Firecracker and flicker
8 messages in this thread
I have just installed a Firecracker 24 into my 3000. I am using a 1950
monitor, so I have the Firecracker connected to the 15 KHZ video out with
the Commodore 23 – 15 pin converter on the Firecracker video out. The 24
bit images I get using ShowFC are fantastic — rock solid. But I can't
seem to eliminate the flicker on my workbench. Surely the Firecracker is
not incompatable with the internal deinterlacer on the 3000! How do I
eliminate the flicker? Simply choosing Hires-Interlaced under Prefs
doesn't do it.
Brian, I don't have an A3000, so I suggest you call the hotline and get a
direct response. –Rick
I just got off the phone with them. It is a fact that you cannot use any
of the deinterlaced resolutions with the Firecracker. That's a bit of a
disappointment, since I got the Firecracker to use with Imagine and assumed
I'd be able to continue to edit in high-res. So much for assumptions. Now
I just pray the improved output makes up for the letdown.
-Brian
Brian,
can the firecracker be used for the workbench display? I also have an
A3000 and wondered if I would have to switch the deinterlacer on and off,
or swap cables to work on the computer and view pictures.
James Frank
The firecracker is a genlock as well as a framebuffer, so it can display
images behind the workbench or any other amiga screen. If you want to work
with de-interlaced screens, however, you will have to switch cables (my
current solution). The Firecracker connects to the 15 Khz video port,
which does not support the deinterlacer. The Firecracker docs mention the
possibility of using a second monitor for the Firecracker, which I guess
would let you have an interlaced screen on the Amiga. Kind of an expensive
solution, though.
The Firecracker produces wonderful images, but the beast does take getting
used to. I've been working with one for 2 full days now and I can't really
say I'm comfortable with it yet. I am, however, getting more and more
convinced that it's worth the learning curve.
-Brian
That clears it up some. I wonder how long it will be before someone comes
up with a 24 bit display that can also handle everyday display chores. How
long does it take to display an image from ram? I forget if you mentioned
whether yours is the 1 or 2 meg version.
James Frank
Only the 2 meg version is available. Impulse said they didn't bother
putting together any one megs, since they had no requests for them. It
takes about 3-4 seconds for an image to load from RAM.
I do wish the Firecracker was more transparent to the system. Maybe if you
use 2 monitors it is transparent, but that's kind of a tough solution.
-Brian
After writing that message I thought a little more about the 2 monitor
solution. I have 2 Amigas sitting about 4 feet apart. Well, a switch box,
a little cabling and VOILA! — the 2 monitor solution! I am now getting
full use of the Firecracker's resolution and color *and* I am not giving up
de-interlaced display on the Amiga. This is a very nice setup if you are
like me and want to use the Firecracker for your Imagine renderings. If
you want to use it as a genlock, your stuck with the conflict with the
de-interlacer.
-Brian