Rarely Asked, and Never Answered DraCo Questions
Constantly working on updating page... not the prettiest, but full of info:
List of topics:
DRACO SPECIFIC:
Practicality of moving from an Amiga to a DraCo NLE computer system
Can the Amiga do the same thing as a DraCo?
What Amiga software runs on the DraCo?
What ZorroII hardware works on the DraCo?
How does LightWave run on a DraCo?
How much is a DraCo NLE system?
What power upgrades are in the works?
Where is more propaganda for DraCo?
Check out this informal "specs" info about the DraCo
APPLIES TO VLAB MOTION & DRACO
Quickie Tips
MovieShop Software version 3.4 (bugs, too)
"Unable to detect a full frame" error
"Signal does not contain odd & even field" error
Isn't (it) a bit impractical for an Amiga user to buy a DraCo system for high quality audio and video editing?
BB: No. I've used Amiga since the first month they were made. When looking for an economical video system, I settled on the VLM after wasting my money on two PC based systems. When I needed better video, I got the DraCo. And finally, I've added the DraCo MoTion card to get even better video than I need right now, but more importantly, a smoother operation without the quirks that come along with pushing a VLM to its limit.
JO: Your other way is to get Digital broadcaster, but the boards costs as much or more than a complete DraCo system.
Who is going to buy a Draco if (their) Amiga 3000/4000 can do the same?
IT: The A3/4000 can not do the same! The bus speed is lower than the DraCo Direct bus!
Please give a complete list of Amiga software and hardware compatibility of the DraCo and the ZorroII bus
BB: It's impossible to run all of the thousands of Amiga programs to find out. Generally, most productivity programs will run, as long as they don't directly address the custom chips, but rather use the "proper" programming protocol. Even some programs that DON'T behave themselves will run, but just not exhibit some features. At this moment, the following ICONS are on my Workbench screen of programs I used quite often. This is by no means a list of all that works, but just ones I access frequently enough to clutter my screen with:
MovieShop; Art Department Pro (2.5); XiPaint; SCSI Mounter (for JAZ & ZIP drives); Lightwave 3D (ver. 3.5); Pixel Pro 2; Wavemaker; Pegger; Samplitude; plus Executive runs automatically, along with whatever else the standard AmigaDOS 3.x system starts up.
JO started a categorized compilation of software he currently runs successfully on the DraCo. Others joined in:
VIDEO STUFF
JO: IFX(older) , ADPRO, LightWave, XiPaint4, Photogenics 2, ArtEffects, Monument Designer for MovieShop, Cinema4D.
GR: Imagine 4.0, (5.0 doesn't work yet - waiting for Cybergraphics support),ImageFX 2.6
PRINTING STUFF
PageStream 3.0i, TurboText, ProfessionalDraw, ArtExpression 1.04, FinalWriter4 (with TurboPrint).
GR: Professional Page 4.0 works, but bit mapped graphics are not sized correctly,neither on screen nor on the printed documents.
COMMUNICATION
Thor, AmiTCP, IBrowse, AWEB, VOYAGER, AMFTP, AMIRC, TERM, GPFax.
MISCELLANEOUS.
LHA, LZX, DMSWB, Opus5, HFMounter (to uncompress DMS archives), Blitzblank(most of the blankers work), MultiCX, AsimCDFS 3.6, snoopdos, TurboPrint 4.1,Diavolo Pro 3.4, MUI, ShapeShifter (it starts but many programs wont work for some reason), db 2.4, Quarterback/tools, Ami-FileSafe Pro 2.4, DiskSalv4, Heddley.
GR: F-Basic 5.0, Distant Suns 5.0, Quarterback Tools, Amiback Tools
PRODUCTIVITY
GR: Thinker 2.2, BBM 3.0, Typesmith 2.5, Amiback 2.0, Final Calc 1.0, SuperBase 4,SuperBase Forms Designer, (careful with screen mode on both these)
What Amiga ZorroII boards run in the DraCo?
