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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Acill on May 17, 2016, 01:54:18 PM

Title: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Acill on May 17, 2016, 01:54:18 PM
The guy that built his own A2000 video card is now selling a finalized ZII/III version. The first 50 are only 149 Euro, goes up to 189 after that. Check it out!

http://mntshop.bigcartel.com/product/preorder-mnt-va2000-amiga-2000-3000-graphics-card-zorro-ii-iii
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on May 17, 2016, 03:36:38 PM
so cool that it's coming out in production & congrats to the developer for delivering in a short time span!  I'm tempted to get one but I'm happy with my IndiAGA in my A4000 &n honestly I'm tired of fighting with P96 from my A1200T
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: utri007 on May 17, 2016, 03:44:39 PM
You have problems with picasso and towered A1200? What kind of problems? It boots to black screen and sometimes reset cures it?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on May 17, 2016, 03:55:00 PM
Quote from: utri007;808653
You have problems with picasso and towered A1200? What kind of problems? It boots to black screen and sometimes reset cures it?

actually was just referring to the head aches just to get it set up and working
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 17, 2016, 09:17:05 PM
"Picasso96 compatible RTG driver"

Uh oh, better not use that name, you might have someone crawling up your ass looking for revenue.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: utri007 on May 17, 2016, 09:28:05 PM
I have two Zorro Graphics cards already. Does this has 4mb ram or more? I know It reserves 4mb from Zorro II adress space.

Just wondering, what are benefits of this card? I prefer original (old) hardware with my miggies, but if there is a good reason to buy I would buy one. Good reason is not that it is new, what is real life speed diffrence to older cards?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: wawrzon on May 17, 2016, 09:44:47 PM
this is a project, or better work in progress, not an end user product.

im passing on bike in front of a house where this guys bureau apparently is quite often, but hestitate to bother, especially i have nothing to contribute except good wishes.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 17, 2016, 10:07:57 PM
Quote from: wawrzon;808689
this is a project, or better work in progress, not an end user product.

im passing on bike in front of a house where this guys bureau apparently is quite often, but hestitate to bother, especially i have nothing to contribute except good wishes.


AND one seriously hard to decipher paragraph.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: wawrzon on May 17, 2016, 10:30:21 PM
Quote from: Iggy;808693
AND one seriously hard to decipher paragraph.


just add missing comas, we dont need that in polish.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on May 17, 2016, 10:34:54 PM
Nice that we seem to have A2000-compatible video cards coming out of the woodwork these days!  This one seems a lot "rougher around the edges" than the other two, however.  Looks like it's using a full FPGA board to produce the video signal, so in theory this means this one could be more easily upgraded (sort of like the Vampire cores)?

Now if only we had a decent software solution!  *shakes fist in the general direction of the P96 guys and all the thread-trolling about them in other places already, recently*  :laughing:
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 17, 2016, 11:20:35 PM
Quote from: wawrzon;808694
just add missing comas, we dont need that in polish.


"...where this guys bureau apparently is quite often, but hestitate to bother..."

Well, your English is still better than my Polish, but wtf does a bureau have to do with this sentence?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on May 17, 2016, 11:38:53 PM
Quote from: utri007;808685
Does this has 4mb ram or more? I know It reserves 4mb from Zorro II adress space.

Just wondering, what are benefits of this card? I prefer original (old) hardware with my miggies, but if there is a good reason to buy I would buy one. Good reason is not that it is new, what is real life speed diffrence to older cards?

All graphics cards require a portion of the Zorro address space.  This isn't a problem on A3000/A4000 machines with their Zorro III bus, but on A2000's (with their 8MB Zorro II limitation) often you had to do various work-arounds.  For example if you had an 8MB memory board and a graphics card that required 2MB, you'd have to jumper your memory board down to 6MB in order for them to play nice together.  Or use segmented mode, or various other work-arounds.  Presumably this card has the equivalent of 4MB of video ram, or for whatever other reason requires 4MB of address space.

