*---== AM REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---* """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Online Magazine of Choice!" from STR Publishing Inc. """""""""""""""""" July 29, 1991 Volume SP.1 ========================================================================== AMReport International Online Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6672 R.F. Mariano Publisher ----------------------------------------- Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST BBS: 904-786-4176 USR/HST DUAL STANDARD FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST ----------------------------------------- ** Fnet 350 * Fido Node 1:112/35 * NeST Node 90:3000/350.0 ** privately owned & operated STReport support BBS ALL issues of AMReport International Online Magazine are available along with A worldwide list of private bbs systems carrying AMReport __________________________________________________________________ > 07/29/91: AMReport #SP.1 The Online Magazine of Choice! ------------------------- -=* Amiga World Expo Orlando *=- -GVP A3000 PVA -COLORBURST -FUSION 040 -PROGRESSIVE 040 -DPAINT IV -NEW TEK & TOASTER -CHROMA KEY -CSA 40/4 MAGNUM -The Editor's Desk -* Exhibitor List *- -* Dealer Responses *- -* Products, Prices & Availability *- ========================================================================== AMREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE The _Number One_ Online Magazine -* FEATURING *- "UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Hot Tips, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports ========================================================================== AMReport's support BBS, NODE 350, encourages BBS systems, worldwide, to participate in the Fido/F-Net Mail Network. Or, call Node 350 direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information relative to the AM arena through an excellent International AM Mail Network. All AM and related systems are welcome and invited to actively participate. ========================================================================== AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON: GENIE ~ CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ F-NET ========================================================================== TODAY'S NEWS ..TODAY! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > AMReport's Staff The regulars and this week's contributors! ================ Publisher - Editor ------------------ Ralph F. Mariano PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION ----------- -------------- ------------ Robert Retelle Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON IMPORTANT NOTICE ================ Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: Compuserve.................... 76370,3045 GEnie......................... ST.REPORT Delphi........................ RMARIANO BIX........................... RMARIANO FIDONET....................... 1:363/18 or 1:363/9 FNET.......................... NODE 350 The Editor's Desk ----------------- This issue of AM-Report is a special edition that covers the happenings at Amiga World Expo in Orlando, Florida this past weekend (July 26-28). The show happened, and it looked like a success to me. Granted, this is only the second computer show I've ever been to, there were crowds on the two days that I was there and almost every booth was jumping. There were three companies showing off a total of four 68040 based accelerator boards for the Amiga 2000 and 3000 computers. There were 24-bit graphics boards galore (HAM-E, Colorburst, DCTV, Toaster, GVP), new software, new hardware...heck, you could even buy Toaster t-shirts, Amiga hats, towels, tote bags, etc! Nearly EVERYBODY had some form of give-away going on, and both Amiga World and Amazing Computing were giving out complimentary copies of the current issue of each magazine. The dealers I talked to were quite happy with the level of excitement and the number of people who brought negotiable items (cash, check or credit cards). This issue lists all of the exhibitors present, what they were doing and what they said they thought of the show. Special interest is paid to GVP, EA, and Amazing Computers (the store, not the magazine) due to the new *major* products they unveiled at the show. For those who weren't there, your bank accounts will thank you (there were so many NEAT items for sale)! I was smart and told my wife on Thursday night to hide all the credit cards, check book and excess cash until Monday. She put up with a lot of pleading and begging Friday and Saturday night! Large screen monitors (20"+), matrix displays and wall displays were everywhere. Last time Amiga Expo was in Orlando, a person could easily spend $10,000 on gadgets. Now, you could easily spend $50,000 and still be wanting for more! Read and enjoy! