Video Toaster 4000 Strange behaviour...or I can't hook it up?

[marcfrick2112]

Hello all, Well, I have gotten in way over my head with my 'new' A4000T/Toaster/Flyer system. I can't tell if my Toaster is acting weird, or if I'm just an idiot . OK, I don't have the TBC installed yet, so I thought I could test the Toaster using a video camera. From the 'Program out' I get a very nice picture, but using the 'preview out' I get an odd combination (like an overlay) of the camera image and the switcher screen, is this normal? Also, the top of the switcher screen that should show the effects, is just empty gray space... weird...I can't seem to do any trasitions, or even fade to black.  OK, I can render ImageF/X buffers to the Toaster's display, they look fine. Anyone have ideas? Would I need to re-install the Toaster software? IS this because I don't have the TBC installed yet?
Anyone have any Toaster/Flyer manuals for sale?

Thanks for any help.
P.S. Thanks Boot WB and Kin-Hell for my last cry for help.
    :-D

[Jule]

The overlay you are seeing on the preview out can be very helpful when trying to line up things in CG and Toaster Paint, among others.  To get rid of it, hit the "help" key (you may need to hit it twice, I don't remember).  The top of the switcher screen is usually blank until you load clips and effects into it.  Click on the "views" button at the far right of the screen and release on "project/files".  That should take you to a blank screen on top and a bunch of icons for the flyer drives as well as tabs, one of which says "Effects."  Put a couple of clips (called croutons) from the flyer drives up into the blank project space, then go to the Effects tab and click on it and find an effect to try and put it up between the clips.  You can play the sequence from there or go to the Switcher screen and play it there.  If you are using live video, you can just put effects in the project screen and then use them in switcher.  You just have to click on the crouton to activate it.  Have fun and get a toaster manual or Joe Tracys Flyer Mastery Guide.  Jule

[Matt_H]

You only need a TBC for input from VCRs. Live cameras, cameras that use (Mini)DV tape, and DVD players can be hooked up directly. You might need a TBC if you're hooking up multiple inputs (IE, something on Input 1, something else on Input 2) in order to synchronize signals, but I'm not sure. I haven't learned that much yet.

[marcfrick2112]

@Jule: You've got PMail.... and Thanks for the advice,

@Matt_H: I sort of, maybe, think you are right  :-)
I have been going through old AmigaWorld, .INFO , and CU Amiga mags. to 'refresh' my memory.... I never thought I could ever afford a Toaster, so I never paid attention.... Anyway, Maybe someone could verify, but it seems that more than one input does need a TBC... when I tried my camera in input 1, and a DVD player in input 2, the DVD especially would roll and 'stuff' ('Stuff' is a technical term, isn't it?

Anyway, worse case scenario, I imagine the PAR card and Lightwave will amuse me for a while.... But if anyone has manuals, or any info for the Toaster 4000, I would be grateful..

Please forgive me if I sound like a newbie
 !&%^#@$% Toaster &*$@@!^& !!!

[weirdami]

marcfrick2112 wrote:

 !&%^#@$% Toaster &*$@@!^& !!!

No, it's:

 :banana:  :afro: Toaster :angel:  :idea:

[Crom00]

Call up Newtek and ask if they have toaster flyer manuals.
They still support the Amiga Flyer and actually have Flyer systems setup in use.

Once you get the Manuals or the FLyer mastery guide, turn off the cell phone, go to the library and read.


There are also tapes out there from Desktop Images.

[CLS2086]

Hi,
my 2cts, i've a 2k (true NTSC mobo) with VT2000.
I really need a TBC for each input : DVD / PC / DVB / Nikon digital camera ...  (yes tons of things here can be switched from SECAM/PAL to NTSC  :-)  ).

You don't need to set up anything about TBC with the Toaster software.

[Crom00]

For testing you can also autohue or feed the toaster with the composite out from a broadcast cable box as well. Used my flyer to record TV shows long before Tivo was around.

[weirdami]

Crom00 wrote:
 Used my flyer to record TV shows long before Tivo was around.

Did your Flyer think you were gay?