#expensive 3D
7 messages in this thread
Steve,
I'm not sure there really are any misconceptions here. Given a
high-end Amiga to run things in (roughly $10k setup), you're correct that
Lightwave could be adequate for broadcast production. Bruce is right
however about 8-bit effects and lack of control for speed. The Toaster
effects are not useful for broadcast, although cable and industrial use
makes sense.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Uh, there's at least one misconception…..The Amiga setup wouldn't cost
$10K, a complete very useable system would be about $5k $6K. (Unless you're
adding the cost of a simple VTR into that $10K pricetag).
Where did you hear about 8-bit effects on the Toaster? The first place
I've ever heard about that is in this forum. I've never seen that in any
of the considerable number of things I've read about the Toaster. I'd be
interested in knowing the source because it's probably a good source of
other information as well.
While you might think the transitions aren't useful for your applications,
there are a number of places that DO use them. I've seen more than a few
local shows that use them. Remember also that not all of the transitions
pixelize. (Any of the sports or "KiKi" effects, the fades, the organic
wipes….none of those pixelize, and the speed is variable). You're right
about using some of the effects that pixelize at slow speeds, however. The
results don't look good at all. As long as those run at a relatively good
clip, they look fine.
Steve
Steve,
The reference is various issues of AVVideo magazine, which has a
regular column called Amiga Niches. This is authored by Brent Malnick,
former Video Toaster product manager and software design team member at
NewTek Inc. In particular, the October 1991 issue addresses hardware
requirements. Brent suggests the GVP 50Mhz 68030 accelerator, or suggests
that NewTek's $8995 system should perform at a similar speed. As for the
8-bit effects, that info is from users and the employees at the NewTek
booth at trade shows. Just *look* at them, they're 8-bit alright.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Thanks for the info about the transitions.
As for the info about the pricing, you can go out today and buy the Toaster
system for $2500, a 68040 card for $1500, and Amiga 2000 for $1000, and
toss in a hard drive controller, a decent size hard disk, and maybe a bit
more memory for another $1000. That's $6000. Heck, spurge, buy a bunch
more memory and a bigger hard disk, and at the outside, it'd be $7000
total. In any event, it's quite a good deal, and still far below $10K.
Getting back to a topic that's related to what we were all talking about
before we went down the DVE thread…<grin> I saw something today that
talked about Babylon 5 in some detail. (They're using Toasters for the
graphics). I'll be uploading a copy of what I got to NewTek's Amiga Vendor
section within the next couple of days. Looks like it'll be an interesting
show.
Steve
My point is a cut-down, low cost version of 3DS would sell very very well.
There are a lot of people out there interested in making pictures for their
own reasons. Amiga people do not buy SCULPT or Turbo Silver for producing
professional video. They do it for fun.
Glyn Williams
I'm sure a low cost version of 3DS would sell well (heck, I'd buy one).
Believe me, in the past Amiga folks *did* buy SCULPT and Turbo Silver for
producing professional animations. (I have a couple of tapes that have
some GREAT animations which were done for professional jobs). Heck, up
until Imagine came out, a station down in Miami used Turbo Silver to
produce 3D graphics. (That's one example…there are a lot of video folks
that did that in this area).
Now, Sculpt and Turbo Silver have shown there age, and people have moved on
to better programs, such as Imagine, Lightwave, Calligari, Real-3D, and 3D
Professional. And again, I assure you, people do use those for
professional video. Me, hey, I just do it for fun. <grin!>
Steve