=============================================================================  NEWS FROM THE STATES - S.M. Oakland ============================================================================= >>>HYPER- OR MULTI-MEDIA Foundation: The Personal Software Authoring System ($250), by Impulse, is a hypertext, multimedia software authoring and expert system rumored to be fully compatible with "HyperCard" (if so, this would make available the enormous libraries of "HyperCard" materials for Amiga users). It includes two freely-distributable run-time players, so users can create applications that run on ANY Amiga, even when Foundation isn't present. Other niceties include full WorkBench 2.0, CDTV and ARexx compatibility, a variety of sam- ple stacks and objects, its own "FAST-talk" scripting language, and a built-in compiler and debugger. For those who want genuine "HyperCard" compatibility, together with many of the capabilities of "Thinker", "Hyper- Book", "CanDo", and "AmigaVision" rolled into one package, Foundation deserves a serious consideration. GENP Multimedia ($30), by GENP, is a program for those who enjoy tracing their family history (or that of other families). GENP Multimedia allows users of GENP 1.5 to add a maximum of 10 multimedia items to each entry. The result is that the user is able to have pictures, sound bites, or even video clips of the person in question, thereby bringing his family tree to new 'life'. The multi-media may come from diverse sources, including CD- ROM, video input, or disk-based files. Scala 1.1 ($395; upgrade free), by GVP, is an upgraded version of the pow- erful, friendly and professional-level presentation software. This latest version not only includes the traits that made the original Scala so wel- come among Amiga users, but adds to these: ARexx, outline font and Color- Font support, new function keys, real-time anti-aliasing (that allows the user to simulate hi-res automatically), and continuous credit scrolling. Perhaps most intriguingly, Scala now furnishes the user with the ability to take two pictures and superimpose one atop the other, much as a video mixer, for a professional looking transition. >>>MISCELLANEOUS SOFTWARE Celebrity Cookbook 3.1 ($39.99), by USA Media, provides those who love good food and good movies as much as their Amiga the opportunity to call-up at the press of a button the favorite recipes of celebrities such as Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Maclaine, Bob Hope and Sophia Loren. The disk contains over 100 recipes of stars or professional caterers, along with bartending tips, party advice, a database for one's own favorite recipes, a wine directory, and -- of course -- suggestions by the entertai- ners on the best ways to lose weight or avoid getting fat. Sounds deli- cious, doesn't it? >>>VIDEO: HARDWARE AlterImage Genlock ($249.95), by The Disc Company, is an inexpensive, easy- to-use genlock that connects between the Amiga's RGB port and a video source or recorder. Companion to the "AlterImage Video F/X" software pack- age (see below), the unit has an RGB pass-through (so a Commodore monitor can be connected), two 6-foot RCA cables, and a toggle switch to allow the user to see the graphics in mixed or separated form. DPS Personal TBC II ($995), by Digital Processing, is an improved version of the already popular DBS Personal TBC, an infinite window, time-base cor- rector and synchronizer. New features of this plug-in board include soft- ware control of the balance, timing and all Pro. Amp. functions. What is more, the unit now has an R-232 serial port, 4 BNC connectors, and a 4-pin S-VHS connector. With broadcast-quality video output and genlocking, the Personal TBC II provides commercial video quality for users of laser disk players, camcorders, or VCRs. Showline Video has release three (!) series of video time-base correctors and synchronizers. The first set of TBC's is the "Spectrum SC" series, which provide S- VHS, transcodes and composite: 1.) Spectrum 500SC ($1295), has a single channel, strobe and freeze-frame. 2.) Spectrum 750SC ($1895), also has a single channel, and adds Proc. Amp. controls and effects. 3.) Spectrum 1000SC ($2695), is a dual channel version of the 750SC. The next series is the consumer oriented "Spectrum C" set, which are composite only TBC's: 1.) Spectrum 500C ($850), with a single channel. 2.) Spectrum 900C ($1495), provides dual channels and is the first TBC with these features priced below $1500. 