A4000 Video Toaster + Flyer Setup Confusion

[Theretrogamingroom]

I am in the process of restoring my Amiga 4000D. Right now, I am trying to figure out how make my Video Toaster + Flyer Setup work, but I am having trouble figuring out where everything should go.

The Amiga 4000D has 4 expansion slots. So far, The Video Toaster Card takes up 2, the Flyer takes up another, and I have 2 cards left over, a Faroudja Y/C Plus card (Which improves video quality) and a DPS Time Base Corrector card (Which obviously helps stabilize video), both of which would be used with the Toaster. All of these cards add up to 5 slots, even though the A4000D only has 4.

So, what am I supposed to do? Leave a card out? Get an old PC just to power my TBC? Buy an external ISA Card PSU (If that even exists)? Buy an expensive 4000T or older 2000 just because they have more slots? :confused:

I plan on using this setup to create and edit videos. I will also play some old games and even program some software (I have already been doing this with C64 and Apple II machines), although that is another story. Are there any titles of software that I should get/look into for these purposes?

Also: Will the VT+F work with Amiga OS 3.9 (And without additional software)?

Thanks

[fitzsteve]

There are Elbox and Micronik Tower solutions for the A4000D, both have up to 7 Zorro slots

[Matt_H]

Back in the day there were external cases marketed towards Video Toaster users that contained ISA slots to power TBCs and related cards. There was another variant that did so with an additional busboard, doubling the height of the 4000. They're pretty rare now, though.

As an alternative, see if you can find a crappy old 386 or 486 box and use its slots. Not an elegant solution, but it should work.

[Theretrogamingroom]

I see. Is it possible to not have to use the TBC? Is it is really worth getting an old PC for power vs not installing it at all? I will just put the Faroudja Y/C Plus card in storage until I get another Amiga/decide to do something with it if it isn't worth installing.

[Ami_GFX]

The basic A4000 Toaster/Flyer Configuation was Toaster, Flyer, Octopus Cable and 1 TBC, usually a DPS TBC IV. The flyer drives were in another case connected to the Octopus cable. There were better options with the A4000T or 3rd party expansion chassises/extender card combos like the Highflyer or Toaster Oven.

The Farouda card is Zorro so you will have to sacrafice the TBC to use it. It is much easier to find an external box with isa slots than the Amiga Zorro slots. There were external drive boxes with isa slots specifially designed for the Flyer.

With something like a modern DV camcorder or SD DVD player, you won't need a TBC. They are not worth a lot these days and you can buy external TBCs really cheap if you have video equipment that needs one. My experience is that includes most HD video gear that has a scaled composite or s-video output as well as analog VCRs.

Just in case your interested, I have an Octopus cable on eBay for a pretty reasonable price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221200523749?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I just bought an A4000T Toaster/Flyer system and am going to use the internal drive bays, not external drives for the Flyer. Flyer drive options are much better and cheaper than in the 90s.

[Theretrogamingroom]

Sorry for having so many questions, I am still kind of new to the Amiga line...

1: How do I connect the internal cables for the Flyer? There aren't any labels that tell which way the cables should go (Usually, there is a little "1" to tell where the red cable goes. Also, the cables fit both ways, as the ribbon cable doesn't have notches). I also couldn't find a manual anywhere, so I am kind of stuck on this.

2: Right now, I have the Video Toaster's BNC Ports' internal ribbon cable connected to the Video Toaster Flyer I/O, A cable running from the Faroudja J2 port to the Video Toaster's Main Daughterboard (Small, square one on the top of the unit), and a cable running from the Faroudja J3 port to the Video Toaster 4000 Daughterboard (Longer, rectangular one on the bottom of the unit which connects to the Amiga).

3: Oh, and does anybody know what mod is shown (The RCA port in the upper right) at this website? My unit seems to have the same exact hole: http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/media/download_photos/toastera4000_2.jpg

4: Which ports are which on the Faroudja card? There are 2 Outputs and 4 Inputs, but I couldn't find these, either.

5: Do I need a TBC for a newer VCR? I hear that newer ones have them build in (I have a DVD/VHS combo from 2008)? And will the Toaster accept the video?

6: What is the power consumption for this unit (with 2 Hard Drives, 1 CD Drive, 2 Floppy Drives, Motherboard with Max Ram and 68040, Video Toaster, Flyer, and Faroudja)? I don't want to push the old Power supply to its limits.

7: Any other advise/recommendations for this machine?

Thanks

[Theretrogamingroom]

Oh, and I still need some stuff for this machine, so I will make a WTB post in the forums.