[comp.sys.amiga.hardware] A1950 Monitor questions

hitch@buhub.bradley.edu (Douglas Hanna) (05/10/91)

Could someone please answer a few questions for me regarding the A1950
monitor?

1)  Is it the nifty multy-sync that allows you to use ALL the need and
weird video modes on the A3000?

2) Does it come with seperated video/auido inputs (like the A1084S)?

3) Have there been any major reported problems with using it with the
A3000?

Why you ask?  I am currently running a A2000HD (for sale by the way
(including A2088 BB)) and am going to purchase a A3000 and A1950
through C='s thoughtful and timely upgrade program (via my VIC 20
manual :)) and would like a little info before I made my purchase.

Thanks

--
|><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><|
|<>|   Douglas Hanna           Bradley University               |<>|
|><|   HITCHhiker (042)        hitch@buhub.bradley.edu          |><|
|<>|   "All disclamers, standard and nonstandard apply"         |<>|
|><|   "Another Brilliant mind destroyed by the rigors of       |><| 
|<>|             higher education"                              |<>|
|><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><|

blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) (05/10/91)

hitch@buhub.bradley.edu (Douglas Hanna) writes:
>Could someone please answer a few questions for me regarding the A1950
>monitor?

>1)  Is it the nifty multy-sync that allows you to use ALL the need and
>weird video modes on the A3000?

Yes.

>2) Does it come with seperated video/auido inputs (like the A1084S)?

Nope, no audio at all.

>3) Have there been any major reported problems with using it with the
>A3000?

More than you can count. Though it seems to have improved lately, the
A1950 has a lousy reputation for reliability. Unless you can get it for
around $300, buy somthing from Sony, NEC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, etc.
Models to look at are the NEC 3D, Sony CPD-1302 (or 1304 if you don't
need the 15KHz modes), Mitsubishi Diamond Scan (the only one I've seen
with both RGB and composite video inputs), I don't remember the Panasync
model numbers, perhaps someone else can add them.
-- 
Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland  580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108
blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com                               BIX: blaine_g
DoD #46           My other motorcycle is a Quadracer.            FJ1200
              Now I know why they are called BUTTERflys!

6600jo@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Jonas Fjallstam) (05/14/91)

On the subject of Monitors, I'm interested in
getting a multisync and want to know if the 1950 is
really as bad as its current reputation suggests.
I also would like to know how to determine the
maximum resolution of various monitors and how many
colors they can theoretically display at what
resolutions. I am particularly interested in the
Sony CPD 1302 but am curious what the Sony 1304 can
do better, More colors/ resolution capability. Any
advice would be appreciated. How do you calculate
the theoretical max resolution/# of colors
displayable for a given monitor?  Thanx.

jseymour@medar.com (James Seymour) (05/14/91)

In article <1991May9.233153.15325@javelin.sim.es.com> blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com writes:
:hitch@buhub.bradley.edu (Douglas Hanna) writes:
:
::3) Have there been any major reported problems with using it with the
::A3000?
:
:More than you can count. Though it seems to have improved lately, the
:A1950 has a lousy reputation for reliability. Unless you can get it for
:around $300, buy somthing from Sony, NEC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, etc.
:Models to look at are the NEC 3D, Sony CPD-1302 (or 1304 if you don't
:need the 15KHz modes), Mitsubishi Diamond Scan (the only one I've seen
:with both RGB and composite video inputs), I don't remember the Panasync
:model numbers, perhaps someone else can add them.
:

Sigh...   I suppose this kind of net transaction (re: the 1950) will be
with us forever (not a flame Blaine).

Yes, there have been problems reported with the 1950.  Yes, one or more
of the products mentioned by Blaine have better specs than the 1950.
Admittedly, I have not seen nor do I personally know anybody that has
used anything other than the 1950 (myself) or the 3D (a friend), but
keep this in mind: the 1950 was designed (chosen?) by CBM to work well
with the 3000, while the others are basically "imports" from the PeeCee
world.  As such, I wonder if they do one thing I personally find very
important: overscan.  I know the 3D doesn't.  Indeed, a friend of mine
bought the 3D instead of the 1950 because of the problems he heard about
with the latter, he now regrets his decision and wishes he'd gone with
the 1950.  Whilst experimenting with a new 3000UX here at the office,
we briefly tried both a Diamond Scan and a PanaSync on it and we weren't
impressed.  We did this with UNIX running rather than AmigaDOS, so the
validity of these "tests" is in question though.

My suggestion, if this is possible, is to get your dealer to hook up
various products and judge for yourself.  If your dealer doesn't have
the 3D and others to try, perhaps you could borrow them from a friend
or work or whatever to try.

Personally, I'm happy with my 1950.

