What's Better Gfx Card CybervisionPPC or Picasso 4

[amiga1084]

Hello All,

I currently use CybervisionPPC card with my CyberstormPPC accelerator in my A4000T.But I was given an A4000 desktop machine which has Picasso 4 card in it.I am woundering whats a bettter card as I have heard many good things about the Picasso 4.I don't need the Scan Doubler/Flicker Fixer as I already have an external one.Also I don't really want
to waste Zorro slot but if it's better card then I would do it.I would like to hear your opinions on this issue.
Thanks in advance Merv

[Oliver]

I'd like to hear that too.  Seeing as you have both systems already, can you give us your impressions so far?

For SD/FF, I've heard that the PIV's is about as good as they come.  Can you see any difference between it and your external one, and which external SD/FF are you using?

Are you planning on selling one of your 4000s?

[Flashlab]

Well the CyberVisionPPC is faster and has more memory. And when you don't need the SD/FF then I'd stick with the Cybervision.

The reason the PicassoIV is a very good card is in my opinion because it's a really elegant design. The SD/FF works without any hassle and you can use every screenmode on one monitor. For me having easy access to the native Amiga screens is very important.

So the choice is faster and more graphics memory --> CyberVision. All in one solution with SD/FF --> PicassoIV.

[Oliver]

How do they compare for software support?  I've never owned a graphics card on an Amiga, but have heard that some programs only like some cards for full feature support.  Are there any major differences between the two cards in this regard?

[Framiga]

Install both togheter and compare :-)

CGX4 supports both cards without any problems (CVPPC and CV64 here)

[AmiDude]

The PicassoIV's SD/FF is far, far better
then any external SD/FF. Period.
 :-)

[Hyperspeed]

In the perfect world I'd get a PPC + Picasso-IV.

There is a software driver on Aminet to emulate Warp3D's usage of the Permedia2/Voodoo3 3D routines. How many programs use the 3D features I don't know, maybe 3?

:-D

With a PIV you'd be keeping your native 15Khz modes on one monitor with no switcher and at a higher quality to a scandoubler/FF - it uses the video slot. 15Khz is what Amiga is about and the PIV has optional TV input, output and sound card.

In my opinion Mediator/G-Rex are the spawn of beelzebub.

[Oliver]

Hyperspeed wrote:
...In my opinion Mediator/G-Rex are the spawn of beelzebub.

A computer enthusiast AND a luddite?  ;-)

[Crumb]

I own a Picasso4 and I think that Permedia2 will be more interesting for you if you don't watch demos and/or play games.

Firstly, CyberVisionPPC has native support in both OS4 and MorphOS (you can run MOS1.4.5 NOW).

Secondly, it has more memory, it's faster, it allows you to use bigger resolutions without flicker, it has much more bandwitch (30MB/s or so against Picasso4 12MB/s or so), it allows you to watch early boot menu trough the gfx card, so although you won't be able to watch AGA demos at least you could live without a 15Khz monitor. It also allows you to watch some early PowerPC demos written for Permedia2. BTW, it also has 3D support (although it's weak in 3d terms it will allow you to play at 640x480 with 3d acceleration). It's also compatible with FusionPPC.

On the other hand if you watch demos or run many AGA apps Picasso4 will be more interesting.

On my A4000T I use a Picasso4 just as flicker fixer (it's excellent for that job) and a Prometheus+Voodoo3 as main gfx card.

A Permedia2 is a very nice card, I wouldn't get rid of it. Running MorphOS may be very useful.

BTW If you want to get rid of the Permedia2 send me a PM with the price, I may be interested in buying it :-)

[Crumb]

In my opinion Mediator/G-Rex are the spawn of beelzebub.

Both cards are very nice IMHO... I like most of classic miggy hardware... LOL

As an owner of a mediator4000 I'm quite happy with it, it works quite well, and a friend of mine has a grex4000, it's also a nice card.

On the other hand, if you want to see AGA stuff and you just run 680x0 stuff Picasso4 is the king thanks to its built in flickerfixer :-D

[Hyperspeed]

If we look at things in terms of what's King, and put this in a medievil perspective:

CyberVisionPPC = King
BlizzardVisionPPC = Queen
Picasso-IV = A noble knight
OCS/ECS/AGA = loyal servants

Mediator/Voodoo = A wicked witch
AteoBus Pixel64 = A dirty peasant
Graffiti = A plague sufferer

[justthatgood]

I remember that there was a time that I could have had money for a Piccaso IV, if I hadn't have had some situations, and bought my Cybervision 64.  Errgh, for some reason I installed my OS 3.9 and now when I install the Cybervision software, it just doesn't want to work.  I guess it's me.

I'm still debating on how I'm going to arrange my cards and stuff..  Yeah, I still have my Prometheus that I think I'm going to use in my soon to be tower system (unless I can find a way to be able to use it my desktop.

Pluto: Amiga 4000D - Currently has a Cybervision 64 not sure if I'm going to change her card or not. I was going to put the Prometheus in her, but that's not going to fit in her case.

Cecilia: Amiga 4000D - I think I'm going to have this one become a Toaster/Flyer system.  She is going to be tight with her friend.

Amanda: Amiga 2000HD - I'm definately going to have a toaster in this one.  She has the most space out of all of them to date. I'm debating if I should put my PAR in here or not.

Bianca Neve?: Currently Amiga 4000D motherboard/w riser - I'm still deciding if I should build this one at the particuliar point in time.  If I do, it's going in a tower no questions asked (I have a really big tower in mind.)I'm used to hardware hacking, and I know that I will be able to build a case for her that is sweet. I remember I built a case for one of my Apple IIgs.  With all that space that gets me to thinking, should I use the Promentheus in here or should I get something like a Mediator or something.

[zipper]

I was very happy to use them both until I got Voodoo3; now I'm happy with Voodoo3 and PIV - they work nice together with a decent monitor + Eyetech switcher.

[justthatgood]

What I want to know is what would be the best, most ultimate setup for a towered system, as regards to the gfx.

[Hyperspeed]

If I had the cash I'd get an original Commodore A4000T, Cyberstorm PPC, Picasso-IV with all the expansions, Videotoaster 4000 (what's the flyer for?) and a plasma display of some sort!

:-)



EDIT: As for giving your machines a name, I've just christened my A1200 desktop 'Quasimodo' because the 1260 has warped the trapdoor cover and it's had 12 years of wear & tear. A few of the letters on the keyboard are now invisible and I have to rely on The Force to guide me.

:-D