In any case, if you (quote) "prefer original (old) hardware", there's really no convincing you why you might need or want this board.  Is it going to help you run old games better?  Of course not.  But for people who like to run newer software, or really push the limits of their systems, more graphics card options is always better.  :D
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: wawrzon on May 18, 2016, 12:47:43 AM
Quote from: wawrzon;808689
this is a project, or better work in progress, not an end user product.

im passing on bike in front of a house where this guys bureau apparently is quite often, but hestitate to bother, especially i have nothing to contribute except good wishes.


need to correct myself. its just entered distribution:

http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?t=52153&page=3

another problem for thor, as it seems, as the p96 autors do not answered mails, the designer of the card intends though to write a p96 compatible driver anyway, even if he would have to rewrite the headers ;)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: QuikSanz on May 18, 2016, 01:51:42 AM
@Oldsmobile_Mike,

Your right but with a good accell card you can run 128MB on the card and still have 8 meg, maybe a hair more on the bus. An 8 MB Graphics card maybe doable.

Chris
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on May 18, 2016, 02:28:16 AM
Quote from: QuikSanz;808704
Your right but with a good accell card you can run 128MB on the card and still have 8 meg, maybe a hair more on the bus. An 8 MB Graphics card maybe doable.

That's something I would like to see!  I have 128MB on my accelerator, certainly don't need the extra mem in the ZII address space (except for a handful of older programs that still look for it there).  Would be interesting to see an 8MB graphics card, fully saturate the Zorro II bus, what the heck.  It's not like we really need that space.  But then you're still going to hit the limitations of the slow speed of the bus, and with newer accelerators like the Vampire going to include built-in graphics anyway, it's unlikely we'll ever see a truly "maxed out" Zorro II video card.  ;)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: QuikSanz on May 18, 2016, 02:41:58 AM
@Oldsmobile_Mike,

Still would be nice to have a killer fast FPGA acell on a ZII machine with a PCI slot off the edge for a good Graphics card, 128MB maybe. And leave the ZII for other old stuff. Dream mode off...

Chris
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: QuikSanz on May 18, 2016, 04:03:41 AM
By the way, how much graphics mem and what is the bus speed of the vampire?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: kolla on May 18, 2016, 04:20:46 AM
Quote from: Iggy;808698
"...where this guys bureau apparently is quite often, but hestitate to bother..."

Well, your English is still better than my Polish, but wtf does a bureau have to do with this sentence?


"I'm passing, on bike, in front of a house, where this guy's bureau apparently is, quite often, but (I) hestitate to bother (him), especially (since) I have nothing to contribute, except good wishes."

Better?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on May 18, 2016, 04:26:26 AM
Quote from: kolla;808711
where this guy's bureau apparently is

I assume by "bureau" he means "where this guy's company is" or "where he works", or something along those lines.  But over here a bureau is one of these:

(http://www.sugarplumoak.com/products/full/p12091450812646.jpg)


:lol:
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: ExiE_ on May 18, 2016, 10:42:10 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;808712
I assume by "bureau" he means "where this guy's company is" or "where he works", or something along those lines.  But over here a bureau is one of these::lol:


my english suxx too but...

bureau
1. an administrative unit of government (synonyms: agency, office)
2. furniture with drawers for keeping clothes
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: kolla on May 18, 2016, 10:58:36 AM
Mike, since you are in DC, I suggest you visit the FBI headquarters and ask them what a bureau is.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Rob on May 18, 2016, 12:52:32 PM
Since this card has an FPGA it could be re-purposed as something else and the HDMI connector could be treated as a breakout for whatever connectivity you could fit to it's 19 pins.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 18, 2016, 01:46:31 PM
Quote from: kolla;808711
"I'm passing, on bike, in front of a house, where this guy's bureau apparently is, quite often, but (I) hestitate to bother (him), especially (since) I have nothing to contribute, except good wishes."

Better?


A little.
You are close enough to ride your bike past his home or office, but you hesitate to stop as you do not want to bother him.

Sorry for my confusion.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on May 18, 2016, 06:25:43 PM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;808705
...  But then you're still going to hit the limitations of the slow speed of the bus, and with newer accelerators like the Vampire going to include built-in graphics anyway, it's unlikely we'll ever see a truly "maxed out" Zorro II video card.  ;)

just curious but what about Zorro III speeds/limitations?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 18, 2016, 06:31:39 PM
Ultimately you are cpu bound no matter what bus you use with a 68K.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on May 18, 2016, 07:37:45 PM
Quote from: klx300r;808730
just curious but what about Zorro III speeds/limitations?

