Introduction to VirtualVTR

What is VirtualVTR ?

VirtualVTR turns a Macintosh and a QuickTime video card into a powerful non-linear VTR. It allows external control via 9-pin, MMC, timecode chase and other means, plays back a wide variety of video media files via QuickTime, and can be used as a non-linear recorder. VirtualVTR Pro adds functionality such as video streamers and other overlays, plus Foley recording control with GPIs, beeps etc.

Applications.

VirtualVTR has a very wide variety of applications, from Audio post production as a playback system tied to an audio workstation, through to broadcast video applications, including multicam recording. It is extremely flexible, and the only limit is your imagination. The major focus of the documentation is geared towards using VirtualVTR as a chase-lock device with an audio workstation, since the majority of VirtualVTR users are working like this. Throughout, this document hilites the additional functionality which will appeal to more specialist applications.

Before you start.

VirtualVTR is highly dependant on the correct operation of QuickTime with your video device. Most reported problems are caused by unreliable or incorrectly installed device drivers for QuickTime video cards. Ensure that you are using up to date (and known good) drivers for your video card, before starting to use VirtualVTR. Similarly, if you are using a Midi interface, ensure that this is operating correctly and has appropriate drivers installed. For OSX Midi testing, an excellent application called 'MidiMonitor' is available from http://www.snoize.com. When testing Midi setup, take notice of the activity LEDs on the front of your midi interfaces, to ensure that the signals are flowing when, and where, you expect them to.

If you are using a Contour Shuttle Pro, Shuttle Pro 2, or Shuttle Express, you should NOT install the contour drivers for the device. VirtualVTR talks directly to the shuttle devices via the low level HID manager, which offers significantly better performance than via the driver. Having the contour driver installed will block VirtualVTR's access to the shuttle. Conversely if you are using the JLCooper MCS3 USB in OSX, *do* install the JLCooper drivers, and ensure that it is setup using its 'Midi' emulation mode from the MCS3 control application. Under OS9 with MCS3, set all controls to 'developer mode' in the MCS control application. Note that OS9 VirtualVTR only supports the original Shuttle Pro version, but not the Shuttle Pro 2 and Shuttle Express.

Finally, if you are using VirtualVTR with 9-pin control, ensure that your serial adaptor is working, and most importantly, that you have the CORRECT serial cable. VirtualVTR is a SLAVE device, not a MASTER (as per video editing applications, like Final Cut), therefore the same cable used by Final Cut to control a VTR will NOT work to allow VVTR to be controlled from a 9-pin controller. The correct cable is described in a document with the VirtualVTR CDRom, or you can purchase the correct cable from Gallery's web store.

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