bwwilson@watnot.UUCP (Bruce Wilson) (08/05/86)
I have noticed many people asking about display cards and not much
said about a great card called the ATI Graphics Solution.
I know the name sounds a little corny but it *IS* a solution to many
users graphics desires. Here goes:
When connected to a IBM Monocrhome Monitor it will display monochrome text
like an IBM card (no big deal), it will display Hercules graphics (from
lotus etc.) (another 'no big deal') AND it will display *ALL* colour graphics
software in appropriate shades of green. ( the Paradise Graphics card will
display all colour software but no Herc and the font is a little different)
The key is that it can be switched into any of these modes by a program
(included naturally). To get the maximum out of this board you would
configure the switches on the card for 'colour emulation' mode and set
your switches on your motherboard for 'colour 80X25'. Then if a program
boots and needs colour graphics (flight simulator, etc.) the board takes
over. If you are going to do word processing or text dependant work than
you switch over to monochrome text mode (or herc mode if it tickles your
fancy) and you get great text. BTW, the text in colour emulation mode isn't
bad either (not as good as regular font but better than a colour monitor).
If that isn't enough for you (you're a colour adict) at any time you can
tell the card you are connecting up a colour monitor and it doesn't complain
at all. This involves unplugging the mono monitor and plugging in the rgb.
They can't both be attached to card at the same time.
In colour emulation mode there are some options:
1) 320X200 (4 or 16 colours or shades of green depending on the monitor
connected)
2) 640X200 (2, 4, OR 16 colours (or shades))
There isn't any software that takes advantage of the last mode (16 colours)
but it is still pretty neat :-)
As far as compatibility goes, I've only found one colour program that didn't
work on it and that was a little program that addressed the controller on
the IBM card directly (flight sim., lotus in colour mode, turbo graphix
toolbox,and others worked great). In hercules mode, the graphics toolbox
didn't work but I think (I haven't had a chance to check though)
that it was because I changed into herc mode using software and the system
switches still said colour card. Everything else I had worked though.
I haven't tried anything on a colour monitor because I don't have one (don't
need one either :-) but I've heard that it works fine.
I called about one of their diagnostics programs and they were knowledgeable
and very courteous.
Basically, this card and an IBM monochrome (or compatible) monitor is all
you need to run every program written (before EGA). You don't even have
to give up colour if you don't want to.
The price was $345 CAN. which is cheaper than EGA and the true Herc card.
This would be good be a good card for businesses because it gives you
herc graphics AND colour graphics in one card and on one monitor (no need
for 2 cards and 2 monitors).
A company called Array Technologies sells the card in Canada.
I don't have their address but they are located in Markham, Ontario,
and they have had a couple of ads in PC mag about 4 months back.
I have no connection with the company... just an extremely satisfied
customer.
If you want more info just E-mail me and I'd be glad to check it out
for you.
Bruce Wilson
bwwilson@watnot.uucp