Still like 9349057398547x faster than Zorro II, haha.  ;)

*I know that's not an approximate number.  I'm sure some smart-ass will come along and say exactly what the performance difference is, but I can't remember and can't be bothered to google it right now, lol.  :lol:
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on May 18, 2016, 08:06:17 PM
Quote from: Iggy;808731
Ultimately you are cpu bound no matter what bus you use with a 68K.

but a 68000 varies from a 68060
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Rob on May 18, 2016, 09:18:07 PM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;808733
Still like 9349057398547x faster than Zorro II, haha.  ;)

*I know that's not an approximate number.  I'm sure some smart-ass will come along and say exactly what the performance difference is, but I can't remember and can't be bothered to google it right now, lol.  :lol:


I found this discussion from 2007.  It's worth reading the whole thread.

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28865
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: zipper on May 18, 2016, 09:30:47 PM
RTG cards vary in ZorroIII speed between about 10 MB/s to 18 MB/s, CV64 being the fastest afaik. My PIV did probably 12 - 14 MB/s.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 18, 2016, 09:37:14 PM
Quote from: klx300r;808734
but a 68000 varies from a 68060


Yes, the 68060 is the beast of the family.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on May 18, 2016, 10:55:20 PM
Quote from: Iggy;808737
Yes, the 68060 is the beast of the family.

hehe yes we amigans know that much;) but I was referring to the CPU interaction with the ZorroII/III slots
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Iggy on May 19, 2016, 12:45:39 AM
Quote from: klx300r;808740
hehe yes we amigans know that much;) but I was referring to the CPU interaction with the ZorroII/III slots


Yes, but it just seems inuitive that the '060 would be better at maxing out the capability of those buses.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Heiroglyph on May 19, 2016, 01:19:46 AM
Quote from: Iggy;808748
Yes, but it just seems inuitive that the '060 would be better at maxing out the capability of those buses.

In theory the 030 should be fastest. It can do a proper burst since the bus was originally designed around it.

I don't think the 040 and 060 boards we have can translate that correctly without adding cycles.

I could be mistaken and the extra CPU power might compensate for it though.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: jack-3d on March 19, 2017, 12:42:29 PM
My user review of VA2000 in A4000 with the latest firmware and drivers v1.4.

http://jack.untergrund.net/2017/03/18/mnt-va2000-amiga-zorro-graphics-card-fw-v1-4/

I must say progress is obvious and VA2000 is currently more then promissing project.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 19, 2017, 05:48:20 PM
@ jack-3d

thanks for the great review! I'm basically waiting to see what the new Phase 5 will do with their run of Cyberstorm RTG cards and will buy the best one for my A4000.  I currently have an Indivision AGA MK2 which I have a love/hate relationship with so if either card can be used without the use of the IndiAGA I'd be very happy
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: jack-3d on March 19, 2017, 07:37:20 PM
Even when "New phase5" would start reproducing their old products, you will get 4 MB graphics boards. OR you simply dont wait and order half-length modern 32 MB RTG which seems to have good future as video modul will come up for it as well (then you can throw out your Indivision). Yes I have to admit performance is still not that good as the old RTG cards, but it gets there every new firmware and driver and who knows what will be performance in final stages.

I am not the owner of the VA2000 I have it just borrowed, because I am sceptic with new projects and I always wait for things get reviewed to deside if I really want it. In this case I reviewed it by myself and once video module come out for it I will order it as complete RTG/Scandoubler solution just like Picasso4 was.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: guest11527 on March 19, 2017, 08:08:54 PM
Quote from: klx300r;823608
I'm basically waiting to see what the new Phase 5 will do with their run of Cyberstorm RTG cards and will buy the best one for my A4000.
RTG cards? Oh well, I guess he will be rather sell you socks. Seriously, where should the new old-stock chips come from? Who will write drivers? How?

