#TOASTER UPDATE WHEN???
16 messages in this thread
Does any one out there know when the new toaster update will be available?
I have done a lot of learning about the toaster in the recent weeks, found
some problems and lot's of neat stuff about the toaster, prices, etc. I
called for the demo about 4 weeks ago, which I never received. So, before I
drop the check book, i would like to see it running for myself before I
buy. But when? December is long gone, and this month is going fast. I'm
begining to think I should wait for the Y/C model. Like with every thing
else in this micro chip world, I would not be surprised if newtek did not
have a model up their sleeve in the near future. Can any one out there
comment on this? thanks
George,
No offense, but we have all been waiting, (some not as patiently as
others) for 2.0. In the hi tech world the phrase "real soon now" has become
sort of a catch all for this kind of situation. My advice to you is to wait
until you are satisfied before spending your money. If that means waiting
for the elusive "Y-C" unit, then I suggest you put the money you have set
aside for Toaster in a LONG TERM CD. Truthfully, I would speculate that
Newtek wouldn't be in any kind of hurry to come to market with a new
hardware platform that would gut sales of an existing one unless a couple
of things happen. First, (and least likely) is that current Toaster demand
falls off dramaticly. Second, (and the more likely scenario) is a
"Professional" model product at a much MUCH higher price. This "pro" model
would undoubtedly have component input/output and none of the pixelization
artifacts during squeeze type DVEs, and probably some sort of rotoscoping
capability tied in with the paint program (ala Paintbox/Harry). I'm not
trying to say that the current Toaster is "un-professional", just that
there is a definite price performance market "between" the price level of
the current Toaster and the mid-priced (what used to be low priced until
Toaster) professional DVE market as it exists today. Although Newtek has
defined a whole new market niche, they still haven't threatened the very
lucritive component post house market (Betacam/D2/D3 etc.). This is "grand
plan" is all pure speculation on my part however, Newtek has a way of
making industry pudits eat their words, so you never know.
Well, being the typical bells and whistels nut, like many, when I want
something I go out and get it, knowing that just when I bring a new toy
home, another, better, newer with more push buttons is being shiped to the
dealers. But that's the way it goes. This toaster has me puzzled since I
have noticed a the dealer that a color shift is there. I think I spoke to
you about it. Before I spend my money, I would like to see if that shift is
still there in the new update. I know that the toaster is not an Echo Lab
which by the way makes me drool all over the carpet. Anyway, I was only
trying to find out if there is a word out on the date of availability of
the toaster update. thank's for the reply, I will keep waiting (no, not for
the y/c, I don't have that much patiance). george
This Toaster will continue to be the main hardware platform for a
good deal of time to come. Tim Jenison has mentioned the possibility of a
component Toaster to people at the recent MacWorld convention, but there's
still a LOT of stuff to happen with this Toaster….and by the way, I don't
consider 'rotoscoping' to be an impossible feature for this Toaster. The
hardware is certainly capablreof it.
The color shift is fixed, and is in fact controllable within half a
degree from what I've heard.
Expect System 2.0 arounf the beginning of February.
Thanks Lee, I'm looking forward to the new update. One thing I don't
understand. the shift I was told was in the buffers, but the new update is
software only. How do the two relate? thanks
Hi George. The new 2.0 software is so extensive that it is also a sort of
hardware upgrade on a disk (well actuall several disks). The waed
Thanks, Jud/ NewTek, Inc.
OH NO! Not another "hardware upgrade on a disk"!!! I'd hoped I had seen
the last of that nutty marketing phrase. Oh well… 🙂
–jp–seattle–
Don't get so upset, the boundaries between hardware and software are
blurring evermore. There are nifty chips in common use today that are in
effect reprogrammable hardware – you put them into a mode that lets you
dump a new definition of gates, logic, etc. It's more like programmable
hardware than a microprocessor. It's not a marketing phrase, it's the
truth.
Oh, I'm not upset, I just remember the last time they used that phrase here
on CIS, and several people jumped on them about it. It's a catchy phrase
to be sure.
–jp–seattle–
The Toaster software has an incredible amount of control over the
Toaster hardware…even the quality of signal is determined by software.
Thanks Lee, I will wait for the new update. george
What exactly do you mean by "component" Toaster?
Vance
– via Whap!
One that could take component input, such as the Betacam SP and D1
video formats use…should repeat that this is just something Tim mentioned
to some folks on the convention floor – NOT a product announcement. This
Toaster configuration in this price range will be around for a long time to
come…
When I ordered my upgrade (1st week of January) I was told "towards the
end of the month." While I expect this means before February 1st, it might
mean "the end of the month, but we won't mention which month we're talking
about <grin>."
Supposedly the release is late because they're still adding nifty
features we'll all want to have, so a few weeks wait will be worth it.
<-SJK->
Well, I don't want to make any promises – but from everything I'm
hearing we're getting VERY close…
You're such a tease!