MNT VA2000 Amiga Graphics Card (Zorro II/III)

[klx300r]

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

[klx300r]

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

[klx300r]

...  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?

[klx300r]

Ultimately you are cpu bound no matter what bus you use with a 68K.

but a 68000 varies from a 68060

[klx300r]

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

[klx300r]

@ 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

[klx300r]

@ jack-3d & Thomas Richter

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

[klx300r]

...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

[klx300r]

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

[klx300r]

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.

[klx300r]

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

[klx300r]

anyone know how I can get a hold of Lukas other than the email on the webpage??

[klx300r]

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"

[klx300r]

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

[klx300r]

@ 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??