Mina T2 NewTek Video Toaster 2. (Editing Computers).

 
$14,995 
 
Mina Systems 
4100 International Plaza #100 
Fort Worth, TX 76109 
[800) 483-6462 
www.minatv.com 

The Toaster 2 is more than just a nonlinear video editor, it is a complete production studio that even includes a live switcher. If you are ready for a serious system for professional-level work, this system may have everything you'll ever need.

You get all of the hardware you need to mix a live multi-cam production, complete with graphic overlays and live chromakeying. In addition, you get all the software you need for post-production, including nonlinear editing, 3D tools, advanced compositing and effects software. Of course, all of this power does come at a price.

Studio Toaster

The essence of the Toaster is a custom PCI card, in this case enclosed in a dual-CPU Intel computer from Mina Systems. We set the toaster up in our studio and hooked up two camcorders, a VCR, some video on the hard disk and even an active ToasterEdit project to simulate a live mix. The expansive switcher was very clearly labeled and easy to work with. We could send an entire live mix to a transmitter, a VTR or stream it over the Internet and simultaneously capture it to disk. The system does not, however, output a real-time (live) DV stream.

Post Toasties

For experienced video editors, ToasterEdit is the most accessible feature of the entire Toaster 2 suite. It has a storyboard to facilitate rapid prototyping and a fairly conventional timeline. When we ran our mouse over clips in the bin, the thumbnails immediately began previewing the video. Very useable timeline-trimming options and effortless ripple editing within tracks enhanced the solid trimming window. Although we liked the workflow and the clarity of the workspace, it must be pointed out that when you use ToasterEdit, it doesn't feel like you are using Windows. You won't find a Help menu, there are no ToolTips and you have to learn how to minimize and close the program, since there are no standard Windows features present to do this. Those are just three examples, which shouldn't be too surprising since the original Toaster was not created for Windows.