CDXL ist BILD und TON
All in this article referenzierten data are to be found to CD Rome of the Amiga magazine 7/97 on that!
" CDXL " is an animation format, that from Commodore end of the 80's for the at that time still fire-new CDTV (you remember; the crossing from A-500 and CD Player in the Hifi LOCK was developed). The format should contain one tonepurely and be directly by the medium playable. Under the given prerequisites 68000 of a processor, a drive with 150 KB/sec. and max. 4096 colours resulted naturally only relatively small dimensions. With 160x100 in HAM6 with 11025 cycles per second 8-bit mono and 12 pictures per second was damal the absolute maximum. By unkomprimiert available picture and tone data one guaranteed, which a processor slow for today's conditions could dig like the 68000er the resulting quantity of data fast for enough into the memory. At this time there was neither to AVI nor QuickTime and thus was the CDXL format at that time in the area the personnel computer unique. In addition, today CDXL still almost offers itself as alternative to the ANIM format. It offers the possibility a toned film on each Amiga at continuous rate directly from the medium to play, no matter how large the film may also always be. That means: a 3 of minuetiger Kinotrailer (60 Mb) directly of disk or CD Rome (double speed), with tone and in a quality before from AVI films not to hide needs, on a A-500 with 1 Mb memory and OS 3.x.... closely, more waer which for you?

Abbildung [1]
Figure [ 1 ] the Playeroberflaeche " cdgsxlGUI2 "

This article is to arrange the bases for you, in order to create with the programs " cdgsxlGUI2 " and " XLToolKitGUI", in shortest time responding films. The program complex is divided into the actual film wordprocessor " XLToolKitGUI " and the FilmPlayer " cdgsxlGUI2 ", as well as some example films and other files.

Abbildung [2]
Figure [ 2 ] HAM6 film on HiRes background fig. (AGA)

To the better amplifier-modification-eat, and thus you an impression received from the later result, throw you nevertheless once a view in the figures [ to 2]&[3 ]. Which you see are the display screen page of a CDXL film in a background picture are played. The film is present in the HAM6 format, and can be played therefore both on a LoRes display for ECS computers [ 3 ], and on a HiRes display for AGA computers [ 2 ]. The background picture was prepared in such a way, was not changed that it despite changing picture pallets of the film its appearance. They notice already, CDXL offer unusual possibilities for the presentation.

Abbildung [3]
Figure [ 3 ] HAM6 film on LoRes background fig. (ECS)

After successful installation of the necessary libraries by means of the provided Installationsskriptes, you should adapt the default paths of both programs in the ToolTypes of the pictograms after their needs. Both programs adapt by the way automatically to the used language of their Workbench. If you do not use German Workbench, the programs with an English user guide are started. Please you do not forget both programs in principle only graphic user surfaces for pure CLI programs represent. Therefore you must guarantee, which these CLI programs are in the path, which you gave as ToolType.

Now you made all preparations, in order to be able to begin with the creation of a film. Before you should click however once, depending upon configuration, one of the two Icons'DropZone.ECS ' or'DropZone.AGA ', in order to provide an impression of the format qualities.

Abbildung [4]
Figure [ 4 ] the wordprocessor surface " XLToolKitGUI "

Step 1:

After you started XLToolKitGUI, be on the main expensive board (see to figure [ 4 ]). The visible buttons in the form of record sheet riders at the window top margin display the spectrum of the processing options. Since we would like to create a film, click please on the button " creating ". If the following descriptions for your taste are not detailed enough, you can call the kontextsensitive OnLine assistance at any time with a pressure on the key " Help ", or by selection of the menu option " assistance ".


Step 2:

Click please on the button " inserting " underneath the list. In the DateiRequester opened now you select please the film 'Walker.CDXL'. Here it concerns the inexpressible Demonstrantion of a CDXL film of Commodore. Exactly we will arrange this film from individual pictures and a tone file. If you click doubly the entry in the list, on the right page a document with extensive information is displayed to the film. In order not to have to change for playing the film on the record sheet " playing ", they can at any time play a film from the list, by clicking the selection button directly under the list. Now however back to the creation of our example film.


