Re: New hardware ... new video card idea

[Roy and/or Janet Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

Rubywand wrote:

>
> > PS What do you think of a VGA card for the gs? Complete with hdb15 jack,
> > like is used on pc monitors?
>
>      The traditional snag in new IIgs video card designs has been what to do
> about current display modes, especially super-res. Since the interface signals
> you would like to have are not conveniently available, you end up with either a
> complex, costly design or having to tell users to keep their standard GS
> monitor attached.
>

<snip>

>      Most likely, there would be no problem with any of the older display
> formats-- in fact, the displays would probably look better; and, based upon
> viewing tests on a composite color monitor, 320-mode super-res would almost
> certainly be at least adequate.
>
>      The big question is how would 640-mode super-res turn out? If it's good
> enough to satisfy users, the problem of dealing with current display formats in
> new IIgs video card designs is pretty much eliminated.
>
> Rubywand

IBM in 1987 came out with both the VGA and the MCGA display modes. The MCGA modes
would work on VGA monitors. The MCGA did 320X200 with up to 256 colors (sound
familiar?) and a 640X200 with (I think) up to 16 colors. These modes were the only
modes built into the "Baby" PS/2, the Model 25, which couldn't display VGA - but it
can. Bill Malcom of the AppleLinc club (who is doing some hardware projects of his
own) too two old Model 25s that I gave him, and turned them into VGA 12" monitors.
They aren't great, but they will do the basic VGA displays.

Now, here is where my ignorance leads me blightly onward. If those VGA monitors
could do 320X200 and 640X200 with colors like the IIGS... well, it is an
interesting thought isn't it?

Roy