CompuServe Thread

#Nervous MAX

24 messages in this thread
#124127From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 16, 1994 11:44 AM
Does anyone out there have the MAX except for John Tissavary and James Murphy? (BTW John, are you still so happy). Does the absence of MAX technical dialog here mean almost no one has one, OR they're working so flawlessly that no one needs to post problems? If the latter – you'll only see the smoke behind our wheels as we race off to place our order <BG>. We've been waiting for the owner population to reach critical mass for effective problem solving here on the forum … but we need to make a decision and are getting pretty nervous at not seeing anything … MAX owners – if you're out there, please speak up !!! Thanks for all input – Gayle G de N
#124327From: John TissavarySep 17, 1994 11:06 PM
I've still got my MAX, and I still love it. I used it for final output on several projects, actually, though none were for network broadcast. John Tissavary (LUNA cie, inc)
#124371From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 18, 1994 12:30 PM
Thanks for the update, John … but I'm still hoping for better than 'an "n" of 1". Please speak up, other MAX fans, if you're out there …. Gayle G de N, SAVANTES
#124628From: James M. MurphySep 20, 1994 12:09 AM
Gayle, Our Max is on Steroids in Big "D", He'll be back soon and yourrrrrr gonna realllly like it! <Major BG> Murph'
#124862From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 21, 1994 12:19 PM
Murph – You just accelerated beyond the cryptic fringe … what does that messgae MEAN??!! GAyle G de N P.S. (Also to John Tissavary – if he happens to download this) Do you happen to have a favorite scanner in the $1000 range – would be used mostly/entirely for scanning photos. Are any of the transparency attachments any good for 35mm slides, or should one just go the photoCD route. What is the story on the 600 dpi printer – is this the Fargo Primera?
#124951From: James M. MurphySep 21, 1994 7:24 PM
Gayle, >>> beyond the cryptic fringe <<< That means it's being "Integrated" into the RenderFarm system and fully optimized beyond belief! Gee Gayle….I got a favorite Scanner too……sniff sniff. Well if you insist….Depending on your requirements and budget a best buy is the Tamarack Color Scanner 6000C for Color Scans although it's very competitively priced at $1K, it actually beats the Hewlett-Packard ScanJet iicx and came out on top of 9 other scanners in a recent Scanner "shoot-out", You also get a full edition of Photoshop 2.5 which saves you money on your software budget. It supports TWAIN, It is best used as a COLOR scanner as it had lower ratings on the grayscale images and OCR tests. >>> 600 dpi printer – is this the Fargo Primera? <<< Yes! Murph'
#125099From: Mark YankeeSep 22, 1994 1:47 PM
James, PMJI << Depending on your requirements and budget a best buy is the Tamarack Color Scanner 6000C for Color Scans although it's very competitively priced at $1K >> I have never heard of Tamarack. Do you have there phone #? Thanks, Mark Yankee
#125207From: James M. MurphySep 23, 1994 12:24 AM
I'll have to look it up Mark, I think they were listed in Computer Shopper if that helps. Murph'
#125919From: Mark YankeeSep 27, 1994 8:48 PM
Thanks James. Mark Yankee
#125293From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 23, 1994 11:45 AM
Hi Murph' <<Tamarack CS 6000C>> Eh? Never heard of it. Where, please? Also, what scanner "shootout"? What were the tests used? (I don't need OCR much, but may want to do grayscale images as well as color). What are the chances anyone's going to offer Photoshop 3.0 with a scanner? I saw some UMAX scanners in the Tiger catalog that were listing for under $1,000 with full Photoshop and Kai's Power Tools – any comment? (I really want a Primera, but I ned to get a scanner first.) Gayle G de N
#125378From: James M. MurphySep 24, 1994 12:53 AM
Gayle, The Scanner Shoot out was in the Loathsum but necessary Computer Shopper Magazine a couple of issues back. The Tamarack had the best looking Color Picture as they published all the test shots. It was also written up as carfully as could be expected for a Magazine that has to take advertising from literally "Everybody". Tamarack Technologies can be reached at 1-800-643-0666. Murph'
#125528From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 25, 1994 6:46 PM
Murph, I think I'll stick with "tried and true" HP. Just call me chicken. Gayle G de N
#125948From: James M. MurphySep 27, 1994 10:35 PM
Ok….Poof!….Your a Chicken! 🙂 Murph'
#125360From: John TissavarySep 23, 1994 10:23 PM
Since I have a client that needs a lot of high rez scanning done I usually service the stuff to a place with a drum scanner and I haven't bought one myself yet. I'm leaning towards a slide scanner since they usually provide higher quality scans, take up less space (check out Nikon and Polaroid), and prices are down ($1500…). John Tissavary (LUNA cie, inc)
#124878From: MARTIN G FOSTERSep 21, 1994 1:42 PM
Gayle, >> Please speak up, other MAX fans, if you're out there …. << shout louder, you'll have to <g>. MAX owners who are not dealers or reviewers will be a bit sparse on CI$, I reckon.
