CompuServe Thread

Pinnacle Alladin with add-ons, Matrox Studio with add-ons, Fast Video Machine with add-ons, or step up to AVID with add-ons. THe add-ons ususally include a good 3D program (both modelling and animation), post-script cabable CG, and a good paint program (like PhotoShop). The cheapest you'll get off is around $10K – $12K, probably closer to $20K at the bottom end by the time you get it like you wan't it. If you are trying to buy a Toaster from scratch, A4000 in a tower case (needed for extra slots) about $3K if you can find one, Toaster 4000 board about $1800 an editor (Amilink if you want to stay on the Amiga or TAO Editiser etc if you want to controll it from a PC) roughly $2500 for A/B roll. If you'd prefer the Flyer (NLE) change that to about $4400 and $5K – $8K for enough gigs to not have to reload every few minutes. Then you'll still need an as-yet unproduced editor that will do SMPTE. (NewTek has it in for tape and thinks anyone using timecode is a dope). So at the bottom end the money is not that different. The difference is going to show up in the ease of use and the quality of the output. That is where you should proabaly focus (with a WaveForm VS and some sample video of the stuff you consider hardest to pass correctly). The HP rumor is ultra bogus. And the Amiga's technology rights will be held up for probably years in the courts (making it useless except as museum fodder in the long run) so if you get an Amiga, get two – you'll need the second one for parts. Having said that, I still would not sell you either of my Toasters :^}. wmc – via Autopilot!

Hi David, >> Are there any Windows alternitives that can do all the CG, framestores, 3d renderings and video production that the Video Toaster can? If so, where can I find out about them and how much $??? << You might want to take a look at the Video Machine from FAST. It will do all that the Toaster will do with a few exceptions. It will not do the 3D DVE's that the Toaster has. There is talk that an interface with the Aladin is uner development but I think that $9,000 clams for the Aladin box is a little steep for 3D DVE's. If you want animation you will need to add whatever animation software you want to use ie. 3D Studio, Topaz, True Space or in my case I use Imagine. The VM works very nice as an animation controler as long as you have a frame accurate deck to dump to. You will need to add graphic software and CG. You can use your graphic program as your CG via a propriotary printer driver that will convert your graphic to be suitable for video. But if you need broadcast quality graphics there is a tird party CG called Inscriber for VM, it runs about $1,000.00. To sum it all up here is the pricing. VM and VM Studio software – $4,000.00 Sudio control Box – $2,500 ( You will need this if you plan to use profesional decks ie. Panisonic 7750, JVC 822, UVW 1800 etc… this unit gives you all edit control conections RS-232, RS-422, lanc and Panisonic 5pin. It also gives you balanced XLR audio plugs ) Graphic software – Corel Draw $300.00 CG – $1,000 ( if you choose to use Inscriber ) Animation – $500 to $2,000 ( depending on what software you choose ) As far as my oppinion in the VM….I use it every day and I feel it is hands down the best DTV system on the market. One of the nicest things about it is it's modular design. All of the options for the system can be pluged in at a later date. Once you own the front end you can slide in all the extras when your budget allows. Do your self a favor and at least take a look at it before you decide on a platform, I think you will be pleasently suprised!! Hope this helps, Michael W. Towe Falcon Video Productions Santee Ca.