-- 
Jim Seymour				| Medar, Inc.
...!uunet!medar!jseymour		| 38700 Grand River Ave.
jseymour@medar.com			| Farmington Hills, MI. 48331
CIS: 72730,1166  GEnie: jseymour	| FAX: (313)477-8897

blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) (05/14/91)

6600jo@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Jonas Fjallstam) writes:
>On the subject of Monitors, I'm interested in
>getting a multisync and want to know if the 1950 is
>really as bad as its current reputation suggests.

They may have fixed the reliability problems by now, but unless you can
get the A1950 for about $300, spend your money on an NEC, Sony, or
somesuch. The A1950 is made by AOC, not exactly one of the big names in
displays.

>I also would like to know how to determine the
>maximum resolution of various monitors and how many
>colors they can theoretically display at what
>resolutions.

Any analog RGB monitor can display all the colors the Amiga can
generate. Resolution specs vary from monitor to monitor, check their
manufacturers specs.

>I am particularly interested in the
>Sony CPD 1302 but am curious what the Sony 1304 can
>do better, 

The CPD-1302 syncs from 15-30 KHz, the CPD-1304 syncs from 30 KHz up,
but I don't remember the top end (60KHz? 64KHz?). So if compatibility
with the Amiga's 15KHz modes is important, get the 1302. On the other
hand, if you're dreaming of the ULowell board someday, and don't care
about the 15KHz modes, get the 1304.

I've had a 1302 on my A3000 for almost a year, and love it.
-- 
Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland  580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108
blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com                               BIX: blaine_g
DoD #46           My other motorcycle is a Quadracer.            FJ1200
              Now I know why they are called BUTTERflys!

6600dmx@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Richard A. Boyd) (05/15/91)

There is nothing wrong with the A1950.  It is,
however, a basic monitor, no frills or anything like
that.  If you bought a system through the ed deal
and got the monitor with it, you paid only like $50
for it (from how I figured it).  This may have
changed by now.  If you have the money, I'd
recommend a NEC 3D, if you don't mind putting money
into the Japanese economy.

blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) (05/16/91)

jseymour@medar.com (James Seymour) writes:
>In article <1991May9.233153.15325@javelin.sim.es.com> blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com writes:
>:hitch@buhub.bradley.edu (Douglas Hanna) writes:
>::3) Have there been any major reported problems with using it with the
>::A3000?

>:More than you can count. Though it seems to have improved lately, the
>:A1950 has a lousy reputation for reliability. Unless you can get it for
>:around $300, buy somthing from Sony, NEC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, etc.

>Sigh...   I suppose this kind of net transaction (re: the 1950) will be
>with us forever (not a flame Blaine).

No flames felt, but hopefully as long as there are questions, there
will be answers. :-)

>Yes, there have been problems reported with the 1950.  Yes, one or more
>of the products mentioned by Blaine have better specs than the 1950.

Which was my real point, don't spend $500-600 on the A1950 when you can
get a better monitor for the same price. 

>keep this in mind: the 1950 was designed (chosen?) by CBM to work well
>with the 3000, while the others are basically "imports" from the PeeCee

No, the A1950 was simply OEM'ed from the cheapest (I assume) source CBM
could find, and they ordered some minor tweaks (like the horizontal
size spec.) CBM has a long history of OEMing cheap monitors, and the
A1950 is no exception.

> As such, I wonder if they do one thing I personally find very
>important: overscan.  I know the 3D doesn't.

This may or may not be important to individuals. Personally I'm greedy,
and want to see all those pixels, not hide them behind the bezel. A
724x480 Workbench is much nicer than 640x400.

>My suggestion, if this is possible, is to get your dealer to hook up
>various products and judge for yourself.  If your dealer doesn't have
>the 3D and others to try, perhaps you could borrow them from a friend
>or work or whatever to try.

Absolutely! The only way to judge the merits of displays is to look at
them yourself, prefferably side-by-side. That's what sold me on the Sony
over the A1950, NEC, etc.

>Personally, I'm happy with my 1950.

Which is of course the bottom line. I'm happy with my Sony CPD-1302.
-- 
Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland  580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108
blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com                               BIX: blaine_g
DoD #46           My other motorcycle is a Quadracer.            FJ1200
              Now I know why they are called BUTTERflys!

blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) (05/16/91)

6600dmx@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Richard A. Boyd) writes:
>There is nothing wrong with the A1950. 

>If you have the money, I'd
>recommend a NEC 3D, if you don't mind putting money
>into the Japanese economy.

As opposed to the Korean or Taiwanese economy? :-)

The A1950 is made by AOC, an oriental manufacturer, but I don't recall
which country. A friend has an AOC display on his PClone that is almost
identical to the A1950. The sticker on the front is the only noticable
difference.
-- 
Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland  580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108
blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com                               BIX: blaine_g
DoD #46           My other motorcycle is a Quadracer.            FJ1200
              Now I know why they are called BUTTERflys!