goosh@cisunx.UUCP (Walter G Perz) (03/09/88)
Hello Netland! I'm planning to buy a NEC Multisync. However there are two versions, the "regular" Multisync and the Multisync Plus. What's the difference, aside from the Plus colting $300 more. Please e-mail me, as I don't keep up with the net. Thanks in advance. goosh@unix.cis.pittsburgh.edu.UUCP
ritzenth@bgsuvax.UUCP (Phil Ritzenthaler) (03/09/88)
In article <7597@cisunx.UUCP>, goosh@cisunx.UUCP (Walter G Perz) writes: > I'm planning to buy a NEC Multisync. However there are two versions, > the "regular" Multisync and the Multisync Plus. What's the difference, > aside from the Plus colting $300 more. As far as I can tell, the are 2 differences between the NEC II and the NEC Plus: 1.) The NEC II is a 12 inch screen, while the NEC Plus has a 14 inch screen. 2.) The NEC II has a max resolution of 800x560 while the NEC Plus has a max resolution of 1024x768 The greater resolution allows you to take advantage of the aftermarket VGA cards that have extended modes with extended colors. For example one card I know of (but have NO experience with) allows 256 colors with 800x560 resolution, 16 colors in an 800x600 mode, and 16 colors (which is the USUAL for a VGA) in a 1024x768 mode. This is the Designer VGA by Orchid Technologies. To take advantage of the extra modes, you must have the Plus instead of the II. Any other comments from folks that actually own these?? -- Phil Ritzenthaler |USnail: University Computer Services Computer Graphics Research Consultant | 241 Math-Science Bldg. UUCP :.!cbosgd!osu-cis!bgsuvax!ritzenth | Bowling Green State University CSNET: ritzenth@bgsu.edu | Bowling Green, OH 43403-0125 ARPA : ritzenth%bgsu.edu@relay.cs.net | Phone: (419) 372-2102
charlie@condor.UUCP (Charlie D. Havener) (03/10/88)
I own a NEC multisync II. I have had it about 6 weeks. It cost $630. It is much like the old original NEC Multisync but it has front panel controls and supposedly can handle VGA. It came with a VGA cable plug adaptor to stick on the end of the regular cable. My Genoa Super HIres graphics card does not have a VGA plug coming out of it so I have not tried it. I think the colors are not as good as the old NEC Multisync. In a side by side comparison the old one is better color wise. Byte ( 2 issues ago ) did a big review of EGA/VGA monitors but they did not test the NEC Multisync II which is most unfortunate. They tested the Plus which costs a lot more. It is not at all clear to me what you get for the extra money. Byte had a chance to clarify this but they didn't. Charlie Havener - GenRad Inc. ...genrad!condor!charlie
chasm@killer.UUCP (Charles Marslett) (03/11/88)
In article <8056@condor.UUCP>, charlie@condor.UUCP (Charlie D. Havener) writes: > I own a NEC multisync II. I have had it about 6 weeks. It cost $630. > ... Byte > did not test the NEC Multisync II which is most unfortunate. They > tested the Plus which costs a lot more. It is not at all clear to > me what you get for the extra money. The Multisync II is the successor to the old Multisync and has pretty much the same specs, except that it pays attention to the sync lines polarity. So it maintains the position and shape of a VGA screen much better (I think it does a better job on EGA screens, too, but that is getting pretty picky!). The Multisync Plus is a whole different animal -- it does NOT handle low frequency images (200-line CGA for example) so it cannot be used with boards that do no double scan the CGA compatible modes and it will properly display screens up to about 900x600 non-interlaces and with a bit of fiddling the 8514A 1024x768 can be made to work. Bottom line: for most people, most of the time the II is a better monitor even at the same price (and they are not nearly the same price!) -- but if you need higher resolutions than the 800x600 or 704x519 most current "good" boards provide, you will have to pay more and lose something else. Sorry. ========================================================================== ==========================================================================
waynec@hpsrli.HP.COM (Wayne Cannon) (03/12/88)
Although several reviewers have tested the Multisync Plus at 1024x768, it is actually spec'd at somewhat less than that, 960x720. HOwever, considering the cost difference between it and anything spec'd at 1024x768 or 1280x1024, I decided on the Plus. Running it at 1024x768 on my HP9000 showed only minor smearing, and that was predominately due to a misconvergence, I believe. It did lose a couple of lines at the top on the HP9000, and I don't know why. However, my experience would indicate that it would be easily adjustable, and could also be a function of the driver board.
jpederse@encad.Wichita.NCR.COM (John Pedersen) (03/24/88)
One thing that I just found out today in the Multisync II and Multisync Plus battle is that the Multisync Plus will not emulate all the CGA modes. We have some of both in house and I always wondered why the opening "advertisement" screen on MS Word and other MS packages will not display correctly on the Multisync Plus monitors but work fine with the IIs. -- John.Pedersen@Wichita.NCR.COM NCR Engineering & Manufacturing EMC Engineering Wichita KS 316-636-8837
ritzenth@bgsuvax.UUCP (Phil Ritzenthaler) (04/07/88)
From article <310@encad.Wichita.NCR.COM>, by jpederse@encad.Wichita.NCR.COM (John Pedersen): > One thing that I just found out today in the Multisync II and Multisync Plus > battle is that the Multisync Plus will not emulate all the CGA modes. We have > some of both in house and I always wondered why the opening "advertisement" > screen on MS Word and other MS packages will not display correctly on the > Multisync Plus monitors but work fine with the IIs. From discussing this with NEC and VGA board manufacturers, the word I have gotten is that if you want the Plus, make sure that your board can DOUBLE SCAN in the CGA mode. I don't know if this is the definitive answer, but maybe it helps . . . Phil Ritzenthaler |USnail: University Computer Services Computer Graphics Research Consultant | 241 Math-Science Bldg. UUCP :.!cbosgd!osu-cis!bgsuvax!ritzenth | Bowling Green State University CSNET: ritzenth@bgsu.edu | Bowling Green, OH 43403-0125 ARPA : ritzenth%bgsu.edu@relay.cs.net | Phone: (419) 372-2102