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From: jkrutz@meta.burner.com (Jamie Krutz) ()
To: Multiple recipients of list <lightwave@garcia.com>
Subject: Re: Amiga -> Intel
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
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In article <960111202348_38948535@mail02.mail.aol.com> JBooth411@aol.com writes:
> In a message dated 96-01-11 14:48:43 EST, you write:
> >* What is the equivalent PC RAM requirement to match 16meg RAM on an
> >Amiga (ie. what I call minimum)?
>
> Well, memory is handled very differently on PC. Virtrual memory is
> native, so a 16 meg system could render things much larger than a 16 meg
> system on an amiga. However, to answer you question, I'd suggest 24-32 megs
> of ram, as the systems start to really fly once you get above 16 megs.
Most people I talk to feel cramped on NT with less than 32 megs.
> Virtual memory is not fast, but it's better than you'd think. I've done
> animations in 16 megs on PC's that I couldn't have done on a 16 meg amiga,
> period.
This is incorrect. There is at least one virtual memory system that works with
the Amiga version of Lightwave.
> >* Now there is talk of the PVR which I haven't seen, what is the
> >difference? Is there are DPS home page or mailing list perhaps?
>
> The PVR kicks ass. It's basicaly the PAR on a faster (PCI) bus, so you
> can really leave the compression on low.
Actually the PVR only uses that bus for audio and for getting frames in
and out. For actual playback it has its own internal HD controller which
doesn't use the system bus. Having its own onboard SCSI controller
makes it fly (the PAR has an onboard IDE controller, BTW).
> It looks better than the PAR, as you
> don't have to compress as much. One of our artists has one in his system, and
> it's output is very much comparable to the flyer. Better in some situations,
> worse in others, but about the same level...
The Perception also looks better because it uses 10 bits instead of 8 bits
per channel (RGB or whatever system it uses, not sure). That solves the
banding problem you see in other systems like the PAR.
>
> >* It would be much cheaper to just stick an Amiga PAR into my machine,
> >should I still consider it? (I don't see any plug-ins for the Amiga
> >version of LW turning up, though).
Yes, this is still worth considering if budget is an issue. The PAR works
great, integrates very well with Lightwave, and an Amiga with an 040
or 060 can still crank out frames.
If you have the money to spend, a fast Intel machine or Alpha machine
and a Perception will render faster and look better, but also put you
through more growing pains and hassles as the developers shake out
the bugs and adjust to Microsoft's way.
If you upgrade your Amiga now and wait six months to buy a Windows
machine, you'll probably pay for the Amiga upgrade with the savings
from buying the Windows machine cheaper, or buy a much faster
machine then than you can now for the same price as the current
crop of Windows machines. Might even have some standard reference
power PC machines to choose from then, too.
> >If you had to spend the *absolute* minimum to set up a
> >PC with LW and a PAR + TBC, what would the system consist of? (Say
> >given a budget of US$5000 ie.AUS$7000 - note: in Australia hardware and
> >software is a bit more expensive).
>
> Well, that depends how you shop. If you have someone around who really
> knows PC's (like we do) you can get a p100 motherboard, case, 1 gb harddrive,
> and 32 megs of memory for pretty cheap:
>
> Intel Triton p100 $489
> 2 60ns, 16meg simms $420 each - $840 total...
> 1 gb hardrive $225 (ide)
> PVR ~$1700
> Capture Card ~$750
> 4gb hardrive for PVR ~$1300
Merle had this for $999 recently.
> Intel lightwave ~750, less if you get the cross platform upgrade...
I think this is about 720 from Merle.
> These prices are based on what we payed at the last computer show we went to
> in the area.. The PVR was bought from Merle, who can be found lurking on this
> list offering excellent prices. I think the 4gb was from him too...
> You should also try to budget Photoshop or Fractal Design Painter into
> your bugget, and KPT 3.0 - it's really worth the money... WinImages will
> handle your batch needs, and Razor or premier will handle the PVR stuff.
Someday. So far neither Razor or Premier has been reported to be completely
solid on the PVR.
> I've also seen PC PAR cards with the TBC going for around $1700, which
> would save you a bit of money if your fine with the pars output.
If the PAR is OK, the Amiga PAR is going used for around $1000, sometimes