Step 3:

The adjustment possibilities " interleaved " " HAM " and " AVM " remain all deactivated. But you click please on the file symbol button apart from " name of the film ". In the DateiRequester opened now you indicate to path and name of the film which can be created. The same asks again with " base name of the pictures ". Select they in addition the first fig. 'B.0001' from the directory 'SinglePics /'. If you noted the number of the last picture, you can enter this value (25) under " number of pictures ". If you click downward with " base name of the pictures " the button with the arrow, the selected picture is displayed by MultiView. If you press the key " SHIFT " however at the same time, you can select a directory, whose pictures are then geblittet all successively on their own display. Try it out times. Now we must determine still the necessary number of audio bytes. In addition you click please once on the symbol button with the arrow, to the left directly beside the text " audio byte/picture ". In the DateiRequester opened now you give path and name of the tone file which can be used on ('Sounds/Walker.SND'). Thereupon using the preset number of pictures per second (see menu...), the value for the audio bytes is calculated and entered. The button on the right beside it serves the tone file for playing by means of Multiview. The actual execution of the whole operation is initiated by the button " film creating ". Thus you click to these now please once on.


Step 4:

Our film is now actually finished. But stop, there is missing still somewhat. The tone is not contained. With the creation of a film only zero bytes for the tone are occupied, quasi as substitute symbols. Insert the finished film into the list, by clicking to the left simply on the button with the arrow. With one doubleclick on the list entry receive you to information to the film. If you liked to still insert the tone now, you must change first on the record sheet of the same name " inserting ". Afterwards you click please on the symbol button with the arrow to the right, apart from " name of the film ". Already you used the even created film. For the tone you give in the DateiRequester the tone file which can be used on ('Sounds/Walker.SND'), and the number the audio byte again by one click on the button with the arrow to the right begun. The actual execution of the whole operation is initiated by the button " tone inserting ". Thus you click to these now please once on. Now the film is entgueltig finished.

The described creation of a film is to be naturally only exemplary for a possible methodology. This short introduction cannot point also all possibilities and processing forms out. For resuming explanations you avail yourselves please of the provided OnLine assistance. Still another word to the provided films. Since cdxl.datatype on that sound DATA type structures and that animation DATA type, and these two neither stereo nor changing pallets support, cannot Multiview unfortunately not all films correctly play. In addition comes still, which shows cdxl.datatype all films basically with 150 KB/sec.. Therefore I attached films,whichare satisfyingly playable also under Multiview except with ' DropZone.CDXL ' only.

In the end remains for me only to require to you much fun and success when operating your CDXL films.

© 1997 by Christian Effenberger
What are cdgsxlGUI2 and XLToolKitGUI?

The program cdgsxlGUI2 serves as graphic surface for the CDXL Player cdgsxl from Wayne D. Lutz. It is suitable outstanding for playing CDXL films. In the scope of supply AmigaGuide files are to the OnLine assistance in German and English. Not the CLI program is contained in the scope of supply cdgsxl.

The program XLToolKitGUI serves as graphic surface for the CLI programs of the CDXL Toolkit V1.10 von Pantaray Inc. and the CDXL Player cdgsxl from Wayne D. Lutz. Outstanding the creation and handling of CDXL films is suitable for. In the scope of supply AmigaGuide files are to the OnLine assistance in German and English. The necessary CLI programs are not contained in the scope of supply:

XLAudio, XLClean, XLCopy, XLIff, XLInfo, XLJoin, XLMake, XLTrim and cdgsxl.

The CDXL Toolkit of Pantaray Inc. you find on the ' Amiga Developer CD Rome '. You find the CDXL Player cdgsxl of Wayne D. Lutz on the ' AmiNet set 2b '.
Which status do cdgsxlGUI2 and XLToolKitGUI have?

" cdgsxlGUI2 " and " XLToolKitGUI " are so-called " Shareware" program. The version on the PD diskettes of the Amiga magazine are in their use without restriction.


