Looking for hardware answers

[notelpats]

I've owned an Amiga almost from the beginning of time, and I still find new things to get curious about. I've always heard that you can use IBM stuff with Amiga's, but so far I still don't know what. Outside of printers, and sega joysticks, I'm kinda stuck.

I know that the Amiga can handle some pc monitors, and all the stuff about scan rates, but if you ask the average compusa guy about scan rates, they give you the blue screen and look for another customer.

I would love to know modle names, makes, and the particulars on which monitors are compatable.

I'd also be happy for information on stuff that i can buy today in stores that I could use on my new 1200. It's bare bones, and basic, but I love it. i've had it a week, and I play with it more than any other of my 15 computers.

I just want the best for my new friend, even if the best right now isn't made by Amiga.

I would love to build this computer up and all, but I have to take it one step at a time and price is a very big issue. I am unable to work, and so I have to cut corners. Any help would be a thrill.
 :-P  :-P  :-P

[Castellen]

A lot of native Amiga screenmodes have a 15kHz scan rate, so you'll need something like a dual sync monitor (E.G. C= 1942) to display them.  Multisync monitors like some of the MicroVitec ones are also very good.

If you get a scandoubler, which doubles the 15kHz scan rate to the 30kHz required by "PC" monitors, then you can use pretty much any off the shelf analogue SVGA type monitor, with a few exceptions..


As far as other accessories go, you can use any IDE hard drive, or SCSI device if you have a SCSI controller.  Also centronics printers, serial modems, etc.
If you add a USB card to your A1200 it'll let you use some USB devices like removable media, PC mice, USB scanners, digital cameras, etc.

If you get one of the PCI soloutions like a G-Rex card, you can use some PCI video, sound and TV tuner cards.


So there's a lot of extra stuff you can do if you're prepared to expand things.

[MaDDuck]

so Tower-izing is probably a VERY good place to start!
With the right tower kit (mediator anyone?) you can add PCI cards, etc.
AND you get an uprated power supply to boot!!


ALSO- if you do go to add any power draining devices, use your old A500 PSU, as it is higher rated than the original A1200 PSU!
Good luck, bud!