Date   : Sat, 06 Jan 2007 20:38:02 -0000
From   : profpep@... (Mike)
Subject: Intaview videotape workstation?

> Ring any bells with anyone? I've got a 1985 brochure from a company called
> "Soft Option" about such a device (apparently originally developed by the
> Polytechnic of Central London) amongst my Domesday stuff.
>
> Seems like they marketed this system, based around a Master 128 with
genlock
> and VCR controller (U-matic, Beta, and VHS), along with an equivalent
> Laserdisc system (using Philips 400 / 800 series units or a Sony model),
for
> the purpose of producing interactive video titles...
>
I went to a presentation around that era, of a system to be used to educate
fire/rescue crew about areas they might need to work in, but were hard to
visit.

The demo I saw was of an oil rig, and then, (I think, it was a long time
ago), some chemical plant.

It used a BBC as a head, and the user could navigate their way around the
area prompted by on screen arrows. there might have been some kind of
highlight system for items of interest too, though the fire people had
priority, and I didn't actually get a play. I do remember the technical rep
explaining how their system could cut development costs, by allowing the
developers to prototype with a VCR, before having the expensive discs made.

Sadly, I can't remember the company, and don't have any of the literature
from that era.

||\/||ike