Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!att!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!husc6!mit-eddie!mit-amt!adam From: adam@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU (Adam Glass) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: 32 bit QuickDraw Message-ID: <509@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU> Date: 17 Aug 89 13:55:37 GMT Distribution: comp.sys.mac Organization: MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA Lines: 45 paulm@nikhefk.UUCP (Paul Molenaar) writes: > jnh@ecemwl.UUCP (Joseph N. Hall) writes: > >... > >The new issue of MacUser features an ad for a new RasterOps 24-bit board, > >for a 13" monitor (the Applecolor monitor is fine), and it includes some > >hardware for NTSC output (though you might need to buy some additional > >minor hardware). The price is a jaw-dropping $995. That's right, three > >digits. That's about the same as the Apple 8-bit color board. You can > >call for information (I did but haven't received it yet). > > > > I'm seriously considering to buy that Rasterops 24-bit videocard > (hell, I sold my SE to buy a IIcx just to be able to use the card ;) > but I'd like to hear other people's experiences. Anyone using it now? > Have there been reviews in the Mac press? > And: will it, in some future, support PAL output? (I'd prefer HD-MAC > output, but then again...;) Not to be pessimistic, folks, but encoders (RGB->NTSC) cost a lot. I mean, more than $600 and at least $700 or $800 for a good one. And that's only to convert to NTSC. Then there's the cost of the video board for the computer, which, for a 24 bit board, runs expensive (about the $1000 that RasterOps is charging for this new one (anyone who says "That's right, three digits" about RasterOps' price is kidding themselves)). I saw the picture of the RasterOps board in MacUser, and I thought I remembered both a) seing a place where an NTSC or PAL conversion board would snap/solder in, and b) reading something about the NTSC/PAL board being optional. Of course, the $1000 RasterOps board is a great price, and then the $800 or so (this is, of course, just speculation...) on top of that still makes an NTSC/PAL equipped RasterOps board a great price. for $1800 or so, you get genlocked NTSC/PAL and 24-bit, 32-bit QD compatible color. Not bad. Color boards cost a lot, and genlock boards cost more, so the $1800 price is far more than reasonable. But I think it's overly optimistic and unrealistic to think that RasterOps could sell an NTSC converting 24 bit color board for just $300 more than an NTSC encoder. By all means, I could be wrong. But it just doesn't seem likely/possible. Adam -- "Offer me anything I ask for..." (mail address in message header) "Anything you want." "Moof!" "I want my father back, you son of a bitch." - The Princess Bride