Where can man receive the programs? e.g. AmiNet, Amiga magazine PD diskettes

Where can man find the Player " cdgsxl "? e.g. AmiNet set 2b

Where can man find the " CDXL ToolKit "? e.g. Amiga Developer CD Rome


Is the Sharewaregebuehr for the programs how high?

" cdgsxlGUI2 " and " XLToolKitGUI " in each case: 10, - DM or 10, - $
Which system prerequisites place cdgsxlGUI2 and XLToolKitGUI?

" cdgsxlGUI2 " - OS 2.x, min. 2 Mb ALMOST, min. 0,5 Mb CHIP, ECS
" XLToolKitGUI " - OS 2.x, min. 2 Mb ALMOST, min. 0,5 Mb CHIP, ECS

Diagram cards?
Both programs can run basically in types of diagram. If necessary a PublicScreen can be given by ToolType.

NOTICE:
" cdgsxlGUI2 " and " XLToolKitGUI " run starting from OS 2.x, but both the Player " cdgsxl " and " OS 3.x absolutely needs MultiView " for the operation.
What is otherwise still needed?

For the generation of frames (possible from available animations) following program complexes offer themselves for example.

Commercial software
Adorage
Animage
Type department Professional (ADPro) and FrameEditor (FRED)
MainActor Broadcast (extracts also the tone from AVI files)
Monument designer

Public domain
BuildAnim
MainActor
MainActor Broadcast
MPEG
MultiView (with dumpdtanim together)
WildFire

For the manipulation of tone files (IFF-8svx) offer themselves an immense number at commercial and public domain software. They have determine somewhat suitable.
Dimension table for different constant playing rates?

At 300 KB/sec. approximately 36 minutes of animation would fit on an ISO CD Rome [ 640 Mb ], which corresponds approximately to half of the video CD [ MPEG-1 ~ 72 min. in 384x280x24 ].

[ 1:1 ] 180x180 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11.025 kH
[ 5:4 ] PAL 200x164 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11.025 kH
[ 4:3 ] VGA 208x158 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11.025 kH
[ 3:2 ] NTSC 224x146 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11.025 kH
[ 16:9 ] PAL+ 240x136 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11.025 kH
[ 2:1 ] CINEMA 256x128 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11.025 kH


CDXL dissolution combinations for different CD Rome drive types, in each case with 4096 colours and 12 to 24 pictures per second.

1fach-Speed drive (150 kB)
160x100 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11,025 kHz
2fach-Speed drive (300 kB)
224x146 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 11,025 kHz
3fach-Speed drive (450 kB)
272x170 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 22,05 kHz
4fach-Speed drive (600 kB)
320x200 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits mono in 22,05 kHz
6fach-Speed drive (900 kB)
384x240 in HAM6 with 12 FPS and 8 bits stereo in 22,05 kHz
8fach-Speed drive (1200 kB)
384x274 in HAM6 with 15 FPS and 8 bits stereo in 22,05 kHz
10fach-Speed drive (1500 kB)
384x274 in HAM6 with 20 FPS and 8 bits stereo in 22,05 kHz
twelvefold speed drive (1800 kB)
384x274 in HAM6 with 24 FPS and 8 bits stereo in 22,05 kHz
CDXL F O R M A T - description

Type meaning:

BYTE 8 bits unsigned whole number
WORD 16 bits unsigned whole number in the ' Motorola' byte Sex
LONG 32 bits unsigned whole number in the ' Motorola' byte Sex

CDXL format description [ CHUNK ] #01 BYTE:  $00 { 0 } [ CUSTOM CDXL ] or BYTE:  $01 { 1 } [ STANDARD CDXL ] or BYTE:  $02 { 2 } [ SPECIAL CDXL ] the CDXL info. byte ensteht by addition of three groups of descriptions:

#02 BYTE:  $00 { 0 } [ RGB ]... video ENCODING or BYTE:  $01 { 1 } [ HAM ] or BYTE:  $02 { 2 } [ YUV ] or BYTE:  $03 { 3 } [ AVM & DCTV ] plus

