[comp.sys.ibm.pc] EGA, CGA, MGA compatibility of VGA cards?

allred@ut-emx.UUCP (Kevin L. Allred) (07/06/89)

I'm considering buying a VGA card and monochrome VGA monitor.  The
combination I'm currently considering is the Magnovox monochrome VGA
monitor and the Paradice VGA+ card.  The combination is available from
USA*FLEX in their add on page 651 of the July Computer Shopper for
$354 ($249 card, $125 monitor, -$20 package).  Paradice claims
downward compatability of the VGA+ with EGA, CGA, MGA, and MCGA
hardware.  I called them and asked them how the VGA+ card, when
connected to a mono VGA monitor, deals with EGA and CGA programs that
expect color, and I was told that the card translates the color to
gray levels.  This sounds like a smart thing to do, but being a
skeptic, I would like to hear from some users to get their impressions
of how well it works in practice.

Would you please e-mail to me your insight if you know about
compatibility of the paradice VGA+ card with EGA, CGA, etc. software.
I would also like to hear from you if you know about another manufactures
VGA card that is also EGA, CGA, etc compatible.  In particular I would
like to here from people using mono VGA monitors about how well gray
level translation of color software works.  If you know of any
problems with dealing with USA*FLEX, or where I could get a better
price on a comparable VGA card and/or mono monitor I would love to know.

I will summerize the responces and post a follow up in 1 or 2 weeks.
-- 

	Kevin Allred
	allred@emx.cc.utexas.edu
	allred@ut-emx.UUCP