Video Toaster question...just making sure

[ErrethAkbe]

Hey all,

As I plan the installation of my "new" Video Toaster (2000) card, I am wondering how this is all going to fit together.

As I understand it, the Toaster uses the standard Amiga video modes for its software and then switches video on the toaster ports. However you still need a 1084-style monitor hooked to the DB23 RGB port.

What I would like to do is to use a scandoubler so I can connect a VGA-style monitor to this setup and not lose the hi-res video mode I am running in. I hope to use the Amiga for other stuff besides just video and I am not thrilled at having to now use the Amiga in low-res or put up with interlace flickering.

If I am correct, and the Toaster still uses the RGB port for Workbench, I can run an external scandoubler and do what I want.

Anyone with Toaster experience...have I got it right?

Thanks for any guidance.

[Tripitaka]

I've never used the Toaster but as far as I am aware Newtek still support Amiga toaster users. If you get no joy here, try them.  :-)

[T3000]

Not sure if what you want is an option.  
Try to find the manuals, there's something with having an RGB monitor on the DB32 port for the toaster card to properly function.  Is the card going into an A2000 or A4000?  The toaster is fun to work with, but you'd have to be willing to step back to the lower video resolutions that it requiers to work with it. Best bet, get another Amiga and make it Toaster specific...

[billt]

I vaguely remember readong somewher ethat it might be possible to put some sort of termination sort of thing on the 23pin port to make the Toaster happy, and use the user interface software via a cybergraphics or picasso96 suported cards to an SVGA monitor.

I'd imagine you could use a flickerfixer/scandoubler as well, as it would effectively terminate whatever signals go through te 23pin port just as an RGB monitor would.

Hopefully someday I'll have time to play with my toaster, which I'd prefer to use with SVGA via PicassoIV instead of finding space for a 1084 on my desk. It's amazing how cheap toasters are on Ebay these days.

[ErrethAkbe]

T3000 wrote:
Is the card going into an A2000 or A4000?  The toaster is fun to work with, but you'd have to be willing to step back to the lower video resolutions that it requiers to work with it. Best bet, get another Amiga and make it Toaster specific...

I have certainly considered this as an option. The card is going in a 2000, and the problem I see is that of course there is only one video slot. So, if I ever hope to run Toaster+Picasso I am out of luck unless, as you suggest, I get a second machine. It shouldn't be hard to find another 2000 on the cheap, all I'd need is 3.1 ROMS, HD+Controller and RAM.

[ErrethAkbe]

billt wrote:
I vaguely remember readong somewher ethat it might be possible to put some sort of termination sort of thing on the 23pin port to make the Toaster happy, and use the user interface software via a cybergraphics or picasso96 suported cards to an SVGA monitor.

Thanks, I'll look into this.

I'd imagine you could use a flickerfixer/scandoubler as well, as it would effectively terminate whatever signals go through te 23pin port just as an RGB monitor would.

That's what I am hoping. I am trying to determine where the Workbench gets displayed. I assume it comes from the RGB port. If so, an external scandoubler SHOULD work fine...theoretically!

Hopefully someday I'll have time to play with my toaster, which I'd prefer to use with SVGA via PicassoIV instead of finding space for a 1084 on my desk. It's amazing how cheap toasters are on Ebay these days.

I got mine for $20! The latest (and last, sadly) version of the software was only $29 from NewTek, too! Incredible. How could I say no? I've admired the Toaster from afar for years, now I get to play with one for CHEAP! :-D

[Tigger]

If I am correct, and the Toaster still uses the RGB port for Workbench, I can run an external scandoubler and do what I want.

Anyone with Toaster experience...have I got it right?

Thanks for any guidance.

Well rumor is I know a little about the toaster .  You can use an external scan doubler with the toaster, the issue is that the toaster may not get a signal it needs back from the doubler to help it sync.   Depending on which doubler you have, you can probably trick the toaster and get away from that problem.  One of the efforts by the Open Source Toaster effort is to allow the toaster software to run on a zorro (or even PCI graphics card) at high resolution while the toaster sits on the amiga graphics bus and does its tricks.
     -Bill

[omnicron]

There is an issue with the SYNC from the Amiga RGB port on the Amiga for the toaster to work. If you dont use a 1084 or another RGB monitor you need to have a scan converter that is toaster safe or use the sync strainer maybe.

Here is a good read from Newtek on the issue.

http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?p=43816#post43816
 

[AltRN8]

Couple of things that will work.

1) Get yourself a ToastScan. Its a scandoubler specifically designed to work with the video toaster. Now Software Hut used to sell them but then they ran out. But because you just asked I just rechecked and as of Nov. 14th they are taking orders again (woo hoo) apparently they will have 200 units. It's not cheap (well considering the prices SD/FFs go for these days its actually moderatley priced) at $149.95. supposedly they will be finished by Dec. 28th.

I am ordering one now since my original plan had been to use one to thread the output from my RGB port SD/FF into my Picasso II card and onto a VGA screen.

2) Find another scan doubler that works like the toast scan (but thats hit or miss and risky).

3) Use an amiga with two video slots and use one for the Video Toaster and a scandoubler in the other avoiding the external doubler problem.

I was going to try this option but had problems running my Flyer with my Elbox busboard (the toaster 4000 worked fine alone with it). Until I can figure it out I have the Toaster/Flyer in my 2000 (sniff no AGA) but it works.

4) Get a sync strainer and use a VGA monitor that can sync to 15 Khz. The sync strainer converts the RGB pinout to vga but also adds the appropriate sync signal the toaster is expecting. If you have a VGA monitor that can sync that low you can run the video from the sync strainer into the Picasso II video pass through.

The only cavaet with this last solution is I have not tried it but I don't see why it won't work. If anyone knows different please feel free to correct me.

Hope that helps.

[tonyvdb]

Hi,

As I have an A4000 running the Video Toaster 4000 flyer I can tell you that the Toastscan will be your best option. It will also alow you to use a standard PC monitor so you can toss that annoying 1084 or 1960 away. Toastscans are hard to find and Software Hut is about the only place to get one. They just got word of about 200 more being made and shipped from Germany where they are made. Hurry they wont last long.

The reason to go with the Toastscan is that most adapters made for the Amiga do not alow you to use the Video Toaster and the  PC monitor as it must be genlocked and only the standard Amiga monitors will alow this. The Toastscans alow the genlocked video modes to be used as well as most other amiga modes on a PC monitor.

Also like you said there is only one video slot in the Amiga so you must put the VT card in there so no other graphics card can be used.