Re: AST - Vision Plus Enhanced video digitizer card

[ou812many@aol.com (OU812Many)]

Matt Fudge writes:

>Allison 1.0.5 Update, as stated on the 3.5 disk and the 'about' in the
>software, Allison.SYS16.  The disk label is (c) 1991-1993, and the
>software is only (c) 1990, 1991.

Yeah, but it's still valid for a few more years, so don't sweat it! ;-)
 
>> I have the latest card (v2.0)
 
>My card has several components added after the manufacturing was
completed.
>The EPROM on the far right of the card has a sticker labelled "Allison
>2.0 ROM (c)93 AEC".  The card is silkscreened AST - VisionPlus on the
>front, and has two stickers on the back: "ASSY.REV.X6" and the serial
>number (3200 series).  The card is an AST Vision Plus Enhanced model,
>not a VisionaryGS model.

You wanna know the difference between a VisionaryGS and an AST Vision Plus
Enhanced Model?  Almost nothing...in fact, I asked that the VisionaryGS
mods be put on the Enhanced model...Pete Snowberg did the first changes
for LRO/New Concepts and also for VisionaryGS.  Funky stuff, huh?  See,
now you're getting first hand information...ain't it great? :-)
 
>> but the software doesn't have any options to slow down to 15fps for
>> jitter reduction.  And believe me, there's a whole lot of jitter goin'
on.

And there's a reason for that...read on...
 
[lots of stuff about stuff that I already know deleted for the sake of the
masses]

>"PLEASE NOTE: The Original AST VisionPlus manual has been included in
this
>package for references to installation only.  The software mentioned in
the
>manual, AST VisionEffects is no longer supported by the VisionPlus
hardware.
>This is a preliminary release, allthough it is a fully functional
version.
>This version is idendical to version 1.0.4 except that it will function
with
>the AEC/AllyROM on your card, and monochrome fullscreen digitizing has
been
>enhanced to use the new ROM."
 
I only added stuff to recognize the new ROM.  I have a test version that I
used to show at users groups that digitizes at 30fps, full screen, but the
catch is that it does only every other column.  That's the price you pay
for the way the board was made.  No way around that.  The real
enhancements would have come in the 2.0 release which will probably never
see the light of day.  Why?  I have a son who occupies 99.9% of my time. 
Fun stuff, huh?   

>The 'Hints for better pictures' section of the file Prelim.Man.TXT does
>not provide any technical digitizing information so I do not know for
>sure if the 15 fps feature is utilized by the newer Allison.SYS16
program.
>I do recall from watching fullscreen greyscale realtime video
capture/playback
>that it looks smooth enough to be 30 fps.
>Anyhow, it was not a selectable software option, it was hard coded into
>the original software.  I recall reading somewhere advising that the code
>does 15fps and that it could be changed to 30fps.
 
Allison, the released version, is hard coded.  If you saw 30fps, you saw
me demoing the stuff I mentioned above.  Unless someone else hacked
Allison and changed some stuff, that is.  

>The Developer's Guide (Appendix C) indicates that bit 3 of Byte 1 in the
>descriptor block is set to 1 to skip every other frame to get clean
>horizontal lines.
 
Yup, that's why it's hardcoded.  


>Other notable information is indicated on page 1-4, the card
>*  provides direct IIgs memory access so images can be displayed
>   "live" on the screen

That's fullscreen monochrome mode...digitizes straight to screen ram.


>There is enough developer information in Appendix C to choke a horse...
>there's no reason why there isn't hordes of AST shareware/freeware (like
>a pulldown video NDA, GS to GS modem video conferencing, auto
>uploading of local realtime images to a website for immediate worldwide
>viewing, etc... [yeah, I've given it some thought ;) ] ) except that
>few people seem to own one of these cards, even though you can call
>Alltech and order one right now.
 
Yup.  That's a good reason not to develop for the board.  Besides, the
tech stuff in the manual is pretty much wrong, now.  You need to hack the
way Allison does it and even then you don't know what the code is 30fps
digitizing.  (I don't remember it off the top of my head, but if you hack
the ROM, you can find it.)

>The only other suggestion I have about image quality is in calibration:
>"If you've purchased Allison as an upgrade and aren't happy with the
>quality of color and monochrome images you're getting, the most likely
>cause is board calibration.  Excellent Software is offering
>recalibration to existing users of VisionaryGS boards at $16.00
>(includes shipping) per board.  Recalibration matches your board to
>Allison and allows you to get the best possible image."
 
Yup, it does, but don't bother sending your board to me.  I don't have
time to wipe up properly after a trip to the can, let alone calibrate
boards.

> I still wish they would release Allison 2.0, as originally promised.
 
I never promised.  I never returned a signed contract.  I tried, but I ran
out of energy and time.  Sorry!

>Absolutely.  In their own words:
 
>"This is a preliminary release, allthough it is a fully functional
>version. This version is idendical to version 1.0.4 except that it will
>function with the AEC/AllyROM on your card, and monochrome fullscreen
>digitizing has been enhanced to use the new ROM.  Upon it's release, you
>will also receive Allison 2.0 and a user manual for it, it is included
>in the purchase price of this product."
 
Those are Alltech's words, not mine. :-)  

>Yeah, "it is included in the purchase price of this product".  Hmmm...
>where's my lawyer...

If he was burried in your rectum, you'd know for sure! 
 
>Is this support information still current?
 
>"Alltech Electronics
>619/721-7733
>Fax 619/721-2823
 
Looks good to me.

>Alltech Electronics,
>602 Garrison St.
>Oceanside, CA 92054
 
Dunno about that.

>Online support is available on America Online in the Apple II
>Art & Graphics forum.  Contact AFL Scott or Duelplay."
 
That's trash.  I don't use AFL Scott anymore. Can't...no Apple II forum's
anymore. :-)

>This is obviously an area where the programmers and developers can step
>in and fill the gap.

Yup, sure is.  Just remember that for every gap there is a reason it's
there.  You thought of a good one, above.  I live another one.  

Oh, and don't bother asking me to release what I have already.  It ain't
done.  Don't ask me to release source code, either.  It's about my late
daughter and frankly, I shouldn't have commercialized her death.  At the
time, it was the only thing I could think of...looks like it's helped for
over six years.  I can't tell you how to use the board, either.  I think
Alltech would be pissed in the long run.  Though I don't know why they'd
be pissed.  At me, I can see why they'd be angry, but then I can be angry,
too. :-)  It's a balance thing.

Y'all have a great day! :-)

Take care,

--
Life is a sport.  Lap it up!
"...No I'm not all me so please excuse me while I tend
to how I feel...Momma they try and break me."
                     -- Metallica "Hero of the Day"