Toaster Switcher?
19 messages in this thread
I am putting together a small post-production facility. I'm currently
picking the gear I need. Since I'm on a budget, I'm tryingto stretch my
dollars as far as possible. I'm seriously considering getting a Toaster for
DVE etc. My question is this: Is the video switcher in the Toaster adequate
to replace a stand-alone unit? I will be doing A-B roll editing, and if the
Toaster could handle the video switching, it would save me quite a few
dollars. Any comments?
The Toaster is very adequite for what you describe – it has 4 video
ins, so handling an A/B roll system is no problem. YOu should be aware that
the Toaster does not handle audio in any way at this time, so you may a
seperate audio mixer… (Of course, many video switchers don't hand audio,
either…)
Interesting–I assume the Toaster uses GPI to trigger the switching? Are
there any quality issues–i.e., does video that passes through the Toaster
switcher come out in good shape? One last question…how are the TBCs that
install inside the Amiga? Any potential pitfalls?
Thanks for the info!
The Toaster does have a GPI trigger, and the quality of the
throughput is SUBERB – broadcast quality, no foolin'…
I've used DPS's Personal TBC and find it a great product – no
shortfalls from what I've seen, although some engineer types like more
'tweakabilty'…the P-TBC does have Proc-amp controls, though. I like it a
lot…
Great! Is it possible to put two DPS P-TBC's in a 2000? If so, how do you
sync 'em?
You can put up to 4 TBCS in the Toaster box or 2000 – or up to 3 if
you use DPS's new under-a-grand Personal Waveform monitor/vectorscope…
I personally would go 3/4" SP on editing, and stick to hi-8 for
aquisition…3/4" simply holds up much better over time. Also, since the
Toaster is a composite device, 3/4 works quite well with it. (I own Hi-8
stuff, so it's not a problem with Hi-8 in general – I just would never edit
with it if I had a choice…)
Lee,
Thanks for the info on the Personal TBCs/Waveform/Vectorscope…now, how do
you sync the Personal TBCs? Do you use something like a sync box with
multiple outputs, or do you daisy chain sync from unit to unit? I assume
that there is a genlock input on the P-TBC?
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Jonathan, the personal TBC has loop through capability for genlocking
either to other sync sources or other personal TBCs, the manual that comes
with the unit diagrams it very well.
Frank,
Are you using the P TBC? Did you have to do anything different in
WorkBench 2.04? Mine broke and can't get thru to DPS yet.
I get an error when turning on color balance. Can you peek at your version
#.
Thanks for any help,
Paul
–pt–not seattle– 😉
Paul, I used to have the P-TBC, but needed solid freeze frame and picked up
the I-Den-7. Haven't bit the WB 2.0 bullet yet, was waiting until I got
Toaster2.0, now that Toaster 2.0 is installed, I will go for the WB
upgrade. Sorry I can't help you out on this one.
Frank
Lee, I had heard some general info regarding the Persaonal
Waveform/Vectorscope, can you give any specifics? Have you seen the
shipping version of the product? What does it use as it's display? (Amiga
RGB, Composite, or does it allow you to use the Toaster's preview channel
with a PIP representation?) What kind of display resolution do you get from
the Waveform? How many channels is the Waveform? I realize these are
questions I would normally address to DPS, they are in Canada, and I would
rather hear opinions from people outside their company. I also figure there
may be some people on the forum who would also be interested.
I have what LOOKS like a shipping version (box complete, all
software, etc) so here's what I know – you use either the Toaster's display
(in overlay) or a dedicated monitor…have to check resolution, etc – not
THAT familiar…
One feature I really like is the Test signal generator – it creates
20+ different test patterns as Toaster framestores.. very cool..