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" LIST OF EXHIBITORS ------------------ Amazing Computers ------------------ Dealership (Orlando & Tampa, FL) Amazing Computing ------------------ Magazine (Fall River, MA) Amiga Video Magazine --------------- Video Magazine (New York, NY) AmigaWorld ------------------------- Magazine (Peterborough, NH) Avid ------------------------------- Magazine (Sunnyvale, CA) Amiga Video Graphics Guild --------- User Group (Simi Valley, CA) Axiom ------------------------------ Software (Rochester, MD) Blue Ribbon Soundworks ------------- Software (Atlanta, GA) Breadbox --------------------------- Newsletter (North Hollywood, CA) Centaur Software ------------------- Software/Hardware (Lawndale, CA) Central Coast Software ------------- Software (Austin, TX) Computer System Associates (CSA) --- Hardware (San Diego, CA) Creative Computers ----------------- Dealership (Lawndale, CA) Creative Equipment ----------------- Dealership (Miami, FL) Cryogenic Software ----------------- Software (Rochester, MD) Eagle Computers -------------------- Dealership (Melbourne, FL) Electronic Arts -------------------- Software (Tampa, FL) * Graphically Speaking --------------- Software (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) Great Valley Products (GVP) -------- Software/Hardware (King of Prussia, PA) Haitex Resources ------------------- Hardware (Charleston, SC) Helpdisk --------------------------- Software/Video (Jupiter, FL) I.DEN ------------------------------ Hardware/Video (New Britain, CT) ICD -------------------------------- Hardware (Rockford, IL) Inovatronics ----------------------- Software (Dallas, TX) JVC Professional Products ---------- Hardware/Video (Elmwood Park, NJ) Kids Computers News ---------------- PD Software (Westbury, NY) M.A.S.T. --------------------------- Software/Hardware (Lawndale, CA) Memory World ----------------------- Dealership (Bensalem, PA) Merlin's Software ------------------ Software (Orlando, FL) Microsearch ------------------------ Hardware (Houston, TX) Moonlighter Software --------------- Software (Orlando, FL) * New Horizons Software -------------- Software (Austin, TX) NewTek ----------------------------- Software/Software (Topeka, KS) Programs Plus and Video ------------ Dealership (Chatham, Ontario, Canada) RGB Computer & Video --------------- Hardware (Riveria Beach, FL) Roctec ----------------------------- Hardware (Orlando, FL) * Safe Harbor ------------------------ Dealership (Waikesha, WI) Soft-Logik Publishing -------------- Software (St. Louis, MO) Space Coast Amiga Users Group ------ User Group (Cocoa, FL) Supra ------------------------------ Hardware (Albany, OR) * EA isn't really in Tampa but they were sharing a booth with Amazing Computers (the dealership) whose main store is in Tampa, FL so that is how they were listed in the program. * Moonlighter Software was sharing the same booth as EA, GVP and Amazing so they were listed as being in Tampa. However, I know Moonlighting is in Orlando as the main programmer is active on local BBSes. * Roctec really isn't in Orlando and the address they listed was that of a local Orlando dealership (AmiComp Multimedia Center). STATS ~~~~~ 40 exhibitors from 16 different states and two countries. ====================================================================== STEP-BY-STEP ------------ AMAZING COMPUTERS ----------------- Amazing Computers is a computer dealership with it's headquarters in Tampa, Florida and a second store in Orlando. They have a small ad in the back of Amiga World and Amazing normally. They are NOT affiliated with Amazing Computing, the magazine. I am familiar with Amazing as they are my key dealer here in Orlando. They are Amiga specific (the Orlando store carries MS-DOS PD software in a back room) and keep a good stock of items on hand. For the Expo, they went all out. Amazing Computers shared the booth with Roctec, Moonlighter Software, GVP and Electronic Arts and thus had the second biggest booth at the show (behind Creative Computers). They had an array of professional video hardware (cameras, editing tape decks, computers, etc.) out and plenty of people on hand who knew how to use it all. Demos were non- stop, except when they answered questions or took requests. They were taking pre-orders for Deluxe Paint IV (see the EA notes) and the A3000 PVA from GVP (see the GVP notes). Being a dealership, there isn't much to tell about them. They didn't release any software or hardware (though their booth-mates had a field day!). I did interview the Orlando manager to try and get his feelings about the show. The summary is in a separate article. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AMAZING COMPUTING ----------------- Everybody knows these guys. Amazing is the magazine that also puts out AC/Tech Journal and the AC/Guide to the Amiga. Amazing had a subdued booth in the middle of things where you could subscribe to either magazine (the regular or the tech); purchase certain back issues; pick up a complimentary copy of the latest AC (not tech, though); or just stop and chat. The folks were friendly and seemed pleased with the crowd. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AMIGA VIDEO MAGAZINE -------------------- Amiga Video Magazine is a one-hour television show dedicated to the Amiga. It broadcasts the first Tuesday of every month on Satcom F1R, channel 11 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time. A subscription to AVM on video tape is also available. AVM had back issues of their program for sale on VHS format video tapes as well as a new product tape entitled "Multimedia?" for order and a video on the Expo itself (still in prodcution) that could be ordered. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AMIGAWORLD ---------- Everyone knows these folks, too. AmigaWorld puts out AmigaWorld magazine as well as AW Tech Journal (bimonthly). AW also has a host of video tapes on most every subject dealing with the Amiga. AW also has books on Amiga Vision and AmigaDOS 2.0. AW had the first booth through the door (it was there show!) and was giving away free copies of the August issue. They had a sale going on their Amiga videos (reduced prices) and were showing demo tapes on a large TV monitor (about 30"). AW had a drawing where you could win a set of video tapes. As in all the drawings, I don't know who won but I know who *didn't*! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AVID ---- Avid is short for Amiga Video Journal dedicated to -- you guessed it -- Amiga Video! Avid is in a magazine format on newsprint quality paper using two colors (black on white) with a third on the cover. It is about 34 pages long, lists for $4.95/$5.95 (US/Can) cover and $36/$44 for 12 issues. Avid was at the Expo selling the current issue and back issues of the magazine and answering questions. The booth wasn't all thay busy, but that was because Avid is a relative unknown and customers were being hogged by the "glamour guys" of NewTek, GVP and the rest. The copy I picked up (May 1991) looked pretty good. Granted, video isn't my strong point, I am interested in it. There were eight major articles, an editorial and some advertising (video specialist companies like Kara Computer Graphics and Microsearch). The articles were well written, though Avid is more of a newsletter than a full- fledged magazine -- don't expect Art Buchward. There were one or two typesetting errors I noticed, and also a type or two but everything was readable (and accurate as far as I could tell). Avid looks promising. While I don't know enough about video to recommend a magazine, I'd suggest looking at it for yourself if you are into that sort of thing. Avid can be reached at (408) 252-0508. They are a monthly magazine (12 issue a year) and claim a publication rate of 10,000 copies a month. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AMIGA VIDEO GRAPHICS GUILD -------------------------- I must've overlooked these guys. The program listed them as being in booth #226 -- but there was no booth #226 on the diagram! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AXIOM ----- Axiom was showing off version 2.0 of their program, Pixel 3D. The new version included a number of improvements over 1.x and also included input/output to all major 3D formats. I was pretty impressed with the look of Pixel 3D, but couldn't push my way in to get a closer look as the booth was usually pretty crowded. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" BLUE RIBBON SOUNDWORKS ---------------------- Blue Ribbon was showing Bars & Pipes Pro and had a studio musician by the name of Mike Torres on hand to demo it properly. The music coming from their booth was good, and Mike seemed familiar with the product, as everything went smooth when I was there. There was a wide array of sound equiment on hand to back up the soft- ware. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" BREADBOX -------- Breadbox is a newsletter dedicated to the Video Toaster and Toaster users. Actual copies I could not find, but brochures were at the NewTek booth and were being handed out to anyone who would stand still long enough. The Breadbox style is similar to that of NewTek -- hip in a computer- nerd sort of way. It looks interesting and IS the only Toaster specific mag on the market. A 12-issue (monthly) subscription is $30 and a four-page preview issue is free for the asking by calling (818) 505-1464. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CENTAUR SOFTWARE ---------------- Centaur Software is a distributor for a lot of European games as well as the "official" North American distributor of M.A.S.T. products. Colorburst was there (see M.A.S.T.), as were new versions of B.A.D. and Pixound as well as some videos and other software. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CENTRAL COAST SOFTWARE ---------------------- Central Coast Software (CCS) is now a division of New Horizons and was showing off Quarterback, QB Tools, Mac-2-Dos and Dos-2-Dos. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" COMPUTER SYSTEM ASSOCIATES -------------------------- CSA was there showing off their 68030 based accelerators for the Amiga line (A500, A1000 & A2000). They had special discount prices on these accelerators for the Expo. CSA was supposed to show off their 40/4 Magnum 68040 accelerator for the A2000, but I must've missed it. 68030 accelerators were every- where but I didn't see the Magnum. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CREATIVE COMPUTERS ------------------ This dealership is the world's largest Amiga dealer and had by far the biggest booth of the bunch. Everything imaginable for the Amiga (except the esoteric stuff) was laid out on long tables and on sale. CC always seemed to have a big crowd. