CompuServe Messages

Tim, PMFJIH, re: your quote: >>If I have an IBM I wouldn't consider the Windows Toaster, I'd spend the extra money and get an Alladin.<< Like yourself I was one of the very first to get the original Toaster and have upgraded every step of the way ever since. I also have the Alladin (which now has Mac software as well as Windows). While I agree that the Alladin has many features the Toaster lacks such as a true 3-D DVE with no pixelization, component/SVHS in/out capabilities, Chroma key, multi channel keys, and a platform base that is more widely supported (IBM/MAC control software) there are still many things that it doesn't do nearly as well as the Toaster that we have today. The obvious standout is Lightwave vs Crystal Topaz, but for those not into 3-D the other issue is the implementation of the Inscriber CG (IBM) and Comet CG (Mac). The ease of use on the Toaster's CG is by far and away more practical, and where there may be issues of stylized presentation (read as "fancy CG styles) you can use Alphapaint (or Montage on 3.1 Toaster installations) to accomplish naything that Inscriber or Comet can do. I find that for the very first iteration of Alladin's software it has a lot going for it. I look forward to further improvement however before I completely give up on Toaster. If we look back on all the improvements we have seen from Newtek in the 5 years of Toaster, it is quite astonishing just how much better the Toaster has gotten (at least on the software side, Tpaint not withstanding) and it's only natural to wait until the next generation of Alladin software (and possibly hardware) before passing final judgement. Anyone entering the video production field at the present moment and wants to own their own gear has a lot of important questions to ask. Such as those relating to platform viability. Amiga might be coming back, but in limited distribution, and for how long we don't know. The mac and PC platforms as we know them today will probably cease to exist in any recognizable form within the next three years. While items like the Alladin (a self contained CPU with control software operating from another computer) can migrate easily to new platforms, the Toaster (even the PC version) may have a rocky road ahead of them but with the introduction of the PC Toaster which utilizes a similar approach as the Alladin with respect to a seperate CPU to control a black box, that might not be the concern it once was. NLE integration is another factor. Flyer is not the right system for everyone, but it answers the needs of a large segment of users that require a certain level of image quality as well full integration and ease of use. When I am asked by others who are afraid of buying into technology that will soon be obsolete, I will often recomment that they buy a used system that does the job they need to do today and in many cases that system is a used Toaster package, considered by many to be obsolete. No anxieties about it's future, because it really doesn't have one, it's got a great past and a workable present. Anyone who really thinks they are going to purchase technology that won't soon be replaced by something better, faster, cheaper…is deluding themselves. Why not just get the best tool for the job at hand at the best price and make your money NOW while the oppourtunity is available. While there are valid concerns about service and parts availability on the Amiga front, I have found that having a backup system is a worthy investment. By the way, my Amiga systems have been cranking steadily without much of any trouble, so my back up systems are utilized for other tasks, not just sitting in boxes. Didn't mean to get off on a rant. Frank