CompuServe Messages

Harrison, Believe it or not, the only motivation anyone on here has in recommending the Toaster to you and others starting out in this business is to help _you_. There is no possible motivation for anyone to blindly defend the Toaster or any other product. Within the realm of 'normal' folks trying to get into the video business, there is simply no comparison to the Toaster, and that is a fact, not just an opinion. There is _nothing_ on the PC or Mac platforms that even comes remotely close to competing with the Toaster's value-to-dollar ratio. << the professional video stores selling the Video Machine say its being used already by European broadcasters and say if you budget minded, this machine is better than the toaster. >> What, pray tell, are they SUPPOSED to say, given the fact that the Toaster dealers are their competitors? << if you're starting from scratch, the toaster card is about 5 grand, >> No matter where you're starting from, the Toaster card and software sells virtually everywhere for under 2 grand… << a kitchen sync is about $1000 each, >> A Kitchen Sync is a board that contains 2 TBC's, and has a suggested retail list price of only $1295… << a amilink a-b editor is about another two grand >> That's about right. Or you might consider Future Video's new controller at about $1300… << and a two track, eight input audio mixer is somewhere between 1 and 2 thousand dollars. >> You need to call Musician's friend @ 1-800-776-5173. They'll send you a catalog very quickly that will offer you a MYRIAD of choices to show you just how blatantly incorrect this is… << you've spent about ten grand for a complete toaster suite where all this is included in the Video Machine for less than 5 grand. >> If you want to produce high quality video in an A/B roll setup on ANY platform, you're gonna end up spending more than 5 grand. If someone is doing it for $5K, politely ask them to send you a demo reel of work produced on their setup. For the purpose of contrast, I'm sure several Toaster owners on these forums would be happy to send you their demo reel. BTW, I was, and still am, an owner and user of a PC-based Novell network. For the things I use it for, it's irreplaceable. 18 months ago, I'd never even touched an Amiga, and was extremely skeptical. Luckily, I heeded the advice of many who had been in my shoes before, and made the right decision to buy a Toaster setup. The PC-Mac world is still not even remotely in the same ball park when it comes to video production. With sincere best wishes that you choose appropriately, Jerry