CV64/3D issues

[rossi46]

Excitedly, I installed the software and drivers for my Cybervision 64/3D card in my newly-acquired towerised A1200, then plopped the card into the eagerly awaiting Zorro slot. Sysinfo says it's present and I'm ready to go.

My problem is that I use an EZ-VGA adapter with a Dell PC monitor. The adapter doesn't fit the CV64/3D port and I don't have an Amiga-specific monitor. Am I just being stupid for a minute, or is there a way round this, please?

[pan1k]

UHM I think the EZ-VGA is a scandoubler for the RGB port on the back of the Amiga, not for the Cybervision. Plug the EZ-VGA into the RGB port, and setup the computer... then when you want native modes just plug the monitor into the EZ-VGA... Use the Cybervision for workbench/productivity things..and if you don't want the EZ-VGA i'll glady take it off your hands

 :-o  :lol:

[Darrin]

Like Pan1k said, the Easy-VGA does not go on the CV643D.  I have a CV643D too and the CV643D connects directly to a PC monitor and will display Cybergraphic modes (for example my Workbench, Word processor, etc).  You'll still need your native Amiga video port with the Easy VGA either connected to a 2nd monitor or use a video switcher to connect the Easy VGA and the CV643D to the same monitor and select the input via a switch when you need to use native Amiga screens for things like games or non-promotable screens.

[rkauer]

rossi46 wrote:
--zip--
My problem is that I use an EZ-VGA adapter with a Dell PC monitor. The adapter doesn't fit the CV64/3D port and I don't have an Amiga-specific monitor. Am I just being stupid for a minute, or is there a way round this, please?

 Do you have the scandoubler module of the board?

 If the answer is "yes", then you only need to buy a cheap VGA switch.

 The only problem with this internal scandoubler (from the CV64) is it isn't able to scandouble the AGA screens in Zorro II boards (who is done by the EZ-VGA, anyway).

[Darrin]

I'd go for a cheap manual VGA A/B monitor switcher (available for $25) myself.  Turn the dial to A for the CV643D and turn it to B for the EZ-VGA native Amiga screens.

[rossi46]

So, I can plug my PC monitor into the card? (it's too late to test it now - everyone's in bed and the Amiga's in my games loft  :roll: )

I'll try it tomorrow. I don't have the CV with the scandoubler - just the plain old card.

My head must be stuck in 'modern computer mode'. I thought I'd be able to plug the card in and have fancy-schmancy gfx for games, workbench and everything else.

It doesnt work like that, then?

[motorollin]

rossi46 wrote:
So, I can plug my PC monitor into the card?

Yes.

rossi46 wrote:
My head must be stuck in 'modern computer mode'. I thought I'd be able to plug the card in and have fancy-schmancy gfx for games, workbench and everything else.

It doesnt work like that, then?

No. If the software you're using knows how to use a gfx card then it can be configured to use it. That includes Workbench. Otherwise the software (i.e. non-rtg games) will still use the Amiga's native gfx output. That's where you need your scandoubler, and then switch between the scandoubled Amiga screenmodes and the VGA screenmodes coming from the CV64.

--
moto

[rossi46]

HI guys, sorry you'll have to bear with me on this...

Can I boot with the monitor connected to the CV card? If not, can I physically unplug from the card into the RGB port (and vice-versa) without powering the A1200 down? Until I get a switcher, that is.

Pauly

[Darrin]

rossi46 wrote:
HI guys, sorry you'll have to bear with me on this...

Can I boot with the monitor connected to the CV card? If not, can I physically unplug from the card into the RGB port (and vice-versa) without powering the A1200 down? Until I get a switcher, that is.

Pauly

You can boot fine, but you won't be able to see the early startup screen if you hold down the mouse buttons as it's a native Amiga screen mode.

I don't know if plugging and unplugging the monitor cables will do any harm if the computer is on.

Another quick fix until you get a switcher box is to use a small portable TV attached to the composite output of the Amiga for games and leave the monitor attached to the CV643D.

[rossi46]

Brilliant!

I have a SCART lead for the A1200. I'll try that tomorrow.

Thanks

Paul

[Darrin]

rossi46 wrote:
Brilliant!

I have a SCART lead for the A1200. I'll try that tomorrow.

Thanks

Paul

Glad to help.  If you do that then there's a neat trick you can do.  In my case, I have my Workbench open on a PC monitor via the CV643D and when I open a program that uses a native screen mode then it comes up on my old 1081 monitor.  Using Ctrl-Amiga I can flip control of the pointer between the screens while still displaying the open Workbench (or any other RTG screen) on the PC monitor while the native Amiga screen displays at the same time on the Amiga monitor (for example, Sysinfo).

I've been planning on buying that switcher box for a while just to get rid of that Amiga monitor, but I need to either get a scan doubler or a LCD monitor that will display normal Amiga screen modes.

[Fixer]

rkauer wrote:
Do you have the scandoubler module of the board?

If the answer is "yes", then you only need to buy a cheap VGA switch.

If you have the scandoubler module for that card then you don't need a cheap VGA switch. It actually has an auto-switch and you just plug your monitor into the scandoubler's port.

[rkauer]

Fixer wrote:

rkauer wrote:
Do you have the scandoubler module of the board?

If the answer is "yes", then you only need to buy a cheap VGA switch.

If you have the scandoubler module for that card then you don't need a cheap VGA switch. It actually has an auto-switch and you just plug your monitor into the scandoubler's port.

 Not in 1200 Zorro II extenders....

 Check the info (extracted from Amiga-hardware):

 "The scandoubler does not work fully in non-AGA systems, the native display is not scandoubled but is simply passed through.

 Apparently there are modules which can be used directly with the Virge DX chipset and should in theory work with the CV64/3D however drivers would be a problem.

 The only real difference between the original Phase 5 version of this card and the DCE Mk-II version is that the latter supports the "Fast Mode" for Zorro II found on some A1200 busboards."

 Like I said before: those 1200 busboards are Zorro II only. So they cannot behaves like a true AGA system (=A4000) on the 1200. Even with the scandoubler attached!