Setting up Amiga 2000 w/Video Toaster

[fordp]

Recently I've been trying to get my Video Toaster working. I acquired it a while back, and finally decided to start the process of getting it working. I thought I almost had...

...but it seems, now that I've got it isntalled, and the Toaster 4.2 software installed, when I start things up, one two things happens:

• The Video goes crazy for a moment, Black screen, with various color jitters, I get get the NewTek Toaster Logo, and then it drops back to a very out of sync Workbench with a dialog reading "Video Toaster Not Responding."
• The Video simply goes black, and doesn't recover.

To repair either of these I need to power cycle.

I did a bunch of research, and followed through the information I found here, http://www.rabayjr.com/Amiga/Flyer_Faq/toaster/tnr.html but to no avail.

When passing a signal into Input #1, I do get a picture out of both the Monitor and Program outputs. And that is clear, except for the moments when the Amiga's Video out seems to be switching modes. Also, as the NewTek logo appears and the Amiga Output, I get a a ghostly logo on the monitor, which drifts off the screen in a few seconds.

This is the only Toaster I've ever owned, and the first I've ever tried to use it,so it is quite likely I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what that is at this point, so I'm turning to the experts here.

FWIW, the Machines configuration is:

• A2000, Rev 6.2MB
• Indivision ECS
• GVP HC+8 Fully Populated.
• ASDG Dual Serial Board
• GVP Combo 030 @ 50Mhz, 4Mb on board, 4Mb SIMM (8Mb Total)
• SCSI PCD-50D with 4Gb CF
• HP CD-Writer

Important Note: When I tested the voltage across chassis to ERR1 on the Video Toaster, I got -3.41 VDC, regardless of the setting of the variable cap CF. It did tweak the video, but had no overall change in card behavior.

[amiman99]

I'm not a video Toaster expert, but I can give you few pointers:
1. Try to clean the VT board contacts make sure it's clean, also inspect the board around the chips for any corrosion.
2. Try to run it with out the Indivision ECS, or at least run it in 15khz NTSC mode using the 23 pin video connector (I'm not sure how VT reacts with Indivision ECS)
3. Have a camera input on IN #1 for a good sync, not VCR.
4. Get 2MB Chip ram for best results.

[fordp]

I'm not a video Toaster expert, but I can give you few pointers:
1. Try to clean the VT board contacts make sure it's clean, also inspect the board around the chips for any corrosion.
2. Try to run it with out the Indivision ECS, or at least run it in 15khz NTSC mode using the 23 pin video connector (I'm not sure how VT reacts with Indivision ECS)
3. Have a camera input on IN #1 for a good sync, not VCR.
4. Get 2MB Chip ram for best results.

More of an expert than me, I assure you. As for your suggestions:

1. I've pulled, inspected, and cleaned the board with no effect. Of course I've pulled the board again, so it doesn't hurt to check it again.
2. Yes, I'm concerned the Indivision ECSm ay be the issue also. I did test it with an A520 on the DB23, but the Indivision ECS was still installed. I guess that's a good next step.
3. Is a video signal on IN#1 required for starting it up? I've used nothing, the Composite output of my A500, and the DVD Player I've got down here. From what I've read the DVD Player should be stable enough, but it won't hurt to try a camera.
4. On my wish list. Both my A2000, and My A500 that has been following me around for 20+ years would very much like 2MB chip.

[amiga-penn-wchester]

it sounds like there's something wrong with the toaster board, but Some ideas:

- if 1 meg of chip, reduce wb colors to 2 before starting toaster. Toaster will not work with < 1meg; really needs 2 if you want to use different parts like Paint / CG loaded into memory at the same time.

- agree, good camera on input 1, (every additional input I used, regardless, required a TBC for each (I have 2))

- check good insulation between toaster and edge of case, card sits very close to metal right side of amiga box.

- try using monochrome composite video out of the 2000 and see if the screen is out of sync with that.

- normal startup after clicking start toaster is -> flicker, vertically dropping bars on monitor, then "Please Stand By" -> then more flickering and scrambled video -> then program comes up with VT logo, then preview comes up with Color Bars.

It will ask you to AutoHue the toaster (google it) you can skip this step and get it to come up

[amiga-penn-wchester]

Also, the toaster manipulates or interrupts one of the sync signals available on the RGB port when started, a signal that the 1084 (or most 15khz monitors) do not need, but vga style connectors need, do not remember whether its h, v or comp sync of the top of my head.  

This is another good reason to remove the indivision and use a 15khz monitor with the toaster direct/straight from RGB port. Or use monochrome 15khz mono video as mentioned above.

[magnetic]

Did u do the Autohue?

I really think its the INdivision throwing the sync off. I would bet on this.

[fordp]

Today's Update:
- Re-inspected the Toaster, cleaned the contacts.
- Pulled the Indivision ECS (which makes me sad)
- Pulled out the entire Drive/PS Cage.
- Set WB Colors to 2
- Used both Composite, and my A520 for Amiga Video
- Fed my IN#1 with my Canon HV20, as well as my DVD Player.

