#OPAL VISION
42 messages in this thread
Hey all.. I am planning on getting some desktop software.. I've heard
that OpalVision is much better than the toaster now.. with its 24 bit
graphics, 16.8 million colors, more options, etc.. anyone with some
insight to this, I will deeply appreciate their advice.. What IS the
BEST???
Michael,
The jury is still out on the Opalvision vs Toaster shootout for
"all-around" swiss army video tool. Opalvision's paint software flat
out kills Toasterpaint in ALL respects. It remains to be seen as to
whether Newtek will respond to the other issues that Opalvision's
promised forthcoming product releases will cover such as: Component
(Betacam, MII), and "S" format input/output, integral audio mixer,
programmable DVE moves with no "pixellated artifact on squeezed
images, real time playback of 24 bit anims on non AGA platforms, non
time based corrected input for picture grabs, chroma key, etc. The ad
that is in Amigaworld's latest issue goes point by point on what is
"promised" to be forthcoming from Opalvision. So far the software
upgrades from Opalvision have been very impressive, but they have
missed promised deadlines for very important pieces of the puzzle
required to compete against Toaster as a video switcher/effects box,
namely the genlock board and it's "roaster" chip. Although I am a
Toaster owner, I wouldn't have any qualms about hopping over to
another platform such as Opalvision if it proves to be the better
option for my particular needs. I know I am not the only one watching
Opalvision's development with great interest, but at this point the
"bun is still in the oven" and there doesn't seem to be a consensus
as to when it's going to see the light of day. In the mean time
Toaster is here now, and doing what it has promised to do (more or
less on time).
Frank
One big difference with OV is that it doesn't have a native renderer like
Lightwave. They bundle Imagine 2.0 with it.
The Lightwave and the 3 framebuffers in T4000 are my biggest reasons for
wanting to work with the Toaster. Followed by the switcher and CG. I use
Imagemaster now for 24 bit retouching and painting.
If the T4000 will support HAM8 in visual display in Toasterpaint, then
I'll have a nicely rounded out system.
OV is a fantastic product, and if I had the cash, I'd add it to a Toaster
suite.
Although there are several good video peripherals for the Amigas at this
time, the VT and OV should be on everyone's wish-list.
-= Vance =- Image Master
using Black Belt Systems' Imagemaster!
The T4000 still only has two framebuffers, DV3 is the same as BKG and you
can call up background colors from the Toaster's preferences.
ToasterPaint is still non-AGA.
Of course we still do not know what NewTek will end up shipping, remember
how they were adding in things up to the last minute when system 2.0
shipped. I still have not seen anything from NewTek in the mail, so who
knows when it will really ship. I heard next week again ;-).
OV has still to release what they have promised. So time will tell,
perhaps we'll see a A4000-Tower by the time everthing starts to ship!
It is rummored to have two video slots.
Hmm, I had been informed before that the new VT board had 3 framebuffers.
Oh well…
As for the A4000T, I saw a pic of the prototype, and it had 2 video slots.
So, unless they've changed their minds, we'll see a cool new feature.
-= Vance =- Image Master
using Black Belt Systems' Imagemaster!
I'm hoping that oneof the Toaster/CBM bundle deals will be a Toaster 4000
in a tower! (I can dream, can't I ?)
wmc – via Autopilot!
Frank,
I talked to Centaur last week and they said the HW parts (video processor
board and switcher box) will be introduced at the WOCA in Australia RSN
and will be available in the U.S. by the end of July. They sounded
confident, but never having dealt with them, I don't know what that
means.
I, to0, am interested in the Opal system. However doing a direct
comparison to the Toaster is not exactly correct as theopal system is
4 seperate peices. The main board, the video processor, the
external video suite box, and the free Imagine 2.0 software. Now if
you take the Toaster, add the Nova multi-standard encoder (get Y/C
and component out) and the J L Cooper AVSix audio mixer auto fader
you have the two board, one box equivalent. (Course you need Amilink
or some such to drive the system, but Opal requires external products
for editing control too, as I understand it.)
The bottom line for me will be the quality of the video output and the
ease of use with my existing editing suite and animation gear. Even
then, I can see a two machine suite with Opal and Toaster as a max
flexibility situation that also must be looked at. Then there is the
question: If Opal's system is as hot as Centaur claims, will NewTek take
it lying down?
wmc – via Autopilot!