SB: I'll start out with my list of what is seen by the system when you boot with the left mouse button and look at the expansion board list:
Recognized:
VLab Motion original 16-bit card; Toccata
Not recognized:
Retina Z2 [of course there's no need for it]; Supra 2400zi internal modem; ASDG Dual Serial Board
IT:
Working boards:
A 2065 (Ethernet), (some *) Ariadne (Ethernet), VLab Y/C. These are the boards I have tested. Ariadne: it seems that there are some problems with some boards. We could not find out where the problem comes from but changing the "Heartbeat" Jumpers position or the board will help.
Non-working boards:
All BSC-manufactured boards like Multiface, ISDN-Master, They are "compatible" with the AlfaData-boards.a
How does Lightwave 3d run on the DraCo?
JO: LightWave runs like a dream! As with all graphics boards the animation preview doesn't work, blame NewTek. Hopefully they'll fix this to LW5.0. DraCo runs most well written Amiga apps.
BB: Yes. Just the previews don't show up, since LW3d directly address the custom chips for that.
What's the street price of a DraCo these days?
BB: TOO MUCH for a computer to gather dust or play on! But if you want top quality video, it's not bad at all. All put together, $15,000 should bring you a quite complete system.
...and do they have a plan in place for processor upgrades (like PPC or Alphas or something)?
BB: Yes. When? Who knows, but yes.
Where can I find DraCo propaganda on the Net, or must I call MSG for a brochure?
BB: My web page links to some informational pages: http://www.kernersville.com/videoworks
JO: Just search on DraCo and you'll find DraCo systems homepage, if you're fluent in swedish feel free to check out our web site (http://www.flevel.co.uk/videoking).
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Contributors from the Vlab Motion / DraCo Mailing List:
BB = Bob Bennett
JO = Johan Otterstrom (videoking@mbox200.swipnet.se)
IT = Ibrahim Tertemiz (tertemiz@DRACO.MACROSYSTEM.DE)
SB = Steve Braker (braker@danenet.wicip.org)
GR = Gordon Raboud (raboudgo@WORLDGATE.COM)
FM = Fernando Martins (FMARTINS@MAIL.BITNET)
QUICKIE TIPS
BB: To gain more control of starting to play a scene or time line segment exactly when YOU want to, first press the PAUSE, then the PLAY button. When you want to start the playback, press the PAUSE again, and this releases the pause for instant playback.
FM: Just want to add that this also works to record scenes :) I mean, press Pause, Record, Pause...
BB: Right. This can eliminate the slight jump at the beginning of your captured video segment.
JO: Did you know that you also can do this:
Press pause, then play for video, then press pause + record on audio. Now let go of any of the "pauses" and video plays while audio is recorded to the exact length of the played material...
IT: Check the .Rev file on the 1st disk. The actual MovieShop 3.6 version is dated August. 28th, 1996.
Just a few notes on using the DraCo with the VLM-Amiga and MovieShop 3.2 software:
First, the larger partition (4Gb) recognition is great. Now it's easy to edit a half hour show in its entirety, and in good quality, without worrying about running out of space.
The high speed preview window helps us to get a taste for the 32bit VLM and DEC Alpha processor's extreme rendering speed. It also helps to be able to quickly confirm that the effects we're compositing are working as we want them. Just a few seconds will tell.
The variable speed (Quick & Slow motion) addition is clean and very well done. They're so simple and fast, they're practicality is much more than I expected.
The time line indicators and index markers will make it possible to easily have several people working on a project with ease of reference, and without fear of an accidental destruction of an important composition.
time line stamps are an occasional plus, especially when using the EASY mode, but I still the original verbose descriptions more often. Probably the best way for a new user to learn would be leaving the stamps on until they decide whether or not they like the descriptions or pictures better.
