Re: Apple RGB monitor- VGA interface

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

Rubywand wrote,
in response to James Poore who writes:
rubywand@swbell.net (Rubywand) says:
> > >     Either approach could display the usual 200-line GS screen as 400
> > >lines on a 30KHz VGA/SVGA monitor. It should look very nice and, as you
> > >mention, all GS display modes would be available.
> > >
> > >     Of course, once you've gone to the trouble of developing such an
> > >interface, there would be a temptation to add embellishments (e.g. a way
> > >to display 400 unique lines, more colors, etc.).  It would not be too
> > >surprising to discover that Second Sight began as a 'simple' VGA monitor
> > >interface.
> > ....
> >
> > Nothing will be gained by just doubling the scan rate to 30Khz.  You will
> > still have 320 or 640 horiz pixels on the screen just doing it faster.
> >
>      A converter would allow GS owners to use plentiful and inexpensive
> VGA monitors. Most offer larger screens than the standard GS monitor and
> are newer and more reliable. Also, with 400 lines (200 double-lines),
> the display should look better. All in all, this is not bad group of
> features; but, possibly, it is not enough.

And, unlike the Second Sight, it will run _all_ the GS modes.
To tell you the truth, that one feature would make me more
happy than the additional capabilities of the Second Sight
(which are so poorly supported as to be almost a non-issue).
And it would be less expensive to boot!

> 
>      Concerning the addition of new display features, it does appear
> that the best place to plug in the converter is the VGC socket. Once we
> accept that this would be the way to go, we suddenly have a bunch of
> interesting options.

The main problem with this route is that the ROM 3 has a
soldered VGC (it also has a soldered Ensoniq for that
matter, preventing a sound upgrade).  How about building
the interface into a box that plugs to the video connector
outside of the GS?  Such a device could have separate
adapters for GS, Amiga, and Atari ST and heck, maybe SNES
as well, expanding the market for this device and thus
lowering costs!  :)

-Scott G.