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This is a reconstruction of original Radius support documentation. All links on this page are now defunct. For more information, refer to the document Vintage Radius Documents.
Q: What are the recommended CPUs for use with Telecast?
A: The following CPUs are all are capable of high quality results, and are recommended for use with Telecast:
PowerMacintosh 7100/80
Quadra 950
Power Macintosh 8100/80
Quadra 840AV
Power Macintosh 8100/100
At this point in time, the Power Macintosh 8100/110 is not recommended due to a slow bus transfer rate. Both Apple and Radius are currently working on a solution to this problem.
Q: Is there a performance difference between these recommended CPUs?
A: On the Power Macintosh, we are achieving broadcast quality performance. In addition, the Power Macintosh has a RISC processor which calculates complex image models much faster than the Quadra computers. If you are working with complex image manipulation, motion control, or filtering, the Power Macintosh is the best choice.
Currently the NuBus performance of the 840AV is slightly higher than the 950 or the Power Macintosh. The 840AV is a good platform for either VideoVision or Telecast because of the marginal improvement in video quality. If you are currently using an 840AV you may not need to upgrade to Power Macintosh, unless you want to take advantage of PowerPC native acceleration.
The Quadra 950 has comparable performance to the Power Macintosh without the added benefit of RISC processing. Telecast has been made available on this platform primarily for existing VideoVision Studio users, and for those users who may need access to the additional NuBus expansion slots.
Q: As an end user, if I am having a problem digitizing or playing back video, are there any things I can try before contacting my reseller?
A: Yes.
1. Throw away the preferences file for your digitzing application, and launch the application again.
2. Increase the amount of memory to the application used. This includes Studio Player.
3. Make sure that the hard drive formatter is compatible with your system software, the version of QuickTime you're using, and SCSI Manager 4.3.
4. If you are using a SCSI-2 accelerator card, such as a Jackhammer, make sure that your control panel device is current, and flash the ROM.
5. Make sure that PB Block Move Init is installed in the extensions folder.
6. Update the SCSI drivers on your hard drives.
7. Compile your movies as QuickTime movies, rather than composite.
8. If only one of your drive partitions is seen, restripe the array.
Q: What storage solutions are recommended by Radius for use with Telecast for each Macintosh model?
A: Radius currently recommends the Radius Studio Array for mass storage of your video files. Studio Array ships fully configured and optimized for digital video capture and playback. Studio Array is also available in 4GB modules, so you can add storage for longer length projects.
Radius does not currently qualify third party drives. It is recommended that you check with the drive manufacturer about their compatibility with VideoVision Studio and Telecast.
Q: Can I edit Telecast files on a VideoVision Studio?
A: Yes, Telecast and VideoVision Studio are file format compatible. Once the video is in digital format it can be edited on either Telecast or VideoVision Studio. The advantage is that Telecast can digitize video at higher quality with lower data rates, which saves hard disk space. Those files can then be edited on a lower cost VideoVision Studio system, and even transferred back to Telecast for broadcast quality output.
Q: What applications support Telecast?
A: All QuickTime applications support Telecast. Four channel playback is supported by the Studio Player and Radius Edit. See the Telecast manual for instructions on Premiere's audio mapping output capabilites.
Q: What are the current ROM and software versions required for Telecast?
A:
ROM version 1.4
Software version 2.5
QuickTime version 2.0
System software version 7.1 or 7.5
MM Tuner version 2.0.1
Adobe Premiere version 4.0.1
VideoFusion version 1.6.1
Radius is currently recommending that users do not upgrade to system software version 7.5.1 due to reports of data corruption within the digitizing applications. We expect this problem to be very shortlived, and fully expect Apple and the manufacturers of the applications to have the issues resolved soon. Until that point in time, we are recommending that Telecast users stay with system version 7.5.
Q: What is the recommended configuration for Telecast?
A: Due to the nature of the diagram attached to this question, there is no audio attached. Please request a faxback of this document to receive the recommended configuration.
Q: Is Telecast "broadcast quality"?
