VA2000 Support Thread

[LoadWB]

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere and I apologize if I've missed the glaring obvious, and it's really not a bother to me just more of a curiosity: is it possible to flash the VA2000 from the Amiga at all?

[LoadWB]

read the 2 posts before yours on this thread :whack:

Activating my Shield of Inthwapability!

I didn't ask about not removing it from the Amiga, I said FROM the Amiga, as in a flash tool within AmigaOS.  I suspect the answer is "no" as it would update code currently in use.  Since you can boot the Amiga into a standard Amiga screen mode (eg. the ESM,) it would seem it's still booting up as a video card accepting a code upgrade from the USB, then the answer might be "yes."

[LoadWB]

@ LoadWB

I accept your shield and I'm assuming the answer is no as the developer has only noted the above technique..at least for now anyhow:rtfm:

Point being I don't want to assume.  I was hoping for a technical answer.

[LoadWB]

@ mntmn

great news can%&$#?@!%&$#?@!%&$#?@!8217;t wait to try later tonight !

btw, does this mean I can replace my Indivision AGA with the VA2000CX board ??

Yes and no.  It will work functionally, but the VA2000CX does not support AGA so you won't get 24-bit.

In most cases you may not even notice.  In my younger newb days I had an A2320 in my 4000 and never even realized it wasn't putting out 24-bit.  I finally figured it out with some AGA demos and 24-bit paint program, and I still stuck with it.

[LoadWB]

If it doesn't support AGA modes, would it best be used on a non-AGA machine like the 3000 or 2000 (I know the question sounds really silly)?  I have a CV64/3D in my A3000, and I might transfer that to my 4000, and get an MNT for my 3000, instead, and use the CV for AGA/24 bit modes on the 4000.  Would this work?

If you really need the 24-bit pass-through then that's certainly a viable scenario.  Personally, I can pass on the native AGA for the benefit of HDMI, increased video memory, and massive screen resolution offered by the VA2000.

In fact, I currently have two 4000Ds.  One which I have been using as a test-build machine and has the VA2000, the other is my daily-use Amiga and has a Picasso IV.  Right now I am considering a PPC purchase for my main 4000D and if I go that route I will swap video cards and dispense of the venerable old PIV. (Not without some reservation or emotion as the PIV has served me well for the past 10 years and made my Amiga experience all the better.)

There is very little I do in a native Amiga screen which requires 24-bit.  Even some of the AGA WHDLoad games I think I will get away with just fine.

Or, I could save the PIV and sell the Spectrum 28/24 in the extra 4000D, and put the PIV in my 68060-based 2000.  So many options, and ultimately a matter of personal preferences