Frequently Asked Questions
I have an internal modem, can I use AVIS?
If you have a PC with several serial ports, no problem. You connect AVIS to the next available port and tell the AVIS-software which hardware is connected to which port. Mac user have to wait until software version 1.2. Sorry for Amiga users.
My new modem is a 28 800 baud, why does AVIS not transmit images faster?
AVIS is sending data constantly at 19200 baud, no matter if the connected modem ist faster. Thats why your AVIS is not faster with your new modem.
I have a modem with only 9600 baud, do I need to buy a new one?
Not necessarily, if you accept a little loss in transmission speed and your modem supports RTS/CTS handshake. Transmission speed between modem and computer must be a fixed 19200 baud.
We recommend to use a PC with two serial ports, the setup is described in the readme file.
Why do I need no chesse if I only want to receive images?
AVIS is only necessary to digitise images. Video images are analog and must be routed through the cheese in order to be transported through the telephone line. If you receive images, they are already in digital format and you just need the software.
My Mac has only 4MB RAM, together with AVIS this is already tight on memory!
You can assign AVIS less memory. Just mark the AVIS icon and select File-Get Info. The Finder opens a dialog where you can assign more or less memory. It does not much matter for the AVIS software, the only drawback is that you can save less images in the gallery.
Why does AVIS do not need its own cable?
AVIS does not need it's own cable to be connected to a computer. The serial cable which is normally connected between computer and modem is only an extension but not necessary. You
can have a Mac cable optionally because most available cables are not made according to Apple specs. This is necessary to run AVIS together with Macs. For PC users we supply an optional
cable as well.
I have heard that AVIS can transmit sound as well. True?
Right. If you have a PC with a Soundblaster (1.0 or higher) board and a microphone connected. Your AVIS version must be 1.5 or higher. A precise description can be found in the readme file.
Is it possible to use AVIS as a digitiser without transmission?
Shure, just connect your video camera and press the button on top of the cheese so that the LED is off. You will see your own image on screen which you can save to gallery or disk easily.
Which video camera can be attached to AVIS?
Every possible PAL or NTSC camera with composite video output. CCD cameras without their own power supply can be used as well, they can draw power from the cheese. A precise description
can be found in the manual.
I would like to develope my own software for AVIS, is that possible and how?
Yes, of course. Please contact us to get further informations.
I rather prefer AVIS for DOS than the Windows version. Does AVIS also run in the DOS window?
Yes. The speed can be reduced slightly if several Windows programms run in the background.
I would like to use AVIS standalone. How do I configure the modem so that AVIS sends images by itself?
You must configure your modem to auto-answer and that it does not accept AT commands (Dumb Mode) in the standalone mode.
Christian Wolff will answer your questions.