#125291From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 23, 1994 11:44 AM
Well, I did get one authoritative and enthusiatic voice crying out from the otherwise-PAR wilderness <g>
#125160From: Shaun L. EttingerSep 22, 1994 7:13 PM
Gayle, I am the Technical Support Manager for Aerodata Computer in Plymouth, MI. I am really not a 3DS user and am not that familier with it. I have however configured our first MAX system. It has been up and running since mid-August. We (I) have done numerous video jobs with it since. We have not used our frame accurate recorders since putting the MAX on line, with the exception of outputting streams to them directly. The results of the MAX system rival any of those with frame accurate recording and the ease of operation is even greater. I have been able to network the MAX system into our Novell Graphics net (something Matrox did not recommend, nor try). We use it in 3DS as a slave on the net, then capture the rendered images to the MAX across the net. Video editing is a breeze. We also use it in Video Post and record directly to the MAX. I have done live/recorded video capture, and extracted frames from the captures and rendered streams. Done some rotoscoping, then rebuilt the streams. Our first real test of the MAX was a 9000 frame job. It was created in segments, edited, then outputed to tape. Prior to going to tape and after reviewing the actual streams, the customer wanted some video effects added. In a matter of an hour we added the effects and we're ready to go to tape. It only took 5 minutes to output to tape, compared with 2 days for conventional methods or about 8 hours using Quick-Pass. Imagine spending 2 days to output to tape, then having the customer decide to add some effects or change something!! Rendered TGA images at 720×486, about 750K each will compress at about the rate of 40 frames/minute. Far faster than direct 3DS VTR recording and much faster than Quick-Pass, and no wear and tear on the VCR. The reliability of the MAX has been outstanding. Generally the only problem is with-in the SCSI bus getting hung, something that does happen even in a non-MAX system. I now have well over a couple hundred hands-on hours with the MAX and am convinced that it is a very welcomed addition to video editing and 3DS. Response from our 3DS/Video accounts is nothing short of amazement. The only problem we have is getting Seagate drives on a regular basis! If you have any questions about the MAX system, feel free to E-Mail me here or give me a call at AeroData @ 313-454-4544 9am-5pm EST. Shaun L. Ettinger
#125204From: James M. MurphySep 23, 1994 12:24 AM
Gee shaun, now she's gonna wanna buy one! <BG> Murph'
#125292From: Gayle G de N, SAVANTESSep 23, 1994 11:45 AM
Shaun – Thank you so much for the detailed response – it's just what I was hoping for, though you clearly have a much more technical background than my partner, who will have the MAX at our "render site". At least I feel reassured that the system itself works for more than the two proud owners who have piped up to date – and that someone else is delighted with the output. I will send our MAX designee a copy of your letter, and thanks once again. Gayle G de N, SAVANTES
#125361From: John TissavarySep 23, 1994 10:23 PM
I can only assure you that you'll be happy with MAX. John Tissavary (LUNA cie, inc)
#125446From: David WrightSep 24, 1994 7:17 PM
Shaun just thought I'd butt in and say "hi" Hi! dr Dave
#125481From: Shaun L. EttingerSep 25, 1994 7:16 AM
Dave, Hi !! Been awhile, everything okay? Been up to anything exciting? You need to stop by and see MAX !! Shaun
#125496From: David WrightSep 25, 1994 11:20 AM
Shaun will do ! by the by – when is next user's group meeting? say hi to frank & gloria! all the best Dr Dave
#125584From: Shaun L. EttingerSep 26, 1994 6:25 AM
Dave, Good question, haven't had time to schedule one in I guess. Shaun