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From: dak@pro-graphics.cts.com (DAK Productions)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Video Toaster (cont.)
Message-ID: <5773@crash.cts.com>
Date: 21 Nov 90 07:56:07 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 30

In-Reply-To: message from liebm@silver.ucs.indiana.edu

True the Toaster/Commodore products get a lot of "can't be true etc. But we
have used it and it DOES do most (if not all) the things it's claimed to do.
HOWEVER it is NOT an equivalent to a 50K machine. Don't get me wrong, it is
well worth price, even 4 times the cost BUT a dedicated DVE is a beast of
another color. The Toaster lacks some signifigant feature, non-programable
moves, artifacting in compression mode, a slightly awkward interface to name a
few. True, some of these may be changed in upgrades, but if you are a
professional who needs a more sophisticated DVE, you'll still need to buy a
dedicated one. Maybe a Jazz for around 10K$. 

I can see a lot of toasters used as a second DVE channel and maybe as a
general effects device. We indend to included it free in our online suite and
it certainly will be a bargain for our clients, but, if our clients need very
sophisticated, cutomized DVE moves, we will use a dedicated machine. For an
additional fee. 

As far as 3D graphics, you'd be hard pressed to find anything even close at 3X
the cost.
CG excellent, interface and output very good.
Colorising effects, very good for "trick" effects and probably the least
appreciated feature of the Toaster. This "slice" can be used to color correct
or color inhance video that is slightly to greatly out.

All in all I believe the TOASTER is a excellent, excellent product. Is it a
replacement for a dedicated Digital Effects Device?  Well, depending on you're
sophistication or needs maybe. It is NOT, however, the same machine you'd pay
50K for. Perhaps, because of the cost of the Toaster, devices like that will
come down.