IV_24 Trash or Treasure ?  



                             by Ben Robertson



   Ed: We have heard that there is a new release coming of this product so
  look out for it in a future Megadisc. Ben is a video professional who is
  happy to consult and do commissioned work - call him on (02) 9763282.


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   Greater Valley's Impact Vision 24 is a Tri-function Frame Grabber, Genlock
  and transcoder system. It consists of a full length card which fits in the
  video slot of a A2000 or A3000 and an external black box (the transcoder)
  which is conected by two chunky cables.

   The board is easily installed and the instructions are fairly straight-
  forward - if you have never installed a card before I suggest that you have
  someone who has sits in on the session. The software is self-installing and
  prompts you for relevant information such as location etc.

   The IV_24 comes bundled with functioning but limited version of
  Calagari (only one light Scource) a crippled version of scala and usable 24
  Bit paint package.

   The Frame Grabber is controlled via software allowing you grab images from
  a choice composite, Y/C(S-VHS), RY/BY and RGB signals. I managed to get
  reasonable results from the Y/C and RY/BY(BetaCam) signals but I must admit
  that I was not entirely happy with the results from a composite signal.
  One tip I think is definitely worth mentioning is that it is imperative to
  have as little movement as possible in frame when grabbing images with lots
  of movement end up looking like rubbish.

   The Genlock, in theory the Amiga is meant to pump a 50 MHz signal out the
  RGB port which in theory should be able to be recorded by theoretically
  Broadcast video equipment - this is rubbish. After much hair pulling and
  screaming I have found that this is not the case I have tested the
  A2000, A2500, A3000 and A4000. The Genlocking side of of the IV_24 is
  adequate in that it does bring the signal up to Broadcast standards, but
  the way it is usable is limited, it dose not allow you to sandwich graphics
  between video in the way Opal-Tech's system does.

   The Transcoder section I thought was satisfactory in that is does transfer
  any video signal to any other video signal although it doesn't transfer
  from one system to another (NTSC -> PAL etc.)

   In summary I can't say that I was overly impressed with the IV_24 - the
  hardware was excellent but the Software was not satisfactory. GVP would
  have been better off bundling fully functioning Packages, Scala is a
  brilliant package but the version supplied is too limited, Calagari is good
  to but there is only so much you can do with one light scource. Finally
  Macro Paint is below the standard of some Public Domain software I have
  seen and the likes of Opal Paint leave it for dead. GVP has a new version
  of the IV_24 that is apparently much better and will be relaesed at the
  upcoming WOC in Sydney.

   If you have any questions relating to video or would like a review on a
  particular video related product please let Tim know and I will do my best
  to help out.



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