---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Multimedia Bulletin : August 1992 SunFLASH Vol 49 #7 January 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the text of an internat newsletter that I have been given permission to edit and post to SunFlash. Although it is a few months old, it is still quite useful. -johnj ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents: Sun Announcements - XIL: Imaging library - ToolTalk Document & Media Exchange Message Set - ShowMe: Computer conferencing solution - SunTutor: Multimedia training ISV Highlights - Paradise Software: Videoconferencing software - RasterOps: Video board - Image Manipulation Systems: Video board - EnerAnalytics: Device control - HyperLook: Hypermedia authoring Multimedia Press Highlights - Multimedia Articles - In the news - quotes from recent press coverage ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Sun Annoucements - XIL, Media Exchange, ShowMe, SunTutor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solaris XIL Imaging Library Announced at Siggraph ------------------------------------------------- XIL, our new foundation imaging library announced at Siggraph in July, provides the common functions required by all imaging and video applications. It is a software layer for applications, fitting between higher-level programming interfaces and system hardware which supports optional accelerators and frame buffers. XIL defines how imaging and video functions, such as display, image manipulation, compression, and decompression are carried out. XIL provides the performance demanded by today's video applications. The Advanced XIL Cell video playback techniques provide full 30 FPS of 640 x 480 video windows on standard SPARC 2 workstations. Cell compression is optimized for rapid decompression and display of images on standard systems. Cell uses a combination of block truncation coding and interframe compression to achieve its high performance. XIL will be used by application developers in commercial and technical markets including document imaging, compound text, image and video documents, video training, graphic arts, multimedia, color pre-press and technical imaging. Its standard hardware interface will be welcomed by OEMs and third-party manufacturers of frame buffers, video boards, imaging accelerators and scanners. High performance is critical to imaging, multimedia, and video applications. XIL is optimized for peak performance on all hardware configurations. Software routines give the highest performance possible on simple frame buffers. The open, stable hardware and software interfaces of XIL encourage application development, resulting in more applications for end users and protection of end user investment as new systems are developed. XIL contains three primary components: o A programming interface specification for basic imaging and video functionality o A high performance implementation of the specification tuned for specific host systems o A standard hardware interface, which enables Solaris OEMs and third=-party hardware developers to readily support XIL and applications built on XIL. ToolTalk Document and Media Exchange Message Set Announced at Siggraph ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Media Exchange is a powerful new message set for the ToolTalk application interoperability environment. Media Exchange was developed as a collaborative project involving SunSoft, SMCC, Parallax, Paradise, TigerMedia, Frame Technology, and Gain. Media Exchange offers developers 5 innovative messages designed to facilitate the sharing of data and functions between Media Exchagne applications. The Document and Media Exchange Message Set is intended for public distribution to interested commercial and private application developers. Because the message set is a protocol layer for the ToolTalk environment, Media Exchange compatible applications can take advantage of it's powerful features IMMEDIATELY. The ToolTalk environment is somewhat analogous to a telephone system. ToolTalk establishes connections between applications, while Media Exchange allows them to speak a common language and interact meaningfully. ToolTalk works by looking at pattern of a request, and matching it to a set of patterns registered by other local and network based applications, and selects a HANDLER by choosing the one with the best pattern match. Media Exchange defines the patterns for basic document exchange, translation, and interoperability. Becuase the messages are so generic, compliant applications can handle virtually any type of data, from geometry files, to Postscript, to JPEG videos, without having to actually know anything about the data. Using Media Exchange, it becomes possible, for example, to drag and drop a cell or JPEG movie file into a Frame document, extract raster file to serve as a visual placeholder in the Frame document, and invoke a movie player to run the video. ToolTalk is available now as an element of Solaris 1 and 2. All of the charter members are expecting to ship Media Exchange compatible software this calendar year! ShowMe - Computer Conferencing Solution --------------------------------------- SunSolutions, a product development venture of STE, has introduced the ShowMe product. ShowMe is a powerful yet easy-to-use computer conferencing solution which will increase the effectiveness of your daily communications and reduce the need for costly travel. With ShowMe the benefits of face-to-face meetings can be realized without leaving your office. Virtually any information that you would present or