CompuServe Thread

#Opalvision

18 messages in this thread
#42707From: James R. OllickAug 5, 1994 8:29 PM
I picked up an Opalvision Main Board last week, and am very happy with it. Are there any other Opalvision owners out there? Do you have any tricks to share?
#42742From: Andrew PorterAug 8, 1994 1:43 PM
I got an OpalBoard last month although I haven't used it much except as a display device for ImageMaster R/t. OpalPaint does look very good. What do you hope to use it for? Andrew ICAM — ActiveMedia Development / IICS Toronto Newsletter Editor Zipping in from Toronto, Ontario on AutoPilot…
#42749From: James R. OllickAug 8, 1994 10:28 PM
I am developing a video of backgrounds (animated and stills). I hope to advertise it for sale to ad production companies. Jim R. Ollick Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ
#42751From: Andrew PorterAug 9, 1994 3:33 AM
Ah, that might be a good market. I develop interactive presentations and hope to use OV to develop graphics, etc. Have you tried ImageMaster R/t or other graphic utility programs like that? Andrew ICAM — ActiveMedia Development / IICS Toronto Newsletter Editor Zipping in from Toronto, Ontario on AutoPilot…
#42765From: James R. OllickAug 11, 1994 12:08 AM
I have ADpro 2.5, however you really do not need it with Opalvision since OV has just about any image manipulation tool you need. The more I explore OpalPaint the more tools I find. I just wish I hadn't waited to buy the card, I missed out on the Montage offer.
#42783From: Andrew PorterAug 11, 1994 10:44 PM
Too bad about missing the Montage offer. That's what clinched it for me. I had IMR/t before I got OV so I use it as much because I'm used to it. Also, I do a lot of converting from GIFs and TIFs etc which OpalPaint doesn't support. Now I have to upgrade Imagine because the version I have doesn't support OV. It's funny how making one purchase forces one to make additional purchases. Do you think you will go for the VideoProcessor, now that it is being marketted?
#42804From: James R. OllickAug 12, 1994 6:55 PM
I called Centar 2 weeks ago and they said that the other pieces wern't ready yet. Has this changed? If I have the money I will. Do you have pricing? Also, what about the rouster (sp?) chip, wasn't it supposed to enable DVE transitions in hardware? If the processor is just a genlock, freeze frame, chroma key device, I have no use for it at this time. I have a SuperGen and a PAR/TBC IV combo at the present time. I have Imagine 3.0 and just signed up for the $100. constant upgrade program today. 3.1 should be shipping in 7 to 10 days. If the rouster (sp?) chip does DVE's, that is the product I need the most. It is too bad Centar doesn't have a section in AmigaVend, why don't you suggest it to them. Jim R. Ollick Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ
#42807From: Andrew PorterAug 12, 1994 9:46 PM
James, I received an order form a couple weeks ago to order the VideoProcessor (which I believe includes RoasterChip). The way it works is you have to preorder it and they will manufacture it with your name on it (sorta like Saturn Cars). I personally don't have $1049 ($999 + $50 s/h) laying around to buy it with but if you are interested I'd give 'em a call. As I understand it, the Roaster Chip originally wasn't going to be a part of the VideoProcessor but is now included in the price. It offers DVEs. >> I have Imagine 3.0 and just signed up for the $100. constant >> upgrade program today. 3.1 should be shipping in 7 to 10 days. How do you like it. To tell the truth, I haven't used Imagine2 enough to justify upgrading. Here I have all this S/W and I don't use nearly enough.
#42825From: James R. OllickAug 13, 1994 7:48 PM
For that price, I'll order it. I'll give them a call next week. Imagine is great, I just wish I had the time to explore all of its' functions.
#42828From: Andrew PorterAug 13, 1994 9:44 PM
>> For that price, I'll order it. I'll give them a call next week. Hey, if you want to buy two I'd be happy to take your spare…<BG> I, and I'm sure lots of other people, would be interested to hear your comments about it when you get it.
