#OpalVision ??s
18 messages in this thread
What are people saying about the Opalvision Video Processor?
Do people like it better than the toaster?
Steve
Stephen,
"people" are n't saying anything, because "people" aren't getting their
Opalvision video processors yet. Sad to say, but Centaur seems to still be in
the vaporware biz with respect to the Video Processor.
Frank
Frank,
I just got mail from Centaur, telling me that they will need to get my
Main Opal board back to "align" it to the video processor. I must also
tell them in advance what Amiga I will be using. They will pay for the
shipping, but are not ready to receive the boards. I have to wait for
another letter, to tell me that it is time to send the board in.
I am know wondering if the Video Processor will run from a Video Slot box?
Joe
Joe Maulucci >>> Accadia Electronic Arts DTV & DTP BBS
FidoNET & Amiga/IBM Store On-Line call 1-716-882-1774
I received the same letter today. I am glad that I was one of the lucky
ones to be guaranteed to receive one from the first batch manufactured.
Let's see how long it takes for them to actually tell us to send the main
board in. I'll post if I hear anything and hope you do the same. Did you
see that part about the disks? If you don't have a CD-ROM, which I do not
have, it is going to come on 60 3.5" floppies. ARGH!
Jim R. Ollick
Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ
Jim,
You should get a CD-ROM drive (and not just because I'm coming out with a
collection of motion stock footage .jpeg / 752×480 — 8000 frames on one
CD-Rom!), but because both Opal and NewTek will be releasing software on
CD-Rom.
Did you know that a CD-Rom can hold about 600 megs of material, and you
can have your archival stuff transfered to a recordable CD for about $100.
A 88 mb SyQuest cost more than that!
MotionCLIPS/CD-Rom –> see VTU/Dec '94
Joe Maulucci >>> Accadia Electronic Arts DTV & DTP BBS
FidoNET & Amiga/IBM Store On-Line call 1-716-882-1774
I will get a CD-ROM as soon as I get an acellerator for my 4000/040 with a
SCSI controler on it. I only have one expansion slot open and have a rev.
-9 Buster Chip. I wonder if the VP sandwiched to the main board will take
up 2 slots? I have to find out if the makers of the Warp board will be
offering an upgrade path for their '040/40 to a '060, I guess that is why
I have been waiting so long, I don't want to spend $1400. on a '040
acellerator with the '060 coming out soon.
Jim R. Ollick
Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ
Joe,
I certainly hope that they Centaur is on the level. I have heard from more than
one source that there is a class action lawsuit being prepared as we speak.
Frank
Frank,
The demo board that I have seen was not only tweeked to the Opal main
board, but was attached to a modified mother board. Perhaps that is why
they need to know what machine you are going to use. If this is the case,
I wonder if this will work in a Video Slot Box? If it will not, I have no
use for it — what buy another Amiga just for Opal Vision (no way, not
with the Amiga's unknown future).
Joe Maulucci >>> Accadia Electronic Arts DTV & DTP BBS
FidoNET & Amiga/IBM Store On-Line call 1-716-882-1774
Joe,
Yes, the main board + VP combo will work in a Video Slot Box. I haven't
tried it myself but RGB has. If you order a Video Processor, ask for the 4000
version, that way you'll get the fan attached as well.
The reason that we need to know what machine you're using is that the fan
will not fit in a 2000 (luckily it's not need as the board sits vertically in a
2000) and the back plates are different for the different models.
Martin,
Thanks for the info, I'll put in my order for the 4000.
Joe Maulucci >>> Accadia Electronic Arts DTV & DTP BBS
FidoNET & Amiga/IBM Store On-Line call 1-716-882-1774
Martin,
>> The reason that we need to know what machine you're using is that
>> the fan will not fit in a 2000 (luckily it's not need as the board
>> sits vertically in a 2000) and the back plates are different for the
>> different models.
Where does that leave someone like myself, who has an '040-accelerated A2000 in
a Bomac tower (which, if you're not familiar, orients the boards horizontally)?
Pete
Hello Pete,
> >> The reason that we need to know what machine you're using is that > >>
the fan will not fit in a 2000 (luckily it's not need as the board > >> sits
vertically in a 2000) and the back plates are different for the > >> different
models. > >Where does that leave someone like myself, who has an
'040-accelerated >A2000 in a Bomac tower (which, if you're not familiar,
orients the >boards horizontally)? > >Pete
I'm not familiar with that tower, but the 4000 version should work fine as
long as there is enough room above the card in the video slot. The fan makes
the main board + Video Proc about 1cm higher. I would imaging that there would
be plenty of room in any tower.
What is the situation for UK users of Opalvision. Am I going to have to send my
main board to the USA before I can fit a Video Processor? All the UK
distributers I have talked to say they are EX Uk distributers and that they
cannot handle the upgrade. I bought the Opalvision spcefically for its promised
video capabilities and the fact that it was PAL compatable. Please don't leave
UK users out in the cold.
Frank,
Me thinx the vapor will soon condense. I received a notice today from
Centaur that the main boards will have to be sent in to have the VP installed.
Also they are surveying what model Amiga we own since there will be a different
VP for each so they need to know how many of each to run during production.
———————————————-Don- via Amiga 3000
One CIS member that saw it said that the DVE's are better than the
Toasters, (it doesn't pixilize on the 4000). I'm still waiting for them to
send me my return notice for them to install the VP board and Roaster
chip. They are not allowing users to install them, the main board must be
returned to Centaur.
Jim R. Ollick
Using AP from Bergenfield, NJ
Goodness!
Thank you for all the replies! I think I will hold off buying my equipment
until I can buy a Main Board and VP together. My Toaster "Old Faithful" will
have to do in the mean time.
Steve
A Stones throw away from old Commodore West Chester
There is a distributor about 50 miles away who is demo'n the VP. I
called them up and asked if it was worth the trip up there to take a
lookesee… said I had a toaster system.. was advised that it wouldn't be
worth the trip YET. They said that when all the moduels were 'on-line' and
all the bugs were worked out then it would.
Thanks! I will keep an eye and post anything else I hear.
Steve