automatic monitorswitch for any graphiccard

[Ratte]

Some people might remember my first prototype of a automatic monitorswitch:

http://amiga.erkan.se/index.php/exciting-new-automatic-monitorswitch-from-germany/


After some redesign and betatesting i started a new version:


It is full software controlled, no manuell switching needed.
Automatical detection of the used videosource.

Reduced size, can fit inside a standard A1k2-desktop housing if the rf-modulator is kicked off.

Thread on a1k.org (google-translated)
http://translate.google.de/translate?hl=de&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?p=365604

[Ratte]

[Ratte]

What is the maximum rating (in terms of resolution & frequency) of this board? Will it be able to do high resolutions of the Radeon 9200?

You could probably sell to the Atari Falcon community too for use with CT63 + CTPCI

STMAV340 - Low ON Resistance Quad, SPDT, Wide-Bandwidth Video Switch
- supports resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 @60Hz
- 300 MHz video bandwidth

;-)

[Ratte]

pcbs arrived today ...





compared to my old version ... funny little switch

[Ratte]

first i must make a testrun with the new design ...

[Ratte]

Jens has gotten to the point where he does not allow any "non-Jens" third party hardware inside the Amiga if you want to have your warranty.

Thats wrong.
Jens and others on a1k.org helped me a lot.
The problem is that a product like this needs a lot of support.
Support must be payed .. the product will get to expensive.

[Ratte]

have not been following your project. when you say automatic switch is this done *completely* in hardware?

or in-order to operate the above unit automatically you need to install software for it to operate automatically?

what are the three contact pins for?

the three pins are Select, Vcc , GND, all these lines are going to a 8520 CIA
you need a little tool in the startup-sequence, this tool detects the currently activ screenmode and controles the switch.

http://www.a1k.org/forum/showpost.php?p=280936&postcount=126
early prototype for softwaredevelopment

[Ratte]

My question may seem simplistic, but seeing the pics of your new board I have the surprise the professional quality of the printed circuit/board, how or what you use for that finishing technique? because I'm electronic fan with studies and always I want make this boards, instead of home solutions with copper plate and homemade acid.

The PCB is made with "Sprint-Layout" and I have ordered the PCB at "PCB-Pool".
All other stuff is ordered at "Digi-Key" (because they are to only known distributer for the STAMV340-IC)

After soldering i used "LR Kontakt / Leiterplattenreiniger" a PCB-Cleaner ..

[Ratte]

testrun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3WN9BQlHk

[Ratte]

Can two work together? I have a setup with native RGB out, CV64/3D and Voodoo 3 through Prometheus, and it sure would be nice to have it automatically switch between active screens.

Technical no problem, if you control one by SERIAL CTS and the second by PARALLEL SEL from the same CIA.
Software needs to be upgraded, but thats much more complicated than scanning simply for AMIGA and NonAMIGA screenmodes.
All NonAMIGA screenmodes must be assigned to correct graphicscard.
And that point is something difficult .. different graphiccards with different screenmode-ids ... they must be hardwired for this job.
Not impossible, but far away from easy ...

[Ratte]

...

The Eyetech isnt automatic ... you will have to switch manual.
Still sold by AmigaKit for arround €60,-
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=50&products_id=565

Javosoft One ... no entry on Amiga Hardware Database, same on Google.

Retina V-Code Switch is limited to the V-Code Module of the Retina.
The V-Code is converting the Retina Image to S-VHS and Composite-Video.
The V-Code Switch is an Extension for the Extension (Sandwitch) for the Retina.
And it works only with 15kHz Modes and needs min. Retina Software V2.2

But for your information ... I allready played with this idea.
Jens also gave me the H&V-Sync hint.
You can see a separate 10pin header on the special Radeon-Switch (next to the extra manual switch connector).
http://www.a1k.org/forum/showpost.php?p=302777&postcount=1 (last picture)
They are delivering H&V-Syncs, Vcc, GND and the Select-Line.

Specialdesign for prototyping this way ... played with the idea of a Maxim-IC, but it is EOL and I dropped the Idea.
On the other side my software is working like CGFX and P96 did it.
I had the chance to talk with Frank Mariak (CGFX) on a PowerDev-Meeting and the way I controlled the switch is identical to the CGFX-way for Cards with inbuild-switches.
We were snooping the same systemfunction ... the only difference is, that Voodoos, CVPPCs, Radeons didnt have a separate signal line for a switch signal.
So I had to take a signal from the CIA 8520 for this.
And the best choose seems to be the CTS-Signal from the Serial-Port, but it is also possible to use the Select-Line from the Parallel-Port.
But I think that there are more Amigas with parallel printers out there, than Amigas with serial modems ... thanks to LAN and DSL.

[Ratte]

There was an automatic version for CV64/3D - I have two of them.

Its not automatic without the CV64/3d .. the CV is delivering the switch signal.
How would you do that with a Voodoo or Radeon

My solution is still working automatical, even with Voodoo, Radeon, CVPPC, BVision ...

[Ratte]

MyIf the hsync&vsync signals change to certain value when an amiga screen is being shown perhaps it may be possible to generate the "select line" using some extra logic (the disadvantage would be that circuit would become more complex). Your approach sounds very reasonable for 68k but for OS4 I guess some stuff could be left out of kickstart layout file so it works like 68k version too. Booting MorphOS may be interesting too... does any of your testers have PPC boards?

PS: what's that PaulaPlus stuff in one of your videos? :-)

PaulaPlus is a joke .. like the complete DONOP movie.

Regarding the H&V-Sync, the idea isnt bad. I loved the idea, too.
But searching for some shematics or ready-to-use DPMS-ICs showed off some problems.
These ICs take a while to switch the signal, DMPS allways waits some seconds before the signal will be switched.
Sitting in front of an Amiga and waiting for arround 5 sec. for a screenchange isnt very funny ...

PPC development isnt possible for me, my CSPPC got lost at Vesalia in 2001.
I have no change to get some HW back (I tried many times).
For those OSes (also 68kDebian or LinuxAPUS) you can add a manual switch, to override the "software" setting.
(1-0-1 switch = software controlled - hardwired aga - hardwired gfx)

[Ratte]

a handfull of samples is finally ready ...


I promised Amigakit a sample on the "Essen-fair / Germany", alternativ AmigaFuture could print a DIY workshop.

Price for a sample is 85,-Euro + shipping.
I need complete details about the config.
Amiga model
FlickerFixer
Graphiccard

If i get to many requests, i will prefer users who wants to write a review and still have some references.

NOTE: The switch is taking a signal from the serial port. The current MAS-Player software is hw-banging the ports, this can cause problems!

[Ratte]

PCB made with sprint-layout
PCBs ordered at PCB-Pool.com
Most parts ordered at Digi-Key
Everthing soldered by myself
With a good PCB soldering is not easy, but it can be done