On Mon March 12 2007, Tim wrote: > In a TV studio, we'd call such a device a "proc amp" (video processing > amplifier). Apart from allowing us to replace syncs, we can adjust > various video signal levels at the same time. Interesting difference in common-usage. Here on the East Coast of the U.S. a proc-amp is always used to refer to functions of some TBC's to do more than stabilize (time base) a video signal - these are setup, video level, hue, and chroma controls that allow you to process the signal as well as stabilize it. There are TBCs that only do the basic function - I have one. But that function was to digitize an incoming video signal into a memory buffer, strip out the sync, generate a new stable sync pulse, and then release the video from the memory buffer in sync with that generated pulse. It is possible to get proc-amps here that won't replace the sync and therefore wouldn't work for defeating macrovision. I also have one of those - Radio Shack used to sell them. I have seen various video 'stabilizers' sold here in the U.S., usually advertised in video magazines, and also sold on eBay, that were designed to add stable sync to video "to improve picture viewing quality" - but, we all knew what they were really for - eventually, you started seeing disclaimers in the ads about not using them for illegal purposes. I have never used them so I can't speak to whether they were any good. -- Claude Jones Brunswick, MD, USA
