CompuServe Messages

"I have a couple questions about OpalVision: 1. How fast is it compared to other boards? How good is the s/w? 2. Is a 6 meg 3000T fast enough and have enough RAM to be useful? 3. Will GigaMem work with it? 4. Is there any composite video out or would I have to go for the video processor? 4. Is it possible to work on images that are larger than the screen display? 5. Any other concerns? I am also willing to consider the other video boards although my impression is that OpalPaint is far superior than any other amiga product." I have a friend who has an A4000 with an OpalVision board and he loves how well the OV and software work for him. My understanding of it, however, is that it does not have composite out. And I would recommend that you have, at least, one S-Video connector out, to give you a better quality picture. The much-promised modules for video output have been long delayed, so I wouldn't count on that. My friend also has GigaMem, but he told me he hasn't used it with OV. Make of that comment what you will. You should not have any trouble working on 24-bit superbitmaps on any of the boards. The Picasso is an excellent 24 bit card as it uses fast ram to refresh the screens, so it's really snappy. GVP's EGS Spectrum is a really good card, but both it and Picasso have a current maximum display limit of 800×600. The one that is cheaper than these other two, and offers 1152×862 current max res plus AGA emulation and full 24 bit deep "Workbench" displays, is the Retina. The newer Retina Z-III is the one you want, as it is a full 32 bit card. The AGA emulation isn't perfected quite yet, but it will allow you to run the newer AGA capable software, with exception to the games which boot up by disk. The Z-III also has a built-in video encoder with both composite and S-Video outputs. The Retina, Picasso and Spectrum all have a great deal of support. I just believe that for your purposes, you would be best served with the Retina Z-III. Best of luck! *B^) -= Vance =- Image Master Flying high on Imagine and Imagemaster R/t!