CompuServe Thread

#SHOMI Dual TBC

9 messages in this thread
#2136From: Bill DwyerOct 30, 1990 12:01 PM
I talked to Shomi in San Diego yesterday. Their new Cheetah Dual TBC sounds like it was invented for the toaster. They faxed me a brochure. Its got a list price of $3000 but they've got an introductory special price of $1995. They say they are talking to Newtek about Toaster bundles. Spec says: 2 auto hetrodyne TBCs; 2 four field infinite window frame syncronizers; 2 individual 512x768x24 bit digital processing channels; 2 Proc Amps; 5 input synchronous switcher on Cahnnel B; 2 freeze frame still stores, field selectable, full bandwidth; 2 internal RS170A sysnc generators; 2 cahnnel horizontal and sub-carrier sync adjustment; velocity averaging correction for color(?); Optomized K correction (?); Automatic full bandwidth or color-under processing; TBC for any VCR including 10x shuttle and AB Roll; 400 lines of resolution; separate external sync input per channel; 2 inputs on Channel A plus 2 input loops; fader A & B to output (2 channel dissolve/fader bar); 5 selectable inputs plus 5 input loops with sync input plus loop on channel B; 2 individual 6 output distribution amps flat to 13 MHz; Rack or table model both with 2 year warranty. Seems that the motivation behind this product is their other (main) product, a SEG called the Adventurer which is a studio in a box for $5295. Sounds interesting, no? Bill Dwyer
#2138From: Rick BrennerOct 30, 1990 4:30 PM
Do you know what any of that mumbo-jumbo means? If you do, please share it with this non-techno-wizard, or should I say future-techno-wizard-in -training! By the way, I got your package. Thanks loads. Where'd you come up with that logo. Look cultish. Are you a mooney? Later..RB
#2166From: Bill DwyerOct 31, 1990 10:37 AM
I know what a little of it means – my intent is to compare the specs to the others I have for Fora and Mictrotime – then get a unit for a trial, my AB controller which also needs TBC should arrive today so even before I get the Toaster, I should be able to see how it works. Near as I can tell they are offering 2 full frame TBCs in a single chasis for under $2K. The only thing I found that is even close was 2 used, very beat up, 16 liners for $2000. Additionally, the switcher on B saves the cost of a separate switcher. As to my dragon – Its a color scan of a Singapore gold coin. Among other things I'm a dealer in custom design color business cards. That card is one of several I use (2 with dragons, one with a fetish bear and one with just a name (boring!)). It usually leads to "how did you do that" which produces revenue. As to my "cult", I forgot you were from the midwest <grin>. In California, we assume everyone's in a cult. I'm not a moonie, just a dragon-junkie. Besides which, my chinese friends believe that a dragon is the ultimate good luck symbol. Bill
#2169From: Rick BrennerOct 31, 1990 3:07 PM
Geez, if I'd have remembered you were from California I wouldn't have even asked! Dragons don't mix well with khakis and oxford button downs, so I'm not too used to seeing them. (I thought it was a snake or something!) Glad to know you're not a skin-head. Good luck with the TBC.
#2171From: Bill DwyerOct 31, 1990 5:31 PM
(laughing out loud) A snake! A guess that means that your Polos don't come with little dragons on the pockets. As to the rest my 5850's and AB controller arrived, now I'm trying to figure out if I'm smart enough to hook em up. Actually wont do me a lot of good until I get some monitors. I'll let you know what I do about the TBC. Did you send the stuff on the NuVista +? Bill
#2175From: Rick BrennerOct 31, 1990 7:53 PM
No, Truevision just sent me the dealer pak today, and I don't think I have literature on the products yet. I'm real gung-ho though, since the stuff I've seen on the Targas and the NuVistas is pretty slick. There's an Amiga product for $3,500 called Caliguri Broadcast that is pretty unbelievable 3D. They make a $2,500 product called Caliguri Professional and a cheapy $195 product called Caliguri consumer. I don't have the slightest idea what the differences are, but the demo I saw (of "Broadcast") with a Targa board and a bridgeboard was pretty incredible. Mine have a little guy with a polo stick on a horse. I used to wear those guys with crocodiles. Dragons, huh? Whatever turns you on!
#2187From: Bill DwyerNov 1, 1990 12:06 PM
Have you seen Stratavision for the Mac. Its easy to use and produces spectacular (or specular (a rendering joke!?!) images. It also does animation. It's $595 + 195 for StrataFlight, the part that does animation. Problems are somewhat limited modeling capacity and relatively slow rendering. Still what I saw on Lightwave for the toaster seemed both better and more flexible. Very strong in modeling and unbelievable in the ease of animation. I've read about but not seen results from Caigari – the broadcast version which is 24 bit is well thought of but uncommon because of the price. The low-end one doesn't seem to win over Sculpt, Silver, Imagine etc. Bill
#2189From: Rick BrennerNov 1, 1990 5:58 PM
What about the new MacRenderman from Paracomp. I just got their stuff about upgrading Swivel and getting this new MacRenderman program rendering 3D models.
#2234From: Bill DwyerNov 3, 1990 3:54 PM
Yeah I got the mailer and I'm familiar with Renderman from high-end systems. Early reactions say great results but very slow. – Certainly Swivel needed something. Its terriffic modeling was sadled with some very amatuerish rendering.