#Buy and AMIGA?
21 messages in this thread
Kevin…. Thanks. This FLICKER FIXER business worries me. Is there some fault
in the machine's design ????? With our present SONY computer, which has
interlace or non-interlace, we have no problems. What worries me is the idea
that one does not end by buying the AMIGA. Get the distinct impression that one
also has to get lots of boards – black boxes – and other goodies to make the
thing perform!!!!. Anyhow – thanks for trying for a source. Regards. Hilary
Hilary, don't worry about flicker fixer, it's very much an option. If your Sony
operates at NTSC rates, then it's interlace and non-interlace are similar to
the stock Amiga, but you will get many more colors from the Amiga (and a whole
lot more). The flicker fixer is a scan converter which doubles the scan rate.
It's similar to the progressive scan feature of some of the high-end digital
TV's that are starting to become available. If you start with a multiscan
monitor, then you can upgrade if you need a flicker free display. Peter.
You can use a multisync monitor without the flickfix? What do you lose?
— Ethan
Almost all multisync monitors can be used on an Amiga without a flicker fixer.
The display is similar to normal Amiga monitors, visible scan lines in
non-interlace and flicker in interlace. These monitors are sharper and most
people prefer the colors. The quality of most multisyncs is higher than normal
Amiga monitors; I very rarely hear about service problems. The other advantage
of a multisync is that when the time comes to upgrade your display, you are
halfway there. One drawback of a multisync is that most of them do not have an
NTSC composite input. An exception is the Mitsubishi AUM-1381A which has inputs
for just about any signal that you throw at it. Redmond Cable can provide
cables for most kinds of multisyncs whether used with or without a flicker
fixer.
Peter.
You say that most multisyncs don't come with NTSC inputs. Is the
necessary cable NTSC to RGB?
— ethan
Ethan, the Amiga output is analog RGB, 75 ohm, 0.7 V peak. The syncs are TTL
levels, negative going, at 15.75 KHz horizontal, 60 Hz vertical. You can either
use the composite sync signal or the separate h and v syncs. If the monitor
requires separate syncs, then the signals should be buffered. Redmond Cable can
supply cables for most multisyncs.
Redmond's nukKIM are: East coast (615) 478-5760, West coast (206) 882-2009.
Commodore's monitors accept RGB or NTSC composite video. Composite video (not
to be confused with composite sync) is not very useful as a computer display,
but it is what comes out of a camera, VCR or genlock. If you are doing video
work on the Amiga, it's often handy to have a monitor which can accept
composite video as well as RGB. If you want a monitor that can take RGB at
15.75 KHz (Amiga output), RGB at 31.5 KHz (flicker fixer) and NTSC composite,
then the Mitsubishi Diamond Scan (AUM-1381A) is the only one I know of. Peter.
Peter,
I just read an article where it says the NEC MultiSync Plus can take
NTSC composite video also.
Don
Will try out one of our SONY's first. They cost us well over $1000 when we got
them 2 Yrs. ago. Best regards Peter. Hilary.
Hilary, see my message # 49671 for more information on amiga video signals and
a source for the weird db23 cables. Redmond can make up whatever you need or
provide a molded 23 pin unterminated cable. Peter.
Hilary,
Flicker is an artifact of TV video standards (both NTSC and PAL) AND a
short persistence monitor. It is NOT a fault in the design of the hardware.
Don
Thought probably it was the phosphors in the tube. If you do see any flicker in
some of the PBS production (after we know how to use the thing – maybe a month
or two)…. I will come after the members of this Forum with my trusty Lizzie
Borden chopper ! (BIG GRIN at the thought). Hilary
I guess you call this post-partum depression. Had a baby and already you
want to get at it! 8^>
— Ethan
Hilary,
I see flicker in local broadcasts…anytime computer generated video is
on the screen (such as weather maps and overlays).
Don
Hilary,
Re: FlickerFixer etc.
Well, that kind of depends. I'm getting very rapidly out of my depth here, but
here goes. The primary reason (in my mind) for purchasing the FF is to save
your eyes. The "stock" Amiga is not capable of generating a non-interlaced
display at the highest resolution (640 x 400). On most if not all monitors
this produces a noticable and head-ache making flicker. The FF take the
standard signal and performs Multi-Algorithmic General Interlace Correction
(MAGIC) on it which allows a Multi-Synch monitor to display the 640×400
resolution non-interlaced. I know it does a bunch of other stuff too, but I
don't know what it is. This interlace business isn't really a limitation as
far as use for video is concerned since TV signals are interlaced (aren't they
???). In fact it's vital to it (or so I think I've read).
As far as buying lots of black-boxes etc… take a look at what you'd have to
add to a clone or Mac (and the cost to do so) to do what the "stock" Amiga can
do, and you'll soon cease worrying. Also check out the msg. that's here
somewhere on the "Video Toaster" due out from New Tek in Sept. Unless, I'm
grossly misinformed this $1500 piece of hardware with the Amiga replaces tens
of thousands of $$$ of traditional video eqpt.
Someone jump in here if I haven't got the facts right on any of this.
Hope this help out… Kevin
P.S. I'm sure you know this, but just in case, the MAGIC bit was a joke.
Kevin:
Standard TV broadcasts do use interlace. The reason you don't see the flicker
is that you're seeing an analog signal. Usually the contrast between adjecent
scan lines is very small. I've been starting to see some higher end titlers on
broadcasts that do have some flicker in them, espically if they use shading.
Paul
The PVA board should be better than the Video Toaster, although probably
not as upgradeable. And from the delays, it should also be available a few
centuries beforehand.
— Ethan
Thanks for trying to explain the mysteries of the AMIGA. Incidently have gone
out on a very shaky limb…. and ordered the monster! Will keep you posted of
my forthcoming trials and tribulations! Regards, Hilary.
Good luck Hilary, We'll all be pulling for you, and if you run into any
problems, give us a holler! It's truly amazing seeing how many of us come out
of the woodwork at the sound (sight) of those words!
–Gabe
Thanks Gabe….. Will be out-of-town next two weeks. Hope all the goodies will
be here on return (around June 12). Certainly will holler LOUDLY if or when I
need help (or someone to curse!!! Grin!) Hilary.
Hilary, we'll be here!
–Gabe
Hilary,
If you are talking about the SONY computer I think you are, then it has a
long persistance RGB monitor. A long persistance monitor used on the Amiga will
also eliminate the flickering of the computer screen. Conversly, if you were to
put a short persistance monitor on the SONY, it would flicker just as much.
As another message mentioned, interlace is a necessary component of NTSC
video, which some Sony computers were also designed to work with.
Any computer that is very expandable – like the Amiga – will have many
optional "extras" that can be added to them. They aren't all necessary, and you
shouldn't feel that your needs should parallel what others want in their
systems.
Lloyd