Those are some interesting observations. I am most interested in
Opalvision's paint program (which is excellent) and the ability to do
chroma key on any selectable color. The Chroma Key is especially
useful in my field (broadcast commercials) where footage is available
on a subscription basis from animation houses that can be "keyed',
but only with their proprietary background color (usually a
aqua-green) that is fully supported at any of a list of "authorized"
post production houses. They sell you the package supposedly with
master betacam footage (rendered over aqua green), then furnish your
post production facility with apropriate inverse color dubs that
allow blue chroma key for additional fees. This is done only after
some heavy handed tactics that make the production house feel as
though they should "sign on" for a subscription service. I don't mind
paying the subscription the first time (as the advertiser's agent)
but I don't feel that I am obligated to play ball when they try to
get me to pay a second time for blue chroma key dubs. At this point I
don't have the time to create 3-D animations that are on a par with
what they offer (mostly car faceplate related) so I don't work witrh
certain clients. This could change rapidly with Opalvision's chroma
key (if it sees the light of day).
Frank
Wayne,
I talked to the local OpelVision Distributor. They are pissed at Centuar
because they've not delivered on a promise yet. This distributor got one of the
first systems (bare bones) and it did not work. They sent it back for
replacement and have not even heard from the company. They told me that they
are no longer pushing the system. I called the company and they told me that
they were having a special sale. All boards and modules were only $699 until
June 30th. The drawback was that none of the three extra modules are ready.
HuH?
Darryl
Darryl,
"got one of the first systems (bare bones) and it did not work".
re:bare bones…..which module did they test?
CJ ——–>on AP
Darryl,
The deal was that if you purchased the MAIN BOARD by June 30th, they would sell
you the modules at $699 when they came out. This was presumably as a "thank
you" for purchasing their product before the modules were actually shipping.
Pete
That is not what I was told by the company. What you are saying makes sense but
they should state it that way. They did not.
Darryl
Sorry Daryl, I've completely forgotten the thread of this msg.
It's okay about forgetting the string. I've decided to go with the Toaster 4000
anyway.
Darryl
Darryl,
I don't know who your local distributor is but I'll butt in here to
dispel any misconceptions your message may generate. My OpalVision card
blew a resistor shortly after I got it. Centaur had me all fixed up in a
couple of days. The support I've gotten from them has been excellent.
All units shipping are bare bones. The price deal means that if you buy
the main board before June 30th, you can get the modules at the lower
price when they ship.
-Richard
That date of the 30th June may bear out the rumours here that the
add-on boards for OpalVision will be released at the WOC show in
Sydney 2nd-4th July. I will be going over to see the show but wont be
able to pass on any info untill about Tuesday 6th July. Some of the
Aussie Amiga users here will be able to upload info I hope, while the
show is on.
A portable Amiga would be neat in this situation. 🙂
Laurie,
Keep us posted. Should be very interesting to see what they come up with.
-Richard
Wayne,
OV is committed to taking NewTek and the VT head on. They will undercut
any price and will offer more. This is what I've been told…
It's nice to see this strong competition! We the users can only stand to
reap the many benefits! 🙂
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago Stadium, GO BULLS!
Louis,
Its nice that Opal is not Toaster-awed, but they still must
a) ship the video processor and the swithcer box
b) provide as simple a user interface as the Toaster
c) have equal or better signal output than the Toaster.
d) provide an easier to use, better documented animation package than
Imagine.
e) insure that their products can work with existing edit controllers,
(especailly ones that understand SMPTE and RS-422).
I hope they succeed, but the longer they wait until they deliver, it could
be like beta and VHS.
wmc – via Autopilot!
Its nice that Opal is not Toaster-awed, but they still must
a) ship the video processor and the swithcer box b)
provide as simple a user interface as the Toaster c)
have equal or better signal output than the Toaster. d)
provide an easier to use, better documented animation package than
Imagine. e)
insure that their products can work with existing edit controllers,
(especailly ones that understand SMPTE and RS-422).
In response:
a) True.
b) So far I feel the OV interface is superb!
c) If what I'm told is true, it will better the Toaster.
d) "Better documented.." Imagine? I wouldn't hold my breath waiting. It
also does support Real3D 2.0 which blows aways both Imagine and
Lightwave. I do most of my modeling in Imagine and set up the scene and
render in Lightwave. Real3D 2.0 will be in my hands soon.
e) True.
stay tuned….
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago Stadium, GO BULLS!
Louis,
Have you seen Real3D 2.0??? I'm interested in knowing how it blows away
lightWave.
JG
Ummm, hate to be a Scootch here but, Since you will "Have Real 3D 2.0 in
yer hands soon" I imagine that means you haven't used it yet, if so HOW
can you Possibly say it's So Bloody Amazing if ye haven't used it yerself
as yet?????????
