#VGA monitor to A1200
11 messages in this thread
Having recently picked up a couple of colour VGA monitors, I was wondering, is
it possible to use them with an A1200. If so what kind of adapter do I
require, and where may I obtain it in the UK?
I hope someone can help.
Neil (Staffs. UK)
get a sync strainer but you only can use the dblpal/dblntsc/euro72/productivity
modes on it though oon regular svga monitors not
euro36/pal/ntsc/2024/super72/super80 screenmodes
Thanks for the help. I don't suppose you have any idea who sells the adapter I
need?
Neil (Staffs. UK)
NB <<recently picked up a couple of colour VGA monitors, I was wondering, is it
possible to use them with an A1200. If so what kind of adapter do I require>>
You can use a VGA-ONLY monitor with the A1200, but there are some limits.
Many games are hardcoded to run in NTSC or PAL modes, preventing them from
generating VGA compatible output for a VGA monitor. The AmigaOS special
'promotion' software is unable to intercept these game's video generation and
and convert it into VGA modes. You will need a NTSC or PAL monitor to play
these games.
The default VGA mode (Multiscan) doesn't use the exact VGA scanrates, it slows
the scan rate slightly to allow overscanning. Some VGA monitors have no
problems with this, while others can not handle the slightly slower rate.
The Double-PAL & DOUBLE-NTSC (VGA versions of NTSC & PAL) also scan slower than
VGA rates.
There is a VGA-ONLY file which can be run during bootup, that adjust the VGA,
Double-PAL & Double-NTSC scanrates to more closely match the VGA standard, at a
cost to overscanning.
To use the VGA monitors, or any multiscan monitor requires an adaptor that
converts the Amiga's 23-pin Video port into a 15-pin VGA port. The adaptor
made by Commodore also has a buffer chip, although some monitors don't require
it. I'm not sure where you can find an adaptor.
Ron.
Thanks Ron for that comprehensive reply. I'm actually trying to sort this out
for my brother. I thought there might be a problem with games, but as he also
has a tv with a composite input I figured he could have the monitor and tv
hooked up at the same time taking the tv signal from the phono socket and the
monitor signal from the monitor socket.
All I need to find out now is where I can find the adapter cable.
Thanks for your help.
Neil (Staffs. UK)
NB <<as he also has a tv with a composite input I figured he could have the
monitor and tv hooked up at the same time taking the tv signal from the phono
socket and the monitor signal from the monitor socket.>>
Using both a TV & VGA, should work, but make SURE you have only one turned on
at once. You don't want the TV being over fed on the VGA signal, nor the VGA
starving on the TV's signal.
Once you get the VGA working there are several utilities here in the LIBS for
making the VGA more compatible.
Ron.
I have an adaptor I bought for my A500. I did not know at the time I couldn't
use the VGA on a 2.1 A500. I bought it from Creative Computers (23 – 15 pin
VGA adaptor).
KS <<have an adaptor I bought for my A500. I did not know at the time I
couldn't use the VGA on a 2.1 A500.>>
You can *use* the adaptor, but you will need the ECS Agnus & ECS Denise before
your A500 can generate the VGA signals. Even after getting the ECS chips &
adaptor, the results aren't that great.
The ECS chips can generate VGA scanrates (~31.44-Khz) only with limited colors.
A multiscan:640×480, can have only 4 colors out of a palette of 64 colors.
Also, the multiscan:640×480 mode runs at the speed of the 16 color NTSC:640×400
mode. For some users this speed is too slow, and doesn't become usable until
the colors are cut down to only 2.
Ron.