Currently, your best bet is probably Matze's graphics card if you want something new. Or the above FGPA based card, even though it is currently a bit slower due to the absense of a sufficiently powerful blitter.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 19, 2017, 09:18:54 PM
@ jack-3d & Thomas Richter

thanks for review & info, I just ordered my MNT VA2000 Zorro Graphics card for my Amiga 4000:)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Rob on March 20, 2017, 01:47:20 AM
Quote from: jack-3d;823611
Even when "New phase5" would start reproducing their old products, you will get 4 MB graphics boards. OR you simply dont wait and order half-length modern 32 MB RTG which seems to have good future as video modul will come up for it as well (then you can throw out your Indivision). Yes I have to admit performance is still not that good as the old RTG cards, but it gets there every new firmware and driver and who knows what will be performance in final stages.


The CybervisionPPC had 8MB but I remain sceptical about this new Phase5's ability to source  the parts needed to make new boards.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: jack-3d on March 20, 2017, 08:57:09 AM
Yes CVPPC has 8 MB, but it is not a Zorro RTG and its only usable with MK3/PPC Cyberstorms. Anyway who knows what is going on with new phase5, too many anouncements and nothing real produced yet.

BTW Video Slot Module for VA2000 has been added to the shop since yesterday: http://shop.mntmn.com/product/mnt-va2000cx-video-slot-expansion-diy-kit-or-assembled
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: koshman on March 20, 2017, 09:07:42 AM
Re the new Video Slot module - when he says it doesn't support AGA does it mean it will not output any video for AGA screenmodes or will it but it with limited color palette?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Rob on March 20, 2017, 10:53:01 AM
Quote from: jack-3d;823621
Yes CVPPC has 8 MB, but it is not a Zorro RTG and its only usable with MK3/PPC Cyberstorms.


klx300r brought it up and he has a CS MK3.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 20, 2017, 04:47:12 PM
Quote from: jack-3d;823621

...BTW Video Slot Module for VA2000 has been added to the shop since yesterday: http://shop.mntmn.com/product/mnt-va2000cx-video-slot-expansion-diy-kit-or-assembled

I just ordered my board yesterday and went to add this moduel to my order to ship both together BUT I see "No support for AGA 24-bit color" ???
so looks like I better keep my IndiAGAMK2 after all as I enjoy watching many AGA demos in 640x512.
I've left an email for the developer for a clearer understanding of this module.

@ Rob

true it has 8MB but I like the fact the VA2000 is being constantly developed and has 32MB
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: LoadWB on March 20, 2017, 07:11:56 PM
I am a little disappointed the CX does not support AGA.  I suppose that is a limitation of the VA2000?

Anyway, for anyone planning the do the firmware 1.4 upgrade, when I did the upgrade I was still running the 1.3 driver and the screen was distorted with mouse tracks all over the place.  I was able to copy the driver into the Picasso96 drawer and rebooted, voila.

Not sure if the 1.4 driver will run the 1.3 firmware, so YMMV all around.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: LoadWB on March 20, 2017, 07:12:50 PM
Quote from: koshman;823622
Re the new Video Slot module - when he says it doesn't support AGA does it mean it will not output any video for AGA screenmodes or will it but it with limited color palette?


Limited.  I ran an Amber board in my 4000D for a very long time.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: jack-3d on March 20, 2017, 07:47:17 PM
What I understood from his replies on german forum the module is for ECS Amigas (A2000 and A3000 video slots) and for A4000 is needed physically longer module with more pins. Not sure if he plan to produce it. Lets wait for more answers, nobody is sure right now.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 20, 2017, 08:11:02 PM
Quote from: jack-3d;823641
What I understood from his replies on german forum the module is for ECS Amigas (A2000 and A3000 video slots) and for A4000 is needed physically longer module with more pins. Not sure if he plan to produce it. Lets wait for more answers, nobody is sure right now.

ok I'm also awaiting for a responsee to my email as I was hoping to get both boards together and save on shipping
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: nicholas on March 20, 2017, 08:34:45 PM
Quote from: klx300r;823642
ok I'm also awaiting for a responsee to my email as I was hoping to get both boards together and save on shipping


When I checked this morning it's impossible to buy the graphics card as it's sold out. Only the video module is available to buy.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 20, 2017, 08:50:31 PM
Quote from: nicholas;823643
When I checked this morning it's impossible to buy the graphics card as it's sold out. Only the video module is available to buy.

yes looks like I bought the last of batch yesterday but I'm just waiting for clarification on the module attachment right now as I've already purchased the main graphics card itself.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Acill on March 20, 2017, 09:18:14 PM
Quote from: klx300r;823646
yes looks like I bought the last of batch yesterday but I'm just waiting for clarification on the module attachment right now as I've already purchased the main graphics card itself.