3.) Spectrum 1000C ($?), is a composite only version of the Spec- trum SC1000. The third series is the "QuadCode QC" set: 1.) Spectrum 850 QC ($?) is able of taking input from Hi-8, compo- nent Y/R-Y/B-Y, or NTSC composite and combining it with Amiga RGB output. TB Card ($1100), by I.Den Videotronics, is a plug-in card time-base correc- tor and synchronizer for the A2000 that takes Y/C and composite signals, has adjustable signal timing (with a potentiometer), and provides Proc. Amp. control. It uses a wide, 5.5 MHz bandwidth (450 lines of resolution) for minimum signal distortion in the correction of hi-res video signals (e.g., S-VHS, U-matic or Hi-8), and does double-duty as a genlock. Though it is a plug-in card, an optional external 'box' with power supply and space for up to 10 TB Cards is available. TB Card Plus ($?), by I.Den Videotronics, is an upscale version of the 'plain' TB Card. Added features include easy accessibility of Proc. Amp. and system timing controls, 4:2:2 processing, and a broader spectrum of inputs and outputs (including composite Y/C, RGB Sync, DOC, and component (R-Y, B-Y, Y)). Video Crisper ($49 for basic; $149 for enhanced), by The Memory Location, is now available in two forms: the basic Crisper, a unit that plugs into the Amiga's RGB port and which brightens and sharpens all colors, and an enhanced version that is designed for use with external genlocks. >>>VIDEO: SOFTWARE AlterImage Video F/X ($199.95), by The Disc Company, is video titling soft- ware providing clipart, a drawing tool, fonts, and special effects. A com- panion product to the AlterImage genlock (see above; both may be used separately, however), the package also includes the requisite capabilities for moving and combining these features, adding borders, boxes as well as titles on top of one's video. Animattes: Wedding Series ($39.95), by Electric Crayon, is a set of self- running software graphic routines for using in the production of wedding videos. The user may choose from 11 different routines, combining these according to taste, or modifying them further with "Deluxe Paint III". The interface is extremely friendly, with point-and-click icon-based operation; for example, striking any key but ESC will advance the animation to the next appropriate action. Animattes works with any combination of Amiga and genlock, and even provides a tutorial on how users may modify the routines. Apogee 3-D Fonts ($29.95), by Digital Arts, is a series of 3-D fonts designed specifically for broadcast video. Hence, they appear comparable to those produced professionally on expensive workstations. The first set in this series contains three boldface typefaces: Courier, Helvetica and Times. Each font set not only includes all upper and lower case letter, but numerals and 8 symbols as well. Background Bits 24 ($28), by CV Designs, is a two disk set of backdrops for use with the Toaster -- or with any 24-bit program capable of 736 X 480 resolution. Each backdrop's colors are graduated, in shades in blue, greens or gold. Also included are the brushes, gridwork, and shaded boxes necessary for the creation of one's own backdrops. Caligari Broadcast 2.0 ($299), by Octree, is an upgrade of one of the renowned Caligari software series. Among the new features are: (A) inter- active spline-based animation, (B) slicing and sweeping operator functions, (C) mirroring and (D) single point editing. It is now capable of resolu- tions up to 8,000 X 8,000 (for slides), can make use of up to 16.7 million colors, and provides both texture and environment mapping (as well as sha- dows and anti-aliasing). The result is photo-realistic images that can be designed and modified in real-time within a 3-D perspective. Our Wedding ($89.95; $69.95 for HAM), by Digital Graphics Library, is a set of digitally produced images of such wedding-oriented topics as a "Just Married" car, a bride with a corsage, a wedding cake, a flower arrangement, champagne glasses, a church steeple, a rose, and various bells and ribbons. Ideal for the videographer trying to earn extra income by taping weddings, these images are available in either 24-bit IFF or HAM formats, and range in style from pastel washes to full color 3-D. Screen Maker in HAM ($79.95), by Digital Graphics, supplies Amiga users without 24-bit color display boards, 40 broadcast HAM images -- many con- verted directly from 24-bit versions. Video Clipse, Volume 1 ($99.95), by Graphically Speaking, is a seven disk set of professional quality fonts and clip art for use in video. The