CompuServe Thread

#Story on 4.0.3?

22 messages in this thread
#110944From: henry tellerMay 16, 1995 8:33 AM
With all the excitment coming from Escom's plans (yes, I know, just plans, no real action yet, except the purchase of Rumpelows in UK) and naming the new company Amiga Technologies Gmbh, it may be worth more as time goes by. Just want to see that list – that was the real jist of NAB/CIS meeting. Hank Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and Service under all circumstances
#110962From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 16, 1995 12:48 PM
"Just want to see that list – that was the real jist of NAB/CIS meeting." What list? Jerry
#111114From: henry tellerMay 17, 1995 7:06 PM
When Nt release 3.94 we were told that Toaster 4.0 would be the finished product. When 4.00 shipped, then 4.01 and, at NAB, 4.02, we all realized that 4.0? WAS NOT the finished product. We expected a NewTek Video Toaster with a non-linear editing front end, the Flyer. Now we've gone back to Nt and said what will 4.1, the real, final 4.0 release, incorporate. We don't want to assume this time. Parts of the list are done, with some additional features added and some basic parts still up in the air. I, personally, would like to see that list so that any omissions can be discussed now, not after the FINAL 4.1 is delivered at a time easily four weeks away. Hank Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and Service under all circumstances
#111138From: Michael MiloffMay 17, 1995 9:40 PM
Hank, As creator and guardian of the list – and with your contacts at NewTek – are you able to get information from them as the proposed functionality and time-frame of 4.1. Michael
#111191From: henry tellerMay 18, 1995 11:33 AM
The latest news was that a list is being made, but there is some concern that it shouldn't be released until all the items on it are confirmed done or doable. Nice idea, but I've asked for some interim status since it's been several weeks since 4.03 was finished (although it just shipped) and the feature list is due. Tech support indicates that there is a list, but at present it is a wish list and not for publication. As I hear anything, I'll pass it along. Hank Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and Service under all circumstances
#111146From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 17, 1995 10:43 PM
"I, personally, would like to see that list so that any omissions can be discussed now, not after the FINAL 4.1 is delivered at a time easily four weeks away." Same here, Hank. Thanks for the info. As for the rest of story, we're all too familiar with each release being *THE* one. Jerry
#111192From: henry tellerMay 18, 1995 11:33 AM
NewTek changed to rules when they promised everything would be in 4.0 and then shipped 4.00, 4.01, 4.02 and now 4.03 and then said, everything will be in 4.1. I, for one, don't feel I have an idea of what "everything" would be. My assumption was that the Flyer would add NLE editing to the Video Toaster. Therefore, you would have all the functionality of the Video Toaster under the control of the Flyer's NLE interface. Since that is not the current state of Toaster 4.03, I', anxious to find out what other assumptions I've made that are wrong. Some managment response is due from NewTek next. Hank Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and Service under all circumstances
#111203From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 18, 1995 12:45 PM
"I, for one, don't feel I have an idea of what "everything" would be." I don't think anyone outside of NewTek does. I really think it would be helpful if Chuck, you and others with a presence in Topeka could convince the NewTek powers to just level with us and let us know what's really planned and for when. We're all adults and I think we could deal with any hard facts they provide us. Having such information would sure make planning a lot easier. Jerry
#111217From: Mark WoollardMay 18, 1995 2:24 PM
>> I really think it would be helpful if Chuck, you and others with a presence in Topeka could convince the NewTek powers to just level with us and let us know what's really planned and for when. We're all adults and I think we could deal with any hard facts they provide us.<< Jerry, As per Hank's note, it looks like NewTek has not nailed down the feature list for 4.1 yet. They've taken quite a pasting (not undeserved) over the originally advertised features that are still missing as of 4.03. They'd be making the same mistake twice if they published a preliminary list of 4.1 features that they found they had to change before shipping. A lot of the adults here would crap all over them. Regards Mark
#111239From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 18, 1995 5:21 PM
Absolutely agreed, Mark. My argument is simply directed toward NewTek's getting that list finished and posted at the earliest practicable point in time – in days or a few weeks, not months from now. Jerry
#111426From: Wayne ColeMay 20, 1995 6:39 AM
Speaking of crapping all over them, :^} I have a HD compromise idea. Basically, I don't expect any reasonable person to believe they are going to get completely new "D2 capable" drives out of NewTek. So here is what I propose: NewTek would except pre-orders with a deposit for replacement drives from all purchasers of record before June 1, 1995 who have drives that were on the originally published "approved" list. All orders would have to be in by some TBD date so NT would know to the exact count how many drives of what capacity were required. Then they would do one bulk order, possibley even with transhipping to save NT from the handling end of it. The cost to the customer would be NewTeks cost less a buy-back on the user's existing drive that would be fair-market less a percentage to cover administrative costs. These drives would be turned over to NT or shipped directly to a liquidator who would sell them and, after taking his commision off the top, wouldsend the remainder of the sale proceeds to NT. This would allow NT to "make good" on a situation that they blundered into out of, shall we say, unbridled enthusiasm, as opposed to sculdugery, without breaking the bank. It also allows users a chance to "get with the program" at D2 quality levels without breaking thier banks either. NT could minimize losse, possible even hitting break-even, and users get to upgrade at dealer cost less a trade-in. wmc – via Autopilot!
