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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Software Issues and Discussion => Topic started by: AmigaFun on September 19, 2008, 04:14:01 PM
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Hello
I have a question regarding games (old and new) that were not developed with graphics cards in mind. Are patches available that can make a game, for example Alien Breed 3D II, use the power in a graphics card so you can use it full screen...I have looked at WHDLoad and the LHA file for that game makes no mention of graphics cards.
By graphics card I mean Cybervision 64, in an A4000.
Thanks
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no, it's tremendous amount of work. it's not possible.
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Actually for AB3D2 there is a patch (http://aminet.net/search?query=alien+breed+rtg).
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@countzero
Thats a shame :-(
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The party's back on :-D
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Hmm doesn't Alien Breed II have a RTG patch?
Yep here you go:
http://main.aminet.net/game/patch/AB3DII_RTG.lha
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Thank goodness for Aminet :-D
Thanks peeps
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I have another question. If I was to use WHDLoad to load up games, would the graphics be displayed via the graphics card, albeit at a reduced resolution ,if I was using a graphics card for Workbench, or would the game switch to the RGB port bypassing the graphics card?
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@AmigaFun
If I was to use WHDLoad to load up games, would the graphics be displayed via the graphics card
It wouldn't.
or would the game switch to the RGB port bypassing the graphics card?
It would.
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or would the game switch to the RGB port bypassing the graphics card?
It would.
But then, there's always some tricks to route the picture back to graphics card display, if you don't want to use separate monitor for that. You might need compromise about picture quality, but anyway.
In AmigaFun's Mediator setup, you can for example have TV-card plugged in and feed the Amiga's native modes to it and then you can display those games on graphic card's display. Mediator keeps displaying the TV even when games disable the multitasking.
Or if you get Amiga's graphic card, which has scandoubler and use it on Amiga which has videoslot. Then you can have all native modes displayed on same monitor with gfx card. Or graphics card with passthrough and external scandoubler. Or some monitor switcher system.. or dual input on your monitor, which you're probably already doing as you have external scandoubler too :)
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Using Picasso96 fakenative mode I got about 30-40% of old games to show on the RTG fakenative screen - but I tested only some 40-50 games.
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you can fool around with games which use workbench screens, but there's no way you can fool games which hit the hardware directly. And most good games do hit the hardware directly.
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Thank you again peeps. I can confirm that I will be using a Cybervision 64 so will either look around for a RGB to VGA adapter (they are around) or wait for a 4000 version of the new Scan doubler/Flicker fixer.
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Not sure if you're aware of this, but the CV64 you have just bought contains an automatic switcher. So if you use a scandoubler on your A4000's RGB port then the CV64 will automatically switch over to the scandoubled RGB signal when you launch, for example, a WHDLoad game. It will then switch back when you return to an RTG screenmode (e.g. Workbench).
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moto
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motorollin wrote:
Not sure if you're aware of this, but the CV64 you have just bought contains an automatic switcher. So if you use a scandoubler on your A4000's RGB port then the CV64 will automatically switch over to the scandoubled RGB signal when you launch, for example, a WHDLoad game. It will then switch back when you return to an RTG screenmode (e.g. Workbench).
Still, it will be just a PAL Lo/HiRes screen passthrough. I guess the TS was looking for games which actually use 800x600 (or higher) screens.
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OIC, sorry I thought he was asking whether they can be made to display through the gfx card rather than actually on it. Not that it would make much difference even it were possible. WHDLoad games would not perform any better running natively on a CV64, and if they did they would probably be too fast ;-)
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moto
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Yea sorry for confusion ! Originally I was looking for a way to get games to use the CV64 as a primary display without a need to use a scandoubler. But realize probably the best way is to get one. So will wait with anticipation for the Indivision flicker fixer for the 4000. Then I will be home and dry (?)
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Yes, that would do the trick. I have included with your stuff the CyberVision loop-back cable which takes the output from a ScanDoubler (or any other VGA source) and feeds it in to the video switcher on the CV64.
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moto
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This thread was just what i needed :)
I'm in the process of setting up a A4000 with Cybervision PPC, and a A3000 with a Cybervision 64.
The 4000/CVPPC is working fine. But what is the best solution for using native modes (gaming, demos) with that setup? Apart from the 17" CRT for Cybergraphx screenmodes I have a TV, and a 15" LCD, that can be used.
I sold of my Indivision FF/SD last year (at £200+;) so atm. I don't have a FF/SD.
The Cybervision PPC doesn't have a passthrough solution of any kind (?), so that will not be possible.
First question then:
I guess for this setup I will have to go with the standard scart TV for gaming? (until I maybe get another FF/SD)
I couldn't get the Cybervision working in the A3000 so I tested it in the A4000. It didn't work properly at first, but gave a very dark and monotone picture.
Then I moved the two jumpers on the A4000 motherboard that says where to get the Clocksignals. They where both seated at the position of EXT. They are named:
CLK 90 Clock Source J100 1-2 Internal (020/030)
2-3 External (040)
CPU Clock Source J104 1-2 Internal
2-3 External
I moved both to INT, and that didn't work any better.
Then I moved CPU Clock to EXT, and CLK 90 to INT, and now everything works as it should. Why is that? What is the CLK 90 for? I understand the CPU to EXT setting because there's a 060/PPC in the fast cpu slot.
Given the Cybervision 64 has a passthrough option (haven't tried it yet), I will use that on the A3000, since the 3000 has got a built in SD for native modes.
Second question then:
When using both native and cybergraphx on the same CRT input, will I have to adjust the picture (stretching etc.) for each time I go between a hi-res cybergraphx mode and a lo-res native mode?
My CRT has two inputs, will it be smarter to take the native modes from the amiga into its own input?
Third question:
Can someone tell me what the different ports on the A4000 daughtercard is? I've seen the info. on BBOAH etc. but they don't add up when counting and I'm not sure what slots are what.
Thanks!
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kidkoala wrote:
Can someone tell me what the different ports on the A4000 daughtercard is? I've seen the info. on BBOAH etc. but they don't add up when counting and I'm not sure what slots are what.
there are two lines of slots, zorro slots and ISA slots. Slots closer to the back side should be ISA slots. slots closer to the front should be Zorro 3 slots. the uppermost ISA slot is replaced with a Video slot (you can plug in some scandoublers or video cards in there I guess (nothing to do with graphic cards, except for the picasso IV which plugs both into the zorro 3 and video slot, for scandoubling native modes ))
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Ok about so much I had understood, but BBOAH says:
3 x inactive 16bit ISA slots (inline with Zorro)
I count5 ISA slots, does it mean that only three can be used at a time?
4 x 100pin Zorro III slots
I count 7 Zorro III slots, only 4 at a time?
1 x AGA Video slot (inline with Zorro)
I count 2 slots that are alike, at the top of the card, only the topmost one is a Video slot? So what's the other?
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You have a Micronik ISA 4000 busboard perhaps? Used for towered Amiga 4000 desktop models.
You can use at least all zorro slots at the same time.
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ah yes ofcourse, the machine i just bought, was in a tower :)
my bad.