#Selecting Video stuff
18 messages in this thread
I am looking at some alternatives for being able to capture and manipulate
video images as well as doing 3D animations, with the intent of putting
together video presentations coupled with high quality original music
compositions. I currently own and use an A4000-040, and run B&P Pro 2.5 as
part of my MIDI studio. What I would appreciate is some comments from users of
various video product combinations as to what the pros and cons are of going in
different directions. I have read most of the reviews on 3D animation and
rendering programs like Lightwave, Aladdin 4D, Real3D, etc., as well as the
VT4000 and genlocks such as SuperGen SX studio. Going with the Video Toaster
would appear to have the advantage of having an integrated rendering, titling,
switcher capabilities, but the requirement for a TBC brings the cost up even
more. Any advantages to getting SuperGen SX studio plus a 3D program like
Aladdin 4D or the unbundled LightWave. I'm sure I am missing something with
regards to capabilities and limitations of going different routes so any info
based on experience would be greatly appreciated. I realize the Commodore
situation is a damper, but I plan to stick with my Amigas for as long as
possible.
Thanks in advance, Chris B.
On of the biggest costs of 3D animation is putting the final rendering to video
tape.
This requires either a single frame controller system with a frame accurate
controlable recording deck (e.g. Panasonic AG7750 $3000 used) or a program than
could play the sequences in realtime to any deck.
The VT4000 ($2395 SRP, but one sold on CIS here from less than $1100) with the
Amiga 4000 can render images in 256,000 colors, full video resolution, and play
them in real time through the Toaster to any VCR. You could also use the PAR
(around $1500 plus drive) and any 3D program (LightWave 3D SRP $995) and output
with many more colors.
If creating renderings is the only issue, LightWave 3D standalone would be more
than adequate.
If any of the above seems interesting, or you have more details about your
needs, I'd be glad to discuss them further here or at my office (203) 270-9000.
You have a unique platform that Escom, the new owner of Commodore, is making
sure won't go away soon (they've already contracted a Chinese firm to start
manufacturing Amiga's again and hope to be shipping within two months). It has
already survived a 12 month coma, and with Escom looking to invade the US
market like they did England (they just bought up the largest chain of computer
retail shops in England, making them the biggest there), it may have a chance
at a comeback.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our business with
P.O.M.P. under all circumstances
Henry,
Your post makes it sound like Lightwave is a separate product from the
Toaster. Newbies should know that it comes bundled with the Toaster.
Just checking… 🙂
Steve
Image Dynamics – Chicago
and now they sell it seperately and with the toaster,you canalso get lightwave
for windows nt,windows 95,and silicon graphics machines but costs around 1000
dollars more than the amiga version
The version currently available is the Windows/Intel one. It is designed to run
under Windows with the Win32 patch, or Windows NT. It should run under
Windows95 when it's out.
The Windows NT/Alhpa version is ready, as is the MIPS version, but marketing
seems to be holding it up for some reason.
The SGI version is available for $995 until the end of May, then it will sell
for $1995 from Kaos Tools.
The Amiga standalone (sa?) version won't be available until the end of May,
which is when then full Toaster 4.0 upgrade ($549 on CD, $595 with 60+ disks)
should be available.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our business with
P.O.M.P. under all circumstances
Steve…
And LightWave is available as a Stand Alone for Windows and Win'NT for Intel,
Alpha and SGI platforms. B^)
Stan
Happiness is just a render away…
Really? That's news to me… <BG>
Steve
Image Dynamics – Chicago
Steve –
Opps! LightWave for the Amiga 4000 is available as part of the Video Toaster
4000 (SRP $2395) and would allow you to render and playback in 256,000 colors.
LightWave standalone for the Amiga (SRP $995) can run on the Amiga 4000 without
the Toaster board, but must then have a way to output to tape.
In either case, if you want 16.7 million color output, you need additional
hardware.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our business with
P.O.M.P. under all circumstances
Henry,
Whats your price for LW 3.5 SA ?
And is the u/g to PC LW 4.0 still available ?
Thanks,
….John
John –
Our price for all LW standalones (except SGI) is $849 plus COD FedEx Shipping,
next day. (usually $30). Only the intel version is currently available, but the
Alpha and MIPS versions are ready. The Amiga 3.5 version is not being produced
by Nt anymore, but some dealers may have copies in stock. Those copies will be
upgraded to 4.0, upon it's release, presently scheduled for late May to June.
Any current owners of the 3.5 Amiga sa can upgrade to any other sa for $149
through Nt. At the moment, I know of no deadline for processing this upgrade,
but it must go through Nt.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our business with
P.O.M.P. under all circumstances
i think if they're going todo the Uk approach,they would need to get
caldor,THE wiz, or radioshack to sell the amiga to the american public
sears/macy's/etc would also be a good way to introduce the amiga again to the
public but only with a bombuzal of advertisements and availability of junk that
pc users want or make them want it.
If they really want to "explode" the market they should find a way to get the
network of CIS, AOL, etc Amiga users to start the campaign. They should bring
us into the equation with great leadership now!
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our business with
P.O.M.P. under all circumstances
you fascist you or isit sometging else?Socialist?Communist?
Whatever it takes –
Hank
Videology, Inc Where service is our business with
P.O.M.P. under all circumstances
Hank,
Thank-you for the information. I'll use it in helping decide the route to go.
Regards, Chris
Chris,
I've been using Aladdin-4D for several years, and I've found it to be very
robust, and capable of most 3D rendering needs. Version 4 just came out a
couple of weeks ago, and now the render, editor, and preview screens are each
individually configurable by the user. It now can do field rendering, which I
tried and it resulted in ultra-smooth motion on the PAR (reverse fields must be
selected).
PROS: Cheaper (around $300), unlimited texturing, supports AGA, numerous
features (gases, flares, waves, particles, fog, etc.), everything can change
over time with spline control, professional 24-bit output quality, multi-tasks
beautifully..
CONS: Doesn't raytrace (except shadows), fairly steep learning curve, joystick
port dongle (can't blame 'em).
Your best bet to make sure you get the latest is to call Adspec Programming
(216) 337-1329.
Bob.
Thanks Bob,
I appreciate the info on Aladdin. I'm generally not a dongle fan, although
Aladdin sounds robust. I wanted to settle on one rendering package for now,
which would cover a broad range of things. Sounds like most of the better ones
can do it, so makes for difficult choices. Do you know if Lightwave (is it 4.0
now) uses a dongle with the standalone?
Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris –
Both the Alpha and Intel versions of LightWave 3D version 4.0 for Windows NT
use the same dongle. There is also a different dongle for the Amiga standalone.
Only the SGI version won't have a dongle.
Hank