Xref: utzoo comp.sys.amiga:15027 rec.video:3018 sci.electronics:2348
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!decwrl!decvax!savax!thompson
From: thompson@savax.UUCP (thompson mark)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,rec.video,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: 100% amiga "Computer Chronicles" show on PBS
Message-ID: <700@savax.UUCP>
Date: 26 Feb 88 14:47:58 GMT
References: <1019@neoucom.UUCP> <1963@cadovax.UUCP>
Organization: Sanders Associates Inc., Nashua, NH
Lines: 28
Summary: Video Toaster processors

>>the demonstation of the "Video Toaster" card for the 2000 (Amiga).  Man,
>>that card does things that only an Ampex ADO could have done for
>>about 30x the cost a couple of years ago.

>I've heard that there are some off-the-shelf video chips that do
>this sort of thing now, and supposedly that is what NewTek used.
>Does anyone know what they are, i.e. who makes them etc...?

>The apparently handle the ability to continuously read a video
>signal into frame buffer memory according to programmable algorythms
>which can provide the various real-time effects, zooming, spinning,
>rotating etc. on the image.  Kind of a video-scan microprocessor.

>Keith Doyle

   I don't really know what all is in this beast, but it was my understanding
that the 'graphics engine' employed is a TI TMS34010. It seems unlikely
though that all the work is being done by the 34010 since it is really not
that high powered (not in the same class as say the National RGP chip set).
Also, the 34010 is supposed to be an option in the final product.
Anyway, I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. With the 34010 being
a coprocessor option, there might be some room for some high-perf hardware
hacking.
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|      Mark Thompson                                                     |
|      decvax!savax!thompson       Designing high performance graphics   |
|      (603)885-9229               silicon today for a better tomorrow.  |
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