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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: CodeHunter on January 30, 2006, 11:38:04 PM
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Can I connect an Amiga 1200 to a modern day VGA monitor? Specifically to a LCD monitor (model: DELL 24" 2405FPW).
If possible, would I have any issues with refres rate or other image settings? (read plug and play)
Many thanks in advance!
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You need a RGB to VGA Adapter and your LCD need to support PAL/NTSC-Modes. Otherwise you would need a scandoubler.
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Thanks. When you say:
LCD need to support PAL/NTSC-Modes
What exactly do you mean? I live in US, so my video system is NTSC and if I buy an Amiga, I would buy an NTSC version, is that what you mean?
Thanks again!
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You have to buy a amiga rgb2vga adaptor and then it will work with a very few monitors that supports the low refresh rate of a standard amiga. The other option is to buy a flicker fixer vga adaptor, which will not only convert the signal to vga but will also double the refresh rate, so that it is compitable with most vga monitors.
The only Amiga that comes with built in vga and flickerfixer is the a3000.
The Amiga1200 works fine with a normal tv though, but the quality will not be as great as with a monitor.
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To display native Amiga screen modes on a PC monitor, use a Scandoubler/Flicker Fixer (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=414).
Alternatively you can get your Amiga to display VGA-frequency modes and simply use an SVGA to Amiga RGB Adapter (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=183).
The only problem is most games use native Amiga modes. Workbench and related Applications/utilities can be used on VGA-compatible screen modes.
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Another alternative, of course, would be to towerize the A1200 and use an Elbox Mediator, with a compatable PCI video card (VooDoo3/4/5, etc)... This, however, would only alow use of "retargetable graphics" (RTG) compatable software/games. It's also a bit pricey, but allows the use of other PCI devices which are ALOT cheaper than ones made for Amigas.
I would definately go for a scandoubler regardless, simply because it's the most native solution to the VGA problem.
Combine both and use a dual input monitor or a KVM/video switch! All possible screen modes in one monitor!
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Hi,
The Dell 2405FPW appears to have composite input as well as VGA, so in theory you could use composite video for the Amiga's 15KHz modes, and then VGA for the 31KHz modes...
You'd have to switch the monitor manually between the two, I guess.
Alternatively, you might be lucky and find that the monitor will sync down to 15KHz on the VGA port, since it has to do this for the composite and s-video inputs to work.
Having said that, I have seen old-ish Samsung LCD TVs with VGA ports, and they won't sync down to 15KHz on VGA, so it's no guarantee.
- Ali
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@CodeHunter
You dont need anything but an RGB to VGA adaptor.........then simply put yout Amigas screen mode into DblNTSC or Multiscan mode and thats it!
You will not be able to play Games though......as 99% of them are NTSC/PAL 15khz instead of 31khz VGA...........
If you want to be able to display all modes including games........then get an LCD that also has Video inputs Like S-Video and Composite. if you cant get that..then the final option is to get a ScanDoubler Flicker Fixer that will basically convert all Video signals from the Amiga to 31khz VGA.
Scandoublers are expensive........so really.If you must have an LCD..its best to get one with S-Video and Composite INPUTS.....lots of them have that.
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Short answer: If you want to play games, you need a ScanDoubler (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=414&osCsid=c4748858bb65cbb467186c1ac021d74d), which will convert all Amiga screenmodes to VGA frequencies, and display them on any VGA monitor. An alternative would be one of these (http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=1332) screens, or something similar.
If you don't want to play games and only want to use Workbench and OS friendly appplications that open on Intuition (?) screens, then you can just use an adapter cable to connect the monitor to the Amiga's output, and set the application to use a resolution at VGA frequencies.
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moto