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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: dschallock on August 17, 2015, 05:24:26 PM
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I use a picasso IV for both my RTG screenmodes and also to pass through my standard amiga screen modes for games and older software that won't promote. Currently I have it plugged into the LED TV set because it seems to support my standard RTG mode of 1024x768x16bit and it will also do 640x480 and even 320x200. All of this via the RGB (PC) plug in on the TV set. So this works great, but I want to get a monitor for my amiga and not always have it plugged into the TV set. I tried plugging my LED PC monitor into it and it says it is an unsupported screen mode. it wants everything to be in the one resolution the monitor wants. 1920x1200 or something... can't remember.
Anyway, when shopping monitors on Amazon they are quick to tell you what resolution they support up to, but they don't mention if they can go down to 320x200. Does anyone know of a good modern monitor choice for set up like mine? How are others dealing with these issues?
Thanks!
Dan
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I have no problems using any modern monitor, TV, or projector, with my Indivision ECS. Throwing Battle Squadron up on the wall of our office conference room was a fun test of that last one! :)
Graphics cards are a bit more finicky, and for those I tend to pick a slightly older 4:3 aspect ratio screen, like the Dell 2007FP or the 1908FPb (or any of the "UltraBrite" models, since they have higher brightness/contrast and faster refresh than a standard monitor). If your PIV supports widescreen display modes (I haven't found many that work well with my GVP Spectrum), you may not have these limitations.
Some people will tell you that the only way to get a "good" Amiga display is with a CRT monitor, since they're not "fixed" to specific resolutions like LCD panels. Personally I call poppycock on that, I think they've just only had experience with cheap-o slow refresh screens, but I understand how some folks can be "retro purists", and only want to use old monitors with their old computers. I ain't got time for that. ;)
Just make sure you set your settings correctly: i.e., if you're using a 4:3 aspect ratio screenmode (like 320x200), don't set the display to "widescreen" mode or your stuff will be stretched out horizontally. It's pretty much common sense, really, but you have no idea how often I see stuff where the display can be improved many-fold, just by tweaking the settings.
There was one guy who bought himself a $1000 gaming monitor for their Amiga here on the forums a few months back. Said it was the most fantastic display he'd ever seen, and judging from the reviews online I can believe it. But OMG, that price! You might be able to do a forum search to find the specific model #, I can't remember it off-hand. Good luck! :)
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sorry Mike but you lost me after 'poppycock' ;-)
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it wants everything to be in the one resolution the monitor wants.
I strongly doubt this. If this was true, you wouldn't be able to enter the BIOS of a PC or install Windows on it.
I rather think it has a discrete set of resolutions it supports. I am quite sure that 640x400, 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 are among them.
Another problem could be the repeating frequency. While on CRTs you tend to use high frequencies like 90Hz or higher, most TFTs work best with 60Hz and might not accept anything above 75Hz.
In either case what you have to do is to check the monitor's manual for the supported modes and frequencies and use the Picasso96Mode program on the Amiga to adjust your screenmodes to these frequencies.
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That is a very good point Thomas that I hadn't considered. I will check into this. Thank you!
I strongly doubt this. If this was true, you wouldn't be able to enter the BIOS of a PC or install Windows on it.
I rather think it has a discrete set of resolutions it supports. I am quite sure that 640x400, 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 are among them.
Another problem could be the repeating frequency. While on CRTs you tend to use high frequencies like 90Hz or higher, most TFTs work best with 60Hz and might not accept anything above 75Hz.
In either case what you have to do is to check the monitor's manual for the supported modes and frequencies and use the Picasso96Mode program on the Amiga to adjust your screenmodes to these frequencies.
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Almost forgot! There's also the Dell SR2320L. Looks like it works on Amiga's in all standard screenmodes, without a scandoubler/flicker-fixer. Here's a thread on it: http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58860 Search the forums, it's mentioned a few other places, as well. I believe several people on this site own it.
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The Benq BL702A & Benq BL912 LED monitors supports all the native Amiga resolutions. See this thread:
http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=69252&highlight=benq