Streaming Video on Your A8

[Contributed]

Yes. it's true. thanks to nezgar flashjazzcat ndary and (Phaeron Wrathchild Stephen and a8isa1 at AAge), I've finally got some video streaming done via A8.
Some things to consider:
■ 1920x1080 - always used your best quality source video
■ 160x192 - output video will be limited to Atari capabilities
■ 15KHz - audio sampling rate
■ audio volume is fairly quiet - this can be boosted in your initial video editing program. I've experimented and found that +6dB is the max should should increase the volume by - at this stage. Now re-save you original video, before proceeding to the instructions below.
■ audio can then be boosted a second time in VirtualDub - limit i have found is a a further increase of +6dB (208.9%) - above this will cause clipping and distortion.
I've cobbled together my own "Idiot's Guide" and it works well - every time now. It's not a long process. After your first subsequent runs will take about 20 mins beginning to end (for a 20 min video)
These are extremely simplified (for my own benefit) and the source info was taken from written guides by Avery and Nir, with added input/help from Jon ( flashjazzcat ) and Ryan ( nezgar).
Usual disclaimer: you do this AT YOUR OWN RISK. It's important that you proceed with caution in HxD/Win32 - ALWAYS double-check before writing to any disk!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A8 Video Streaming – via cfCard and Side/Side2

Needed:
■ Video file you want to convert (in AVI, DIVX, MPG format etc..)
■ VirtualDub tool (with DIVX codec recommended)
■ Win32 Disk Imager or HxD
■ encaudio.exe, encvideo60n.exe, mux50n.exe

Instructions:
■ Load the file into VirtualDub by clicking on File => Open Video File and selecting video file
■ File > Load Processing Settings > a8_pal.vdscript (relevant region script)
■ to increase volume AUDIO . VOLUME > set to 6.4bB 208.9% MAX
■ File > Save as AVI and enter new filename
■ File > Open Video File – select your newly-created video filename
■ File > Export > Raw Audio and save file as audio.bin
■ File > Export > Raw Video and select these settings
Format: 4:2:0 YCbCr planar, R.60.1, 8-bit, Y:16-235 centred
Secondary plane order: Cb/Cr (V/U)
Scanline alignment: 4 bytes
Vertical orientation: Top-down
and save as video.bin
■ in an elevated Command Prompt: type:
encvideo50n.exe pal_av < video.bin
encaudio60 pal_au < audio.bin
mux50n pal_av pal_au name.img
■ Load HxD open name.img
■ Tools > Open Disk > select correct cfCard drive (ensure physical NOT logical is selected) > remove Read-Only option
■ Click on TAB for name.img file > Edit > Select All > Copy
■ Click cfCard Tab > Edit > Paste Write >
■ Once done: File >Save

To Boot from Side/Side2:
■ Load APE > movplayPAL.atr to D1: slot
■ boot Atari with Side2 (cfCard inserted) and Side Button down
■ at SDX D1: prompt type movplay.xex
■ hit any key at next prompt