d87sg@efd.lth.se (Svante Gellerstam) (10/01/90)
I've been following the 24-bit discussion loosely and I'd like to throw
my two bits in...
From where I stand I'd say the Amiga needs the ability to talk to any
type of graphics board that may be interfaced. Today that's not
doable (unless one rewrites all of graphics.library and severly patch
most other system functions to be able to run WB on a say 1600x1200
monochrome or 1280x1024 24 bit color screen) because the lack of some
driver/interface standard.
The main problem is that all cards today are forced to use some
half-breed method of decoding the standard 640x400 onto a 1280x800
display (f.x. the 2024) via the video slot. This also gives max 4096
color palette and 16 colors on screen at a time plus all imagery in
CHIP ram. This sets severe limits on display / memory bandwidth and
image manipulation hardware.
I'm just curious, is there any work being done towards an interface
standard here? A device driver setup would provide for compatibility
backwards and ability for new programs to use any gee-wiz screens and
display adapters that are connected.
I'm toying with the thought of building some kind of video board so
I'm fishing for ideas and tips on where the roadblocks might be.
Thank you.
--
2:200/107.4 Svante Gellerstam (Fido) d87sg@efd.lth.se (InterNet)
It's the african anteater ritual! -- Can't Buy Me Love