NAB Show News?
19 messages in this thread
I just got back from NAB… any questions? 🙂
John,
Any questions? You have got to be kidding.
Screamernet –
Is it indeed $1995 for 8 machines?
When is it available?
Will all platforms be available at the same time?
What kind of rendering speed are we talking about on different platforms?
Raptor –
Can this machine be used as a general purpose computer?
What kind of rendering speed are we talking about?
Flyer –
Is this a Zorro card?
How much time can these 1.7 Gig drives handle?
3D-ROM #2 –
When?
So many questions…
Rick – On Autopilot from Vancouver
I did have a lot of hands-on experience with the Raptor (nee Screamer) because
there was one in the Positron booth, and I helped them with some TCP/IP
configuration problems they had. I was very impressed, it offers a speed-up
(in very generalized, rough terms) of about $1K per 100% speed-up. It's not
going to cost as much as Newtek once claimed the Screamer would be, it will
cost more, especially if you need to buy the MIPS LW engine (Screamer Net)
separately. I didn't grab a press kit, unfortunately, so I can't relay the
fine print. I think it's safe to say, it ain't out til it's out, and anything
you hear before that point is strictly preliminary.
They did claim that they wanted to make the engine available on Intel, Alpha
and MIPS platforms, but no one has ever seen anything but the MIPS version
that's hosted under WinNT. So yes, you do have a true MIPS WinNT machine in the
current configuration.
Because the press release was vague and probably just a trial balloon regarding
the Intel and Alpha versions, it's also unclear whether the Intel version would
be under DOS or WinNT.
The Flyer is a Zorro card, I'm not sure if it's A4000-specific. Probably not.
In the highest quality D2-like modes, they claimed that a second of video (with
audio) consumed 3.1 megs of hard disk space. The Flyer needs at least three
drives, two for video, one for audio. So a 1 gig drive holds about five
minutes of video, at those rates… but the level of compression is variable,
so VHS-like quality comes down to about 1.8 megs per second, or more like nine
minutes of video.
Some people claimed to see artifacting in the video. I did not. I think the
artifacting you see on any JPEG or MPEG card is easily detectable by any
average remote-clicking VCR user, not to mention a video-head. Newtek may have
an advantage in that they developed their own software and hardware for video
compression, as opposed to so many other vendors who are using off-the-shelf
chips. They described the artifacting in their technique as "resembling tape
noise", so it's much less detectable to the average eye than the other
techniques that were designed for other compression goals. Maybe if someone
could point out the artifacting to me, this would make more sense.
I'm not going to pass judgement on the Flyer yet. It looks like great fun and
a great price. But again, it ain't out til it's out, and the early Toasters
for example were very grainy in the transitions as compared to the final
shipping product.
If I understand correctly, this new product ScreamerNet, allows you to Network
up to eight different machines (a few amigas, a few IBM PC's and a Raptor or
two) and take advantage of all their processing power for Lightwave?
I need to talk to you regarding the DGN files. Give me a call after 10am or I
will call you in the afternoon (Eastern Standard).
Adib
Although the press releases wasn't definitive, I get the impression that
they're planning to sell the GUI-less LightWave rendering engine on other
platforms. You probably pay $2000 to get one version for one platform. They
did not state they'd make an Amiga version, but you'd think that should've been
the first and easiest port on their list!
I think there's plenty of people who'd pay for any increase in rendering power
– even just the same rendering speed on another Amiga, even a 2x increase on an
average MS-DOS box, I'd even venture that if people had a way to get a render
engine with *less* than the power of their primary Amiga, they'd buy it – and I
guess the existence of LightRave demonstrates that.
(I'm at the office 8 am to 7 pm each day, (414) 674-5200.)
John,
Thanks for all the info. By the way, when are we going to be seeing
3D-ROM #2?
Rick – On Autopilot from Vancouver
Bummer, I was hoping the FLYER was a Standalone unit. Thanx for the info
John
I PRAY the FLYER ISN'T a Zorro II card or any other Amiga Card…… I'm
hoping it's a Stand alone Box like the IMMIX Videocube……
YES!!!! What'd you think of Newtek's FLYER and also did you show off a
Working version of Interchange for Windows?
Syndesis wasn't exhibiting at NAB, so no IC / Win.
Bummer.
What, you've bought a PC and you're running Windows?
Not yet……….A PC is DEFINITELY in my future tho. Just have to come up
with some spare $$$ to PAY for the Beastie. Got a offer of a 486-66DX2
Motherboard yesterday for $460
>Got a offer of a 486-66DX2 Motherboard yesterday for $460
I am also thinking of getting a PC in the future but I wouldn't get one
unless it had a Ziff socket (CPU expansion) and a VESA local bus slots. I
would think that the one you are being offered doesn't have either of
these but then again I could be wrong.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
(Any render time >0 needs acceleration.)
If a ZIFF Socket allows you to put a Pentium Processor on the Motherboard
the one I was offered had it. I'm unsure what the Bus Format was.
Yes, ZIF sockets allow for further CPU expansion without tieing up a
slot.
New 486DX2 motherboards with ZIF sockets in the $400 range don't have VESA
slots and are 33 mhz, at least the ones I have seen. So if you got a 66
mhz at that price then you got a good deal.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
(Any render time >0 needs acceleration.)
I spoke to Steve lao who is the one who offered me the MB, it was a
486-66DX2 with a Vesa Bus and a P24T socket to allow you to put in a
Pentium at a Later date all for $459, it's NOT a special deal for me
either, ANYONE can get it from them at this price.
That is a good price! I haven't been REALLY shopping for one but I might
buy one for the Mini-Tower case I have.
Could you give me the phone # for Steve Lao and company?
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
(Any render time >0 needs acceleration.)