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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: KatManDEW on February 15, 2009, 03:25:09 AM

Title: What is this puppy?
Post by: KatManDEW on February 15, 2009, 03:25:09 AM
Found this in my Miggy archives. it's a 23 pin female to 15 pin female adapter. Apparently a video adapter? It surely doesn't scan double or anything like that, but what is it used for?
(http://www.katmandew.com/images/Amiga/Video%20adapter.jpg)
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: dannyp1 on February 15, 2009, 03:38:49 AM
It's a video adapter that just allows you to use a different monitor cable.  It does nothing fancy.  They usually sell for between $10 and $20 on Ebay.
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: Ilwrath on February 15, 2009, 04:07:46 AM
Yep.  You can use an HD15 cable like you'd find on any VGA monitor.  Of course, you are very correct that it does not modify any frequencies.  It can still be very useful, though.  Some 15-30khz multisync monitors have an HD15 cable.  This will allow you to plug in and use those.  Also, the full ECS and AGA Amigas can output 30khz workbench screens, so you can view those on standard VGA monitors (using the VGAOnly and DblNTSC/DblPAL screenmodes).

Helpful little item.  I have a couple squirreled away.

Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: orb85750 on February 15, 2009, 04:12:49 AM
Just curious, is there any viewable output on a VGA if you use only this cheapo unit with the 15KHz signal?
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: Damion on February 15, 2009, 05:13:06 AM
Quote

orb85750 wrote:
Just curious, is there any viewable output on a VGA if you use only this cheapo unit with the 15KHz signal?


On 99% of monitors, no.

Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: KatManDEW on February 15, 2009, 06:31:26 AM
Where do you find the 30khz VGAOnly and DblNTSC/DblPAL screenmodes? I don't see them in Pref's...

I'm glad I have a Flicker Fixer and Picasso II in my A2000, and glad that I ordered a Indivision for my A1200, bucause Amiga video is aweful wimpy otherwise... It was my main beef with the Amiga "back in the day"...
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: countzero on February 15, 2009, 06:36:36 AM
Quote

KatManDEW wrote:
Where do you find the 30khz VGAOnly and DblNTSC/DblPAL screenmodes? I don't see them in Pref's...


check storage, and move them to devs/monitors
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: AmigaPixel on February 15, 2009, 06:54:26 AM
Quote

Ilwrath wrote:
.......Also, the full ECS and AGA Amigas can output 30khz workbench screens, so you can view those on standard VGA monitors (using the VGAOnly and DblNTSC/DblPAL screenmodes).

Helpful little item.  I have a couple squirreled away.



You say full ECS can output to DblNTSC/DblPAL screenmodes? I have never been clear about this. I thought only AGA could run in 31khz. I own an A2000 with rev 6 mobo, I believe 6.2 or 6.3, I'm not sure anymore since the tag either fell off or is hiding under the accelerator. Anyway would that be full ECS?  :-?
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: countzero on February 15, 2009, 06:58:21 AM
Yes, ECS can run 31 KHz modes. But not as good as AGA. For ex, Multiscan mode is only 4 colors instead of (16 ? 256 ?) of AGA. I'm not sure about the bit depth of dblNTSC, dblPAL modes (I don't use them).

Actually you don't need full ECS. Just ECS denise will probably be fine. I'm not familiar with A2000 mobo revisions. You should check with a diagnostic tool (SysInfo) to see if you have ECS Denise.
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: AmigaPixel on February 15, 2009, 07:11:53 AM
Thanks clears it up. I am still a little confused about setting it up since I have never used a multisync monitor before. I have a NEC XV17+ that will sync down to 31khz. Since my 1080 monitors all died I will have to rely temporarily on a tv. Do have to set it up to dblNTSC first and then shut the Amiga down to connect the multisync? Or do I connect the monitor first? If that is the case how will the monitor run since it does not sync down to 15khz? :-?
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: AmigaPixel on February 15, 2009, 07:15:08 AM
Also do I need to move the VGA modes from storage to the devs/monitors when using dblNTSC mode? Thanks
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: KatManDEW on February 15, 2009, 07:37:16 AM
Quote

countzero wrote:
Quote

KatManDEW wrote:
Where do you find the 30khz VGAOnly and DblNTSC/DblPAL screenmodes? I don't see them in Pref's...


check storage, and move them to devs/monitors


Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. That worked! (with my A1200 - haven't tried it with my ECS A2000, which has a Flicker Fixer and Picasso II).

Chip mem took a hit (I only have 2 meg chip in my A1200 at the moment, and no fast - yet). I had ~ 1.4 meg chip mem with the 1084 monitor in "NTSC High Res mode" (unlaced), and ~1.1 meg chip mem in 640x480 modes at ~30khz.

Biggest problem I see with this is the boot menu isn't visible (I have no internal DF0 in my A1200 at the moment), and what happens with games with a monitor that won't sync below 30khz?

At any reate, thanks for the info! Pretty cool stuff! Lack of a 640x480 "VGA" mode is a killer on an Amiga without a flicker fixer...
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: pyrre on February 15, 2009, 07:51:11 AM
You need that adapter to use 1942 monitor.
(or similar adapters)
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: Piru on February 15, 2009, 10:06:13 AM
@KatManDEW
Quote
what happens with games with a monitor that won't sync below 30khz?

You won't see anything. Depending on the monitor perhaps "out of sync" message or some weird corrupt display.
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: taunusand on February 15, 2009, 10:18:01 AM
Quote

AmigaPixel wrote:
Thanks clears it up. I am still a little confused about setting it up since I have never used a multisync monitor before. I have a NEC XV17+ that will sync down to 31khz. Since my 1080 monitors all died I will have to rely temporarily on a tv. Do have to set it up to dblNTSC first and then shut the Amiga down to connect the multisync? Or do I connect the monitor first? If that is the case how will the monitor run since it does not sync down to 15khz? :-?

Most Commodore monitors are easy to repair, I'm sure someone here can explain it better than I can :-)
A lot of times the fly-back transformer just need a bit of soldering.
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: Varthall on February 15, 2009, 10:57:21 AM
Quote

KatManDEW wrote:
Biggest problem I see with this is the boot menu isn't visible (I have no internal DF0 in my A1200 at the moment),

Use this hack to view the boot menu after a reset:

http://aminet.net/package/util/boot/bootctrl

Varthall
Title: Re: What is this puppy?
Post by: KatManDEW on February 15, 2009, 10:28:15 PM
Quote

Varthall wrote:
Quote

KatManDEW wrote:
Biggest problem I see with this is the boot menu isn't visible (I have no internal DF0 in my A1200 at the moment),

Use this hack to view the boot menu after a reset:

http://aminet.net/package/util/boot/bootctrl

Varthall


That's pretty interesting. Thanks for the tip.