Video Backup System 3.0 Review

                        Video Backup System V3.0 Review
                                    By Guy Nathan

 Review: ------- Once in a while a package comes along which
 really catches your attention.  The product may be one which takes a
 totally new approach to old methods.  Video Backup System (VBS) V3 was
 this type of package.  VBS is, as the name suggests, a Video Backup
 System, a system which doesn't require a tape-streamer, or an endless
 supply of disks, if you wish to back up your hard disk.  In VBS's earlier
 incarnations, not much was thought of it, and the general opinion was a
 case of use it at your own risk.  

     Using a video to backup your files may leave you with the important
 question of, well, how reliable is it?  Those of you with experience of
 the likes of AmiBack(tm) and Quaterback(tm) will know that when backing
 up your hard drive to disk all may seem fine, but when it comes to the
 ever essential restoration process, one disk has been stuffed up and
 depending on the program, you've either lost the whole backup or lost all
 the files on that disk.  No, that doesn't always occur but can quite
 easily happen.  With VBS, your not guarenteed that your backup will be
 foolproof against the likes of a crazed person with a electric-magnet
 going through all your videos and wiping them, ( I hate when that happens!
 -the Ed ) but you can be assured with VBS's built-in error checking the
 likelyhood of an error occuring are greatly reduced.  V1.5 of VBS was
 generally not accepted due to the problem of unreliable restorations, V3.0
 more than fixes this.

      Another advantage of VBS is the total costs involved, or lack of
 them.  This is one of VBS's strongest points.  With the likes of
 Tape-Streamers at 150$US per unit, and 30-40$ per tape, it is no cheap
 affair, and those who backup to disks, and have a big hard drive, the bill
 may even be comprable to those who own tape-streamers.  All that is
 required for VBS 3.0, however is is one 4 hour tape (high-quality
 prefered) and a little patience, and for far less than the other 
 alternatives you've got yourself a full backup suite.

     One 4 hour video tape can allegedly store up to 520MB's!  I have not
 been able to properly test this with my 300MB HD for two reasons.
 Firstly, my hard drive isnt 520MB's, and secondly most of the files on my
 hard drive are compressed with file compressors (LhA's, Powerpackered,
 LZX's, ZIP's, and mainly StoneCracker) - meaning the actual amount stored
 on my hard-drive is probably equal to around 500MB+ uncompressed.  With a
 4 hour video tape I was able to backup 76MB of archives (mainly LhA's),
 130-140MB of StoneCracker crunched executables, 50MB of unpacked
 executables, and 40MB of text on the one video.

     A neglible inclusion with the program is V1.5 of VBS.

 Documentation: -------------- Documentation comes in a small ring-bound
 booklet.  Although it is small, for most peoples purposes it is
 sufficient, and even goes into the complexities of issues such as its
 compression methods.  I would have liked a bigger section for dealing with
 problems.  Otherwise the documentation is simple to read and very good.

 Software Installation: ---------------------- Installation is a breeze.
 Simply bootup your system as normal, insert the supplied disk, and double
 click on the install icon (which uses the great Commodore Installer).
 From there you'll be requested where you'd like VBS installed, and a line
 added to the user-startup assigning the location of VBS.

 Once complete, simply go to where you installed it and double click of
 the VBS icon and your ready to run.

 Hardware Installation: ---------------------- Now most reviews I have read
 so far of VBS 3.0 (3 different reviews) state that VBS 3 hardware
 installation took them minutes.  Being no big-time reviewer, I found
 things took a little more time (;-)).  Self-installation without the
 manual is NOT recommended unless you have a competant knowlegde of this
 sort of thing.

 I found, after reading the instructions in the manual, that it merely
 involved plugging in a few plugs into the back of the Amiga and in to your
 video player.  An important thing to note here is this package comes in
 two versions, one for newer video players (SCART version), and one for
 older video players (PHONO version).  Before purchasing be sure to check
 which one you have.  

 If like me, you own a box Amiga, I recommend picking up a RF Modulator if
 you don't already own one, as chances are the monitor currently 
 connected to it doesn't have the same type of plugs as your video player.
 If you can't do this try a cheap genlock (eg.Lola's range).

 If the above paragraphs on hardware installation has confused you, don't
 worry, as the pictures supplied in the documentation will explain it for
 you.

 Software Use: ------------- The programs simplicity is part of it's
 winning combination.  On starting the program there is one button for
 Backup, one for Restore, and one for Verify (for checking the backup was
 successful).

 In general even the worst of Amiga users shouldn't have much troubles
 using this package.

 Problems: --------- Obviously, being a video backup, it does have its
 trade-off's.  The main thing lost is speed.  Backing up a 500MB HD will
 take you 4 hours as opposed to tape-streamers which would blitz this time.
 To overcome this problem they have included the abilitiy to backup several
 partitions one after the other or at any time you schedule for it to
 start.

 To verify the backup (which I recommend), it means going through a tedious
 process of finding Image headers (which the program uses to identify the
 beginning of a backup) on a tape and then choosing verify, and choosing
 play on video. This can be a real pain with 5 partitions, like I have, or
 even for 2 partitions it can be annoying.  If they allowed the program to
 verify one lot then go onto the next, everytime it finds a new image
 header, this would solve alot of hassles.

 Conclusion: ----------- This program is a must for any user with an Amiga
 with a hard drive and who are not loaded with cash.  This program will
 solve all your problems in a cheap, and reliable way. If you're after
 a backup solution the cheap way, then this is definately for you.

 Note: For Amiga users without RF Modulators built in try and
       buy one, they probably can be picked up for around 20$
       or so. (Or go for the slightly more expensive Lola
       alternative).

Price: UK - SCART Version - 65 pounds
            PHONO Version - 60 pounds
            V3 Upgrade    - 20 pounds
       Australian and US Prices unknown

Distributor: Power Computing in UK

Company: Lyppens Software Productions
         Generaal Coenderslaan 25
         5623 LT Eindhoven
         The Netherlands


Guy Nathan gnathan@triode.apana.org.au Fidonet 3:714/909.18