#Consultants
17 messages in this thread
Subject: Video Toaster I recently attended the MacWorld Expo in Boston to
see what opt available as far as video on the macintosh was concerned. To
my surprise the product that I was most interested in happened to be an
amiga or amiga b based. I couldn't really get an objective view from
anyone at the show I think partly because it was a Mac event and the
amiga/video toaster was ma
making such a hit. What I'm looking for now is a listing or some names of
people who are currently using the toaster as my company is eager to learn
mormore about it. Because NewTek has not yet set up facilities or dealers
I am finding hard to get names. My company is located in New Haven, Ct. I
s Anyone in the New York, Mass. or Jersey area please let me know as I
would llike your opinion or possibly set up a meeting if that is agreeable
to you. Thanks for your time. I do apologize if this message was not typed
clearly as this is my first message written on CompuServe.
Karen,
You might want to pick up a copy of theAugust MacUser magazine. They had
some VERY interesting things to say about the Toaster in their Mac video
product review. One thing of particular note being that if you wanted to do
anything broadcast quality, buy an Amiga and Toaster. I quote "[Mac] DTV
quality simply isn't good enough." Its a very fair and honest comparison of
products and very enlightning.
Marcus Mullins 🙂
Karen,
At the community college where I teach (in Brockton, MA) we have a cable
tv studio (tied in with the local cable company and partially supported by
them). We are set up for 3/4 inch tape and can do three camera shoots.
There is a Chiron character generator, etc. though it is by no means new
stuff.
We got an Amiga with a Toaster a few months back and it it getting a lot
of use. So far, it has been pretty straightforward stuff. I don't think
they are even looking at the manual for Lightwave, for example. The shows
look a lot more "professional" now, of course.
The TV studio director is a smart and friendly person; I am sure he would
gladly give you a tour or just speak on the phone if that would help.
let me know if you want his number.
Good luck.
Jim Ventola
Jim, thanks so much for the info but as you may have quessed I've gotten
such a response from that one message, I was able to find someone nearby. I
am really amazed at the help I've gotten. Again, thanks so much. Karen
Karen,
There is a CBM dealer in NYC named Ben Lott of Leighs Computer (I think I
spelled that right) who is probably supplying Toaster users/businesses and
could probably point you to them. I believe his shop is near central park.
I would be happy to do it, but I only get to NYC/NH twice a year (April and
August) and don't bring my AMiga with me :^}
Look up Ben if no other stone turns for you.
wmc
Wayne, Central Park is 2.5 miles N-S and about 1/3 mile E-W, in the
middle of one of the most densely populated parts of the country. "Near"
Central Park is kinda vague. 😎
To be precise, Ben is at 83rd St. and 3rd Ave.
— Ethan
Thank you both for the info, I did however find someone in CT, hopefully
tthat will work out if not I'll look up Ben. Again thanks so much. Karen
Karen, take a look at Todd Rundgren's music video "Change Myself".
It is entirely computer graphics and entirely Toaster (except for the last
3 secs which are a shot from the Mac screen-blanker after dark 8). It is a
VERY impressive video.
BTW, call up NewTek and they'll probably send you a tape with his
video on it. They have two tapes they sell, one is more promotional, one is
more tutorial.
— Ethan
Ethan, I did receive a copy of NewTek's demo tape with Todd's animations.
It was quite impressive, however I read it took 10 toasters to complete it
in 5 weeks. I realize not every one will be doing such complex videos but
it makes you wonder how long a short animation will take. I am new to the
animation scene, I'm a mac artist and our company is expanding to video
prodc uction and we would like to keep it in house. I am amazed at the
replies I received. I got more info from compuserve than newtek. Again
thanks Karen
He did have 10 toasters, true. But that entire thing was 3-D
rendered. There weren't any straight video clips. If you plan on doing an
animation that is all 3-D rendered, be prepared for a slow process. But do
keep in mind that 040s are now out.
— Ethan
Also keep in mind that even if you have to go to ten Amiga/toaster combos,
even at Newtek's OEM version prices, it's still a far cry from paying for
one of the "professional" (ducking from all the flack I know might be
coming) machines like the Wavefront.
And with multiple machines, you can assign machines to jobs depending on
the workload.
Karen –
Just to add to the flood of replies you've already got, there is a store
in Woodbury, CT called InfoTronics that sells Amiga equipment (I bought my
system from there) which was setting up an extensive video system when I
last stopped by. The owner is very friendly and would be happy to direct
you to other places if he can't answer your questions.
Brian Warner
Brian, thank you so much for the valuable info. NewTek was unable to give
me a listing of users. I didn't expect to find someone so nearby.I'm
really not familiar with the amiga and did not no where to go. Thanks, I
will definetely call them. Karen
Hi! Just thought you should know that NewTek has a spot over in
AmigaVendor. If you have questions for them, you can post them there too.
Steve
Steve just wanted to let you know that as a first time forum user the help
I received was just great! Karen
Karen;
Glad to here that. Most of us "got started" on CIS because someone or
several someones helped us out. We were so pleased that we stuck around
(and certainly have not regretted staying either).
An Amiga message processed by Whap!,
bill
Great! I'm glad you're so pleased. Please let us know if there's anything
we can help you with. We aim to please! <grin!>
Steve