Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!uokmax!drtiller
From: drtiller@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu (Donald Richard Tillery Jr)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.graphics
Subject: Re: Colorburst board?
Message-ID: <1991Feb13.151733.1416@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu>
Date: 13 Feb 91 15:17:33 GMT
References: <27b88952.18f@petunia.CalPoly.EDU>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Lines: 56

From: nschultz@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU (Ned W. Schultz)


>Does anyone have a Colorburst board/device from MAST?

I have been told I am the first on the list in America.  MAST said they have
over 1400 orders in Germany (or Europe in general) before me.  I don't have
one yet, so I feel I can safely say no one else does (except the FCC which is
where the thing is as this time).

> Anyone familiar
>with it beyond what is in the ads and brochures? 

That's a good question.  I have gotten just a little more info (just details
about what the ads say) from MAST, but independent evaluation and information
is non existent.  I'm taking them at their word, which might not be the most
intelligent thing considering their track record with the Infinity Machine and
the Flick-Off board.

> I'd like to hear
>comments about it along the lines of Harv Laser's quick overview of
>DCTV.  As I understand it, Colorburst is 24-bit (while DCTV is not),

True.

>Colorburst does not caputure (while DCTV does),

True.  MAST says it will work directly with some digitizers but I got no more
details.

> Colorburst outputs in
>RGB (while DCTV does NTSC).

It is my understanding that NTSC refers to the scan rate, not the format of a
video signal.  Both DCTV and ColorBurst output NTSC, therefore, but CB is RGB
and DCTV is composite.  A simple A520 will convert the CB output to composite
for video taping.  It reportedly has the same 23 pin out as the Amiga so it
will remain compatible with the 1080/4, A520 and external genlocks.

> Can anyuone expand on this or discuss the
>advantages/disadvantages, particularly in regard to using the device
>for making videotapes (static pix or anims)? 

Anims appear to be most reasonably available in 12 bit format.  24 bit anims
may be possible, but expansion memory will be a must to accomplish this (the
CB comes with 1.5 Megs and is expandable to 8 Megs).  Other than this the only
other way to animate is similar to the Toaster:  a single frame recorder (and
a RGB->composite converter).

> Can anyone comment on
>the paint software that comes with Colorburst?  

Not yet, but expect a full report as soon as I get my ColorBurst. :-)


Rick Tillery (drtiller@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu)