CompuServe Messages

Lets go through these one at a time: 1) IBM compatibility. Sortof. It depends on the type of IBM application you want, which machine you buy, and how much you're willing to spend for IBM compatibility. If you get an Amiga 500, your only real choice for IBM compatibility is a unit called ATOnce, which basically allows you to boot your computer as a 286 based IBM AT. CGA or monochrome graphics. No hardware capability. With anything but an A500, you can get a Bridgeboard. This is basically either an 8088 based PC or an 80286 based AT on a board. You can add IBM hardware into slots on the machine (And thus get VGA or super VGA output or added sound capability) or it can run CGA or monochrome mode on your Amiga screen in a window. With a 68020 or 68030 based Amiga, you can get IBeM, which is a software emulator. Fairly slow, and again not good graphics. So basically, IMHO, if you're using software which you can stand running on a monochrome or CGA screen, you can probably get it running on the Amiga given the right hardware or software. But otherwise, I wouldn't depend on IBM compatibility. 2) The Video Toaster is an add on board which does all kinds of video effects. 24 bit framebuffer. 24 bit framegrabber. Genlock, Character Generator, Special Effects Generator (with all kinds of wipes, fades, zooms, etc.), Luminance Key, 3D rendering and paint software. To very quickly cover it. <grin> It uses Composite NTSC input and outputs, NOT S-Video. Also, you might need a Time Base corrector for inputs from video tape recorders and the like. (Companies make board level TBCs which plug into the Amiga, BTW.) The Toaster only currently works in Amiga 2000 and 2500 machines. [continued]