#4000 Tower and Flyer
13 messages in this thread
I seen that many Flyers users who frequent this forum have been having hard
drive/playback problems. Since I haven't had any right from the start, I wonder
if it may have to do with my configuration. I have a custom 4000 Tower. The
tower is made in Germany which I bought through Eagle computers in Florida and
had a local dealer install the 4000 motherboard with a Warp Engine and 20mb
RAM. The Flyer/Toaster, a Feral effects TBC and all my drives are housed in the
tower as well. It has a massive fan which keeps all components sufficiently
cooled (perhaps heat may be causing some of the problems folks are having with
their drives). With this system I have not had any stutter or chroma problem
with clips I've recorded.Completed projects, with digital effects and C.G. have
played back flawlessly as well.In fact, with the Quantum 2 gig and Seagate 4
gig drives that I got with my Flyer in January, I am able to use the HQ5 mode
with smooth playback as well. The only thing I have to do to ensure this is to
use the alt, alt, tilde key and select the HQ5 from the menu before I playback
clips or a project. I have shown my system to several fellow video
professionals who have worked with AVID, Media100 and EMC non-linear systems
and they all concur that the image quality is superb. They thought that while
the current version of software was very basic, they (and I) feel it has the
potential with upgrades with more features to become a truly professional
system. I have used my system now to produce several demotapes that are
resulting in contracts for productions. I'm even using it to put together a
demo for a proposal I'm submitting to a major cable network.
Robert,
It will be interesting to learn why your system works so well. I hope someday
this all gets figured out!
Regards,
Gary
Gary,
Read my replies to Saperstein and Cole. If there's any info I can provide to
help you, let me know.
Regards,
Bob
Thank you, Robert.
The more reports we can get from people who are satisfied with their Flyers
and not experiencing problems, the better.
Who knows: at some point, some of us may be able to trace our problems down
to specific batches of Flyer boards, hard drives or even the type of case in
use.
Every bit of information you can provide helps us all, so please feel free to
keep it coming.
Jerry
Jerry-
After reading the posts from you and others on this forum who've had serious
problems with their systems, I can sympathize with the anger because I'd be
upset if my Flyer didn't work after the investment I put into it. However,
since mine does work and I'd imagine there are others who aren't having
difficulties, it makes my think that problems could be the result of defective
Flyer boards or hard drives and not an inherent problem with the technology or
that somehow my tower configuration is needed for sufficient cooling and
internal SCSI connections. I noticed in one of your posts you mentioned about
softness of image quality. I haven't found that when I use the HQ5 setting
feeding in Hi8 through my Feral effects TBC. In fact, because of the effective
noise reduction of the TBC, the footage played back from the Flyer is actually
a cleaner signal and I see no loss in resolution. If there's anything else
about my configuration or Flyer experience that might be helpful to you, please
let me know. I think if we all help each other out and keep the input going to
Newtek, we can all hopefully be satisfied Flyer users.
Bob
Thanks, Bob.
Always encouraging to hear Flyer success stories.
The softening of the image is, I think, a highly subjective measurement. I
haven't had time to install 4.0.3. and so don't have any experience with the
HQ5 setting. I do doubt, by the way, that any TBC is going to result in a
cleaner signal than what you have, but that's a quibble and we may be talking
about two entirely different things.
I haven't (knock on wood) experienced any stuttering problem, but that could
also be tied to the fact that I haven't used the Flyer much. Once I get 4.0.3.
installed I intend on working it real hard if for no other reason than to
determine whether or not to sell it and be done with the problems, potential
and otherwise, altogether. Although I have two Amiga 4000's here, I really am
concerned about the possibility of not having any machine at all because of
parts problems. I'm starting to think that FAST may be a more reasonable
alternative. A big factor in my decision is going to be resolutionof the drive
issue by NewTek, as well as having a capability for easy-to-us action editing.
Judging from the number of ads offering Amiga based Toaster systems in the
various trade magazines lately, I think NewTek is losing market appeal – or
it's just the rats deserting a sinking ship.
Jerry
Hi Jerry –
Thought you, and others, would like to know that NewTek is issuing recalls.
They are checking serial numbers, and certain boards will be recalled, reworked
and sent back out. The recall is to correct an "incorrect capacitor". The
systoms were not given.
If there is a problem, they'll call you.
Hank
Videology, Inc Where you always get P.O.M.P. and
Service under all circumstances
"The systoms were not given."
Geez – and with all those symptoms to choose from! <G>
Jerry
One notable differnce with my set-up (other than 4000 vs 2000) is that you are
totally internal to one box. This means no octopus cable or extrnal cable
runs.
wmc – via Autopilot!
Wayne-
That's the reason I put my post. It may be that without the external SCSI cable
connections and with sufficient cooling, that the Flyer and hard drives work
better. If you're at all able to try a tower configuration (I've seen a few
more towers from different manufacturers now available) that may make a big
difference for you. It's also possible you just may unfortunately have a Flyer
board or drives that just aren't properly working and, in that case, I hope you
can get them replaced. But in my case at least, there doesn't seem to be any
inherent problem with the system. I wish you better success with yours.
Bob
Robert,
I'm accelerated 2000 based. (Both my linear and the Flyer systems are A2000
based). I was waiting for the 4000 tower when CBM slipped beneath the waves.
Since then A4000 prices vs Windows NT workstation prices don't make sense,
especially since a good deal of my income is Lighwave generated. Also my
accelerated 2000s are faster rendering that stock 4000s so the 4000,
unfortuneatly makes no sense for me – unless NewTek admits that the Flyer isn't
a2000 compatbile, really.
wmc – via Autopilot!
Robert:
I have the same Drive configuration and have also not experianced (m)any of
the problems others have reported. Also I have the Warp Engine 40mhz although
it works equily well with and with out it. It have been at Macro Systems for
about 3weeks now being fixed. Glad to hear that there are others who are
working well.
Brad Hayes
Hayes Visual Communication
Brad-
It's likewise good to know I'm not the only one with a relatively smooth
running Flyer, otherwise I'd begin to wonder if it was a fluke.:)
Bob