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CREATIVE EQUIPMENT ------------------ Commodore's largest Amiga Dealer in the Eastern U.S. was doing a brisk business selling everything from software and hardware to caps, towels, shirts and bags with the Amiga logo. The GVP A3000 PVA was on display and CE was taking advance orders ($1,995). They said that they were expecting them in by August 26th. GVP seemed to agree with that date. (See GVP) Creative (based in Miami) was selling A3000 16/50s for $1799, which is $50 less that the Power Up price! A3000 25/50s were going for $2,199 which is also less than Power Up! Needless to say, they sold out pretty quickly. CDTV was there ($899 the first two days, $799 on the third) doing the Psygnosis demo. Creative always had a large crowd. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CRYOGENIC SOFTWARE ------------------ Cryogenic was sharing a booth with Axion (Pixel 3D) and was showing off their 3D Professional 2.0 software. The Axiom and Cryogenic products compliment each other nicely (Pixel 3D is a renderer and 3D Pro is a model designer). Again, this booth was cramped and crowded (with both people and equipment) so it was hard for me to get a good look in. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" EAGLE COMPUTERS --------------- Another dealer, Eagle had a spiffy booth that was attracting a lot of attention with their running demos of DCTV and others on a large screen television (about 30"). They seemed to be doing a brisk business. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ELECTRONIC ARTS --------------- EA was sharing a booth with Amazing Computers (Orlando & Tampa) and demoed DPaint IV in a seminar. Spec sheets on DP IV were there for the taking. The spec sheet had the following facts: DPaint IV ($179 Retail -- $60 upgrade from DPIII) shipping in August for the Amiga and it works with v1.3 and v2.0 of the operating system. 1 Mb of RAM is required and a hard drive is recommended. New features include: HAM, morphing, enhanced gradients, a new color mixer, tinting & translucency, stencil paint mode, a new animation control panel (VCR-style) and a light-table effect for "seeing through" frames of animation (similar to Disney's Studio). """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING -------------------- This Amiga newcomer was showing off a seven-disk collection of fonts (regular and Toaster fonts), animated backgrounds, clip-art and other video goodies. Video Clipse, Vol. I is worth a closer look if you are into fonts. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" GREAT VALLEY PRODUCTS --------------------- GVP was sharing a booth with EA , Moonlighter, Amazing Computers, Roctec and others and drawing a large crowd to see their new 24-bit graphics board. The A3000 PVA (Professional Video Adaptor) is a...well, it is a lot of boards combined into one. First off, it is designed for the A3000, utilizing both the Zorro bus and the video bus (plugs into both, since they are inline). An adaptor for the A2000 is available. What does it do? What doesn't it do! The PVA gives true 24-bit color to existing Amiga resolutions (up to 768x525) including overscan. The PVA outputs RGB at 31.468 KHz (multisync) and 15.734 (VGA) rates; composite video (NTSC or PAL depending on the board); or S-Video Y/C output. [So claim the specs, only the two RGB connectors are on the back of the board.] The 24-bit graphics are a frame buffer -- 12 bit double-buffered graphics are available for animation. The PVA acts as a scan-doubler/deinterlacer when used through one of the two RGB ports. External live video can be grabbed in real- time (1/30 sec per frame) with 24-bits of color accuracy. An RGB *and* an analog genlock are provided for overlaying PVA graphics on video. Picture-in-Picture (PIP) can be viewed in a window but the source must be RGB, not composite. The PVA is bundled with the following software: Macro Paint-PVA, Caligari-PVA and Scala-PVA. These are PVA aware counterparts of the normal Amiga versions. The Caligari demo was impressive. GVP has been shipping beta-test units to developers, and expects to ship consumer units in August. Retail price is $1,995 and a couple of dealers at the show were taking orders for that exact price. Dealers expect to have units for sale by August 26th. GVP and two dealers were demoing the board, and damn did it look impressive. $1,995 is a bit steep, but this board does a LOT. No mention was made as to whether the A2000 adaptor would cost extra. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" HAITEX RESOURCES ---------------- These guys were demoing X-Specs 3D and X-Specs TV, which included a television interface. There was some interesting software, including something that did quick 3D wireframe models of equations for viewing by X-Specs. Real neat effect. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" HELPDISK -------- Helpdisk was showing off their series of interactive tutorials of DPaint III, Imagine and PageStream. They are soon to release one for AmigaDOS 2.0. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I.DEN ----- These people were showing off matrix monitor displays and wall display for use in video. They did have some good stuff going and it looks as if a couple of the other exhibitors took them up on some of their ideas. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ICD --- ICD was showing off their line of products for the Amiga. All their RAM expanders, drive controllers, accelerators, etc. were on display and for sale at some GOOD prices. