Display colors and reso

[Roger_S]

Hi all,

My A1200 is connected to an old RGB monitor. I can select a max resolution of 640*256 (something like that) and 256 colors.
1:How can I increase the reso and more, the amount of colors.
2:are there any monitors on the market that can be directly connected to the A1200 using only an RGB to VGA adaptor?

I have read a lot on the internet but could not find anything conclusive.

Thanks!

R

[meega]

1a. Increase the resolution with Overscan prefs, if your monitor can show any more.

1b. Use Interlaced modes if you can tolerate them.

1c. Increasing colours beyond 256 is not on.

2a. No idea, but if the monitor can sync down to 15KHz then who cares what sort of plug it uses?

2b. Use Doubled screen modes, and quite a lot of monitors might work - but you will likely not be able to play some games that way as many have a habit of forcing 15KHz modes.

[Roger_S]

1a and b are clear to me.

Where can I change 1c?
How can I use double screenmodes?

[hamtronix]

I use an old NEC Multisync monitor I found at the thrift store for 9$ to connect to my 1200 with a standard RGB->VGA connector. Just have to choose the correct monitor driver in Devs. I also leave it hooked up to an LCD by composite for games and what not that doesnt use the monitor.

[Roger_S]

I found out the monitor installation procedure. but I can't figure out how to display more than 256 colors.

[Ral-Clan]

Roger_S wrote:
I found out the monitor installation procedure. but I can't figure out how to display more than 256 colors.

I'm assuming you have an AGA Amiga (i.e. A1200/4000).

Short answer: you can't increase colours beyond 256.

Long answer: Some graphics programs will allow you to use the Amiga's special HAM-8 mode for more than 256 colours, but this is only for still images, and not for Workbench/games.  Alternatively, you can buy an expensive graphics card to get more than 256 colours.

[Roger_S]

That was not the answer I was hoping for. How does a graphicscard fit in an a1200D when I already have a turboboard and scsi expansion built in?

[Ral-Clan]

Roger_S wrote:
That was not the answer I was hoping for. How does a graphicscard fit in an a1200D when I already have a turboboard and scsi expansion built in?

You need to buy an expensive PCI slot adaptor or Zorro daughter board for the A1200 (like the Mediator), then plug the expensive graphics card into that.  With most slot expansion boards, you also need to towerize your A1200 to make it all fit (another expensive option).

[Roger_S]

so an Amiga 1200 can't display more than 256 colors unless it is the tower version, combined with a PCI expansion and a graphics card.

Great, I was pretty sure that an A1200D could display more than 256 colors. That is why I bought one.

[Ral-Clan]

No stock Amiga, even an Amiga 1200 or 4000, has ever been able to display more than 256 colours on a Workbench screen.  This specification is widely available on the internet.

The only exception is the static display mode HAM-8, which is not useable for the purpose you desire (only for creating still graphics images & animations).

[Roger_S]

I know that this info is widely spread on the internet, but contradictions like the 2nd post in this thread made me doubt. I have even read (on a dutch forum) that on an OS3.9 CD drivers for specific monitors can be found and once the correct one is installed it should work fine.

Anyway, thanks for clearing this to me.

[Krusher]

Check this out for ham6 and ham8 on Workbench:

http://aminet.net/package/util/wb/hamwb

[Ral-Clan]

The OS3.9 drivers (also in OS3.1) will allow you to use a regular PC VGA monitor with an Amiga in special DoubleScan non-flickery modes, but I'm afraid they will not expand the range of colours.

In fact, I think most of those Double Scan modes (certainly Productivity Multiscan mode) will actually reduce the number of on-screen colours to four.

Again, though, these modes are limited (only Workbench & some applications - no games).

[Ral-Clan]

Krusher wrote:

Check this out for ham6 and ham8 on Workbench:

http://aminet.net/package/util/wb/hamwb

I didn't know this was possible.  Does it work?  I would love to see a screenshot or know if it's actually useable, or just a gimmick.

EDIT: Did some quick searching on the internet and there's not much mention of this program.  I would think that if it did what is said succesfully, almost ever Amiga user would have it installed.  Seems like it might be a bear to get working.  It's intriguing, still, as an exercise.  

[meega]

Roger_S wrote:
I know that this info is widely spread on the internet, but contradictions like the 2nd post in this thread made me doubt.

What contradiction?