DCE scandoubler with Picasso IV?

[Eco]

Is it possible to connect the output from the DCE scandoubler (internal version for A1200) to the Picasso IV, allowing it to pass through when needed?

I would of course use the nice built-in flickerfixer on the Picasso, but my Micronik busboard does not have a video slot! I also have a ZIV board, but my X-surf does not like it.. :-?

As a second choice, I've also been thinking about getting an automatic monitor switcher to handle the problem of two video outs. I already have one KVM, but if I connect to that also the mouse and KB will switch and that's no good. Can you suggest a simple box that will only switch video, but do it automatically?

[Hyperspeed]

Internal scandoublers as far as I know have to clip onto the Alice
chip. They are true RGB unlike external scandoublers but cost you on
portability (swapping between machine) and I think genlocking might be
affected.

I'm sure you can get video enablers for those Zorro 4 boards...

I heard Eyetech sell/sold a monitor switcher that could be swapped by
simply tapping F10. Great for BlizzardVision PPC owners.

With a PicassoIV you don't need this and don't want the hassle. It's
such a wonderful board, try to do it justice with a video slot!

:-D

[billchase]

I don't believe you can route an extra SD/FF through
the PicassoIV since there is not an aux video input
to allow such a thing (there is the S-Video input, but
that would be more trouble than its worth).  The monitor
switcher might be your best bet if you are unable to
utilize the Picasso's SD/FF.

C Snyder

[adolescent]

I haven't seen an automatic video switcher.  If you find one though let me know, because I need one too.

[billchase]

I have actually seen an automatic monitor switcher
(might also had a built in KBM switcher) at my local
electronics supply store, but very expensive.  If I
get a chance I will find out the specs and make of
it.

C Snyder

[Eco]

@billchase

I also have a faint idea that such switches exist. It would be totally neato to get one!

[adolescent]

@billchase/eco

There's another problem.  Since the onboard video isn't actually turned off (it just turns grey/black but the signal is still there).  The auto switchbox would have to recognise this.  

[Eco]

Looks like I'm headed for a manual switchbox.

Well, I do already have a KVM that I can use to switch to other displays. I have two free ports, so I could attach the other video to one of them.

The problem with this approach is that I lose keyboard and mouse when I switch to the port that does not have them connected.

Do you think it would be possible to get a PS2 "splitter" cable, that would allow me to connect two mice simultaneously to my Cocolino? I've seen such cables for laptops which only have one PS2 port.

Hmm, I guess I could always get an A4000.

[adolescent]

I was thinking of doing the same (KVM + splitter).  Although I don't yet have PS/2 keyboard or mouse adapters.  

[Eco]

The obvious just came to me. I can use my ZIV, provided that:

- I switch my X-Surf II to a PCMCIA network card
- I get the video slot enabler for the ZIV

The thing is, I don't know if video slot enablers are still available. Do you know where to get one?

[Hyperspeed]

Power Computing used to sell those Zorro 4 boards. Maybe Eyetech did
too...

I think Power are www.powerc.co.uk

[Eco]

Using a PS2 splitter does not work, at least with my Cocolino PS2 adapter. Got one and tried it :-)

[X-ray]

I had a look at some KVMs at the computer fair last weekend and they have several that can auto-detect which video signal is active, but on all the ones I saw, the 'auto-detect' is actually a scan at predetermined intervals. The quickest was 3 seconds.
Also I don't know if you can get around Adolescent's black/grey signal problem with one of thos KVMs.