TOASTER Blink
25 messages in this thread
Does anyone have any of the following problems with their Toaster.
1) When DV1 is selected on the program bus and a framestore is loaded
in DV2 on the preview bus – program output blinks lightly as the
framestore is being loaded.
2) When BKG on program is a color ( red, blue, green etc.) and when
a framestore is loaded in preview – program output flashes until
the frame is loaded.
Is anyone else experiencing these problems and is there anything I can do
to fix it? Problem #1 makes it impossible for me to set up autosequences
transparently. It is not a MAJOR blink but enough to be noticed in
professional production. I have tried re-seating the card and ground
isolation as suggested by NewTek, but that didn't work. Also, I know of 2
other toaster owners who are having the same problem, suggesting that maybe
it is inherent in all toasters. Thanks for your help in advance.
p.s. System = (A2000, GVP 40Mz 030 combo with 120HD & 8mg 32bit ram
Megachip (total 12mg ram)
Art,
Thought the blinking was normal. My Toaster blinks when loading
framestores.
Jerry
Jerry,
Does it blink on your program output? If so, I find it hard to believe that
this would be considered normal. Then again, I guess you can't expect too
much from a card that does just about everything.
The switcher screen will blink BUT the frame stores shouldnt.
The output from the Toaster should be rock solid.
Later
Art- I agree w/Jerry, but I do want to add that I see messages like yours
not only here but on BPFORUM-and no response from NewTek. Is this a
computer company that doesn't know about CompuServe? After dialing them 5
times today on a SIMPLE question, I finally got through to someone who is
definitely in the running for rudest tech support 1992. The Toaster is a
revolutionary product-it's pulled me out of conventional video
editing/production-is it too much to ask that they support their product?
I hope someone from Newtek hears us, and takes action-WE ARE YOUR
CUSTOMERS!
Duncan,
NewTek maintains a support section in AmigaVendor Forum (GO AMIGAVEND).
They come online every couple of weeks or so to answer questions and
inquiries.
-sja
Duncan,
Only complaints like this et direct answers from NewTek on CIS. No tech
support questions are answered here by them. Usually John Gross provides
Tech support here, but he is not on NewTek payroll, as far as I know. The
upside is that John's support is udually far better than what is available
by phone from NewTek. NewTek seems to have abandoned the Tech/Customer
support effort to a large degree about 6-7 months ago. It's possible that
they moved the reources to new product development or that they cut
support staff to save costs. I don't know what the rationale is, but many
pro users are getting real nervous as NewTek support is now leaving users
in a lurch m ore often that not.
wmc – via Autopilot!
They may not be very good at maintaining an online presence, but they still
have an 800 number for tech support. When I need to talk to them, I dial,
and I often get through without a busy signal. What more could you ask
for?
An answer beside, "What motherboard rev do you have? Oh naturally it won't
work. It's CBM's fault! There motherboards didn't comply with specs until
[callers MB rev + 0.1]".
On two occasions I took 4 hours to creat disks with problem files,
detailed descriptions of the problem, and how to recreate them, sent the
material to them and have yet to hear anything on either one. On one
occasion I chided them on-line for such poor support. THey left a message
that they would call – never did. The second instance, because they
failed to provide support, I lost a customer. That is why I am seriously
conidering a differnt animation/framebuffer combo for my second
workstation. I need one that IS supported. NewTek no longer SUPPORTS the
Toaster. They just sell them.
wmc – via Autopilot!
Art,
Are you running AmiLink or ToastMaster or other program that controls the
Toaster via ARexx? If so, be sure to start the Toaster first "by hand"
rather than from those programs. I've only had the blinking problem when
I started the Toaster from one of those programs then tried to do a
manual operation in the Toaster.
wmc – via Autopilot!
Thanks for the suggestion but I've tried just about everything I have
decided to send the card back to Newtek to see if they can fix or replace
it. Now, what did I do with that old switcher?
Where can I get more information about the toaster for home use? I would
like to learn more while having a afordable system at home… Please help!
–Steven Walters 70524,634
type Go AMIGAVEND, then check the NewTek message section, also get a hold
of Video Toaster User mag.
Count me as another blinking toaster. I have called NewTek twice regarding
the blink,and the grounding seems to be their only answer. I have checked
on the grounding, and it doesn't seem to help. NewTek has offered the
possible solution of the monitor to computer cable to be a cause. I have
disconnected it and still have the problem. I wish there was something I
could do.
Those little grounding clips can be tricky. After all, they slip most
often when you replace the cover of the A2000. Once the cover is closed,
you have to open it again to see if they've moved, and if you open the
cover again, then you have to close it again, etc. Rinse lather repeat.
So, to be sure, I've sometimes removed the entire board, then tightened
those clips by removing them and scrunching the part that snaps on the
board. Also, I covered the sides of the circuit boards with thin
cardboard, just to avoid accidental shorts. Or could have a piece of metal
fallen between your daughter boards?
Also, those lil' copper fingers can break off those clips. That's even
more likely if the cover comes off frequently. They can short out things
on the motherboard, or worse – set there like a tiny time bomb.
Couldn't you just use a piece of tape to hold the grounding clips long
enough to get the cover back on? Or even a piece of duct tape?
Vance
Well, there's the Hot Glue Gun Engineers, and the Masking Tape Engineers,
and the Duct Tape Engineers. I don't want to argue religion. 🙂
I'm of the "Hammer Engineer" persuasion, myself. :^)
“When in doubt, hit it with a hammer''
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
And if that doesn't work, get a bigger hammer.
🙂 –Paul
RIght you are. :^)
–Ben
…via AutoPilot
I shall take a look inside and see if that would help. Thank you for your
suggestion. Maybe electricians tape would help.