A: Yes Telecast is broadcast quality. Telecast video quality will typically exceed the quality of your distribution system. This includes cable channels, satellite transmissions, and broadcast.
Telecast is RS170A compliant, with the following exceptions: 1) Telecast has a H-BLANKING width of 11.41µS, all square pixel systems have this blanking width . The RS-170A spec calls for H-BLANKING to be 10.9µS +/- 0.2µS, so our H-BLANKING is 300nS too wide. This the case for all video formats ie composite , S-Video, and component. 2) Telecast has a H-SYNC width of 5.1µS, this is due to the built in sync shaping in the encoders. This is only a problem in the composite and S-Video outputs, the component outputs have a H-SYNC width of 4.77µS.
We welcome you to examine our published specifications for frequency response, signal to noise ratios and audio quality. We believe that our signal quality is comparable, if not better than any other non-linear solution available.
Q: Does Telecast support CCIR 601?
A: No. Telecast does not support CCIR 601. The primary reason is that CCIR 601 resolution is 720 x 486, however, Telecast captures video at resolution of 640 x 480.
CCIR is a digital specification, and Telecast inputs and outputs analog video.
Telecast is compatible with NTSC, and PAL levels for composite, and Y/C signals. Telecast is also compatible with the component BetaCam SP standard which is the dominant means of broadcast distribution and delivery.
Q: Does Telecast require a time base corrector?
A: No, a timebase corrector is not required. Telecast supports Digital SubCarrier. As such, the output of Telecast can be Genlocked to any external reference.
Q: How is Telecast different from other non-linear solutions?
A: Telecast is QuickTime Native.
QuickTime is a flexible and powerful digital video architecture. QuickTime allows you to work with a wide variety of frame rates, resolution settings, audio sample rates, and compression algorithms. This flexibility allows video professionals to manage video and audio in ways that optimize disk storage. Also, QuickTime provides new methods of delivery including output to CD-ROM, the Internet, and Video Server playback.
Q: How does Telecast take advantage of QuickTime?
A: Telecast allows you to record and playback directly through QuickTime without going through an Import/Export module. This allows you to open files directly in any QuickTime application without any conversion step which can be both storage and time consuming.
Also, Telecast allows you to record and playback directly within the application. Other systems require you to switch back and forth between applications, and often require conversion to playback the last change that was made. This is very time consuming, and cumbersome.
In addition, Telecast has straight forward monitor support providing full resolution, zoom, and full motionimages.
Q: Does Telecast provide real-time transitions, effects, and titling?
No. Radius has announced that we will develop an accelerated effects architecture which consists of both hardware and software elements. The Radius Edit software, slated for Mid-May 1995 release is the first step in that it takes full advantage of native PowerMacintosh acceleration. There have been no specific hardware product announcements, and so at this point in time, Telecast does not provide real time renders.
Q: Do I have to have a VideoVision 2.0 Upgrade to use Telecast?
A: Not necessarily. VideoVision 2.0 is required for the PowerMacintosh. The upgrade is not required for Quadra Users. However, the ROM must be upgraded to 1.4 to run the 2.5 software.
The ROM and software are included with Telecast.
Q: Is Telecast expandable?
A: There is a daughter board expansion slot on the Telecast NuBus card. At this time Radius is exploring a number of audio and/or video enhancements for this expansion. However, none have been announced to the public.
Q: Is Telecast upgradable for PCI-bus compatibility?
Yes it is. The PCI based Telecast is called VideoVision SP. With the purchase of VideoVision PCI or Video Vision ML and the bus transfer kit you will be PCI compatible. VideoVision is available from your local reseller and the bus transfer kit can be purchased from Radius Inside Sales for $599. Sales can be reached at 800-572-3487 or sales@radius.com.
Q: Are there any control panel devices, or system extensions which are problematic with Telecast?
A: We recommend a very clean system, with no unnecessary control panels or extensions including
Easy Open, Now utilities, and Close View. Any control panel device or extension which makes a call to the processor can slow down video performance.
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