard. > When clips are placed right next to each other, the Flyer will simply perform a cut. To create an "A/B roll" type transition, you just drag an effect icon in between two video icons. If desired, you can also "insert" a short clip in the middle of a longer one, leaving the audio of the longer clip uninterrupted. > The first time you play the sequence, the Flyer's software will look for any "A/B" edits that come from the same drive, and make a high-speed copy of just the "head-ends" of the overlapping segments to a scratch area on a different drive. The full process only happens the first time you play the sequence - after that, a table of edits is maintained, and only the edits that you have changed will need to be recopied the next time you play the sequence. This process is completely transparent to the user, i.e. you never have to think about which drive the video is coming from. > Unlike many other non-linear editing systems, the Flyer does not require time-consuming "computed" or rendered effects, nor does it require a separate "on-line" pass to create the final master. For more complex composited effects, the included LightWave 3D and/or other third party effects packages can create an unlimited number of digital layers, and many other exotic special effects. > Here's how it really works: When you hit the play button, the clips are played back individually, one after the other, and the Toaster executes all the transitions, CG commands etc. at the proper time. The video clips themselves remain untouched, and are never relocated, copied or joined together on the disk drives throughout the entire editing process. Due to the High-speed, random-access performance of the Flyer/Toaster combination, everything happens in real time and there is no need for a frame-accurate deck to "master" the final output to tape. > The basic thing is, the Flyer is actually editing the full D2 quality signal, on the fly, all the time. "Rough cuts" are no longer "rough", except in terms of the fine tuning on the pacing and timing of your edits, and when you're done polishing, you hit play and see the final product. You never need to do a separate "on-line" pass. * * * Integration with the Video Toaster * * * Q: How do the Framestore, CG, Paint & ChromaFX work with the Flyer's editor? > All of the Toaster's applications are fully integrated with the Flyer's editing environment. They can all create icons that can be easily dragged into an edited sequence. > Framestores can be created by any of the Toaster's applications or captured directly from video, and saved to a system disk as usual, or stored on the Flyer for truly instant access. > The CG can create Framestores, or keyed overlay stills which can be faded in and out. It can also create real-time scroll or crawl pages that can be keyed over a background video clip. > Paint can create normal Framestores or Alpha-Channel keyed overlay frames. You can now easily paint in the alpha channel in real time, using an airbrush or any other paint tool to create a blend between the painted image and another graphic, or a background video clip. > ChromaFX, like the CG, can create effects icons that can be dragged into a sequence and applied to a Flyer video clip. Q: How does LightWave 3D make use of the Flyer? > LightWave can render Framestores, of course, but it also uses the Flyer as a "zero pre-roll" single frame video recorder and player. > This enables LightWave to load video clips as image sequences for backgrounds or texture-mapping, as well as record the rendered frames back out to a video clip. > The result is a full D2-quality animation that can be dragged into an edited sequence along with any other video clips or graphics. > LightWave is also perfect for the creation of exotic layered transitions or special effects, and these effects can be easily match-framed with a normal Flyer video clip for a seamless transition. Q: Can I still use the Toaster's live production switcher? > Yes! The Toaster's real-time switcher is still available. But now, you can use the Flyer's new editor windows to drag Framestores, CG pages and Paint graphics into a project. You can then access them during a live production, mixing them interactively with the camera feeds. > Better yet, you can drag the Flyer's video clips and LightWave animations into a project as well. The Flyer plays its video clips into the Toaster's inputs 3 and 4, and you can trigger Toaster effects to transition freely between live camera feeds, Framestores, and up to two Flyer video clips playing simultaneously. > For real flexibility in live presentations, you can play the same clip as many times as you want, or even create multiple versions of a clip that start and stop at different points on the same video segment, whatever you like. You'll never have to rewind or fast-forward while an audience is waiting, or deal with a miscued videotape again! * * * Audio Editing Features * * * Q: What kind of Audio features are supported? > Think of the Flyer hardware as replacing two D2 decks and two DAT players, all operating simultaneously, with instantaneous Rewind, Fast-Forward and Pre-Roll. > The Flyer has RCA connectors on the card for stereo