Video toaster 2000

[eightbit]

Anyone have or use one of these? I remember as a kid seeing some really cool stuff done on this device but my folks were not about to plop down $1600 just so that I can play with home videos I started watching some youtube vids of people playing with them and decided to try to find one as cheaply as possible. I ended up with one in excellent condition (not sure if it actually works yet however), all of the install disks, binder manual, and a Hotronics TBC and remote as a bonus....all for $40. I hope that was a good deal

 

I didn't want to spend a lot on something that I am just going to randomly putz around with, but I wanted to see what it was all about. If anyone has any tips on how I can quickly find out if the card is functioning properly after install please let me know. Also, I know nothing about time base correctors. Will I ever use this thing? Can someone give a good example of how I would use it and what good purpose it would serve? Thanks!

[+save2600]

-edit-

 

Oh, so you do have a TBC. lol Still, I'm partial to the DCTV unit (different product, different use) for putzing around graphically but as always, YMMV! I'd rather use a modern computer for transitions, titles and such today. With the VT, you're doing everything in real time and outputting to a VCR, DVD or other 480i recordable media. And then there's the Flyer unit by the time of the A4000 but again - much, much easier to do this stuff using modern equipment today.

 

And yeah, VT2000 allows color composite out...

[eightbit]

I think you missed that it DID come with a time base corrector card After watching a video I now see what it is used for

 

I was not aware it can be used for composite out in color however. That is pretty cool. I probably won;t use it that way, but good to know it is an option. Like an internal A520 video adapter (composite only) of sorts?

[amiman99]

I got both VT2000 and VT4000.

You can use VT2000 as a simple genlock, there should be an icon to start that in the VT folder.

I think you said you have 2MB chip RAM in your A2000, so that should help you alot.

 

TBC's stabilize the signal from video source, especially VHS. To sync 2 tapes, you will need to 2 TBC's or one with 2 inputs.

The TBC can also be used to strip the Macrovision from VHS tapes and make a copy, if you like to know.

[Sinphaltimus]

$40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*THUD*

that's a helluva deal.

[Guest LiqMat]

$40 is great. Always thought the Video Toaster paired with the 4000 was a dream machine back in the day. It was a little too pricey for my blood. I ended up using a poorman's version which was a Cardinal SnapPlus ISA card (which wasn't exactly cheap either) in an old Tandy 386 SX/25 using a DOS 6.22 video suite. It actually wasn't half bad, but not near as versatile as an A4000 VT setup.