CompuServe Messages

Randy: Your ASSociate VP is wrong about trying to get video work done with a PC. It really won't happen, at least without a lot of grief. I deal with all three platforms at work, and video on the PC is like pulling teeth. First, animation is usually pretty bad on a PC, and when its any good, its only because of brute strength. I've yet to see smooth animation on a PC in any resolution beyond 320×200, albeit in 256 colors. Here are some things to think about: * Video on the PC is expensive. Things like genlocks (for overlaying graphics) tend to be either more expensive on the PC, or don't work as well. This is probably due to the NTSC clock on the Amiga, and the lack of one on the PC. * Software on the PC tends to be more limited, and more expensive. I understand that there are some decent titlers, however, but for animation, see the above. * The Amiga multi-tasks, and does so quickly and smoothly. This allows you jump from program to program quickly and easily. Its an inherently more efficient way to get things done as opposed to DOS. Seems to work out better in the hectic studio environment. * Unified file formats. Most animations on the Amiga are ANIM format, most still graphics IFF format. No problems with .fli, .gl, .tif, pcx, .bmp, .tga, etc… * Lastly, the Amiga is a niche machine to some degree, and we tend to see certain innovations first. Go to a dealer and check out the Toaster, DCTV, ADPro, DPaint IV, Imagine, Broadcast Titler, Pro Video Post…these are products that have no equal on the PC. Lastly, if there is a problem with having different platforms, make sure to note that Amiga can read 720k MS-DOS disks with a $20 utility, can run MS-DOS with several hardware and/or software products out there, can emulate the Mac (and share files with it that way), and can hook into a network. Programs like ADPro allow you to translate between formats with ease. One last thing: the last friend of mine that tried to produce [ MORE ]