Monitors...

[motorollin]

prismra wrote:
I've done some research and from what I could find, you can use a SVGA monitor with an RGB-VGA adapter and set up an A1200 to use a driver that makes it run at 31 khz.

No, that's not correct. The output runs at 15KHz because that is how the hardware works. You can't change that with software. If your monitor supports 15KHz then you can display Amiga screenmodes on it, but if it doesn't then you need a scandoubler (hardware) to double the scan rate to 31KHz.

prismra wrote:
BUT, I also read that some old games and demos (the MAIN reason I want the machine) will assume a 15 khz standard TV/Commodore monitor so I'll be screwed basically since no new monitor uses a 15 khz horizontal frequency.

Some multisync monitors sync down to 15KHz so will display the Amiga's screens. If you use a scandoubler then you don't need to worry about this, you can use any VGA monitor.

--
moto

[motorollin]

prismra wrote:
Ahaaa! :idea:

Ok! I think I get it now.  So I can use ANY VGA/SVGA monitor with an RGB-VGA adapter as long as I use the scan doubler to, well, double the horizontal scan rate.

Actually, you don't need the RGB->VGA adapter, as ScanDoublers designed for Amigas connect directly to the Amiga RGB port. Alternatively, you can do what I have done and use an Amiga->SCART cable, and one of these.

You only need the RGB->VGA adapter if you are connecting directly to a VGA monitor that supports 15KHz.

Ok, so I can then use any vga monitor that takes a 30 khz horizontal scanrate.  Sweet!

Yup :-)

So where can I get one of these magical scandoublers and can I stick one inside a A1200 (non-tower [is there a term for that?])

You can get internal scandoublers that connect directly to the A1200 motherboard. They come with a blackplate to connect to a tower, but in your desktop A1200 you could just trail the cable out the back. Alternatively, you can get an external one which connects to the RGB port. You can find scandoublers on eBay but they are extremely expensive!

Alternatively, do what I have done with the Amiga->SCART cable and then any consumer SCART->VGA box.

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moto

[motorollin]

No, of course using an Amiga monitor (or even a TV with a Scart cable) is a real alternative. I just thought you wanted to use a VGA monitor  ;-)

The advantage of course is that VGA monitors are readily available and cheap. Commodore monitors are neither.

Also, if you get a scandoubler and a VGA monitor, then you have the option of using higher resolutions for your Workbench, and you can use the same monitor if you decide to upgrade to a graphics card at a later date.

--
moto

--EDIT
A scandoubler won't let you use any more colours than with the standard Amiga output to a TV. You need a graphics card to get more colours on screen.

[motorollin]

Jose wrote:
AGA can output 31Khz and even more as long as the drivers tell it to do so,

Wow, I didn't know that  :-)

--
moto

[motorollin]

Composite is a single phono connector and is of much lower quality than RGB. The Amiga's RGB connector is a 23 pin D type connector, but inside it is standard RGB. You can buy cables from eBay that will plug in to the Amiga's RGB socket and convert it to Scart so you can connect it to a TV. If you want to conenct it to a Commodore monitor then you need a special cable.

--
moto

[motorollin]

InTheSand wrote:

motorollin wrote:
Alternatively, you can do what I have done and use an Amiga->SCART cable, and one of these.

What's the quality like? Any good? Any visible artifacts or other on-screen junk as a result of the conversion process?

The quality is very good. It doesn't actually convert anything as the signals in the Amiga's RGB output are already standard RGB. As long as your cable and TV support full RGB Scart (rather than just composite) then there is no reason not to use it.

--
moto