Radius Inc of San Jose, California is offering SuperMac VideoSpigot and RasterOps VideoTime users a $200 cash trade-in toward the purchase of its basic VideoVision and new de luxe VideoVision Presentation desktop video systems. VideoVision is a single digital interface board with built-in video input and output, 24-bit graphics, an external connector panel for video and audio connections, and comprehensive software controls. The interface board fits in the NuBus slots in any Macintosh II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, IIfx or Quadra computer. It doubles as a 24-bit colour frame buffer that can display photo-realistic images from any application, eliminating the need and cost of a separate display interface board. VideoVision can be used to import video images from a variety of sources in video formats like camcorders or CD-ROMs and to manipulate them using a QuickTime video editing package like Adobe Premiere 2.0.
Voiceovers
Users can mix in background music, voiceovers or additional sound effects. These images and sound can then be added to a presentation software package such as Macromedia Inc’s Action!, Aldus Corp’s Persuasion or Microsoft Corp’s PowerPoint to display concurrent video in an inset window. The user can then adjust the brightness or contrast of all the images or alter the screen size, and then print the whole production to videotape in virtually any video format for play back on any standard VCR. VideoVision features include a built-in encoder with 24-bit convolution for flicker-free output of colour images directly to videotape; on-board international standards conversion; 24-bit 640 by 480 graphics frame buffer; up to 1,152 by 870 in 8-bit colour; instant variable window resizing without loss of resolution; an open bus architecture that is upgradable and can be added to with digital video compression and other add-on boards; broad display compatibility; internal and external audio mixing capabilities; compatibility with any QuickTime-compliant application. The basic system includes a desktop video interface, breakout connector box and connecting cable, for $2,000. The VideoVision Presentation System includes the basic system with $1,400 of extra features including Adobe Premiere 2.0 and MacroMedia Action! and costs $2,400. The special trade-in offer runs to the end of this month, and customers must return their outdated Supermac or RasterOps video boards directly to Radius. Video boards eligible under the scheme include SuperMac’s VidoeSpigot, VideoSpigotPro, VideoSpigotPro with Sound, and RasterOps’ VideoTime and MediaTime. In addition to the special offer, customers who purchase VideoVision prior to February 28, 1993, will be able to upgrade the system to the newly announced DigitalMedia Studio desktop video publishing system for $900. The upgrade will give VideoVision the ability to perform full screen, full motion video capture, editing and recording.
