The VideoMaster from Campursoft was one of issue 3's main items of news. It's been marketed as the first real alternative to the MP modulators, which were completely abysmal and no longer available. The VideoMaster will enable the CPC to display a picture on a monitor via Composite Video sockets or on TV via a Video Recorder's composite input, enabling the CPC screen to be recorded onto videotape - ideal for video titling! Not all Video recorders or Televisions have composite input, but some modern TVs and VideoRecorders are blessed with SCART sockets (one of those long oblong ones!), for which Campursoft can supply a lead. Setting up the unit couldn't be easier. One lead plugs into your CPC DIN socket, one plugs into the 12 volt line of the CPC Monitor - CPC464 owners will need a special power supply in order to use the VideoMAster, which costs an extra £9.99 from Campursoft. The other connector plugs into a Video Recorder or Television. The AUX channel must be set for a full colour screen to be displayed. The outstanding quality of the picture must be seen to be believed! It's far, far better than anything the MP modulators could ever hope to produce - you can actually read text from a mode 2 screen! VideoMaster's instructions are clear and precise, and, the only strange thing about it, was that the occasional screen is displayed in mono. There is no apparent explanation for this and this phenomenon has occurred with the MP modulators as well. Even a phone call to Amstrad could not illicit an answer. It's just one of those things. Aside from this the VideoMaster is an excellent piece of kit, I and a worthy addition to any serious CPC owner. CPC ATTACK!
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