I've been in talks with him in the facebook group and he has said currently the video slot module doesnt support output of the AGA modes but he has built them to support it at a later time with plans to do so. He has made it with enough pins to add in the support with a firmware update.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: LoadWB on March 20, 2017, 09:58:20 PM
I guess I'll wait for the third batch to pick up a second card and video adapter for both... :)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: NovaCoder on March 20, 2017, 10:44:33 PM
This is such a cool bit of hardware, always nice to see innovative Classic hardware released :)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: LoadWB on March 21, 2017, 05:24:05 AM
I am blown away.  32MB graphic card with HDMI output.  Hot damn.  The icing on the cake would be if the video adapter would support AGA and audio to put sound out the HDMI.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on March 21, 2017, 06:01:19 AM
Quote from: LoadWB;823663
The icing on the cake would be if the video adapter would support AGA and audio to put sound out the HDMI.


Does the video slot carry audio signals from Paula? Afaik it does not, but I've certainly been wrong before. ;)

You'd probably need one of those HDMI cables like kipper2k used to sell:
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: LoadWB on March 21, 2017, 12:25:33 PM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;823665
Does the video slot carry audio signals from Paula? Afaik it does not, but I've certainly been wrong before. ;)

You'd probably need one of those HDMI cables like kipper2k used to sell:


It does.  And unless that cable has a digital converter, it is custom and just uses some pins in the cable to carry the analog audio.  HDMI is entirely digital.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 21, 2017, 02:51:54 PM
Quote from: Acill;823647
I've been in talks with him in the facebook group and he has said currently the video slot module doesnt support output of the AGA modes but he has built them to support it at a later time with plans to do so. He has made it with enough pins to add in the support with a firmware update.

ok thanks for the info, glad to hear the addon card is update ready for AGA when available and a new card doesn't have to be purchased
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 22, 2017, 03:08:26 AM
anyone know how I can get a hold of Lukas other than the email on the webpage??
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 22, 2017, 01:18:24 PM
ok got a response from the developer and it looks like no AGA support for the add on board unfortunately for A4000 users:

'no, there is no AGA support. I recommend to use your Indivision instead.
I'm also working on something similar to Ratte switch but for HDMI.

Cheers
Lukas"
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: jack-3d on March 23, 2017, 10:11:34 AM
That is not an answer I would be happy about. The video module then is worthy only for Amiga 2000 because A3000 already have high-quality scandoubler with flickerfixer. Pity he does not plan AGA module :(
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on March 23, 2017, 07:59:46 PM
Quote from: jack-3d;823732
That is not an answer I would be happy about. The video module then is worthy only for Amiga 2000 because A3000 already have high-quality scandoubler with flickerfixer. Pity he does not plan AGA module :(

oh well just glad I got a straight response directly from the developer and I hope the HDMI switch for the Indivision AGA MK2 comes to fruition as it looks like I'll need to be keeping mine in my A4000 after all
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Damion on March 24, 2017, 06:46:13 AM
Quote from: jack-3d;823732
That is not an answer I would be happy about. The video module then is worthy only for Amiga 2000 because A3000 already have high-quality scandoubler with flickerfixer. Pity he does not plan AGA module :(

On the other hand, the digital signal will (presumably) provide better output quality, so still some use for the A3000 with your LCD (and no issues switching between RTG and "native" modes).

