Opalvision
16 messages in this thread
Does anyone out there use Opalvision? Would I be making a mistake by
purchasing it? I want to use my A3000 for 3-D graphics and animation.
I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions any of you could give me.
I don't use Opalvision yet, but I'm in the same boat – with a 3000 trying to
figure out is Opalvision is the way to go. In addition, I'm curious about the
new Toaster-like accesory boards for Opalvision. If anyone's got any info,
please write…
Robert Rohonczy
Robert,
I've been using an OV board on my 3000 for some time now. I really like it
and have no problems recommending it to anyone. The paint program is
stupendous and has set precedents for other Amiga developers. The add ons
have yet to see the light of day. At this point, it kind of depends on
what you want the board for since there is a whole slew of display cards
on the market.
-Richard
I got an OPALVISION board. You mention that you want to do 3-D. What
do you have in mind with the OPALVISION board ?
I have been an owner of the OpalVision main board for a year now and I love it.
OpalPaint is the best 24 bit Amiga paint program I have worked with.
OpalAnimate (included with the OV software) works great for previewing
animations, and OpalPresents may be useful for you also, although I don't
really use it. The biggest drawback to the OpalVision system is that despite
the advertisements that might lead you to belive otherwise, the expansion
boards are not yet available, and they may not be for some time (the currently
expected release date is after the new year). This is an obvious problem if
you want to get into video work and laying animations to tape. The price on
the main board drops about every month or two, so if you can afford to wait
till the new year you should.
Best of Luck
Richard-BlissTechs
I called Centaur the other day regarding the expansion modules. They
say they are expecting to have them out before years end (for what
that's worth)!
-Richard
They've been saying that for two years! They are lying.
–Paul < Motorola Inside >
Precisely why I appended the"(for what that's worth)" to my comment.
-Richard
Yes, but I bet they refused to give you a solid date. Last year when
I bought my board I was told "Moduals in the spring!" In may I was
told "Begining of July!" in July I was told "End of August!" then I
was told "end of Oct" and buy the end of Sept. I was told "hopefully
by the new year!" Don't be surprised if it takes a while:)
I have had the same experience. I won't be surprised one way or the
other.
-Richard
Sorry for butting in here but… When I was a Graduate Art
Student (over two years ago) and just starting to do small graphics
projects I considered ALL the options that were then available for
graphics and video production. I chose the opal-vision board because
it held the promise of "Toaster-like" functions for less $$$. Even
the $600 discounted price for the main board was a stretch for me
then, but I purchased it anyway because the kind sounding person at
Centaur Development assured me that all modules would be out by that
Fall. It never happened. I explained to her that without at LEAST
the genlock module I could not use the board for doing business and
she said " Any month now…". I must have called every month for a
year, and every time the same person told me "Any month now…"
Well, I gave up on them and I suggest that anyone else even
considering the purchase of an opalvision board take a LONG HARD LOOK
at Centaur Dev.'s track record for delivering what they promise. I
will put up with A LOT of crap from vendors that I know will
eventually come through for me. But I will NOT put up with being
LIED to. Guess that makes my position fairly clear… (
Flame-Off… 😉 )
A guy who is now VERY happy owning a couple of Toasters…
Neil R. Thompson – SOUTHLIGHT POST ASSOCIATES
What did do you do with the OV card?
-Richard
Richard,
The OpalVision card was left with my friendly local Amiga dealer after
my 2000 was hit by lightning. It is still around there somewhere I guess.
(likely sitting on a shelf with my Mega Midget Racer, 32 bit daughter
card, GVP HC+8, and Syquest 88). If you are the tinkering type I could
call him and see if he has had any luck reviving the thing. I'm not sure
what I'd want for it even if it DID work. Let me know though…
Neil R. Thompson – SOUTHLIGHT POST ASSOCIATES
Neil,
Can't Imagine what I'd do with two OV's. I was mostly curious to see if
you ever used this card for anything.
-Richard
Could send it to me, I love to play with hardware….