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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: kreciu on January 18, 2016, 01:20:14 AM

Title: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: kreciu on January 18, 2016, 01:20:14 AM
I have some ZorroII slots (I never used them) and I'm thinking to get some graphic card for them (one beautiful day). I started to read about Zorro II and I found something about "video enabler". Is it used only for graphic card with scan-doublers?

WHAT IS video enabler? Do I have to have it or not to use graphic card?

Thank you for help!
Title: Re: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: mechy on January 18, 2016, 03:32:46 AM
Quote from: kreciu;802377
I have some ZorroII slots (I never used them) and I'm thinking to get some graphic card for them (one beautiful day). I started to read about Zorro II and I found something about "video enabler". Is it used only for graphic card with scan-doublers?

WHAT IS video enabler? Do I have to have it or not to use graphic card?

Thank you for help!

You don't mention what machine you are using, but i assume it is a A2000 since its only zorro2..

A2000 has zorro slots,cpu slot and video slot. Video slot is usually used for things like the Videotoaster or scan doubler etc. there is nothing to do to enable it but plug the cards in..

for example,the picassoIV video card has a scandoubler board you snap loose from the main board.In the case of the 2000 you connect it to the PIV main board with cables. the scan doubler goes in the video slot on the side of the power supply,and the picassoIV main card goes in a zorro2 slot.
then you install P96(the graphics system/drivers) to use the card.

a3000 and 4000 have zorro2/zorro3, zorro3 is much much faster than zorro2, but is the same style slot. on those machine the video slot is inline with the zorro2/3 slot.

Zorro2 moves about 3.5MB/s max and zorro3 can do approx 14MB/s max depending on the cards.

some other video cards for 2000 would be the gvp spectrum,cybervision 64/3d,PicassoII,Picasso II+,and there are a few more.
Title: Re: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: Acill on January 18, 2016, 04:28:06 AM
Video slot enabler is used on some of the older Elbox and maybe other companies busboard add on for A1200 machines. It "enabled"  the otherwise inactive slot.
Title: Re: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: Brian on January 18, 2016, 07:32:53 AM
Quote from: kreciu;802377
I have some ZorroII slots (I never used them) and I'm thinking to get some graphic card for them (one beautiful day). I started to read about Zorro II and I found something about "video enabler". Is it used only for graphic card with scan-doublers?

WHAT IS video enabler? Do I have to have it or not to use graphic card?

Thank you for help!

Several Amiga A1200 Zorro busboards have an inline Video slot that is inactive until you've connected an optional videoslot enabler (http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/categorylist.aspx?se=enabler). As long as you avoid the Impact Vision 24 any other Zorro II (RTG) Videocards should work fine without the videoslot enabled (although the scandoubler function of the CyberVision64/3D and Picasso IV will not).
Title: Re: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: kreciu on January 18, 2016, 04:14:59 PM
Quote from: Brian;802390
Several Amiga A1200 Zorro busboards have an inline Video slot that is inactive until you've connected an optional videoslot enabler (http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/categorylist.aspx?se=enabler). As long as you avoid the Impact Vision 24 any other Zorro II (RTG) Videocards should work fine without the videoslot enabled (although the scandoubler function of the CyberVision64/3D and Picasso IV will not).


Thank you for answer!  Now I need to look for graphic card, I think that Picasso II would be nice :).
Title: Re: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 18, 2016, 05:01:53 PM
Quote from: kreciu;802377
I have some ZorroII slots (I never used them)

Quote from: kreciu
A1200/3.1/AmigaOS3.9/030/50Mhz/64Mb/FastATA/MediatorTX/Radeon9200SE-128/8Gb-CF/DVD-ROM/ZIP-250/FDD-HD/LCD 20"
Quote from: kreciu
Thank you for answer!  Now I need to look for graphic card, I think that Picasso II would be nice.
It is confusing from your sig which of your machines you're looking for the upgrade for.  Personally if I had a Mediator, I'd be looking for something a little more high-spec than a PII.  ;)
Title: Re: Zorro II - Video Enabler?
Post by: kreciu on January 18, 2016, 05:59:23 PM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;802405
It is confusing from your sig which of your machines you're looking for the upgrade for.  Personally if I had a Mediator, I'd be looking for something a little more high-spec than a PII.  ;)


It is not confusing at all, you know it is Amiga project ;)