#111469From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 20, 1995 1:43 PM
One could quibble with the details, Wayne, but it sounds like a reasonable approach to me. If nothing else, it provides the advantage of being able to place one bulk order and getting the price down as low as possible. Jerry
#111484From: Michael MiloffMay 20, 1995 5:25 PM
Hey Wayne, Fair, reasonable, constructive, positive. As an irate drive-owner, I like your proposal Michael
#111539From: Wayne ColeMay 21, 1995 4:30 AM
What has to be found is a way to soften the blow without forcing NT to admit anything that is litigatable, and without putting them into bankruptcy, but also makes those of us who have been stuck to feel like they are providing at least some assistance to us that is ultimately measurable in real dollars even though we may not end up with a striclty zero cost recovery. wmc – via Autopilot!
#111266From: henry tellerMay 18, 1995 9:35 PM
That is my daily call to NewTek. Let's see what answers I get Friday. Hank Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and Service under all circumstances
#111274From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 18, 1995 10:16 PM
What a lucky guy: getting to talk with NewTek on a daily basis. <G> Jerry
#111425From: Wayne ColeMay 20, 1995 6:39 AM
>>Having such information would sure make planning a lot easier. Even if they didn't tell me, Joe user, I would feel more comfortable if they were communicating ernestly with developers so THEY knew wht to spend effort on and were working to synergistic goals and schedules with NewTek. Now, on another topic, I've just completed a digitizing test with the FLyer (replacement board). I digitized 11:13:06 to a drive that had to other 10 sec clps on it. The drive reported 15:37:xx time left without reorg. The clip stopped recording at a dropped frame error recording HQ5 to Seagate ST15150 4 gig drive. I played it back several times in the same FLyer session in which it was recorded with no problems. I exited, shut down the machine waited an hour powered up, did some opus and text editing stuff, then started the Flyer. The first two times I attempted playback, it went for a short period of time before it started stuttering and showing color what looked like only two frames in 5 or 6. Then I called up the new clip panel and set the quality to HQ5 and the next tow tries played back flawlessly. This board seems markedly better than the other one. I still have a couple of graphics type orojects with flashing in them, but it may be related to software and audio processing. The wings are at least flappable. Now lets see if I can get this puppy off the ground. wmc – via Autopilot!
#111453From: Gary KleinerMay 20, 1995 12:17 PM
Wayne, 'glad to hear the dark clouds are thinning. Regards, Gary
#111536From: Wayne ColeMay 21, 1995 4:30 AM
boy, I hope so. I'm getting a new HD to go in the box that will reduce the amount of heat tossed off by 3 watts, and I might lookd for a fan with larger air capacity for the 300 watt PS. wmc – via Autopilot!
#111464From: J Saperstein/FontBankMay 20, 1995 1:34 PM
Sounds like you're making progress, Wayne! I hope it continues. Jerry
#111537From: Wayne ColeMay 21, 1995 4:30 AM
Yeah, I deserva a break today – and I was beginning to think I had to go to Mikey D's to get it. ;^} wmc – via Autopilot!
#111555From: THOMAS N. WHEELERMay 21, 1995 8:14 AM
Wayne, It sounds like from your post (#111425) that the second time you started the Flyer you did not first renenter the New Clip panel with the LAlt-RAlt-Tilde sequence, select HQ5 mode, and then hit Continue to exit before attempting to play back your project in which the clips were previously digitized in HQ5 mode. It is necessary to do this. I have never been able to get HQ5 clips to play back without first carrying out this procedure. Once done, they play back fine. Very glad to hear that with your new Flyer board you are starting to make progress. Godd luck and may you soon become a high flyer! Tom