#Help with purchase
11 messages in this thread
Hello,
I'm hoping someone can help me. My principal just saw a Video Toaster
at a conference and wants to buy one for the school. Can anyone help with
what components I need to make a complete system? Does it use regular
camcorder input or do we need to get a special camera? I was told to make
an essential list and a wish list. Any help would be appreciated. Denesei
Denese,
Do you have any equip now?
A basic Toaster setup would be: A2000 cpu with a minimum of 5Mb of Ram,
minimum 100Mb Hard Drive (note Toaster sftwr takes up 40Mb of HD space) and
(strongly recommended) an Accelerator card/25Mhz to speed up graphics
processing. Approx price $5,000.
That will get you started with one camera/ or video deck. Additionally, if
you want to use more than one video source, you will need Time Base
correctors, unless you have them now. I'd recommend searching for a Toaster
user in your area and arrange a visit to gather more info first hand and
see it in operation.
Hope this helps.
C.Julson—->via Whap
Denese:
You might want to post your questions about Toaster set-ups in the NEWTEK
section of AmigaVendor. NewTek is the company that makes the Toaster and
can certainly point you in the right direction.
You might also want to call800-765-3406 for a free demo tape,
and call NewTek directly for product information (including complete
systems): 913-354-1146
BTW, where are you located? If we know that, maybe we can recommend a good
dealer in your area.
Denese, you need an Amiga 2000 computer with monitor and you should add a
Hard Disk drive (the bigger the better) with controller, at least 5 megs of
RAM (the more the better). That would be, in my opinion, your essentials
list. You could also add some type of accelerator to speed up the stock
A2000 computer, it makes a big difference. The camcorder will work with
the Toaster. Your best bet is to find a local Amiga dealer who can outfit
you with a complete system. Or try posting a message in the New Tek section
of the AmigaVendor forum. New Tek may or may not respond but someone else
surely will. Be aware that to get the Toaster to really do its thing it
needs a lot of add-ons.
John
Essential is a LARGE HD and Time Base Correctors for Each VCR used if doing
a show "LIVE" then TBC's not Mandatory but still useful MIDGARD GRAPHICS
If you are using standard VHS decks and camcorders
you WILL NEED a Time Base Corrector for it to properly work with the
Toaster.
The output from a LaserDisc, or a 'live' feed from a camcorder will be
stable enough for the Toaster, BUT if you try to playback a tape from a
deck that does not offer Time Base Correction there is a good chance the
Toaster will not be able to sync up to it.
Some consumer decks offer 'image enhancement' features that do simple time
base correction, but for all intents and purposes, you should add a Time
Base Corrector to your 'essential' list.
There are many TBCs, but I would recommend one that comes on a card that
can be plugged into your A2000 – thereby taking up less space than an
external TBC.
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Erik,Most PRO VTR's that have built in TBC's really aren't stable enuff for
Toaster use either.The reason is they are RARELY Full Frame TBC's Best to
use a Full Frame TBC and scan rate of at least 5.5 MHZ MIDGARD GRAPHICS
Thanks for the pointers.
I am coming at the problem from the cheap, low-budget,
find-something-that-might-do-the-job position.
I too would recommend full frame TBCs, and I assume you meant a Bandwidth
of 5.5 Mhz, not a 'scan rate' of 5.5Mhz (would that be H or V scan rate?
:^)
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
CHEAP/Low Budget eh??how about using DCTV to output to Video then? Can't
get much cheaper than that hehehehehehe.For a REALLY Cheap setup,Pester
your local Cable Access Station.Unfortunately you CAN'T make any profit
from shows done on their equipment and you are REQUIRED to let them Air
your show on their Cable Access Channel but they do have lovely gadgets to
fiddle with,tho you'd probably have to bring you;re own amiga with you.
MIDGARD GRAPHICS
Thanks for the input.
I AM tempted by the DCTV option.
Since I just had a near-fatal HD crash, I will be coughing up non-existent
money for a backup device BEFORE buying a cool gadget like DCTV.
(Unfortunately. :^(
(I almost lost 8MBs [and 3mos] work on a museum I am doing in LW! OUCH!)
([in a whiny tone:] But, it's such a hassle backing up to floppies . .)
Later,
Erik Flom
Bogus,sorry to hear about your CRash.I personally use a 88 meg Syquest for
Backups.I only have a Cart in the Drive when I am USING it,otherwise the
Carts are in their protective case to avoid problems.1 year and no problems
thus far.