#02 BYTE:  $00 { 0 } [ BITS PLANAR ]... orientation or BYTE:  $20 { 32 } [ BYTE PLANAR ] or BYTE:  $40 { 64 } [ CHUNKY ] or BYTE:  $80 { 128 } [ BITS LINE ] or BYTE:  $$C0 { 192 } [ BYTE LINE ] plus

#02 BYTE:  $00 { 0 } [ MONO ]... audio VALUES or BYTE:  $10 { 16 } [ STEREO ] #03 LONG:  $0000295C { 10588 } [ CURRENT CHUNKSIZE ] #04 LONG:  $0000295C { 10588 } [ PREVIOUS CHUNKSIZE ] #05 WORD:  $0000 { 0 } [ RESERVED ] #06 WORD:  $0001 { 1 } [ CURRENT FRAMENUMBER ] #07 WORD:  $00CB { 203 } [ BITMAPWIDTH ] #08 WORD:  $00Ë { 94 } [ BITMAPHEIGHT ] #09 WORD:  $0004 { 4 } [ NUMBEROFBITPLANES ] #10 WORD:  $0020 { 32 } [ COLORMAPSIZE ] #11 WORD:  $0ÈC { 748 } [ RAWSOUNDSIZE ] #12 LONG:  $00000000 { 0 } [ RESERVED ] #13 LONG:  $00000000 { 0 } [ RESERVED ] BYTE #32 - #64 [ COLORMAP ];  the Pens is always WORT coded with prominent zeros i.e. the pallet is always 12 bits (4096 colours).

e.g. 0FFF or 0E9A

      |||_15 |||_10;  RGB_Blau_Anteil (0-15) ||__15 ||__09;  RGB_Gruen_Anteil (0-15) |___15 |___14;  RGB_Rot_Anteil (0-15) the data are always present in this order:

#3 BIT-map DATA [ UNCOMPRESSED BODY ] #4 SOUND DATA [ UNCOMPRESSED BODY ] #1 HEADER #2 COLORMAPDATA #3 BIT-map DATA #4 SOUND DATA

etc. arranged.
With what were the programs written?

With the CanDo 3,0 SOURCE code package. On SOURCE level level it is to be created a children's game such programs in few hours. CanDo is suitable outstanding for all not time-critical or cpu time consuming projects. Additionally all CanDoProgramme is multitasking able, and uses in the wait state no computing power. All processors are supported, including 68881 and 68882. An only prerequisite for the operation is OS 2.x and min. 2 MB memory.


* The SOURCE code package can be acquired by entered CanDoBesitzern (starting from V2.5) in different scope of supply with the INOVAtronics HotLine:

0 49 - (0) 21 31 / 6 35 94 (those & DO. 17°°-19°° clock) Tel.& fax

STANDARD - against a ShareWare fee of 30 DM or 20 $. (disk)

MORE DEVELOPER - against a ShareWare fee of 80 DM or 50 $. (CD-r)
Call to all programmers!

The CDXL Player ' cdgsxl ' of Wayne D. Lutz is available on the ' Amiga Developer CD Rome ' also as source code. This program is suitable outstanding as base for a meaningful advancement of the CDXL of format. While maintaining the ability immediately each frame to access to be able, it would be of advantage if a lossless fast coming press ion algorithm the resulting quantity of data effectively reduce could. For example a RunLenght or a Huffmann procedure. Already a reduction on 40% of the quantity of data became at 300 KB/sec.. a film with 15 pictures per second in 320x200x6 and 22,05 kHz 8 bits stereo make possible.


* Who has interest in a cooperation for the advancement of the CDXL format, would like to announce itself nevertheless please for coordination to me.

YOUAN@AMCLUST2.amclust.de (Christian Effenberger)
Tel. & fax: 0 49 - (0) 21 31 / 6 35 94
MailTo: K_Andreas@t online.de ___________ back to the CDXL Site: Bake to cdxlvideo.htm