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" INOVATRONICS ------------ Inovatronics was showing off a new version of CanDo and seemed to be generating a lot of interest. Also for display and sale was their line of programming tools, including PowerWindows, Cape68k and InovaTools 1. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS ------------------------- JVC was showing off some rather expensive editing equipment and cameras. There were two Amiga 2000HDs there, but most of the time they were sitting idle (if not OFF) and it gave me the impression that they were there only 'cause it was an Amiga show. Granted, they DID have some nice equipment. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" KIDS COMPUTER NEWS ------------------ A massive PD collection for th e Amiga, this booth was very active and constantly had a couple of Amigas displaying the X-Copy screen while duplicating PD disks for customers. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" M.A.S.T. -------- Memory and Storage Technologies had a booth right next to Centaur Software and was displaying CDTV (not sure why), their line of disk drives, SCSI controllers and ColorBurst. Yes, I actually saw this product working, and it does what it says (24-bit Amiga screens) though M.A.S.T. had it hooked up to an A3000 and a 1084S of all things! I would think that a multisync would be much better (there was some color crawl noticable, but only if you were less than 3" from the screen). The specs on Colorburst are as follows: 24-bit graphics display in Amiga hires (640 x 400) including over- scan (768 x 480). A 24-bit overlay is also possible when using a 384 x 480 screen for a total of 48-bits of graphics. Colorburst is an external box that hooks up to the RBG out port on an Amiga and contains its own RAM and video processor. It comes in NTSC and PAL (also, I think, SECAM) flavors and outputs to a 15.75 KHz (VGA) monitor. Colorburst claims full 24-bit scrolling and that the display are accessable by the custom chips. The demo I saw displayed static images only (but they were impressive). I did notice a "rippling" effect in some elements of some pictures, but I assume a better monitor would handle that. Colorburst ships with CBPaint, a 24-bit paint program that operates in real time. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MEMORY WORLD ------------ Chips, chips and more chips. These folks had some good deals on SIMMs, ZIPs, GVP 4 meg SIMMS, math processors, main cpus, crystals and most anything else made of silicon. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MERLIN'S SOFTWARE ----------------- Supposedly sharing a booth with EA, GVP, Amazing & the gang, I must have overlooked this one, too. Merlin's was supposedly showing 3 new software titles: ProTextures, a collection of IFF24 textures designed for mapping; Transporter, an animation control program; and Store Manager, a point-of-sale program with inventory control. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MICROSEARH ---------- Showing off ChromaKey, a device that allows the Amiga to use Chroma Key type effects. This booth was hopping, with live demonstrations going on at all times. Things went nicely, but something must've been misadjusted on the monitor I was watching, because there was an aweful "zipper" effect on the edges of a black jumpsuit a woman was wearing. Funny, she absolutly refused to cooperate in locating the error by removing the jumpsuit. :-) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MOONLIGHTER SOFTWARE -------------------- Showing off AmiBack 1.04, the hard drive backup software, ML was sharing the booth with GVP, EA, et al. This section of the booth was always busy, but it is hard to tell about what, since ML is a local outfit and many of the locals (Orlando area) stopped by to say "hi". """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" NEW HORIZONS SOFTWARE --------------------- Showing off their own line (ProWrite, QuickWrite, DesignWorks) as well as the newly acquired Central Coast line (Quarterback & Tools, Mac & DOS 2 DOS) they were quite busy. A beta version of Flow 3.0, and idea organizer was being displayed quietly. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" NEWTEK ------ The Toaster was there, in both incarnations. NewTek was giving away stuff (drawings), but not a Toaster. A lovely lady named KiKi was "manning" the booth. A 4x4 matrix display was showing off Toaster demos and effects. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" PROGRAMS PLUS AND VIDEO ----------------------- This Canadian dealership was showing off Real 3D Professional/Turbo, a European ray-tracer; and CAPS XL, a European computer aided video presentation system. Both looked nice, and I was impressed with the quality of the renderings of Real 3D. The Fusion 40 from RCS Management (also Canadian) was on display and for sale. This is a 25 MHz 68040 board for the A2000. Specs are available in their ads in leading magazines. (Yes, it is FAST!) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" RGB COMPUTER & VIDEO -------------------- Showing off video edit systems (AmiLink) that control both consumer and professional VTRs & production peripherals. AmiLink can control of NewTek's Toaster, too. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ROCTEC ------ Roctec had a minor display in with the Amazing gang which consisted of their line of drives, mice and RAM cards. The RocGen genlock was also on display. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SAFE HARBOR ----------- Showing items and selling stuff. A smaller booth than other dealers, but no less active. Good deals, too. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SOFT-LOGIK PUBLISHING --------------------- Showing off PageStream 2.1 to anyone who would stand still long enough. They also had drawings for a PS 2.1 giveaway. Extras and font disks were everywhere. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SPACE COAST AMIGA USER GROUP ---------------------------- Selling PD, signing up members and offering free advice. These guys were just generating good will all around. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SUPRA ----- Quietly showing off their line of products and handing out fliers. While their booth was directly across from AmigaWorld's one, and thus the first in the door, it was pretty much quiet. I doubt Supra cares, though. With five dealers within 500' selling Supra products less than Supra, how could they expect to sell a lot? There was no stock evident, so I assume they realized this beforehand and were just there to answer questions (which they did cheerfully!) ********************************************************************** 68040 ACCELERATORS ------------------ While both Progressive and RCS Management 68040 boards were there for display and sale, I couldn't find the CSA Magnum board. Since the RCS Fusion board has been advertised so heavily, and the spec sheet readily available in the ads, I'll only touch on it lightly. A 25 MHz 68040 board with 4 Mb to 32 Mb of 32-bit RAM on an A2000 cpu card, the Fusion 40 claims to be about 3 1/2 times faster than the A3000/25. Tests were made by rendering the same 24-bit scenes on different machines. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Progressive Peripherals & Sofware had two different boards available. One, the Progressive 040/2000 is a 25 MHz 68040 board that goes in the A2000 cpu slot. It is software switchable between the 68000 and 68040, can use 16-bit RAM or 32-bit RAM (Static Column SIMMs) with 2, 4 or 8 megs of 16-bit RAM and 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 megs of 32-bit RAM. The board runs at 28 MHz asynchronously. The 040/3000 plugs into the A3000 cpu slot and uses the RAM on the motherboard. A 20+ year whisper fan is included on the board for extra cooling. The board runs at 25 MHz synchronously and is switchable between the 68030 and 68040 on the 25 MHz version of the A3000 ONLY! The 16 MHz model can't software switch! NOTE: The brochure states that both versions of the boards REQUIRE ADOS 2.0 *IN ROM* TO WORK. A 1 year warranty is given on both models. I didn't get prices on any of the above boards. (Sorry!) ********************************************************************** The dealers I talked to (Amazing Computers, Eagle & Creative) were all pretty pleased with the response. People were spending money, even ordering products not yet released (DPaint IV & the A3000 PVA). Things were busy all three days, with the exception of the first 45 minutes after opening each day. Everyone seemed to want to sleep in. I didn't get any "official" attendence or sales figures, and I won't speculate. Things just seemed busy all the time, and exhibitors were kept on their toes. Keep an eye out for the GVP PVA board, it is a beauty. DPaint IV looks good, too, as do some of the European software titles. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" That's it for my review of the show. I hope those who attended liked what they saw and that the exhibitors got what they expected. I enjoyed it and woud definately go out of my way to attend another one. Questions on specific products should be directed to their manufacturers for exac t answers -- I can only tell you what I saw and heard. -Chas __ __/// \XX/ AM-Report International ____________________________________________________________ > A "Quotable Quote" ==================== "HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED!" ....UNKNOWN """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AMReport International Online Magazine Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" AMReport "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" July 29, 1991 16/32bit Magazine copyright 1991 Special Issue """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors/staff, PCReport, STReport, AMReport, MCReport. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Each reprint must include the name of the publication, date, issue # and the author's name. The entire publication and/or portions therein may not be edited in any way without prior written permission. The entire contents, at the time of publication, are believed to be reasonably accurate. The editors, contributors and/or staff are not responsible for the use/misuse of infor- mation contained herein or the results obtained therefrom. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""