record in a conference room can now be interactively presented to that same group from your desktop. ShowMe supports global workgroups connected via any TCP/IP based local or wide area network. Conferees can import information from their desktop such as slide presentations, documents, graphs, images and spreadsheets onto ShowMe's shared conference board and then augment their verbal discussion visually and interactively using ShowMe's on-screen markers to gesture or mark-up the information. With ShowMe's patent-pending Active Window you can effortlessly make changes to your applications and then with just a click pop these changes onto the ShowMe confference board for further discussion. Whether you need some quick input from a colleague downstairs or need to conference with your international offices, ShowMe provides the forum for effortless yet effective collaboration. SunTutor - Multimedia Training ------------------------------ On 12 August, SMCC announced SunTutor, a new online multimedia training product that helps customers become operational and functional with OpenWindows Version 3 faster. SunTutor delivers training on all SPARC systems with Audio, requires no additional hardware or software, and runs on color or mono systems. Other benefits include the WYSIWIG in- terface, self-paced learning, and economic training delivery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: ISV Announcements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paradise Software, Inc. - Videoconferencing software ---------------------------------------------------- PSVC is a stand-alone desktop video conferencing software product for use in conjunction with the XVideo(tm) Sbus card from Parallax Graphics, Inc. PSVC turns your Sun SPARCstation(tm) into a complete video conferencing system on your desktop. Using the JPEG compression capabilities in the XVideo-24SVC card along with the builtin audio features of the SPARCstation, PSVC enables a user to hold multi-party conversations (2-4 people) with other Sun SPARCstation users on the network. Either video (such as a camera) or a rectangular section of the SPARCstation screen can be sent in real time to each participant in the conversation. PSVC provides for adjusting the network bandwidth being used in the conversation by providing controls for changing the frame speed, image quality and window size. PSVC also supports the ability to send video messages when your party is not available to answer your call. Video messages can be recorded to the hard disk, and then forwarded to the Unix mail subsystem for delivery to the other party. Arriving mail is filtered for video messages and reassembled and stored separately for access by PSVC. This product will be available for SPARCstations running OpenWindows(tm) 3.0 during the fall of 1992. Note: PSVC (Paradise Software Video Conferencing) is the beta name for this product. U.S. Distribution: Paradise Software, Inc. John Malleo-Roach (609) 275-4475 European Distribution: DigitalVideo Computing Ulrich Reimann +49 8 1523031 Germany Image Manipulation Systems - Video board ---------------------------------------- At SIGGRAPH, Image Manipulation Systems announced their new IMS1000 frame grabber and 32-bit frame buffer. The IMS1000 captures video at 30 frames per second, and handles S-VHS, NTSC, PAL, and SECAM video formats. IMS also offers a 30 frame per second JPEG compression/decompression engine for users requiring real time video capture and playback. The IMS1000 includes a TI 34082 graphics co-processor for enhanced graphics performance. Users may program the 34082 for custom graphics applications. For more information, contact IMS at (612)753-5602. RasterOps - Video board ----------------------- RasterOps is working on several updates to their video capture products. The first is that the existing video boards will not sync up with single slot GX cards and IPX, as they no longer provides external sync lines. RasterOps is incorporating a fix to extract Sync from the RGB video signals so that they will work with all Sun products, including IPX, GX (all flavors), and GX Plus. RasterOps is also close to shipping an OWV3 release for SPARC Card TV, look for it in late October. If you have critical sales needs, and require a demo, Beta release will be in September, and RasterOps will support you with demo loaners. Lastly, RasterOps is changing their bracket designs to work with the Sparc Servers. Contact RasterOps at (408)562-4200. EnerAnalytics - Device control ------------------------------ The MediaEA Device Control Server uses the X11 client-server model to allow applications to share and interact with external audio and video media devices. Using the Virtual Media Device model, the Media Control Server responds to requests from client applications to provide consistent allocation and control of shared video and audio devices regardless of their physical type and location on the network. End users may directly control such functions as media positioning, record and playback with up to frame accurate precision using the MediaEA Virtual Control Panel, an application included with the server. Using the OpenLook Graphical User Interface, the MediaEA Virtual Control Panel provides the user with complete control and status for each controlled device using graphically simulated controls and indicators. Developers may integrate MediaEA client functionality into their multimedia based applications using the facilities of the MediaEA Toolkit, which is sold separately. Media devices that can be controlled by the server include those