CompuServe Messages

Hi Joe – The Feral Effect board is a combination TBC and effects board that can do very clean compression of video. Used in conjunction with the Video Toaster, most of the Toaster's over-the-shoulder effects can be replaced with Feral compression, providing clean, unpixelized video. It is designed to interface with the Toaster using ARexx control through a GUI that let's you design the output graphically, and it creates the script. It doesn't solve the compression problems of other compressing Toaster DVE's. The SRP is $1495.00, and since it includes a good TBC, that seems to be a reasonable price. Prior to the Video Toaster User Expo in LA, Newtek held a developers conference and opened up the Toaster/Flyer technology. Just yesterday (1/3/95) I talked with a developer who was creating a developers interface for the ARexx control of the Flyer. It seems he had enough commands to control most of the Flyer actions and permit developers to create wonderful addons to the Flyer system, such as comprehensive clip manipulation. I'm sure the goal is to have complete ARexx control of the Flyer, but Newtek has to finish the Flyer software first. The Flyer, for those who did not prebook it back in June '94, has an SRP of $4,995. If you have a prebooked Flyer, you should be getting it by the end of January (or early February). New orders won't be shipping until all prebooks are delivered and the Flyer software is finished. Since some distributors booked Flyers back in June, there may be some early ones available, but generally we don't expect to be filling new orders until March. The 9GB Seagate drives have a recommended selling price of around $5,500. Since this is higher than the current market for similar 9GB drives, that price could change daily. Since all Flyer drives are being manufactured to Newtek specs for one OEM, that OEM has all the drives and is paying a premium, since the specs require a special run by the manufacturer. Until the manufacturer starts manufacturing those drives for everyone (when the demand is greater?), there will be a limited supply. If you work with a Toaster dealer, I would recommend getting them from him, since you may also need his support if you have any trouble. The audio will be recorded in 16-bit 44.1kHz standard CD quality. As with any graphic or audio file, compression WILL reduce quality. There is no plans to compress the audio. Hope this helps – but with everything I've learned about developing products, these notes could change tomorrow. Enjoy your Flyer – it is the best NLE in the industry. Hank Videology, Inc – Where you get all the P.O.M.P. under all Circumstances