CompuServe Thread

USED 811U & Targa+16-32

14 messages in this thread
#55752From: Alex KaramanoglouSep 1, 1993 9:32 AM
Hi there, I'd like to reach those of you who have used equipment for sale. I'm interested in a JVC BR-S811U used. And in a used Targa+ 16-32 board. If there is anyone out there with any of these, please let me know. Alex K.
#55877From: James M. MurphySep 2, 1993 12:22 AM
Alex, I thought you were buying the Matrox Illuminator Pro Board? James M. Murphy
#55998From: Alex KaramanoglouSep 2, 1993 6:52 PM
No James. I was steered away from that, since the Targas are tried and true. So for the $$ that I have, I'll just take the targa. Alex K.
#56041From: John TissavarySep 3, 1993 4:23 AM
I think you are making a BIG mistake. I have a Targa+ 16/32, and will trade it in for an Illuminator Pro the second I get enough money. 512×486 resolution is just not enough for high quality, high end animation and that's that. The Targa's are tried and true, but so are a lot of out-dated pieces of technology. And the ATVista is just overpriced. I suggest you do some SERIOUS research before tossing thousands of dollars at "tried and true" equipment. FWIW, John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#56052From: Alex KaramanoglouSep 3, 1993 6:56 AM
Point taken John. Let me ask you something though, (and this IS part of my research) : How does the ATVista stack up to the Illuminator Pro, regardless of price? (some one offered me an ATV). Because to be quite honest, I'm taking suggestions from people who are in animation and have been doing this for a long time. I don;t know that much about these boards. PLease let me know. Thanks Alex K.
#56113From: John TissavarySep 3, 1993 4:23 PM
To tell you the truth, I don't know too many _real_ specifics about each board, but have seen excellent output from both. The ATVista is a wonderful, albeit expensive, board. The advantage of the Illuminator Pro lies in price (cheaper), and in the fact that it uses on board CCIR-601 4:2:2 digital format, and I don't think the ATVista does. I believe this will give the Illuminator Pro the advantage in the future (the future is here now!) takeover of the digital format in broadcast and industrial markets. The new Sony Beta Digital is out, and it really STOMPS! Truevision has plans for the digital domain with the DVR stuff, but that's not out yet. I think I would go with the Illuminator Pro based on my tastes in digital (Abekas), and the price. Hope this helps, John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#56186From: Ana Francisca GervasSep 4, 1993 12:14 PM
How about the ATVista Digital? Ana
#56384From: John TissavarySep 6, 1993 3:46 PM
I'm not familiar with this card, but would be glad to hear more about it. The problem I have with ATVista is that you need a trans/encoder (lots of $$$) to run it to anything but certain recording devices, plus they cost TOO much under any circumstances in my book. I'm tired of companies charging a premium because they've been the only ones on the block for so long. Now that Matrox is gunning up some competition let's see how long Truevision keeps their prices that high. Regards, John Tissavary (La Luna cie) P.S.: I don't have anything against the hardware Truevision makes, I think it's grade A (I own a Targa+).
#56393From: Ana Francisca GervasSep 6, 1993 4:56 PM
Well, JOhn. I think the reason of the encoder lack in the ATVista is not the desire of cahrging you more or anything. As most people have pointed here, the Truevision solution to get RGB to recordable signal is the VIDI/O nad the quality is poor than the Targa+. So anyone who spend the money to get the Vista, really don't care about the encoder. They just get a very high quality box to connect that very high quality frame buffer they just have bought to get very high quality signal for their very high quality VTR and have a very high quality tape 🙂 Most of the opinions I have heared here from most of these venerable animators and video professionals is that they don't like internal encoders (?!) Even more, I've hear that they don't like the encoders of LVRs (that could accept direct ATVista input -not Greg Pyros, of course 🙂 Don't ask me why, but I think that, if they have said this (and know a lot more of this than me) there has to be a powerfull reason to do so (or all is a complot to make us, little freshmans, to buy more -they should have a % <g>). And I think that this reason is image quality. Anyway, I will remain with the Targa+ until I take a look to DVR 🙂 BTW, any opinions of the description of this awesome new tech that is in the Truevision library at MULTIVEN? Wow! I will love to see DVR based things in action 🙂 I posted a message to hear opinons and thoughts but I choose the incorrect section (Cyberspace instead of Hardware), and it seems that nobody read it. Best regards, Ana ps.oh, I forget about the ATVista Digital. AS far as I know, it will provide you digital output to plug it to one of those those out-of-this world and very expensive digital videos that I only can see in the movie theater <g>
#56572From: John TissavarySep 7, 1993 10:35 PM
I agree that in the highet order of things, a seperate, personal choice of encoder/transcoder is the way to go. But it seems ridiculous to offer a high res card with only that option. That is why I like the Matrox board. The output I've seen from both is excellent, and to tell you the truth, I can't see a difference, and I'll bet 99% of the people who end up seeing animations (they are not ALL technicians) won't either. The difference between 512x and 720x is quite large, however, and I think it's a shame that Truevision doesn't recognize a market above Targa+ and just a squigin below ATVista Digital. The Matrox offers on board CCIR-601 specs, and that is as good as it gets as far as I know. Besides, I do all my stuff on an Abekas. I just wish I could buy a card for under $2500 that did 720×486 so I wouldn't have to scale everything in VP to do previews on my deck at home. Regards, hope you're having fun in Florida. John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#56679From: Sep 8, 1993 10:43 AM
John: >> I think it's a shame that Truevision doesn't recognize a market above >> Targa+ and just a squigin below ATVista Digital. You can always render to a smaller resolution than the board size! I would take the 720×486 files and just load them in the center of a 756×486 screen! Easy to do, won't mess with the field order, aspect ratio is off only a little, and you just get black in the safe frame area anyway! Perfectly adequate for previews and approvals before sending off to D-1! Greg Pyros
#56275From: Alex KaramanoglouSep 4, 1993 10:58 PM
Hi John, I appreciate you taking the time out to respond to my message.. and believeme, it's been very helpful. Thanks…! Alex K.
#56397From: John TissavarySep 6, 1993 5:41 PM
Glad to be of help, Alex. John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#56092From: James M. MurphySep 3, 1993 1:49 PM
John, I couldn't have said it better!!!! I thought I had this discussion with Alex a while back. Hey Alex I'd be glad to send you all the Matrox Liturature you can handle. Including a Targa Comparison. Just E-Mail me your Address. James M. Murphy