pack- age supplies 20 BIG, extra clean fonts, ranging from 100 to 160 points in height. Great for logos and screen titles, they are included in both regu- lar Amiga and Toaster formats. Also furnished are three disks full of clip art with such subject-matter as business symbols, credit card signs, poin- ters, caption balloons, holiday graphics, and borders. Finally, the kit provides several static backgrounds for video use. VideoDirector ($199.95), by Gold Disk, is a consumer-oriented video-editing hardware/software package. It consists in a universal infra-red control- ler, a serial port interface (for controlling camcorders or VCRs equipped with remote, LANC or Control-L inputs), and the editing software itself. Once set up, the package gives the user the ability to watch his or her videotape on the Amiga, distinguish a set of clips, determine the best order for these excerpts, and have the VideoDirector assemble these clips in order onto a final, edited tape. Support for Digital Creation's "Super- Gen" is built-in, along with that for the Panasonic AG1060/RS, the Selectra Vuport and the Sony Vbox. Video Visions, Vols. 11 & 12 ($25 per volume), by CV Designs, are two more volumes in CV's collection of hi-res 24-bit bitmapped and/or structured art images. "Volume 11: The Reporter: School-Sports" is a two disk set of art useful for adding polish to school or sports oriented video. "Volume 12: The Producer: Religious-Political" is a collection of religious or political images for enhancing videotapes of religious ceremonies or poli- tical events. >>>VIDEO: TOASTER Sundance/Toaster Video Production System ($675 for Q-BASE only; $1991 for Q-CUT & Q-BASE Only; $3995 for Q-BASE, Q-CUT and MMI), by Sundance Techno- logy, is a hardware/software combination that allows users with MacIntosh computers to control the Video Toaster. Q-CUT is a video editing program for the Mac; Q-BASE is a scene-logging database for the Mac; and the MMI is a Multi-Machine interface, that allows the user to control up to 15 audio/video playback sources by either Mac or Amiga. Now that you've seen these prices, aren't you glad you own an Amiga? V-LAN Driver ($?), by VideoMania, is a driver for the Toaster that permits automatic control of the Toaster by any edit controller compatible with V- LAN (it connects directly to the Amiga's serial port). The drive supports mixes and wipes, adding 10 accessible directly from the controller (along with those that can be set up on the Toaster itself). Even better, the driver provides frame-by-frame control of animation, in addition to A/B roll editing. Included with the driver is a disk with the ARexx file for the Toaster directory. Video Delay Line ($275), by Allen Avionics, is a small hardware device that delays the Amiga's video signal by 360-487 nanoseconds, thus synchronizing Amiga and Toaster, and allowing the Toaster to be used as an 'upstream' source in broadcast or post-production work. The Delay Line has toggle switches to facilitate the exact setting of the necessary delay, switches the user may also use for synchronizing Toaster inputs 2, 3, and 4 with input 1. Video Toaster Workstation ($3995), by NewTek, is a TV studio in a box, providing users with a completely self-contained video production system (it is actually an A2000 with a Toaster board inside). It includes 3-D animation software, a broadcast-quality paint program, a video switcher, a frame grabber, character generator, and tools for numerous digital special effects. Video Toaster Workstation/30 ($8995), by NewTek, is an accelerated version of the basic Toaster Workstation. In addition to the standard Toaster fea- tures, an accelerator board with a 68030 CPU running at 50 MHz, a 68882 coprocesser running at 50 MHz, and extra 32-bit RAM for faster rendering of 3-D drawings, etc. >>>VIDEO: TUTORIALS Everything You Need to Know About Pro Video Gold ($59.95), by Video Book- shelf, is a clear and detailed video designed to lead the video beginner toward mastery of "Pro Video Gold Plus" or "Pro Video Gold" (by Shereff Systems). Using this video can save the novice videographer many hours of time, and help him or her to avoid the most common errors made by users of the Pro Video programs. Topics include font selection, palette manipula- tion, italics and the creation of screen text. =============================================================================  NEWS FROM THE STATES - S.M. Oakland =============================================================================