Paul,
<Is the video switcher in the Toaster adequate to replace a stand-alone
unit?>
If you've checked Toaster's specs, no doubt you know it has a 4 input
switcher. I built my A/B roll system around Toaster's switcher and it
functions quite nicely, more than adequate so long as you are staying in
the composite domain (as opposed to Betacam or MII for example, oh yes that
includes YC358). I do field aquisition in either 3/4SP, 1", or SVHS, then
edit to MII. Toaster handles GPI trigger of effects from the my AbnerII
edit controller just like "downtown". I have recently completed two
marketing tapes, and several local TV spots and now that I have installed a
second Amiga downstream from Toaster to use my other Title and graphics
software, I couldn't be happier (except perhaps by having 2.0 software!) so
if you don't have an existing dedicated switcher in your setup already,
Toaster can offer you tremendous bang for the buck (not a paid
endorsement!) Good luck getting your setup together, let us know on line
how it goes.
Frank
Thanks for the input Frank–your experience is just the sort of thing I've
been looking for. My concern was triggered by my local video salesman (who
doesn't sell NewTek himself!) who has been trying to talk me into going
with a stand-alone switcher. Obviously, I'd much rather use that money
somewhere else if I can get the Toaster to do it for me!
I'm having a blast with this project–I'm getting back into video after a
10-year hiatus, and to say that radical changes have taken place is an
understatement. Anyway, my project is to put in an in-house facility for
Gateway 2000. I've already selected Hi-8 as the acquisition format, and a
537/EVV9000 camcorder arrived on Friday. My next big decision is to decide
what format to use for post. I thought I had decided on 3/4" SP, but have
been getting a lot of pressure to consider staying in Hi-8, now that the
Hi-8 9850 has been announced. Any comments?
Paul,
<I thought I had decided on 3/4" SP, but have been getting a lot of
pressure to consider staying in Hi-8, now that the Hi-8 9850 has been
announced. Any comments?>
The main thing you need to be concerned about with Hi8 as an editing medium
would be the dropouts. The small physical size of the tape itself will
present an unusually high incidence of d/o that in my view would be both
unavoidable and unacceptable. With the 3/4" format you have much less of a
tendency for d/o and a standardized supply of tape from many sources, Hi-8
may not catch on as well as we all hope, leaving you with a dilema down the
road both in shortage of parts for repair and the tape suppliers. I realize
3/4SP is still a "color under" format, but by usiing either a Y358 dub
in/out mod, or a decent transcoding tbc, you will yield more than
acceptable results doing your aquisition transfer from Hi8, and still
maintain a wide base of parts in the channel for service and repair and
many sources for tape. I fully support your decision to aquire in Hi8 or
even S, but I strongly urge you to take a second look at 3/4SP, especially
if you are planning to use Toaster as a switcher (remember it's a composite
only beast) there is a lot of decent used gear out there at very reasonable
prices, especially if you take an existing 3/4 editor and have it modified
to SP (that costs under 1k).
Thanks Frank–I've gotten some very useful information here this weekend.
I'm using a Toaster as a Post-production switcher in an A/B roll, TC
based, 3/4" & S-VHS system. My edit controller fires a GPI to activate a
toaster transition at the right time. I've quite happy with the setup, and
2.0 will help make the whole thing more stable.
Now I just have to get my 2000 accelerated so I don't have to wait so
long to render those graphics (which were not possible for me pre-toaster).
Let me know if you'd like more specifics.
<-SJK->
<-SJK->
Steven,
What edit controller are you using, and do other controllers offer the
ability to send a GPI?
Patrick Delaney
I'm using a Videomedia VLC-32, which is their high-end edit controller.
RGB Computer & Video sells a similar edit controller called AmiLink. It
uses some of the same hardware from videomedia, but it works inside the
Amiga itself and has direct access/interface with the Toaster.
Nevertheless, I suspect most edit controllers have some sort of GPI
trigger output. I've even seen some cuts only style edit controllers with a
GPI jack on the back.
If nothing else, you could always build a hand-held switch to fire the
trigger, but that would be the same as pressing the Space Bar on the
Toaster.
<-SJK->