Upgrade options from T2 to T3

[rzick]

Dear Paul,

1) I heard that a full seat of LW7.5 would come with the T3 upgrade if purchased before a certain cut-off date. But I couldn't find anything more on this. We are very interested in this since we use LW extensively as well. Is this still available?

2) With minimum system specifications, how many DV streams can T3 successfully manage on the switcher bus without hiccups? We generally run 4 to 5 cameras for a program.

Thanks,

Rob Zick
WTBTS

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by rzick
I heard that a full seat of LW7.5 would come with the T3 upgrade if purchased before a certain cut-off date. But I couldn't find anything more on this.

It's still in effect, Rob. It's good through June 30.

With minimum system specifications, how many DV streams can T3 successfully manage on the switcher bus without hiccups? We generally run 4 to 5 cameras for a program.


As many as you'd like to hook up, Rob, since VT essentially ignores whatever input is not currently on Program or Preview row. ;)

[bbeanan]

Paul;

Purchasing the T3 Upgrade prior to June 30th in order to get the full LW, would I then be purchasing BetaForce T3?? or just pre-ordering the T3 upgrade??

I have the money in hand now and will hand it right over...

[Paul Lara]

Whether you wish to wait until VT [3] is shipping, or whether you'd like to jump in to BetaForce (come on in, the water's FINE!) is your call.

[bbeanan]

My only reason for not joining Betaforce is that I only have 1 Video Toaster 2 system which I normally use for IMAG at live events, and I would hate to find a switcher bug in the middle of an event...

My question is if I wait for the non-beta VT3 will I still get the full LW seat?

[michaelsoft]

Found this out from Irene in customer service (but had hoped it myself before I asked):

"I checked with my supervisor and he said that we can honor your free electronic upgrade to LightWave 8 when it is available."

If you look at NewTek's main page, they say you get a free upgrade to [8] if you buy [7.5] now. VT[3] comes with LW[7.5] if you buy it by June 30th. Connect the dots and voila! $595 get VT[3], LW[7.5], and free upgrade to LW[8]. Sweet, sweet deal.

[robewil]

if you buy it by June 30th. Connect the dots and voila! $595 get VT[3], LW[7.5], and free upgrade to LW[8]
Is this true? This has not been stated as far as I know.

[Brian Peterson]

Another question is will this version of LW have a dongle or will it be dongeled to the Toaster card like the "T" version of LW we now have.

I know I would love to be able to put this copy of LW on another computer so while T3 plays out I can work on an animation.

Brian

[michaelsoft]

also from irene:

"However, this LightWave is keyed to your VT Card and is not a standalone version."

sorry

[michaelsoft]

and to robewil, I did hear this directly from NewTek. They (don't ask me why) haven't made it very public, but if you ask them as I have, they will tell you the same.

[bbeanan]

Ok Paul;

Last night I signed the NDA and paid for the BetaForce upgrade...

No Guts... No Glory...

[inquisitive]

Originally posted by michaelsoft
Found this out from Irene in customer service (but had hoped it myself before I asked):

"I checked with my supervisor and he said that we can honor your free electronic upgrade to LightWave 8 when it is available."

If you look at NewTek's main page, they say you get a free upgrade to [8] if you buy [7.5] now. VT[3] comes with LW[7.5] if you buy it by June 30th. Connect the dots and voila! $595 get VT[3], LW[7.5], and free upgrade to LW[8]. Sweet, sweet deal.

That is nice to hear.

Question re: the beta

Will I get printed manuals if I participate once the beta period is over?

In other words, at the end of the beta testing period we will get a box with all printed manuals and cd's ?

Thanks

[michaelsoft]

Only if you paid for it. If you were eligible for the free upgrade, you will download the upgrade. If you paid $595 for the beta/upgrade you will get the manuals and cd (no new vt card of course)

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by michaelsoft
If you look at NewTek's main page, they say you get a free upgrade to [8] if you buy [7.5] now. VT[3] comes with LW[7.5] if you buy it by June 30th. Connect the dots and voila! $595 get VT[3], LW[7.5], and free upgrade to LW[8]. Sweet, sweet deal.

This is something that has not been determined, so 'connecting the dots' may draw the wrong picture. The automatic free upgrade from [7.5] to [8] is for LightWave purchases, not VT [3] purchases.

[michaelsoft]

Paul, I would strongly, strongly suggest you talk very soon with customer support, because I was perfectly happy with VT[2]. I would not have upgraded to [3] if I didn't hear I would get LW[8] as well. I contacted customer service and the person I talked with checked with her supervisor and said I would get [8] when it came out! So now I've paid $600 and........yeah.

[inquisitive]

Originally posted by michaelsoft
Paul, I would strongly, strongly suggest you talk very soon with customer support, because I was perfectly happy with VT[2]. I would not have upgraded to [3] if I didn't hear I would get LW[8] as well. I contacted customer service and the person I talked with checked with her supervisor and said I would get [8] when it came out! So now I've paid $600 and........yeah.

yes.. I wasnt really thinking of getting the upgrade because as it is I dont use the VT2 that much, however having LW8 even if bound to the Toaster would be nice.