I think one of the most useful additions is the TV screen display of frames while adjusting the time line scenes (option for audio would be nice, too). That can cut editing time tremendously when dealing with a lot of quick-changing video segments.
Speaking of audio: the "add" option, keeping the audio volume at original levels when adding more segments to the time line, is great! More like live audio mixing than digital. I must remember, though, to keep the combined value of all segments under 100%!!
BUG: If the combined value of the audio clips added together exceeds 100%, then the audio clips and most likely will corrupt the time line audio AND many times will corrupt the original audio files. WORKAROUND: If you're going to be combining a lot of audio, it would help you to export the original audio clips to an AmigaDOS partition as a WAVE file, just in case they get trashed.
BUG2 - A WARNING: Do NOT attempt to perform an audio reorganize on this version. The video reorg is apparently fine, but audio reorg will trash ALL your audio! This is corrected in version 3.6 and higher.
The features of the time line are continuing to improve, and all additions are very welcome! One of the most simple but ingenious ideas is the little one letter gadgets in the title bar |C|O|P|V|A|B| ! Sooooo convenient and simple, among a sea of windows, I'd like to see even more time line related functions in its titlebar: |=|*|>|@| for |PAUSE|STOP|PLAY|LOOP|, etc. Extended even further: Put the major SCENE gadgets in its titlebar, and shrink the window tremendously: |=|*|.|>|@|, etc. for |PAUSE|STOP|RECORD|PLAY|LOOP|. Of course, applying this or similar space saving gadget changes could allow even the majority of settings to be easily accessible without crowding the screen.
I'm not crazy about the slight increase in upgrade prices, but after seeing the rate of improvements in newer versions, I can't complain at all. And the hardware upgrade policies are excellent.
Bob Bennett
Video Works
Kernersville, NC
COMMON VLAB MOTION PROBLEMS & COMMON SOLUTIONS:
Question #1:
When trying to capture video through the composite-in, we sometimes get the message "Unable to detect a full frame video signal". Obviously, the capture is a bust at this point.
BB: Reducing the size of your VIEWABLE workbench and MOVIESHOP screens to 640x400 or less, and reducing the number of colors on the screen to the standard FOUR COLORS will most likely eliminate this problem. I'd bet big bucks that you're using the standard Amiga display, with either more colors or a larger area. This does NOT mean that you can't use a larger virtual screen and scroll. I always used a 1280x800 four color screen with the Amiga MovieShop program and it worked fine.
IT: If you have opened the window Audio-level, please close it. If you do not have a Gfx-board please use screen modes like with less than 16 col.
Question #2:
During the same above described conditions, we sometimes get the message "Signal does not contain odd/even fields". Admittedly, these problems arise most often when trying to capture from 2nd Generation tape. Also we are at this point using a low-end VCR. Is this a signal-strength problem?
BB: Try pre-rolling your video tape for several seconds before hitting the RECORD button on the SCENE CONTROL menu. Also hitting the PAUSE first, then the RECORD before rolling tape -- then hitting PAUSE again to begin recording may eliminate a jump during the first few frames of a recording.
I assume you DO have the VCR button highlighted on the input selection window... The VLM stabilizes video pretty good, even when it's a couple generations down. Try the above solutions. That should take care of it. If not, then it would probably be a tape or signal strength problem. You may want to use a time base corrector to fully stabilize the video, or at least a proc amp such as the inexpensive one that Studio 1 Productions makes that also includes a level meter. This unit can re-insert sync and keep illegal video levels from ruining your capture.
This information was originally posted by guy@eclipse to a couple of newsgroups on April 12 1995:
Since there have been minor changes and the machine is actually on the market now, I've delete portions that are outdated and added [in brackets] known updates. It seems that some of the information was gleaned from MS literature somewhere, hence the reference to "we" in some answers:
Why manufacture DraCo ... aren't there enough PC's and Macs?
