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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: kopykat on November 10, 2003, 10:13:49 AM

Title: Video card for A4000
Post by: kopykat on November 10, 2003, 10:13:49 AM
First off I would like to say Hi and great site...
OK,  I would like to use a lcd flat panel monitor for my A4000 but don't know what I need.
I have heard that a "Scandoubler" is needed and "FlickerFixer".  Can someone please point me in the right direction.  What do I need?
  :-?
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Cyberus on November 10, 2003, 10:28:17 AM
Well there are a few options

One is that you get a Picasso IV graphics card
Another is that you get a multisync LCD, able to sync down to   15kHz
Another is that you get a scandoubler/ flickerfixer and use the Amiga's onboard garphics
Another is that you get a mediator and a PCI gfx card (will still need multisync monitor/or scandoubler+FF to display all screenmodes)

I think that covers it. I use a commodore monitor with my A4000, so I don't have the same problem at the moment - perhaps someone else can fill in the gaps / correct anything I've got wrong there....
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Jose on November 10, 2003, 10:43:49 AM
Another one is that you simply use the 30Khz modes that the AGA chipset on your A4000 supports.
Beware though there are some LCDs that are very "picky".

Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: kopykat on November 10, 2003, 03:25:20 PM
If I upgrade to the Picasso IV graphics card, do I still need the scandglr and Flkrfxr?  Is there any other video cards out there for use on the A4000 that are good?
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Cyberus on November 10, 2003, 03:33:42 PM
The Picasso IV has a built-in flicker fixer.
For more info see RTG Graphics cards section at amiga-hardware.com
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: ryan2k1 on November 10, 2003, 04:47:32 PM
Yo! and wellcome to the amiga world :-)

Some advise... Dont use flatscreens with plain AGA get a graphic card and then get a Flat panel.

However i have only tested TFT flat screens and be horenst it looks like ####, manufactures recommends 1078*768 or so.
Any resolution below do work but it's very nasty to look at.

try for yourself, i might be wrong :-)

G'Luck
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: x56h34 on November 10, 2003, 05:26:51 PM
LCDs are great for 1024x768 and above, but indeed, for lowres AGA stuff it will just look pixely, IMO.

If I had the space on my desk, I'd use an actual C= monitor for native modes as the image quality is the best, but I don't so... :-)

Also, there is a very important thing about Amiga ScanDoublers and Monitors that needs to be clarified. In order for a VGA monitor to work with a ScanDoubler it needs to support the lowest refresh rate at 30Hz. 31Hz often does not work, and a lot of LCDs out there can only go as low as 31Hz...even a lot of CRT monitors, too.

Pay close attention when you pick a monitor! 30Hz is the only way to be sure! I guess there may be LCD/CRT monitors that have a 31Hz lowest resresh rate spec that still may work, but... take it at your own risk.
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: sprocket on November 10, 2003, 05:56:21 PM
I'd sure agree that a Picasso IV would be the way to go but has anyone noticed how hard it is to find a display card of any sort for an Amiga these days?

Ebay has around 4 pages of Amiga listings anymore with most of that being old software and little hardware.

I can't find a display card at any of the U.S. Amiga retailers.

Someone needs to make a new display card....PCI/Z3 flipper edition, Jens?  
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: mikey2001 on November 10, 2003, 06:16:02 PM
Can anyone recommend any compatible CGA or LCD monitors that would work on an Amiga with a scandoubler(especially LCD)?  :-?  :-)
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: kopykat on November 11, 2003, 04:12:04 AM
I found this board "GVP Spectrum 24/28 Zorro II and III Graphic board for Amiga2000 3000 4000" Anyone know if this baord will suit my needs?  Anyone use this board?  Any advise would be appreciated!  Thanks :-D
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Effy on November 11, 2003, 04:39:52 AM
A Cybervision 64{3D  (http://www.vesalia.de/?V02b0f1552504f14785f58535209514e01101f0647414752050140090a1e31115579633a223c6373744e03263f2a2a766105396469622778292077055d703f3b6b0a40590c43053268796) is  still being sold at Vesalia (http://www.vesalia.de/?V02b0f1552504f14785f5853520b514e01101f06435605551c4e1108515d324c536c352c2c6165693647097c6a2e6a2c78461a1074366523683a3)
I have got one of those and it worked great on my 19" monitor, next to my multiscan 1538 that I used for native AGA screenmodes ...
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Effy on November 11, 2003, 04:55:31 AM
Or else on Ebay (http://search-desc.benl.ebay.be/search/search.dll?query=picasso+amiga&salocatedincountry=-15&ht=1&sosortproperty=1&from=R10&sotextsearched=2&BasicSearch=) ...
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Damion on November 11, 2003, 05:01:53 AM
@mikey2001

Horizontal refresh with the DCE made scandoubler
is dead - on 31.5KHZ, so pretty much any VGA -
style monitor should work fine, although as
some have pointed out, LCD displays could be
flakey.

So far the best picture quality I've seen from
an amiga w/scandoubler was on a flat - screen
17" Viewsonic CRT. The 15" Trinitron I'm using
now looks like ass until it's "warmed up" for
2 hours...but that's nothing to do with the
scandoubler.


Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: Iggy_Drougge on November 11, 2003, 10:11:30 AM
If you'd like to use the AGA output on a flat screen, consider getting one which supports 15 KHz input. Quite a lot of flat panels do so. There are two routes - use one which doubles as a flat screen TV, or check if it will support 15KHz input on its VGA connector. I know that at least one popular Korean brand has got a line of monitors belong to the latter group, and Swedish Amiga dealer GGS-data (http://www.ggsdata.se/) carries another such brand.
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: mikey2001 on November 11, 2003, 12:24:13 PM
@-D- and Iggy_Drougge

Thanks very much for the information.  :-)
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: bloodline on November 11, 2003, 12:27:39 PM
I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but wouldn't it be cheaper just to buy a PCI Busboard and a Cheap PCI GFX card?
Title: Re: Video card for A4000
Post by: kopykat on November 12, 2003, 01:50:11 PM
Anyone running a PCI Busboard and a Cheap PCI GFX card that could give a little insight on this setup?...