wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (02/21/88)
Hi there, I haven't had much time to follow this group for the last few weeks due to a couple of big projects going on here. I just wanted to say congrats to all re: the PBS "Computer Chronicles" show that just aired here in Ohio on 2/20/88. They devoted the entire show to the Amiga line of computers. Every one of the inveterate Amiga hackers here step back and take a bow. I was impressed, since Computer Chronicles tends to be a blue pin-stripe and McIntosh forum. I was particularly impressed with the demonstation of the "Video Toaster" card for the 2000. Man, that card does things that only an Ampex ADO could have done for about 30x the cost a couple of years ago. I liked it when Gary Kildall said that "NEITHER the Mac nor the PS/2 can do THAT!" Owing to the fact that homage is so frequently paid to IBM on that show, I was kind of surprised that the Bridge Board wasn't mentioned. Yup, the whole show about the Amiga standing on its own right. I suppose everyone else saw the show six months ago; I am none the less impressed. --Bill
keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle) (02/26/88)
In article <1019@neoucom.UUCP> wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) writes: >pin-stripe and McIntosh forum. I was particularly impressed with >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. Sure like to peruse the spec sheets of these animals. Keith Doyle # {ucbvax,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithd Contel Business Systems 213-323-8170
thompson@savax.UUCP (thompson mark) (02/26/88)
>>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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Mark Thompson | | decvax!savax!thompson Designing high performance graphics | | (603)885-9229 silicon today for a better tomorrow. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (02/28/88)
I was wondering if "video toaster" is a generic term related to video signal processing hardware/software. If so, what this it origin of the term. --Bill