Amiga Video Toaster
/ Flyer FAQs
Amiga Flyer
Flyer Hardware Issues
Flyer Board Change Notice
Product: Flyer
Platforms: 2000 3000 3000T 4000 4000T
The series of programmable logic chips originally
used in the Flyer has been discontinued. New Flyers
are now being made with the current equivalent chipset.
This has required revision of the low-level programming
files in the Flyer software. Flyer software is now
specific to which version card is being run, and the
use of the wrong set of files to run a board will --
not can, not might, but will -- damage the Flyer board.
A warning to this effect is included with new Flyers,
and dealers and end users who receive these new boards
should not attempt to operate these boards in an existing
software installation for the old boards. New boards
will ship with the proper software, whether for new
purchase or for replacement of an unrepairable Flyer,
and also include a bright red advisory leaflet in the
package.
The chipset in use is easily identifiable by the part
numbers on the chips, just below the manufacturer's
logo. The original series parts were "ATT1Cxxx" series,
and the new set is "ATT2Cxxx" series chips.
(Note: there are a very few "hybrid" boards
which have some 1C chips and some 2C chips. Check all
chips before you come to a conclusion.)
NewTek still has plenty of repair stock of the chips
previously used in Flyer manufacture.
The latest Flyer software revision is 4.2, which contains
a revised set of files which can identify the board
type from proprietary information stored in EEPROM,
and will load the appropriate binaries. This software
is distinguishable from the original software by checking
the filenames in the directory NewTek/Programs/Flyer_Support.
The old software contains files which end with the ".bin" extension,
and can only be used with the original 1C chipset Flyers.
The new software contains files which end with the ".dat" extension,
these files are about twice as large, and the new software
may be used with any Flyer board.
The 4.2 update is free to registered Flyer owners.
Flyer owners who have not received the 4.2 update should
contact NewTek Customer Services to request the update.
Performance of the Flyer is identical regardless of
chipset.