#42879From: James R. OllickAug 16, 1994 7:17 PM
I called Centaur today, they said the Processor will ship soon. It is not ready yet. They also said that they mailed out ordering info to all owners. I said that I just purchased the board a couple of weeks ago and did not get an order form. They said that there was an Aug. 10 deadline for orders and the production department can only handle those orders already received for the 1st batch they make. ARGH!!!! They would not take an order over the phone (the man said they were not equiped to do so) (DOUBLE ARGH!!!). He said that there should be an order form on the back of the Sept. or Oct. AmigaWorld and to use it. I have the Sept. AW and it is not on that one, just an Opalvision ad. I am not a happy camper. Jim R. Ollick Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ
#42809From: Michael MiloffAug 12, 1994 10:56 PM
Andrew, I just noticed you here. We met some time ago at an IICS session. Since we met I have bought a Toaster 4000 system and am doing some stuff. I'm wondering what you are up to with the Amiga. Michael
#42827From: Andrew PorterAug 13, 1994 9:37 PM
Hi Michael, Yes, I saw your name but I wasn't sure if you were you, if you know what I mean. How do you like your T4000 system? What am I doing with the Amiga? Well, less and less as time goes by, unfortunately but I still use it regularly. I just got a 486 so now I am trying to up my skills for the marketplace with CorelDraw, Toolbook etc. As for the Amiga, I am trying to make use of it as a graphics workstation, using IMR/t to port to the PC and I just finished an interactive children's book prototype with AmigaVision. As you may have gathered from this thread that I also just got an OpalVision board. As usual, I still use it for the IICS newsletter (you can expect a copy in a couple weeks or you can d/l it from CIS in the multimedia forum.) What do you use the T4000 for, primarially? Andrew ICAM — ActiveMedia Development / IICS Toronto Newsletter Editor Zipping in from Toronto, Ontario on AutoPilot…
#42830From: Michael MiloffAug 13, 1994 10:19 PM
Andrew Its great to actually talk to someone you have actually met in person (in Toronto) on CompuServe. I got the T4000 system primarily to make business related videos and provide audio-visual support. I have in fact hired someone named Russ Spencer who is working on this full time. I am only spending maybe a week, as I have to operate my normal consulting practice (to pay for all of this). We just really go going in June. We just completed providing audio visual support for a conference in Vancouver for the Society of Safety Engineers, and I am consulting to another organizaion on how to use multi-media to support their efforts. This will lead to a series of short video modules. ( I have an order for the flyer). Then, I have a couple of initiatives going with two groups on making videos for the non-profit sector. These two are more speculative oriented; i.e – coming up with a good idea and trying to sell it in the market place. I have a few other items on the go. My basic approach is to try and capitalize on consultant experience/networks while we learn the trade. For now, I am offering to do things at below market rates in order to acquire some experience. Now, I have also started a dialogue with Hugh Ranalli that I hope will lead to some CD ROM work on the IBM side. I think you and Hugh know each other or worked with each other if I am not mistaken. I would be delighted to talk this way or by phone or in person with you further about AMIGA land as I am new to it, and have my own background in IBM. Michael
#42840From: Andrew PorterAug 14, 1994 7:14 PM
Michael, >> Its great to actually talk to someone you have actually met in person Yes, it's easy to forget that they typist at the other end of the line is a real person. It sounds like you have a lot going. My problem regarding MM is that I'm interested in developing the product and not actually getting out a slugging contracts. I enjoy playing with my toys. 8) Yes, Hugh and I worked together for about 3 weeks. I had just started at Tayson as he was leaving. We communicate regularly and he is now the Associate Editor of InforMedia. I worked with Peter Richardson at Tayson Information for about 5 months primarially developing and maintaining a kiosk in the National Sports store at Yonge and Sheppard (it's still there 'till the end of the month if you are interested). It was a windoz based product done in Multimedia Toolbook. We almost went with the Amiga but Pete is a PC person and didn't want to take the risk on an unknown platform. >> I would be delighted to talk this way or by phone or in person with you >> further about AMIGA land as I am new to it, and have my own >> background in IBM. Certainly, I've emailed you my phone number and you can also find it on the newsletter. I switched to the Amiga in '90 (from the PC) after a dealer demonstrated how it can multitask (play music, wordprocess AND format a disk!) I am now making my way back to Windows with the purchase of a 486. A fact of finances. 8( Actually, Windoz based systems are getting better and Chicago should make the switch easier. I'd like to hear more about your CDROM project. That is my ultimate goal, to develop CDROMs. Kiosks are fine but they don't have the same depth or interesting information that can be contained in CDROMS. >> For now, I am offering to do things at below market >> rates in order to acquire some experience. Tell me about it, it's so true! 8) Andrew ICAM — ActiveMedia Development / IICS Toronto Newsletter Editor Zipping in from Toronto, Ontario on AutoPilot…
#42842From: Michael MiloffAug 14, 1994 9:41 PM
Hi Andrew, Just got the IICC newsletter. It was excellent. It seems to have more substance than a few issues ago. In case you are interested, there were a lot of blank pages in my fax. I played around with toolbook a long time ago. I liked the metaphor, but it seemed awfully slow. In fact, what pushed me to getting an AMIGA was how painfully slow it was to move around complex images in IBM. I have a 486DX 66 with a pretty fast hard drive and 16MB RAM and using ASTOUND and COMPEL, it was really difficult getting any zip to moving images around. SCALA was far superior. I have an order in for the Flyer but I am admittedly nervous and even having some second thoughts if it is not better to revert back to the IBM. The other issue I am thinking about is how best to boost rendering speed. Warp engine or something else, I guess is the question. Now that LW is on IBM, I am wondering how fast the rendering speed will be compared to an AMIGA. Any ideas? I don't have a CD ROM project. Rather, Hugh and I have talked about getting one. I have lots of ideas, of course, and a number of contacts. So, I want to carefully pick which one I do for a really low price, because it has to work well as a demo. Till the next correspondence. Michael
#42907From: Tom Patrick-InnoVision TAug 18, 1994 12:15 AM
Hi, Give me a call and I'll give you a good price MONTAGE 24 will also be offered with the Video Processor due to ship this Sept./Oct., beta units are out now, and MT24 will have a new "credit roll" function as well. All The Best, Tom Patrick InnoVision Technology 510-638-0800
#42920From: James R. OllickAug 18, 1994 5:47 PM
I intend to purchase the Video Processor, so I guess I'll just have to wait. Thanks for the offer. Jim R. Ollick Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