CRT with Amiga OS 3.9

[sturulez]

Hi

If I am going to install Amiga OS 3.9 should I attempt to update my monitor to a LCD rather than using my CRT, I understand I wouldnt get a any improvement on the resolution.

Would I see a difference with an accelerator and OS 3.9?

Thanks

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Hi! What exactly is your question? Of course an LCD looks better than a CRT, for most things. Although there's a lot of "personal opinion" in that statement.

If you want to take advantage of increased resolutions you should also look into a graphics card or an Indivision.

Check out these links for more info on the system requirements and new features of 3.9:

http://os.amigaworld.de/index.php?lang=en&page=8

http://www.vesalia.de/e_os39.htm

You'll also want to make sure to download Boing Bags 1 & 2 (at a minimum) and (optionally) 3/4, which are basically like Service Packs for Windows.

[darkage]

+1 I would pickup a Indivision AGA unit.   It makes a big difference on modern LCD monitors even widescreen ones.  CRT would be good for retro scanlines but definitely LCD would look better.

From my understanding its best to only try OS 3.9 if you have a 060 or better accelerator.    OS 3.1 what you have would be the fastest option.    Best to get another CF / main drive and try perhaps try out OS 3.5.   Nothing would stop you from trying within WinUAE which would be more powerful for OS 3.9 up.    

060 accelerators are very pricey.

I would grab a 030 accelerator or one of those ACA accelerators..     Much cheaper and OS 3.1 goes pretty fast with it along with whdload.

Heres other peoples experiences with OS 3.9 on various hardware specs.   http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=61127  

Non accelerated Amiga is reported as Choppy experience.

[Pat the Cat]

Just my opinion - I would try a SCART lead in a few flat scrrenTVs first. Lot of research done here, they work pretty good if they are built right;-

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=226

You can find complete guidance on build, Stedy did the work I think, based UK.

http://www.ianstedman.co.uk/Amiga/amiga_hacks/Amiga_SCART/amiga_scart.html

Nice visual comparisons between good scart leads and A520 phono composite ones on Amiga;-

https://ilesj.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/brilliant-picture-from-amiga-with-rgb-scart/

I'm going to have to do this at some stage for my equipment, so I might go 23-15 VGA first, then see if I can build a combined unit that does VGA or SCART at the flick of a switch.

That way I get lowres and flicker free Productivity on the same screen without too much fooling around. I don't game much if at all, so this approach makes sense for me. Most people would do it the other way around.

Accelerators on 3.9? Accelerators any Amiga, you see some difference. Depends what software you are running. Things like MUI apps tend to lag without, in my experience anyway.

Listen to Mike on upgrades, he's been there, I haven't.

+1 I would pickup a Indivision AGA unit.   It  makes a big difference on modern LCD monitors even widescreen ones.  CRT  would be good for retro scanlines but definitely LCD would look  better..

Flickerfixers have been, are, and will be awesome on Amiga.

[UberFreak]

To answer your questions:

Upgrading to 3.9 does not require an LCD and will not benefit specifically from it, you'll get exactly the same screen-modes as, say, 3.1.

An accelerator will improve your experience with screen-modes with higher color count.
You can also get a graphics card (if one can be installed in your Amiga) which will give you more options regarding resolutions and color-depth.

As for CRT vs LCD, from my experience, it all depends on what you do with your Amiga.
Yes, higher resolution & more colors makes for a pretty Workbench, but has no effect on games, which will look better on a good CRT.

In MY opinion, there isn't an LCD on the planet that can match a high-quality CRT (like a Sony PVM/BVM) with 15Khz content that was designed with CRT in mind.
At least, I haven't seen one, at any price.

Hi

If I am going to install Amiga OS 3.9 should I attempt to update my monitor to a LCD rather than using my CRT, I understand I wouldnt get a any improvement on the resolution.

Would I see a difference with an accelerator and OS 3.9?

Thanks

[paul1981]

You'll also want to make sure to download Boing Bags 1 & 2 (at a minimum) and (optionally) 3/4, which are basically like Service Packs for Windows.

Similar, but with 2,976,444 less files than a Windows service pack.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Similar, but with 2,976,444 less files than a Windows service pack.

:laughing:

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

From my understanding its best to only try OS 3.9 if you have a 060 or better accelerator.

"Or better"?  There's not much better than an '060 (unless you count the Vampire), lol.  

3.9 works fine on an '020, and even better on an '030, as long as you have enough ram and are realistic with yourself about not trying to use absurdly high resolutions or numbers of colors, or otherwise "push the system to it's limits".

In other words, don't try to run 800x600x256 color Workbench with a 14MHz '020 or you'll be pretty disappointed.  :lol:

[danwood]

Of course an LCD looks better than a CRT, for most things.

They do, for modern HD content, but NOT for the Amiga.

https://youtu.be/v3SZkjF1RDI

[paul1981]

They do, for modern HD content, but NOT for the Amiga.

https://youtu.be/v3SZkjF1RDI

Noone can tell as they're all watching this video on LCD's lol.

Seriously though, CRT's are loads better for games. There's no competition really. CRT still wins even with its video cable tied behind its back.

[sturulez]

Thank you all for your input.

Am I right in thinking I would only see the full benefit of  OS 3.9 in all its high colour and fancy backgrounds on a LCD? I guess a 14 inch CRT wouldnt be able to offer that?

Is there much differnce between 3.5 and 3.9 OS?

I manily use my A1200 for games but I want to update the OS with a more refreshing look to it.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Am I right in thinking I would only see the full benefit of  OS 3.9 in all its high colour and fancy backgrounds on a LCD? I guess a 14 inch CRT wouldnt be able to offer that?

If you haven't gathered already from this thread, this is pretty much up to individual user's opinions.  Some people swear by original CRT monitors.  Some people want the newest & best.  Properly configured, 3.9 can look good on both.

You're kind of putting the cart ahead of the horse with this question.  You'll need a graphics card (or at least an Indivision), if you really want to take advantage of some of the higher resolution/color modes.  At that point what monitor you select will be down to your choice of "what works best with my graphics card?".  You're not going to use a 1084 monitor with a Picasso IV, for example.

Is there much differnce between 3.5 and 3.9 OS?

Don't waste your time with 3.5.  

I manily use my A1200 for games but I want to update the OS with a more refreshing look to it.

IMHO 3.9 with Ken's Icons v4 looks very refreshing over older versions.  Even standard 3.9 GlowIcons look pretty nice (IMHO).  Search Aminet for all of the various icon packs on there (you can spend hours doing this), and don't forget the Peter K. icon library.

[darkage]

"Or better"?  There's not much better than an '060 (unless you count the Vampire), lol.  

At the time I was thinking better would have been 060 PPC, but they look like they cost more than what my first car did.

[darkage]

Kens Icons look nice,  http://www.amiga-look.org/category/glowicons

Thats on my next to do list now  (:

[darkage]

Flickerfixers have been, are, and will be awesome on Amiga.

Super awesome.  Before Indivision AGA, I was rocking my old 1084s.  Was a pain to use workbench, probably okay for gaming.  

Once I installed Indivision suddenly my Ami felt like a almost modern day system.   Made me use it much more as well.