CompuServe Messages

The PAR does not output flc/fli files, although you could "simulate" that effect. What it does is take a series of rendered 24bit .tga files, turn them into a motion jpeg file (which is also 24bit color depth), and then play this motion jpeg back in real time to a monitor or vtr or whatever you've got cabled to it. You can also render directly to the PAR from one or more (networked) PC's. This is, essentialy, a digital disk recorder. Instead of recording on tape, it uses a hard disk to record and play back animation. I don't have a PAR since I'll be going with Matrox's MAX (similar system but uses SCSI so you can array HD's and get less jpeg compression=less artifacting), but everyone that's got one really likes it so far. The PAR goes for @ $3000 with dedicated HD, $5000 with TBC card for real-time rotoscoping (video capture). The MAX goes for $6000-$7000, but includes a high-end frame buffer that you can use in 3D Studio to view your rendered images on a video monitor. You supply the fast SCSI II controller and HD.