Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Ed,
		I've tried something similar with a top-of-the-line
		Sony Betamax, the problem of course is that the
		freeze frame function is NO WHERE near as good
		as a framegrabber.

		I've been able to improve it some by trying to
		get a frame without the 'scan bar' midway down
		the screen (using the jog/shuttle wheel) but the
		improvement is not like getting a good digitization
		with the camera and the Digiview moduel.

		The best bet is a framegrabber($$$), or if you can
		get a deck that uses DRAM in the freeze frame
		circuit the picture will be better.  Also if
		you want b/w you can set that up in the first
		menu of DIGIview (for me that seemed to add 
				   some improvement)

		On the burned in image, my site A/V guy suggested
		opening up the aperture and focusing on a white
		page, it will even out the vidcon tube in the
		camera. He did WARN that while this fixes it,
		its unwise to make a habit of it as it shortens
		the life of the camera.


						Hope that helps,
			
							Jack

     Well, my VCR is not a top of the line model and I really don't have the
  $$$ to invest in one, same goes for the framegrabber (although I'd love to
  have both and a camcorder to boot.... and more memory....and a hard drive..
  ..,etc...)
     What I do have is the sony b/w camera and a 4head recorder with a decent
  freeze frame. 
     As I stated in my original I believe the problem is in syncing the camera
  signal to the vcr.
     I remember in the early digiview notes, many noters who had sent away for
  the WV*** Camera had problems with their first images because the sync switch
  inside the camera, was factory-set the wrong way. I believe the symptoms they 
  described are much like mine except thier's happened during digitizing and
  mine occurs during recording.
   The VCR will freezeframe nicely on movies, it will also freeze frame the
  the home movies recorded with a camcorder.
   The only time I get the symptoms mentioned in .0 is when I use the Sony B/W
  to record.
   Unfortunately, there is no switch inside my camera (that I can find) to
  switch sync. 
   Hooked straight to the digitizer, it performs flawlessly.
 
   P.S. Thanks for the cure on burn in, I'll try it.
   
   P.S.S. Has anyone tried using signal-boosters or other vcr related enhancers
          in line with their camera to the digiview module?
	  If so, any interesting results?
								Ed

I know this isn't a solution to your problem, but I recently
had occasion to try out Canon's new XAP-Shot digital still
camera with Digi-View.  This camera records up to 40 (or 50?)
images on a microfloppy diskette. It is very compact and has
the feel of pocket size field glasses. A playback unit allows
the camera to connect to a TV or Digi-View thru a composite
signal with standard RCA plug cables.

I fed some images into Digi-View, using the SunRize color
splitter to separate the RGB, and I was very impressed with
the results.  The rock-solid freeze frame resulted in a nice
clean image.  The color saturation was very good, and the
resolution was satisfactory for non-critical work.

I own the recommended Panasonic 1410 b&w camera and an Olympus
8mm color camcorder.  Although the Panasonic yields better
resolution, I find that getting decent color saturation
through those lousy plastic color filters is very difficult,
unless the ambient lighting is plentiful.  The camcorder
produces a reasonable image on a live subject, but using the
freeze frame mode on a recorded tape is nowhere near as good.

So, basically, the XAP-shot gives you the freedom of shooting
your subject without having an umbilical connected to your 
Amiga, and teamed up with the color-splitter, filter-free
digitizing.

Unfortunately, the price of this baby is still too high for me.
	~ $700 (down from $900 when they first came out)

Oh, by the way, I learned the hard way that to get the best
results out of digitizing (especially with a color splitter),
you must use good, video quality, shielded cables.


	- Peter K.

    Just a follow up to Peter Keegan's comments on the Canon
    XAP-Shot...
    I recently picked up a new magazine called GRAF/x at
    System Eyes in Nashua NH.  It has a feature article on
    this floppy-based camera.  They also speak very highly about
    it.  By the way, the magazine notes the list price at $999.
    
    Here is a quote...
    "As this goes to press, Canon has just started advertising some
    'big-brother' Xap-Shot models with more features and even better
    video resolution - but at a higher price."
    
    Canon RC-250 is the model number, it is available in a bloack or
    white finish.  the $999 price includes one video floppy disk, battery
    pack, battery charger, AC Coupler, Pin Cable, Mini-Plug Pin Cable,
    Soft Case and wrist strap.
    
    This sounds like a great gadget as the prices begin to fall in line
    with reality.
    
    Chuck

    I've been watching the "zapshot" since they first introduced it in an 
    article last year (I can't remember the Mag, or exact date).
     I was hoping it would end up in DAK or COMB so I could pick one up
    without having to take out a loan. :')
     I think they have a lower priced model than the one reviewed in Graph/x,
    I remember seeing a sale at Leachmere's actually offering one for
    ~$650. 
    
    							          Ed
    
     

    What would be REALLY neat is to get a drive and the required software
    to transfer the shots directly in the Amiga, otherwise, you would still
    need a frame grabber.
    
    Jean