🚀 go-pugleaf

Sony makes two HI-8 vtrs intended for computer-controlled 
multimedia applications.

The cheaper model is the CVD-1000- about $2000?, connects directly to
the mac serial port, and has frame-accurate search; 
this is Sony's answer to the discontinued PC-VCR.
I imagine it has Xobject control; there is also software from 
HSC (213) 392 6015.

The other model is the EVO-9650 ($6000) has frame-accurate recording
and is suitable for animation.  Supposedly Quicktime will sometime support
the VISCA control protocol for this deck.

To my knowledge, these decks and the NEC PC-VCR are the only VCRs
that are directly computer controllable.  In general, consumer
VCRs are usually not computer controllable.  In the past, industrial
VCRs were usually interfaced to a computer through a peripheral called
an animation controller.  The animation controller is in concept
obsolete - there is no reason why the host cannot directly control
the VTR - but until everything understands standard protocols they
will still be used.  They usually cost $2000 up and will control
a various formats of VTRs starting at about $6000.