I also own a standalone LW 7.5

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by inquisitive
I also own a standalone LW 7.5

In that case, you should examine the incredible eyeon special (http://www.newtek.com/news/releases/06-03-03a.html) we're running right now (for stand-alone LW customers):

"Registered owners of LightWave [7.5] and earlier versions who pre-purchase a LightWave [8] upgrade for $495US before June 30 will receive DFX+ immediately, at no additional charge.

Receiving one of the best compositors on the planet...for free is a pretty cool deal, you must admit!

[JReble]

Paul, can I offer a comment for your consideration?
All these introductory offers and special deals are great, but it's really ticking me off that most of the time these deals end concurrent with the end of the fiscal year. That's the case with at least 3 deals you have going now.

I don't know if this is a result of your own year end procedures and fiscal year, but it really sucks for most of us out here who's budget year ends June 30th. We've long since spent our budget dollars so the end of June is no time to tease us with great deals we can't take advantage of until the new budget year beginning July 1, which effectively makes money available in mid July on a good year. Of course then the deals are expired and we have to consider if we want to pay more for less just because of the special offer period ending at such an unfortunate time.

The smart thing to do would be to target these kind of offers to be valid through the end of July of each year so you can grab up the new money in people's budgets before it's spent with somebody else. Ya know, like the department stores do at Thanksgiving. Otherwise you're forcing many of us to really consider our purchasing options when we are well aware of special pricing and offers that are just out of reach to us when we have the money available.

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by JReble
The smart thing to do would be to target these kind of offers to be valid through the end of July

Oh, ok.
NewTek's fiscal year runs Jan - Dec, and the large hospital I worked at before coming here had a Sept - Aug fiscal year. I don't know if NewTek can assume everyone's fiscal year is similar.

Thanks, though. We're not doing this to
tease you. :D

[JReble]

Ok. I'm aware that there is some variety in fiscal years between organizations. I do know however that July 1 - June 30 is typical for a great many businesses and most of the government organizations that I have dealt with in my time as a dealer. That is pretty standard when fiscal years do not follow the calendar year. Cosidering that is the mid point in the calendar year, you may want to rethink your attachement to June 30th expiration dates. I don't think I'm out in left field when I suggest you're impacting a number of customers this way.

Among other reasons, NAB is scheduled to take advantage of this issue by falling smack in between the beginning of the calendar year and typical fiscal year. As a dealer, I was well aware of the opportunities for "new money" since there's a brief window in which to make the sale with many organizations. The money is often spent shortly after it is made available. I mentioned this last year and I believe you got quite a few messages confirming the signifigance of July 1 with many customers. I hope you'll consider it.

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by JReble
I hope you'll consider it.

We shall.
Thanks.

[Arte]

Hmm how reliable is the VT3 Upgrade with LW8 source?

We are looking at upgrading to T3 very soon as well as looking at upgrading to Lw8.

If we can do both we will however all posts I have seen state 7.5 for free not 8.

anyone know for sure which it is?

X

[michaelsoft]

Hello Michael,

I checked with my supervisor and he said that we can honor your free electronic upgrade to LightWave 8 when it is available.

I will let Cindy know this as well.

Thank you,

Irene King
Worldwide Sales Manager
Inside Sales - East Coast US, Pacific Rim and
Canadian Distribution
210-370-8202 - Direct Phone
210-370-8002 - Fax
iking@newtek.com
http://www.newtek.com
------------------------------------------------------
Buy VT[2] today for just $2495 and receive a full copy of LightWave and a free upgrade to VT[3] when the new version ships! See your local authorized reseller for full details. To find an authorized reseller in your area, visit http://www.newtek.com/products/videotoaster/dealer_demo_units.html.
-------------------------------------------------------

At 02:52 PM 5/20/03 -0500, you wrote:

From a NewTek press release: April 7, 2003 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of
industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced that
forthcoming VT[3]™ full suites and software upgrades will ship with a full
copy of NewTek's LightWave 3D® included, in lieu of LightWave Express,
through June 30th, 2003

From the Purchase section of NewTek's website: * All LightWave 3D [7.5]
purchases since April 1, 2003 will receive a FREE Upgrade to version [8].

Combining these two, is it safe to assume that if I pay to upgrade my VT[2]
to VT[3] before June 30th (perhaps through betaforce?) I get LightWave[8]
for free? I would be spending money and getting 7.5, and it would obviously
be after April 1st, so it would seem logical, correct?

I look forward to any response,

Michael Lester
michael@virtualflashcards.com

[michaelsoft]

there you have it. word for word, that's what newtek told me. if that isn't true, i am going to be very mad at newtek after spending $600.