The Toaster hardware required very stable input signals, and therefore was often used along with a separate video sync time base corrector to stabilize the video sources. Soon Toaster effects were seen everywhere, advertising the brand of switcher a particular production company was using. While these effects were unique and inventive, they could not be modified. These effects were in large part performed with the help of the native Amiga graphics chipset which were synchronized to the NTSC video signals the result being that while the Toaster was rendering a switching animation the computer desktop display would not be visible. Īside from simple fades and cuts, it had a large variety of character generation, overlays, and complex animated switching effects.

This program became so popular and useful in its own right that in 1994 it was made available as standalone product separate from the Toaster systems. One feature of the Video Toaster was the inclusion of LightWave 3D, a 3D modeling, rendering, and animation program. This initial generation system was essentially a real-time four-channel video switcher. The card had several BNC connectors in the rear, which accepted four video input sources and provided two outputs (preview and program). The hardware component was a full-sized card which went into the Amiga 2000's unique single video expansion slot rather than the standard bus slots, and therefore could not be used with the A500 and A1000 models. The Amiga was unique among personal computers in that its system clock at 7.16 MHz was precisely double that of the NTSC color carrier frequency, 3.579 MHz, allowing for simple synchronization of the video signal. The Toaster was released as a commercial product in December 1990 for the Commodore Amiga 2000 computer system, taking advantage of the video-friendly aspects of that system's hardware to deliver the product at an unusually low cost 2399 USD. Many other people worked on the Toaster as it developed. Engineer Brad Carvey (brother of American actor/comedian Dana Carvey) built the first wire wrap prototype, and Steve Kell wrote the software for the prototype. This allows the smallest of shows to make huge impacts from any location.The Video Toaster was designed by NewTek founder Tim Jenison in Topeka, Kansas.

Setups is fast and easy, including the most powerful switcher effects system in the world, complete live production capabilities, and multi track ISO recording. The TriCaster is designed for mobility and is so compact that it can fit into the smallest of spaces.

The package includes a hardware control surface with a responsive console that allows hands-on navigation of the system user interface, giving you many ways of managing your live production. The TriCaster 455 is an all-in-one solution for producing 4 camera, 14 channel, high definition live shows with the utmost creative power, in a box.

Tricaster 40 motherboard