BTW, quite a few of the old-school scandoublers (the A1200 DCE one comes to mind) weren't 24-bit. Not to mention, a considerable share of LCDs out there aren't, either. (An example (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_rate_control) of one of the techniques some manufacturers use to "fake" greater color depth...)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on June 02, 2017, 10:03:19 PM
Quote from: klx300r;823616
@ jack-3d & Thomas Richter

thanks for review & info, I just ordered my MNT VA2000 Zorro Graphics card for my Amiga 4000:)

anyone know how i can get a hold of Lukas (the board developer) as he's not responding to email?  I paid for my card on March 19 and still haven't received it??
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: zipper on June 02, 2017, 10:20:52 PM
http://shop.mntmn.com/
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: nyteschayde on June 03, 2017, 04:32:56 AM
Can the MNT card be used with mediator A4000di setups?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on June 03, 2017, 08:21:09 PM
Quote from: nyteschayde;826611
Can the MNT card be used with mediator A4000di setups?


don't see why not as it's a Zorro card but it's safe to ask anyhow on the contact link at the website

@ all

Markus got a hold of me and should be getting my card next week :-)
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: wawrzon on June 04, 2017, 02:16:01 AM
there might be any timing problems, but im unaware to any, let alone mediator exlusive. driver support  for the card appears to be still incomplete, but the project is a very promissing one.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on July 25, 2017, 11:32:48 PM
well it took a while but finally got my card in my A4000:hammer: impressed so far but had to flash the firmware back to v1.4 to get my card recognized but today just got a note from the developer that V1.62 is out and should hopefully fix that issue.

get V1.62 here: http://mntmn.com/va2000/

now really hope that the MNT VA2000CX Video Slot Expansion would be upgraded to support AGA so I can get rid of My IndiAGA in my A4000
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on August 19, 2017, 01:36:05 AM
new firmware out today!

get V1.7 here: http://mntmn.com/va2000/

for me this version doesn't find my x-syrf-100 again but at least it boots into Workbench again...only version that works and doesn't interfere with my X-Surgf-100 is v1.4 for some reason ? looking forward to next update...
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Acill on August 19, 2017, 05:47:12 AM
I have one sitting in an A4000D not doing much flashed to the 1.62 firmware. I wasnt aware it caused issues with the xsurf-100? Makes me not want to use this thing hearing that!
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: kirk_m on August 19, 2017, 07:05:11 AM
Something else that doesn't work with the X-surf-100?  I bought one of those IDE4Zorro2 cards for my A2000, and, the x-surf-100 will not work with this card either.  As soon as the TCP/IP stack is initialized, it locks the computer up so that the mouse will not respond and the floppy click stops.  I didn't have that problem when I was using a plipbox instead of the x-surf-100.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on August 19, 2017, 07:51:45 AM
guys hold up the VA2000 & X-Surf 100 are working great BUT with only v1.4 firmware on my system...for whatever reason the last few updates are messing with the x-surf-100 BUT the developer knows about the issue and will hopefully get it sorted out on a new update soon but in the mean time the card works great with v1.4 for me
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on August 19, 2017, 04:59:07 PM
Quote from: klx300r;829786
guys hold up the VA2000 & X-Surf 100 are working great BUT with only v1.4 firmware on my system...for whatever reason the last few updates are messing with the x-surf-100 BUT the developer knows about the issue and will hopefully get it sorted out on a new update soon but in the mean time the card works great with v1.4 for me


Hey hey, an actual responsive developer. Guys should buy more of this hardware to support him. :D
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: QuikSanz on August 19, 2017, 06:02:30 PM
I can see replacing my CG64-3D with SD/FF with this when it matures a bit. The amount of memory for a stand alone card is impressive.
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: magnetic on August 19, 2017, 07:24:18 PM
Quote from: Acill;829782
I have one sitting in an A4000D not doing much flashed to the 1.62 firmware. I wasnt aware it caused issues with the xsurf-100? Makes me not want to use this thing hearing that!


hey paul if you sell it let me know... i dont think you need it with vampire do you?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: klx300r on April 03, 2018, 11:43:05 PM
is the microSDHD card reader still in beta as the 'beta' seems to be removed now from the MNT website ?

also, what's the max size microSDHD card that can be used in the VA2000 ?
Title: Re: MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)
Post by: QuikSanz on April 04, 2018, 02:15:57 AM
I'll put one in my 4000T when he can upscale it to min 60Hz. Maybe 2X oversampling?