Tim Jenison
NewTek founder
The American entrepreneur who co-founded NewTek and led development of the Video Toaster, the revolutionary product that turned the Amiga into affordable broadcast equipment.
Overview
Tim Jenison is the American entrepreneur who co-founded NewTek and drove the creation of the Video Toaster, arguably the most significant professional product ever built for the Amiga. The Video Toaster turned a $2,000 computer into broadcast-quality video production equipment, democratising television production and launching careers across the industry.
Fast Facts
- Born: ~1954
- Company: NewTek (co-founder)
- Product: Video Toaster (1990)
- Price point: ~$2,400 vs $100,000+ alternatives
- Impact: Revolutionised broadcast production
- Later: Known for art research (Tim’s Vermeer)
The Video Toaster Vision
Jenison saw that the Amiga could replace expensive broadcast gear:
| Traditional Cost | Video Toaster |
|---|---|
| $100,000+ | ~$5,000 total system |
| Room full of equipment | Single card + Amiga |
| Trained operators | Accessible interface |
| Broadcast facilities only | Small studios, homes |
What It Enabled
The Video Toaster provided:
| Feature | Professional Use |
|---|---|
| Character generator | TV graphics, titles |
| Video switching | Multiple input mixing |
| Effects | Transitions, wipes |
| Chroma key | Green screen compositing |
| 3D (LightWave) | Animation, graphics |
Industry Transformation
Video Toaster appeared on:
- Babylon 5 - CGI on television budget
- SeaQuest DSV - Visual effects
- Local TV stations - News graphics nationwide
- MTV - Music video production
- Corporate video - Affordable production
LightWave 3D
Bundled with Video Toaster, LightWave became:
- Industry-standard 3D software
- Used on major film and TV productions
- Spun off as standalone product
- Still in use today
Entrepreneurial Approach
Jenison’s strategy:
- Price disruption - Undercut by 95%
- Integrated solution - Hardware + software
- Professional quality - Broadcast-legal output
- Accessible - Learnable by non-specialists
Legacy
Tim Jenison proved that professional creative tools didn’t need professional prices. The Video Toaster enabled a generation of producers, animators, and broadcasters to create content that would have been impossible otherwise. His democratisation of video production presaged the YouTube era by fifteen years.