SQ79@liverpool.ac.UK (Mark Powell) (09/22/89)
A couple of people have been asking about the Parsec graphics board, well
here are some specifics.
All this info. comes from a specfication sheet sent to our university direct
from Elmtech Research, the boards producers, dated 15th August 1989. From what
I've seen of the board in the ST World magazine review, it quite capably lives
up to all the below...
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SPECIFICATIONS (straight from sheet... don't blame me for any vague terms!)
32 bit 50 MHZ TI processor
6.25 MIPS preformance
Programmable resolutions up to 1024x768
Upgradable from 4096 to 16 million colours
4 colour planes, upgradable to 8 colour planes
Up to 3 video ports allowind 2x4 colour planes
Memory capability 5.5 Mbytes
Hardware window clip/hit
Pixel processing
22 logical operators and transparency
Software support
SCSI and RS232 ports as standard
Low cost
High preformance
Interfaces to any Atari ST without modification
Support for other computers to include:
Commodore Amiga, PC's and compatibles, Apple Mac
Genlock module for mixing and overlaying of video signals
Digitising module for processing external video signals
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The other side of the sheet has the following extra info.
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THE PERFORMANCE
Average bit move 25.0 M bits/sec
Horizontal line/fill 50.0 M bits/sec
Line draw rate 1.25 M pix/sec
Line (read) 2.1 M pix/sec
Fill rectangle 12.5 M pix/sec
Copt block 3.12 M pix/sec
32 bit add 6.25 M ins/sec
32 bit multiply 0.29 M ins/sec
THE SPECIFICATION
4768 8768
Resolution 1024x768 1024x768
Colour pallette 4096 16,777,216
Colour planes 4 4, 4+4 or 8
Colours per line 16 256
Max. colours per screen 4096 196,608
Memory (video RAM) 768K 768K
8768-2 Option (DRAM) - 2Mb
8768-4 Option (DRAM) - 2Mb
Monitor type:
ELM Multisync plus or compatible
Non-interlaced RGB with horizontal scan frequency of
28.8KHz (640x480) or 46.08KHz (1024x768)
Vertical scan frequency of 60KHz
Main video configurations:
4 plane 4 plane+overlay 2x4 plane 8 plane
Screen resolutions - 640x480 and 1024x768 all double buffered
Controls (front panel):
Resolution - Low (640x480) or High (1024x768)
Screen - Frame load or line load
Connectors (rear panel):
Video - 15 way 'D' SCSI - 25 way 'D'
RS232 - 25 way 'D' Interface - 37 way 'D'
Additional connectors (8768 model only):
Video - 2x15 way 'D' (4 and 8 plane outputs)
Case:
Extruded aluminium, powder coated with anodised
aluminium, silk screen printed front and rear panels.
Dimensions:
Board - 292mm wide x 280mm deep
Case - 296mm wide x 284mm deep x 50mm high
EXPANSION
INTERNAL:
Internal expansion provides for the 8768 upgrade board with further possible
options of 2Mb and 4Mb DRAM memory upgrades. The memory modules can be used for
program area, data, images, compressed image data, fonts etc.
EXTERNAL:
External expansion comprises of SCSI and USART ports.
SCSI (small computer system interface) - for the connection of mass data
storage peripherals such as CD ROM/RAM, video and hard disk drives.
USART (standard RS232) - for hard copy output to XY plotters, laser,
dot-matrix and colour thermal transfer printers plus input devices such as
graphic tablets and mouse controller.
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
A fully featured Art package is included with the ParSec which supports Pixel
Processing with 22 Raster Op's. Other software packages include CAD/CAM, DTP
and recreation software. A professional artist package includes chalk, oil
and water emulation with mathematical background generation. This package is
also supported with supplementary programs for ray tracing and animation.
A GEM to ParSec conversion program offers the ability to run most Atari
GEM based programs without modification creating all the advantages of superior
resolution and colour palletter plus high speed operation.
MONITOR REQUIREMENT
In practise and non-intyerlaced monitor with a horizontal scan frequency of
28.8KHz (640x480) up to 46.08KHz (1024x768) will suffice. However to obtain
the best results an ELM multisync plus monitor allows programmable resolutions
to 1024x768.
GENLOCK/DIGITISER
The ELM Genlock expands the capabilites of the ParSec even further, permitting
the mixing and overlaying of external composite video signals in conjunction
with the graphic output of the ParSec. The digitiser module will allow the
proccesing of external video signals which can then be stored in memory and
manipulated with art packages. Fully compatible with the Genlock unit.
Elmtech Research Ltd.,
6, Witherford way,
Selly Oak,
Birmingham B29 4AX,
ENGLAND.
Tel. (021) 472 5719
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Well thats the bottom line. Pretty nice little board!!! Pity I'm not a the son
of an aging millionaire, nevermind!
ParSec 4768 including Da Vinci Art package - available now
- 799 pounds sterling + VAT
8768 upgrade - available October/November 1989
Genlock and digitiser modules - available end 1989
GEM driveer for existing GEM based programs to operate on ParSec - Sept. 1989
ELM Multisync plus monitor - available now
- 650 pounds + VAT