#Truevision or Matrox??
23 messages in this thread
We're about to get 3DS, but what board is preferred? We need to output to
Betacam SP, which we do now with TOPAS through an ATVISTA connected to a
Faroudja transcoder.
Any thoughts out there on a Truevision vs Matrox board to achieve the same (or
better) quality level??
Info appreciated ASAP.
Thank you.,
Don
Don,
The AT Vista solution you have will also work just great for 3DS.
Particularly the Faroudja.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
We're dealers (and users) of Truevision & Matrox, PAR & MAX (We've had MAX
in-house & used it, it's CERTAINLY SUPERIOR in image quality to PAR…which is
pretty good, by the way). The Illuminator PRO has it hands down over the
AT-VISTA (which I still use). There's no developer kit for the VISTA, the
Matrox has DVE, TBC, a software developers kit AND a component out (YUV) board.
Plus you can go out D1 with an add on board (Miranda Toccata). Matrox is now
shipping the 'B' series of the Illuminator PRO. Also it's part of the suite
that makes up MAX.
Thanks for confirming my impressions that the MAX has superior output to the
PAR. I though maybe I was going crazy… or blind <g>
John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
I'm sure the MAX has superior profitability on initial sale compared to the PAR
too.
Don,
>> I'm sure the MAX has superior profitability on initial sale compared to the
PAR too. <<
You really hit the nail on the head there Don. With all due respect to Frank,
they would be doing a better service to their customers by showing them DDR's
(Accom, Abekas), if the PAR's quality won't cut it.
FYI, according to the May '94 AV/Video article about animation recorders, a
Windows Interface is in development (not specified whether in-house or 3rd
Party). Also, 16-bit sound support, EDL and SMPTE support via a general device
interface, and DOS level scripting capability.
Martin,
Considering how cheap DDR's are, it may not be a far cry from the MAX unit to
pick up a DDR. It all depends on what a particular company needs and what type
of equipment they already have, but there are possitives and negatives to both
pieces of equipment and I'd say the only real difference is functionality and
compatibility.
Paul
Paul,
how much is an entry-level, D1-quality DDR these days? I think a complete MAX
setup would probably be ~$9k with a 2gb hardrive, EISA m/b, EISA controller,
MAX, Illum. Pro 4mb.
Martin,
List is probably around $16K, but it's possible to find them for close to $10K.
Of course then you have a true D1 framebuffer for every machine that you can
connect to the network. We have ours arranged so that you can render to it from
any machine, SGI/PC/MAC on the network and see the frame on several monitors.
Additionally all machines can login to it and play sequences, automatically
dump sequences to the BVW, etc. without ever getting out of your seat.
Additionally we have a number of programs that will automatically grab the
frames one at a time, bring them into the computer, alter, composite, add
efects to, etc. that frame and put it back in place in batch mode.
You can also control speeds, 33 times as fast to one 33rd of normal speed etc.
All from any computer. So it's nice to adjust frame rates and get the desired
results without re-rendering. You can also back it up remotely, so it's like
having one for every machine. Which brings the cost down dramatically.
I could go on and on, we find new uses for it every day. 🙂
It also complies to Sony422 proto, so it directly integrates into any edit
suite. You can simply tell it a segment, inpoint for the Beta deck, and speed
and it will totally control the BVW, which really helps alot. It has 8 GPI
ports.
Oh well, I'll shut up now………….
Paul
P.S. – Did I mention that you don't have to tie up any expansion slots? 🙂
Gawd, Paul, your place sounds like one big toy-box!
Can I come over and play sometime?<g>
-Alan
Sure!!!!!!!!!!
But if you come by, I may put you to work! I'm dying under deadlines. 😐
Paul
He-he…
If I ever get out that way, I'll be sure to reserve some time for "working
vacation" days…<g>
It's great to see so many folks so busy with 3D!
-Alan
Paul,
the Abekas configured in the way you describe sounds like a fabulous solution
for network-quality animations. Awesome!
I know it'd be overkill for many, like me, who only ever (so far) do work in
the corporate/industrial arena. In my case, the video stuff I do just sidejobs:
demo tapes and the occasional video project.
>>I know it'd be overkill for many, like me, who only ever (so far) do work in
the corporate/industrial arena.
Most of my work falls into this category and the Targa 2000 should be
a great tool when the niggles are sorted out. The ability to edit
animations, video and audio with Premiere means that you can compete
directly with the traditional video companies. In a field like mine,
subsea, it makes a lot of sense to base the presentation on
animations with supporting video, not the other way round.
OK my first edit is pretty amateurish but it's going to get better. About half
my work is direct for industrial clients and the Targa 2000 opens up a lot of
new avenues.
– Martin Bowring
Martin,
glad to hear that the Targa 2000 is working out for you. I looked into
it somewhat since it sounded like an interesting swiss-army kindof a
board. The main stumbling block was price. It's priced in the
stratosphere, for me, just like the MAX.
Price – Well if the damn thing would work properly I would sell my Targa+ and
AG7750 with no regrets and cash to spare.
Quality – Truevision promise a YUV option soon, though I don't think I'll buy
it. I invested in Exabyte/ADSG but so far none of my tight fisted "broadcast"
clients have paid for it. Great back up though, no regrets.
Swiss Army – My point exactly.
Regards
– Martin Bowring
Oh, boys and girls, I love this kind of messages! <g>
Let's see, if I convince Martin and Alan to sell their PARs and get the
"materials" to make the assault to Fort Knox, maybe… mmmh… yeah, that could
be a good idea. I will sell the PowerMac and put the brains for the "operation"
<bg>
ana /krazy images
Ana,
>> if I convince Martin and Alan to sell their PARs <<
Never! Not for love or money. At least, not until something better comes out
for the same or less money <g>.
>> make the assault to Fort Knox <<
You mean "assault _on_", I think 🙂
Are you suggesting a robbery so we can have an hardware unlimited budget? Well,
in that case, I'd probably buy what Paul has <g>.
>>hardware unlimited budget
Hey, this is startin' to sound good!<g>
-Alan
Alan,
>> this is startin' to sound good!<g> <<
sure is. We'll need the unlimited budget for our new DPS "Personal Flock of
Seagulls" <g>.
*
You mean "assault _on_", I think 🙂
*
O thank you for pointing out that little grammatical errors <g>
Well, I already have a plan (I have seen Goldfinger again 🙂 and it could be
easily done. Do you want to have an Abekas or not? <G>
ana /krazy images
Ana,
>> Do you want to have an Abekas or not? <G> <<
Oh, OK. I'm in! I'll need an Abekas and a D1 editing suite – it's for my home
videos <g>.