audio input and output. Video and audio can be recorded together, or audio can be recorded into separate audio clips. > Stereo audio can be played back from two video clips at once, "audio-follow-video" style, with independent volume level and fade-in/fade-out controls. There are also split-edit trimming sliders to set audio duration independently of the video. > Two separate stereo background clips can also be played, simultaneously with both video tracks, also with independent volume level and fade-in/fade-out controls. These paired stereo tracks can be used for things such as background music, narration, foley, sound effects or ambient sound, for example. > The separate audio-only clips appear as icons that can be dragged into the storyboard, with control panels for trimming, duration, and synchronization to the video clips. > A separate hard drive is required to use the background audio tracks. This can be an inexpensive SCSI drive, connected to the Flyer's third SCSI 2 bus. > All four stereo pairs are mixed down to final stereo out put in the Flyer's Audio DSP chip. The DSP chip of more performance, and will be enhanced in future versions of the software. Q: Does the audio have any effect on the playback of video? > No. The audio signal is stored in between the video frames, so no additional seeking on the drive is required to play the audio that was recorded with the video clip. This is full, uncompressed, CD-rate, 44.1Khz 16bit stereo audio, which uses about 173Kilobytes per second (0.173MB/sec), which is minimal compared to the data rate required for the video. > A separate audio-only hard drive is required to play any separate background audio tracks. This can be an inexpensive SCSI drive. * * * Time Code and EDL * * * Q: Will the Flyer support SMPTE Time Code? > SMPTE time code will be supported via RS232 serial data. For Audio LTC or VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code), a time code reader will be necessary. > When time code is recorded with the video, it will appear on the clip control panel. You may then edit by the numbers if you prefer, or use the sliders or jog-shuttle controls. Q: How will it handle shot listing and indexing? > When you record a new video clip, you can enter a text comment. This comment will appear on the control panel for that clip when editing the sequence. > Third-party developers will have access to this text, allowing them to interface their existing tape logging, shot listing, indexing and database software. Q: Will the Flyer output an EDL? > The Video Toaster Flyer was designed from the start to be a self-contained video production tool, and is always putting out "on-line" quality video. Since the whole point of the Flyer was to eliminate the need for a separate "on-line" videotape editing suite, the Flyer does not require a separate Edit Decision List output in order to create the finished master. > For users who want time-code and EDL features for integration with existing facilities and equipment, client communications, or for film editing or other special needs, the time-code and edit sequence data will be easily accessible to third-party developers. There are already a number of vendors providing elaborate tape logging, EDL editing and machine-control products, whose existing software and hardware will be interfaced with the Flyer system. > However, keep in mind that the Flyer's internal edit sequence data contains far more information than an EDL for an "on-line" tape suite can handle. Among other things, this includes real-time commands to the Effects, CG, Framestore, Keyer, and the Audio playback and DSP subsystem. With the real-time editing features of the Flyer hardware and software, the Video Toaster system truly becomes an instant on-line suite that sits on your desk. * * * Batch Digitizing and "On-Line, Off-Line" * * * Q: Will it do low res "Off-Line" editing, then final high-res "On-Line" output? > The Flyer is "On-Line" all the time. It is never necessary to re-digitize the footage. > We expect that the average user will have over one hour of video disk capacity. And the price of these drives is falling rapidly - even now, for less than the price of a single high-end tape deck, you can get several hours of capacity. > Since the SCSI ports on the Flyer can be used for removable storage media, you can archive the video digitally, along with as many different versions of edited sequences as you like. > Many studio producers will discover the advantages of recording directly to the Flyer during a shoot. This eliminates the "tape digitizing" process entirely. You could even shoot on location direct to the Flyer using a battery powered AC inverter! > Similarly, the use of a Flyer as a "direct master" for tape duplication will eliminate the need to record a separate master tape at all (of course, you can do this if you want). > By using the Flyer from the shoot all the way through until "direct mastering" the program for distribution, you can completely eliminate tape generation loss from the editing process. When you do this, the video quality of your finished production is indistinguishable from a live camera. > Really, when you press the Play button, the