This question goes right to the heart of the matter as DraCo is the essence of our dreams. MacroSystem decided to manufacture the DraCo because anything else would have been a huge compromise. ...adapting video hardware to office computers built for word processing and spreadsheets is a limiting and frustrating process.
This is why we also chose to use the Amiga OS. It's the most powerful operating system available for video and graphics, it's a true multi-tasking OS, and it's perfect for multimedia and video. DraCo is a video computer, built for broadcasters, professionals, animators, and prosumers intent on the highest digital quality possible.
In what configuration is DraCo available?
DraCo is a tower based around Motorola's 50Mz 68060. It's also compatible with the 66Mz version.
Base system...quad-speed cdrom, Retina graphics [now Altais 32 bit direct] card w/4Mb [now 8-24 Mb] and a floppy disk able to read/write DD & HD PC and DraCo floppies and read Amiga floppies. System ram expandable to 128Mb. Add your own hard disks [or let DraCo Systems do it for you].
Pro system adds VLab motion & Toccata audio cards. VLab motion [now DraCo Direct with both audio & video on one card] plugs into a direct 32-bit bus slot which yields transfer rates up to 30Mb/second. This is how DraCo delivers perfect quality digital video. Plus MovieShop software for editing VLab Motion. Also, Elastic Reality's [now Macrosystem's] ADPro and Morph Plus, and format conversion pack. DraCo is both PAL and NTSC compatible.
Steven L. Kelsey of CompuWise Technologies, designer of the CSA Magnum and the Warp Engine Boards helped design the CPU core of DraCo.
What's the physical structure of DraCo Computer?
There are three primary boards:
The motherboard is mainly passive with space for add ons. There are 10 of the 100 pin expansion slots included. Five of the slots are Zorro II slots, 3 are 32-bit DraCo direct slots, and 2 are processor slots.
The DraCo Retina graphics board [now Altais] gives amazing graphics speed, capable of over 180MB/second at over 110-120Mhz.
The processor board contains the 50Mhz 060, RAM controller, SCSI chips, serial & parallel ports, Zorro II slots, and the logic control for the DraCo direct slots.
The Retina board [now Altais] has a 15-pin VGA RGB output, as well as an option for Y/C and composite outputs.
On the VLab Motion board there are composite and Y/C inputs & outputs. The Toccata allows for SMPTE and has three stereo inputs, 1 microphone input, and 1 stereo output.
[Not sure what connections are on the DraCo Direct 32bit card].
What other options are available for DraCo?
One of the most exciting options involves the third DraCo direct 32-bit bus. It's for the DEC Alpha RISC processor. This will allow MovieShop to render in real time. This option won't be available immediately, and there's no price yet.
What software & hardware products will work with the DraCo?
All Amiga system compliant hardware & software which works on graphics cards should work on the DraCo. The other stipulation is that the hardware & software needs to be 68060 compatible.
What can you tell me about VLab Motion and MovieShop software?
VLab Motion was originally created for the Amiga. It is a real time motion JPEG digitizer for video editing, special effects, and animation recording. The DraCo VLab Motion [DraCo Direct / DraCo Vision / DraCo Motion -- all the same thing] is a special version built specifically for direct integration into the motherboard. For the first time in the digital video realm, there are no limits to the quality of your output.
What future plans do you have for the DraCo?
We may also come out with a cheaper, less specialized DraCo for the Amiga market [apparently this is WAY back burner material]. We like this platform too much to let it die. This version would be a desk top model, less expensive, but still amazingly fast. Of course, this would only occur if no other company purchases the Amiga technology.
other notes:
There is a small review of VLab Motion II, Toccata and Retina Z3 [DraCo's predecessor] in VTU Video Toaster User May 1995. "Anyone looking for a less expensive non-linear editing system should consider this one. It does not do real time transitions, and doesn't have 3D animation software."
The issue also has an add on page 63 by MacroSystem GmbH / NoahJi's for Amiga developers for DraCo. ("students okay, work part-time too")
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