In all cases, I get as far as "Please Standby", then a black screen with some flickering on the the top few lines before dropping back to Workbench with a "Toaster Not Responding"

Also tested with the Toaster 4.0 SFW to the same results.

Re-checked the Voltage @ ERR1, an am still reading -3.4V, which is well outside of the expected -2.1V I read I should have.

[fordp]

Did u do the Autohue?

I really think its the INdivision throwing the sync off. I would bet on this.

Tried Autohue yesterday, It didn't work, I believe I got a 'Switcher Software Not Running issue', though I don't actually recall just now. From what I've understood, which may well be a mis-understanding on my part, I need to get further along than I am now in order to get Autohue to work.

[magnetic]

Hmm the toaster board could be "bad" make sure all the boards are connecting properly , iirc there are 3 boards that comprise the toaster card. Also be sure that the board is insulated and not touching metal.

[Jeff]

Have you tried this yet?

http://www.rabayjr.com/Amiga/Flyer_Faq/flyer/cfnew.html

[Plaz]

Toasters are sensitive to power issues. If you have a 20+year old power supply that's never had a refurb, it's a fair bet it can't handle all the hardware you have installed there along with the toaster.

Plaz

[fordp]

Have you tried this yet?

http://www.rabayjr.com/Amiga/Flyer_Faq/flyer/cfnew.html

Yes, infact that is the page that I used a reference for the voltage at ERR1. I'm not sure how much swing there can be there, but but I get a consistent read of -3.4 with a fluctuation of +/-.1V per power cycle regardless of CF's setting. That strikes me as not quite right.

Toasters are sensitive to power issues. If you have a 20+year old power supply that's never had a refurb, it's a fair bet it can't handle all the hardware you have installed there along with the toaster.

Plaz

Indeed, that is near the top of my list of things to upgrade on this machine anyway. No time like the present I suppose. I was considering upgrading it to a PicoPSU-160, adapter cable, and moving J300. However, I'm not sure if the P/S provided tick signal is relevant or not to proper Toaster operation.

[fordp]

Hmm the toaster board could be "bad" make sure all the boards are connecting properly , iirc there are 3 boards that comprise the toaster card. Also be sure that the board is insulated and not touching metal.

Did u do the Autohue?

I really think its the INdivision throwing the sync off. I would bet on this.

Yes, three, boards. The main, and two daughter boards. All of them are connected good. No sign of anything shorting, against the case, power supply, drivers, or anything else. I've add an insulator when testing, and yesterday without the drive/PS mount in the case, there was nothing for it to short against.


For clarification, Auto-hue through the same toaster not responding errors.

[SACC-guy]

Recently I've been trying to get my Video Toaster working. I acquired it a while back, and finally decided to start the process of getting it working. I thought I almost had...

...but it seems, now that I've got it isntalled, and the Toaster 4.2 software installed, when I start things up, one two things happens:

• The Video goes crazy for a moment, Black screen, with various color jitters, I get get the NewTek Toaster Logo, and then it drops back to a very out of sync Workbench with a dialog reading "Video Toaster Not Responding."
• The Video simply goes black, and doesn't recover.

To repair either of these I need to power cycle.

I did a bunch of research, and followed through the information I found here, http://www.rabayjr.com/Amiga/Flyer_Faq/toaster/tnr.html but to no avail.

When passing a signal into Input #1, I do get a picture out of both the Monitor and Program outputs. And that is clear, except for the moments when the Amiga's Video out seems to be switching modes. Also, as the NewTek logo appears and the Amiga Output, I get a a ghostly logo on the monitor, which drifts off the screen in a few seconds.

This is the only Toaster I've ever owned, and the first I've ever tried to use it,so it is quite likely I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what that is at this point, so I'm turning to the experts here.

FWIW, the Machines configuration is:

• A2000, Rev 6.2MB
• Indivision ECS
• GVP HC+8 Fully Populated.
• ASDG Dual Serial Board
• GVP Combo 030 @ 50Mhz, 4Mb on board, 4Mb SIMM (8Mb Total)
• SCSI PCD-50D with 4Gb CF
• HP CD-Writer

Important Note: When I tested the voltage across chassis to ERR1 on the Video Toaster, I got -3.41 VDC, regardless of the setting of the variable cap CF. It did tweak the video, but had no overall change in card behavior.

@fordp
First think about if you want a amiga or toaster machine...
If you want a toaster, remember Newtek setup the 2000 toaster for the specs of a 2000.
Remove the Indivision ECS
remove the GVP HC+8 Fully Populated.
remove the ASDG Dual Serial Board for now (you can use this later)

the toaster takes over the timing of the machine, so it's fighting the sync of the vga
the 2000 only uses up to eight megs of mem in auto config and two chip, so the extra gvp is just using power.
not an expert, just a user

m

[magnetic]

btw those boards you mentioned should all function just fine in a toaster machine. Also, I doubt its PSU issues. Those a2000 psu last a very long time, they are well made unlike modern ones.