Flyer squirts out a finished product. Q: Will batch digitizing and machine control output be supported? > No, the basic Flyer software will not include these features. As mentioned above, there are companies who have already developed sophisticated VTR control and editing systems for the Toaster. They will have access to the Flyer's recording and playback controls, as well as time code and sequence data. It will be quite simple for them to interface their existing tape logging and editing software and machine control hardware. > For convenient recording of multiple shots, the Flyer's recording control panel features a "Bulk Recording" capability, along with an "Electronic Cutting Room". This lets you digitize a whole tape full of shots while you're at lunch, for example, then use the Flyer's high-performance random-access shuttle controls to rapidly trim out just the clips you want, saving on a whole lot of time you used to spend shuttling through a lot of tape to locate just that right shot. * * * Video Quality * * * Q: C'mon now, how good is the Flyer's video, really? > Really, it's great. It's a true D2 video signal, which means it's really 60 fields per second, full overscan (for computer types, that's 752 pixels wide by 480 lines high). > The digital video signal is 8 bits at 14.3Mhz, the same as a D2 tape deck. The A/D and D/A converters on the Flyer are state-of-the-art designs, and the signal path is extremely clean. > NewTek's VTASC compression algorithm uses uses a form of Adaptive Statistical Coding, optimized for the D2 signal. It only compresses the bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio of the video, and only as needed to conform to the available drive performance. > Because the Flyer works directly with the D2 data, there is none of the quality loss associated with transcoding from composite to RGB and then back to composite again. > There is no local frequency transform as in JPEG or MPEG, so there are no blocky artifacts, and there is no chroma-bandwidth limiting to smear the colors. > There is also no inter-frame compression to cause temporal artifacts, such as jerkiness in different areas of the frame. This is also a big part of what makes our direct random-access, on-the-fly, real-time editing output possible. > The Flyer hardware is capable of totally loss-free D2 compression with high-performance hard drive configurations. As the compression ratio is increased, the Flyer's only "artifact" is a decrease in S/N ratio and/or luminance bandwidth. Read the specs below, or pass them on to an engineer for comparison. Video Signal Tolerances ------------------------ Differential Phase: <2 deg Differential Gain: <3% Chroma Bandwidth: Maximum available (NTSC standard) Compression Data Rate Data Rate Luminance Signal-to- Mode (Peak) (Variance) Bandwidth Noise Ratio A: <8.0MB/sec 1.4-8.0MB/sec >6.00 MHz @ -3db 56dB B: <3.7MB/sec 1.4-3.7MB/sec >4.20 MHz @ -3db >50dB C: <3.7MB/sec 0.7-3.7MB/sec >2.75 MHz @ -3db >50dB Note: Add 176KB/Sec (0.176MB/Sec) for stereo audio recorded along with the video. * * * System Configuration * * * Q: What extra system resources are required? Any hidden costs? > A TBC is required for recording from videotape. Any TBC that works with the Toaster will suffice. NewTek will soon be offering a TBC daughter-card that plugs directly onto the flyer, eliminating the need for another board slot (see the "Y/C connector" question below). > For background audio tracks, a separate audio hard drive is required. This can be an inexpensive standard SCSI hard drive, maybe 300Megs or so, depending on the audio production needs you have in mind. 300Megs will give you 29 minutes of audio. > A CDROM drive is required to access to the included content disks. The software will come on 6-7 floppy disks, so the CDROM is not necessary to run the system. We'll be including a lot of goodies on CDROM, so we do recommend getting one. We include the CDROM system driver software, and the Flyer has SCSI controllers built in, so you will need only the drive iteself. Most CDROM drives will work fine, but be aware that different models have different capabilities. Talk to your dealer about compatibility, installation and pricing info. > Newtek will initially offer a pre-configured Video hard drive package that will come with sample footage and edited sequences already on the drives. All the Flyer system software, including Toaster effects and content material will also be on these drives. The effects and content can be selectively installed to the Amiga drive, so you won't need a CDROM drive just to get things running (see the hard drive question below). > A standard 10M RAM system will work, although additional RAM will make it easier to multitask - Lightwave at the same time as Paint, or a third-party package, for example. > The Flyer will come with a lot of new effects and content, so a total system hard disk capacity of 300Meg or more will be helpful. The content material can be selectively installed, so you won't need more than 100Meg to run the basic system. Q: Do I have to buy special hard drives from NewTek? > No. Any drive that meets the requirements will work with the Flyer. Q: What hard drives