Re: Apple ][gs VGA Card

[ltchean@iss.nus.sg (Lim Thye Chean)]

Jawaid Bazyar (bazyar@netcom.com) wrote:

:   When I have one, I'll post it :)

Wow, I FINALLY see this reply! What a wait! (and hey, thanks Jawaid for
sending this reply to me in irc).

: >  What resolution? 

:   Let's see. Lots of them. 320x200, 640x200, 640x400, 640x480, 800x600,
:   1024x768. Some easier to manage than others, but all with up to 256
:   colors.

That means the card must have 1024 x 768 = 768K of memory. By the way, I
assume this to mean:

320 x 200, 640 x 200 and 640 x 400 are all resolutions supported on Apple
monitor only. The 640 x 400 are interlaced.

640 x 480, 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 are for SVGA monitor. I don't think
VGA supports 256 colours on 640 x 480 - only 320 x 200 MCGA mode.

I think most people will use only 3 of these modes (correct me if I am wrong):

  * 320 x 200 x 256 colours: Fast pace arcade games. Need to run on both types
                             of monitor.
  * 640 x 200 x 256 colours: Works on both types of monitor, and NOT 
                             interlaced.
  * 1024 x 768 x 256 colours: Best.

I don't see why there is a need for other modes.

: >  Does it speed up the display? 

:   The card's on-board processor can move data around at a furious rate.

Good for writing arcade games. Is it a blitter chip?

: >  Does it overlay with SHR? 

:   No.

So here is differs from TurboRez. The Ultra Hires of TurboRez actually
superimposed on top of Super Hires. Therefore you can easily create a 
software that uses the Apple desktop in 640 x 200 x 16 dithered colours,
and display an image in a window with 640 x 200 x 256 colours. Other ideas
includes: Finder extensions to display images/animations in a window of
Finder, writing a fast arcade game using Super Hires for sprites and stars
with a 256 colours background - so that the same game can be played in
a GS with or without TurboRez, all that differs is the background.

But TurboRez is also more expensive than Second Sight, and as Jawaid is a
magician, maybe we can see it one day.

: >- Does it work with all software?

:   It is compatible with existing software, but existing programs do
: not take advantage of new higher resolutions automatically.

Make sense. 

: >- What software support this card?
:  
:   The card will ship with some image viewing software.

Anyone out there willing to write a paint/draw/text processing program?

: >- Does Finder support it?

:   Specifically? No.

Mmm...

: >- Any programming reference for it?

:   Yes. There will be a "developer's bundle" that you can purchase,
: that will contain detailed information on programming the board.

Is it more expensive? Or cheaper (due to developer discount)?

: >- Will GNO support it? Will Switch It support it? 

:   Yes. Not at first.

GOOD! If there is a GNO with the Second Sight interface, or Switch It able
to support it, I would definitely go for it!

: -- 
:  Jawaid Bazyar              |   Like UNIX? Like your Apple IIGS? Then ask
:  Procyon, Inc.              |   me about GNO/ME for the Apple IIgs!   
:  bazyar@netcom.com          |   P.O Box 620334
:  --Apple II Forever!--      |   Littleton, CO 80162-0334   (303) 781-3273

--
           Lim Thye Chean: Lim is my surname. My name is Thye Chean.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Research Engineer:Institute of Systems Science. GALAXIA Authoring System author
  Address: Kent Ridge PO Box 1130, Singapore 9111   Email: ltchean@iss.nus.sg