Basic Toaster help!

[TjLaZer]

I am not sure if I am doing something wrong, just trying to see if I got a working setup, and to learn.

I have a A4000/040 with Toaster 4000 3.1 setup.  I feed video to #1, or #2.  I have a program output (#5) to a composite monitor, and my Control Panal monitor is my RGB of course (or I can use #6).  With video feed on and I boot I can see the video on the program out.  When I launch Toaster software the video gets all garbled and the RGB monitor gets a little garbeled.  If I am using #1 for video IN Toaster complains that it cannot find the card, if I unplug #1 it will boot.  If I replug or use #2 like before, the video is all garbled and unreadable!  I can do basic Toaster functions with the video but it is garbled.  I tried video input from a VCR, an Amiga 500 and a video game machine.  What gives?

[Jeff]

The Toaster NEEDS time base corrected video input to #1 to work or you will have no end of problems. All of the sources you mentioned will have to go through a DPS TBC or equivalent. A live camera can also be used and some of them don't need the TBC.

Assuming you are already setting up like this there are a couple other things you can do before sending the toaster back to Newtek for an eval.

[amigadave]

@TjLazer,

Do you have a Toaster manual?  If not I think I have a few extras if you want to pay the postage I'll send you one.  Either that ask here and someone closer probably has one you can pick up locally.

[JosephC]

You need a "Time Base Corrector".
It is a piece of hardware that adds timing information to raw video.

Though strangely a live camera will usually work without any extra hardware.

[TjLaZer]

I don't have a manual, I have the toaster 4000 if that matters.  OK I also do have a TBC-IV card that I tried to use, which inputs do I need to use???  It has 3 in the back.  I tried all combos and it did not help...

[Jeff]

I have a PDF of the TBC-IV manual which will run through basic cable setup ect. I'll email it to you if you provide an address.

I would get the TBC running with a source and a monitor all by it self first, and add it to the toaster after you have confirmed that. You will also want a method of controlling the TBC, outlined in the manual.

Jeff