will work with the Flyer? > The Flyer requires adequate sustained data rate, cache settings and thermal recalibration specs. The new IBM 2Gig, and Seagate Barracuda 4Gig and 9Gig drives currently meet these requirements. Others are being tested, and a list will be available. Also, drive vendors will be able to sell "Newtek Approved" drives that have passed these tests. > Beware, not all drives with the same model number are identical! Check with your dealer before buying drives for the Flyer! > Pre-assembled drive configurations are being shipped with the Beta Flyer units, using two IBM 2Gig drives. This pre-configured package will continue to be available from dealers. Call your dealer for info. These drives will also have the CDROM content installed, making direct installation to the system drive quick and easy. Q: Can the Flyer's SCSI 2 ports control other devices, CDROMs etc.? > Yes, the Flyer's third SCSI 2 port can be used for SCSI tape backup or CDROM devices, but the standard system controller and drive is still required to run the operating system and software; the built-in IDE controller on the Amiga 4000 for example. How can I archive the compressed video from the Flyer? > The Flyer's drives can be accessed directly from the computer's file system, and can be read and written by any disk utilities or backup utilities, allowing video clips to be copied as files to other devices in the system, such as DAT or Exabyte tape drives. This makes archiving to backup devices or network transfers quite simple. The video clips can only be played back directly from the Flyer's high-speed drives. Q: Is there a digital video transfer port? > The Flyer's SCSI 2 ports are used for high-speed transfer of clips directly between Flyer drives, or to the host computer for off-line backup or network transfer. > Along with the TBC daughter card connectors, there are connectors to the Flyer's internal D2 signal busses. These connectors are available for future development of D2 I/O adapters or other specialized interface devices. Q: What's that Y/C connector doing on the card? > The Y/C connector and the composite video input on the Flyer card are not yet available to be used. They are actually routed to header connectors that are there for the TBC daughter card, which is currently being engineered. For now, the Flyer gets its video inputs through the Toaster. > The Y/C signal from the TBC daughter-card will be converted and stored on the Flyer in the D2 format digital signal. Q: Will the Flyer work with my Y/C Plus card? > Yes, with a different connector cable between the Flyer and the Y/C Plus card. > Call Y/C Plus for more information on their products. Q: Can I use the Flyer in an Amiga 2000? > Yes. However, the Flyer's editing interface will only display gray-scale icons, and some of the new effects will not be available. > AmigaDos system 2.0 is required. > As with previous versions of the Toaster software, if you want to multitask multiple programs, you will need 2M of Chip RAM, such as the Mega-Chip from DKB. > As described above, for access to the included content material, a CDROM drive is recommended. For regular use of this content material, a system hard drive capacity of 300Meg or more is nice. Also, for background audio, a separate SCSI drive is required. * * * Flyer Hardware Features * * * Q: Can I output my edited footage to a hard drive instead of back to tape? > There's really no need to "re-record" the finished edit to another drive, since you can always play it back in real time from the Flyer. > You can also back up the footage, Effects, CG pages, etc. to removable storage media, along with as many different versions of the edited sequence as you like. This lets you archive everything required to quickly restore the job for further work - for example, when a client comes back for a new version of their commercial. > In future versions of the software, however, this could be done with another Flyer card in the system, primarily for use in "ping-pong" style multiple layered effects (see below). Q: Does the Flyer do layering? > The Flyer can play only two video signals at once, so we can't layer more than two sources in real time. Standard A/B roll effects play in real time from a normal edited sequence. > However, using LightWave and/or other third party products, unlimited digital layering is possible! These composited effects are rendered back into flyer clips that can be easily added into an edited sequence. > Future versions of the software will be able to "burn in" and re-record an overlaid still image or keyed animation from CG, Paint or Lightwave, resulting in a new clip with the overlay in place, that can then be used as a normal clip. > Also, future software will be able to control more than one flyer in a system, allowing rapid "ping-pong" style multi-layered effects. Q: Does Flyer slow down with more than 2 hard drives? > The Flyer hardware is designed to control up to 21 devices using its three SCSI 2 ports. > A typical configuration would have 2 or more Video hard drives spread evenly across each of the Flyer's first two SCSI 2 ports, and one or more Audio drives, CDROM or tape drives on the third SCSI 2 port.