Videonics titling machines

By Nikolay Azin

All Videonics titling machines designed as complete device which needs just be fed by input signal to get output signal with overlaid titles. In contrast with computer cards choice of fonts, graphics elements, title size in memory etc is limited to device’s features. But on the other hand reliability and system’s protection from incorrect personnel operation of errors of computer’s OS is are extremely high. Among lot of basic level titling machines produced worldwide Videonics’ (USA) devices gained the popularity in Russia due to the fact that former Soviet citizens working in the company didn’t forget about Cyrillic fonts existence. More sophisticated devices usually have some interface for interconnection with PC by means of which it is possible transfer data from computer to titling station (fonts, pictures, text and so on).

For today Videonics (Focus) Company manufactures for versions of titling machines.

Videonics TM1000 (PTM-1) is the simplest titling machine having six Russian fonts (28 at all), memory for 8,000 symbols, 1 million colors for letters and backgrounds. It has composite PAL and S-Video inputs/outputs. For output titles to the screen 24 different effects are used including roll, crawl, wipes, dissolves etc. Each font may have border, its own color and shadow. Device’s keyboard is combined with the machine itself and has standard size and symbols location like on IBM PC. Disadvantages are absence of preview output which doesn’t let use it in “live” air, e. g. when typing and preparing titles the signal is fed to the same output as in working mode.

Videonics TM1000

Videonics TM3000

Videonics TM3000 is more complex titling machine which has 51 Russian fonts (200 at all), a memory for 16,000 symbols, 1 million colors for letters and backgrounds. It has composite PAL and S-Video inputs/outputs. Titles are displayed with increased resolution and each font may have border, its own color and shadow. The machine can output date and current time and also allows display created titles at predefined date and time or with in time lapse mode. Preview output allows using it in “live” air, e. g. the when typing and preparing titles a signal is fed to additional output and titles may be overlaid onto video signal upon their readiness. The device is made as two-module unit and consists of frame with inputs/outputs and standard size keyboard with symbols location similar to IBM PC.

Videonics FireWriter is new Videonics’ titling machine. It combines best features of widely known TitleMaker TM3000 and Power Script titling machines and has IEEE 1394 (I-Link, FireWire) inputs/outputs.

FireWriter creates high resolution titles with anti-aliasing and its palette consists of 1 million colors. There is a possibility of text parameters choice: font, color, shadows, edges and letter size.

Full size keyboard contains symbols for 21 different languages. Additional functions include background palette change, gradients, text appearance from different directions, dissolve appearance, wipes and many others. FireWriter uses digital technology for generating high quality letters with smooth curves and sharp edges. Special effects for titles outputting include wipes, dissolves, roll, and crawl and so on. Each effect can be realized with eight different speeds. Titles can be overlaid onto video or onto full color, gradient or graphic (jpeg) background. 256 transparency grades may be applied to symbols, shadows and colors independently of each other.

Videonics FireWriter

Videonics PowerScript Studio 4000

FireWriter supports total conversion between analog and digital DV inputs/outputs. All outputs are always active. Built-in Ethernet support allows easy FireWriter connection to computer network. Using standard TCP/IP protocol and FTP commands one can record a project and graphics to computer and than transfer they back to FireWriter.

Videonics PowerScript Studio 4000 is computer titling device with 10-bit (4:2:2) and 5.5 MHz bandwidth video digitizing. PowerScript Studio 4000 has 35 built-in PostScript fonts and allows importing fonts from PC. A text may be placed at any place of a screen. It may spin at any angle; have shadows and edges of any color and width. Letters in single line may have different font type and drawing style. There is a possibility outputting graphic pictures created on PC. Interchange with computer is being done via PC-Card. Also there is a possibility to store and edit the titles on PC. PowerScript Studio 4000 can operate either stand-alone or in network. Additional PowerScript Communicator software allows connection up to ten PowerScript CG to single computer; transfer data between computer and devices; output up to 50 projects at specified time. The device consists of main frame with composite (PAL), S-Video and component inputs/outputs, full size keyboard of IBM PC type and mouse. The device also has external synchronization input, RS-232 port and slot for PC-Card (PCMCIA) Type I, II, III.

Material provided by Okno-TV Company