The Maker's make some AMAZING claims tis true But as PT Barnum said
"Theres a Sucker Born Every minute"
To All:
Have had my OpalVision for a week and can't rave enough about it. It
dovetails nicely with AdPro and VistaPro has never looked better. I'd like to
see direct support by VistaPro though, hear me Clint? OpalPaint makes even a
non-artist like myself look good. Since I'm getting Imagine 2.0 and a discount
coupon on the add-on boards I feel the price was well worth it. Anyone looking
to upgrade to a 4000 should consider this option first.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
Wait till you see Imagemaster R/t work with your OpalVision… you'll
think you have all-new hardware. :^)
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben,
Sounds great about Imagemaster R/T & OpalVision. You have to excuse my
excitement, this is my first taste of 24 bit graphics. It is now obvious that
VistaPro was meant to be used with a 24 bit board, the clouds NOW look real.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
24-bit displays of all types are kind of a "You can't go back" addiction.
:^)
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
Ben,
I'm looking forward to the addon frame grabber module. I have lots of
plans for that.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
PMFJI, Don are you using Imagine with OplVsn? Did you get the version
from Centaur?
What model of Amiga and monitor are you running with OplVsn?
Tks.
CJ
Chris,
I haven't received my Imagine yet although Centaur is supposed to send me a
copy. I have an Amiga 3000 w/ 10 megs of memory and a Sony MultiSync. You
must use a multisync that syncs down to 15 Khz. I just can't get over how
versatile OpalPaint is. DPaint was my paint program of choice for years until
now.
What I've been doing mostly is rendering in VistaPro in 24 Bit and doing
conversions in OpalPaint. I have the Gifs Galore CD-Rom which I convert using
AdPro bringing objects into my VistaPro renderings. I'd love to be able to do
a 24 Bit VistaPro animation but I'd probably have to use a small picture size
to get any kind of speed. I haven't tried it yet though.
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
Frank,
I called and spoke with Greg Niles about the delays. It is my
understanding the the OV modules will be released at the WOC in Australia
in July. They are standing firm on this promise.
I was told that they had a problem with the "video chip" specs. He said
that the engineer is a perfectionist and the chip could not deliver the
quality and performance as promised. They have now switched to a different
chip and things are just about done. They are very happy with it, and it's
performance.
I also inquired about the CG and how it would stack up to the Toaster 4000
CG, which I thought was quite impressive. He said that he was surprised to
see that the Toaster 4000 CG was so similar to what they were offering. He
says the OV CG will also include transitional effects and much much
more…
-Louis
On AUTOPILOT over Chicago Stadium, GO BULLS!
Louis,
Thanks for the info, I am still waiting for the OV video boards to ship to
dealers before I get too enthusiastic.
Frank
For Video get the Toaster and FORGET all the Hype of the Opalvision.
If all you want to do is Paint/View images in 24 bit get opalvision.
The Toaster is a Proven Video peripheral the Opalvision modules SOUND
impressive but till someone OTHER than Centaur/Opaltech sees them who
know's
Well, we arelooking into making commercials and looking for the best
software/hardware to do it..
For Commercials, if you have an IBM?Clone you would probably be better off
with 3D Studio over Imagine since 3D Studio is FASTER renderer. And The
less time you spend rendering the better. Unfortunately the initial outlay
for 3D Studio is CONSIDERABLY more than that for Imagine I'd say 3D Studio
is approx 6 times the price of Imagines LIST price.
Is 3D Studio hardware and software or just software for 3 grand? If it's
just software, I'll live with longer traces and stay with the VT for my
future plans. *8)
-= Vance =- Image Master
using Black Belt Systems' Imagemaster!
3D Studio is $2995 for SOFTWARE ONLY. But then again Alias Animator is
$22,000 for Software only so that makes 3D Studio look like a Bargain.
A Bloke I know that sells Clones was Thrilled when he found out about
Imagine for the IBM/Clone's he said it will sell like Hot Cakes since so
many folks WANT to do 3D Animation on their Clones but couldn't afford
software like 3D Studio.
Well, that settles it for me then. I'll stick with the Toaster. *8)
-= Vance =- Image Master
using Black Belt Systems' Imagemaster!
>Is 3D Studio hardware and software or just software for 3 grand?
3D Studio is only a Software product, there is no HardWare other than the
PC.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
Don't forget Mr. Dongle!
Of course with the lightwave you may not get faster rendering but you sure do
get a better dongle!!!
🙂
Wait a minute.. we were talking about Opalvision over Video Toaster on an
AMIGA.. I'm trying to find which would be better or if there is anything to
else to make commercials..
For doing Commercials the Toaster is MUCH Superior to the Opalvision
CURRENTLY. When and if the Mythical "Other Modules" for the OV appear that
may change.