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"Forward" - equipment for low-cost professional video production

The purpose of FORWARD project is to develop a complete set of hardware and software tools to comprise a professional quality, personal computer based video production and nonlinear editing system, that should have many advanced features, as compared with existing systems. The device has the base module and optional modules. The retail price of the complete set is expected to be below $3000.

Main modes of operation

Real time capture, nonlinear edit and playback of video and audio data - with compression

This mode requires an optional module (JPEG codec and sound port). The software provides an assembly reel with two video, one midi and up to 16 audio tracks. Also, FORWARD supports fast (1/5 - 1/10 of real time) rendering of special video effects.

Multipass capture and playback - without compression.

This mode does not require any optional module. FORWARD can capture video from any videoplayer in several passes. Professional videorecorders (with RS422 or RS232 control) are operated by the software automatically. Low-end videorecorders require a manual tape rewind to the fragment start. This mode can also be used to record video, if the VTR supports "insert" mode.

Both modes of operation provide maximum quality of the resulting (recorded or captured) films. Compared with a "frame by frame" mode, this mode saves user time and videorecorder resources considerably.

Mixing live video and computer reels.

This mode of operation is oriented to TV-studios. Two facilities for overlapping/blending live video and computer graphics are provided.

A typical example of the first one is a computer-generated set for an announcer of a TV news program. The table color keying (one bit precision), with a simple and user-friendly interface, can be used for this. An operator can edit the color table of the color keying simply by selecting areas with a mouse, directly on the image.

The second variant employs 8 bit alpha components present in computer video data. The software permits to show live video in transparent and translucent areas of computer images, for example, to create a window, with fussy borders and of any shape, with live video in it.

In both cases the input video can be arbitrary scaled (reduced) and arranged to any place of the screen.

Real time title machine.

This mode is useful for virtually any field of video production. The device can mix in real time an input video signal with any titles, logos, small reels and other. The software uses standard True Type fonts installed in Windows, so you can enter text of any size, typeset or other font attribute. It is possible to add a shadow and textures. Also, any image or a sequence of small images (logos) can be placed as a title. The software permits to move a title in horizontal and/or vertical directions and to scroll it in several areas of the screen, in real time. For example, at the right top corner of the screen a logo can rotate, a title can pop from below etc.

Working on the air.

This mode is designed for cable studios and TV studios working on the air. It allows a playback of any video fragments, commercials, titles and other video with one command of an operator or at an appointed time. The software is designed to be operable by a TV operator and has simple and intuitive interface.

Technical Specifications

• Single PCI slot
• Video input standards - PAL,SECAM,NTSC
• Video output standards - PAL,NTSC
• Real time 8 bit mixing of (live) video with computer-generated one.
• 8 bits of transparency component
• Table-based color keying (one bit precision)
• Synchronized I/O of audio and video
• Video preview in a window on VGA
• Microsoft Video For Windows compatible

Base module:

• Video inputs - Composite, Y/C (S-Video), Component YUV
• Video resolution - 768*576 PAL/SECAM, 640*480 NTSC
• Video data resolution 8 bits
• Sampling structure YUV, 4:2:2:4
• Video outputs - Composite, Y/C (S-Video), Component YUV
• Genlock from video input
• DAC resolution 9 bits

Audio:

• Audio input/output stereo line level
• ADC/DAC resolution 16 bits
• Sampling rate up to 48 kHz
• Full-duplex support

System Requirements

Minimal

IBM PC with PCI Bus, Pentium-100 with 32 MB system RAM, fast hard disk with desired capacity, Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0.

Recommended

IBM PC with PCI Bus, Pentium-200 with 64 MB system RAM, fast SCSI disk with desired capacity, Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0.

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