Re: Second-Sight Question

[spector@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article gachot@azur.enet.dec.com () writes...
> 
>Hello,
> 
>	I have a very simple question concerning the 
>	Second-Sight Video Card.
> 
>	If I order the first version of the card
>	Will the Finder, AppleWorks GS etc... looks better ?
>	Or only specific rewritted applications will be displayed
>	in better 'shape' ?.
> 
>Many thanks,

That's kind of a yes and no answer.

	First, no, the card _won't_ automatically improve the resolution or 
number of colors you see on screen, unless that program has specifically been
modified to support the Second Sight. At present, that is 0 (zero) programs,
expect for a graphic convertor program expected to ship with the card. So it's
basically the same thing as running old 8-bit Apple II+/IIe programs on your 
GS in emulation-mode. Just as old graphics don't magically appear better when 
run on a IIgs, neither will current GS/OS programs (or anything else GS 
specific for that matter) look better on a Second Sight.

	However, here comes the "yes" part. When emulating GS graphics 
(Finder, Appleworks GS, etc) it uses a technic called "Scanline doubling". 
This removes those thin black lines you see on the GS screen. Doing so 
gives you more solid looking color. So in this sense you'll get improvement.
This should also improve older 8-bit Apple II graphic modes as well. I know
for certain you'll get this improvement on VGA/SVGA monitors as this scanline
technic is _required_ to display 200 lines (or lower), but sure not about your 
current AppleColor RGB screen. Of course, this technic can also cause blocky
looking pixels (see any IBM games today) so I hope this feature can be toggled
'off' on the standard GS monitor. Some people find blocky pixels a worthy 
trade off for more solid colors...personally, I don't. 

..All this of course is only to begin with. If someone can patch 
QuickDraw II, then programs can automatically make use of the card to 
some extent. SS-specific software will most likely get written too, 
otherwise the card isn't much more than an expensive GIF/JPEG viewer and 
PC monitor apdater. :)

>	-Erik.

Mitchell Spector
m_spect@vega.concordia.ca / spector@vax2.concordia.ca