Minimum Requirements

• 4/40MB (9") Apple Macintosh microcomputer with HyperCard 2.0 or 2.2 Player (Macintosh SE or better; the SE/30 gives good results).
• Sony (1500, 1600, 2000 or 3600), Pioneer or Hitachi PAL-compatible Laser Video Disc player.
• Any PAL-compatible Television or video monitor with standard input such as BNC, phono or SCART/Euroconnector.
• Cable to attach Television to Laser Video Disc player (standard BNC, phono or SCART/Euroconnector). Sound is not required.
• RS232 Cable to connect Macintosh to Laser Video Disc player (supplied).
• Video Rat Stack software (3 discs, compressed supplied).
• Rat Anatomy Disc (supplied).
• Installation and User Instructions (supplied).

Connection Instructions

Connect the Sony Laser Video Disc player and Television using appropriate BNC, phono or SCART/Euroconnector cabling (not supplied). Note, as only the video part of the signal is used, sound channels need not be connected. Power on all equipment, beginning with LaserDisc player. Place the Rat Anatomy Resource Disc (label side up) into the LaserDisc player. It may be necessary to consult the LaserDisc player manual in order to determine the correct baud rate. (Sony LDP3600 baud rate = 4.) [Picture of connections will go here when I can extract it from PageMaker.]

Installing Software

Make a new folder on the computer hard disc. Insert the Video Rat Stack disc 1 and double-click on the compressed file. Choose the new folder as the destination when prompted. Insert discs 2 and 3 when prompted during decompression.

Place a copy of HyperCard Player 2.0 or better (as supplied on most new Apple Macintosh microcomputers) and its Home stack into the new folder with the Video Rat Stack.

Running FARID

If the software reports an error in locating the LaserDisc player, please check:

• that the LaserDisc player is a PAL-compatible Sony 1500, 1600, 2000 or 3600, Pioneer or Hitachi;
• that the Mac-LaserDisc player connector is plugged into the Macintosh MODEM port;
• that all cabling is firm and secure (especially with later Macintosh models such as Power PC);
• that a laser disc is in the LaserDisc player and it is spinning;
• that the baud rate for the LaserDisc player is correctly set (see player manuals);
• that all devices are switched on.

FAQ

I hope so. I have just completed Pioneer and Hitachi Drivers, but I can't test them. These should work with most PAL compatible models of these brands. I am happy to look into other brands as need arises, but please give me plenty of notice.

I live in the USA and have an NTSC-only LaserDisc player. Are you making a NTSC version of the program?

No. If anyone is particularly NTSC-PAL conversion conversant, I would like to discuss this with you, but at the moment I understand the conversion from 25 to 30 frames per second does not replicate one-in-five frames regularly: it is not possible to predict which frames will be replicated. Without this accuracy, it would be a nightmare to convert the software to interact with the disc again. However, request this, if you feel strongly about it.

Is there a CD ROM version of the program?

No, but see The Future of FARID