that support Sony's VISCAȘ serial control protocol, Videomedia's VLANȘ control protocol, and most laserdiscs with RS232 control capabilities. This capability provides access to a wide and constantly expanding selection of audio and video media devices from consumer level VCRs and camcorders to professional quality editing suites. Requirements: SPARC system, OpenWindows, SunOS 4.1.1 or Solaris 1.0 or later EnerAnalytics 2682 Bishop Drive, Suite 215 San Ramon, CA 94583 (510) 867-0681 HyperLook - Hypermedia authoring -------------------------------- If you want to get HyperLook the quickest way is via anonymous ftp as described below: The HyperLook look runtime system can be obtained via anonymous ftp from the following sites (the turing.com site also provides product and ordering information): turing.com (192.133.90.28) pub/HyperLook1.5-runtime.tar.Z ftp.uu.net (137.39.1.9) graphics/NeWS/HyperLook1.5-runtime.tar.Z src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.2.1) computing/vendor/turing.com/HyperLook1.5-runtime.tar.Z ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Multimedia Press Highlights ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Electronic Design - May 14, 1992 ---------------------------------- "Multimedia Moves From The Drawing Board To Tangible Products" p.56 "Multimedia, one of the hottest buzzwords in the industry for the last few years, has reached the point where it's now becoming a reality." * Systems & Network Integration - June 1, 1992 ---------------------------------------------- "Sun Uses Groupware as Lure To Unix Servers" p. 12 "SMCC is demonstrating a new breed of multimedia groupware to help sell its SPARCstation 10 series Unix servers, letting multiple users update and highlight files using keyboards and pen-based tools while talking to video images in windows on their screens." * Open Systems Today - June 8, 1992 ----------------------------------- "Voice Command Software for Sun SPARC To Debut" p. 34 "Voice input can speed up command-intensive applications like CAD and publishing by upward of 35 percent....this method not only is faster than using a mouse and menus, it is also faster than using a mouse with keystroke shortcuts." * Open Systems Today - June 22, 1992 ------------------------------------ "Slowly, Multimedia Advances" p. 42 "Unix, with its multitasking and high-powered RISC processing, is the ideal platform for running a distributed multimedia application (vendors said)... Unix users are beginning to view their computers more as multi-faceted communications devices, rather than just a tool for getting work done." * SunExpert Magazine - June 1992 -------------------------------- "Play It Again, Sun" p. 12 (audio-related highlights) "In a move concurrent with its introduction of 16-bit, CD-quality audio, SMCC has begun shipping a microphone with every SPARCstation it sells." * SunWorld - June 1992 ---------------------- "The Killer App?" p. 51 "(InSoft's) Communique represents a logical step in improving computers as communications devices... It's the killer app Sun had all but given up hope waiting for." * SunExpert Magazine - July 1992 -------------------------------- "This Just In..." p. 26 "SMCC is using GainMomentum object-based hypermedia application- development technology to develop interactive multimedia training software... GainMomentum allows developers to build applications incorporating multiple types of data including SQL database data, text, images, graphics, audio." * SunWorld - August 1992 ------------------------ "MEOW, Mediawrite, and GainMomentum- Multimedia Development Software for the Sun" p. 57 "While traditionally it has been very difficult to create reliable, infor- mative, and interesting multimedia presentations on SPARC systems, with the introduction of new products from Gain Technology, Tiger Media, and Paradise Software, this situation is about to change." * Communications Week - August 10, 1992 --------------------------------------- "Sun Unit Unveils Work-Group Ware" p. 5 "ShowMe is an extremely easy-to-use package that could eliminate some of the hurdles to widespread use of group conferencing packages" said Sandy Gant of InfoCorp * Federal Computer Week - August 10, 1992 ----------------------------------------- "Sun Unit Shows Groupware for On-Line Conferences" - p. 40 "A division of Sun Microsystems Inc., the leading provider of workstations in the federal sector, has introduced a new groupware product that enables computer conferences and on-line meetings." * Info World - August 10, 1992 -------------------------------- "Concurrent Computer and Phone Meetings a Reality" - page 8 "Conferencing will be a requirement if companies are going to be competitive in the global marketplace." * Network World - August 10, 1992 --------------------------------- "Show 'n' tell no longer child's play" - p. 11 "SPARCstations play show-and-tell with colleagues on the same LAN or on the other side of the world" * Information Week - August 24, 1992 ------------------------------------ "SunSolutions Says ShowMe" - p. 52 "PC-based conferencing products, which constitute the bulk of the current market, don't match what ShowMe offers. "Some may have store and forward, or E-mail, but not real-time graphics sharing so that you feel you are reallyat a meeting," explains Ann Palermo an analyst with International Data Corp. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, uunet.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770. TRACE: To: sunflash@suntri Errors-to: owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com