guineau@wjg.enet.dec.com (07/25/90)
I've been thinking about getting a Multisync monitor (in anticipation of 2.0) and a flickerfixer (since they're getting cheap!) My question is: Will the flicker fixer still be "usefull" with AmigaDOS 2.0? And will it deal properly with it's new/old modes? -- W. John Guineau guineau@wjg.enet.dec.com Digital Equipment Corporation Marlboro MA. 01752
spierce@pnet01.cts.com (Stuart Pierce) (07/27/90)
Microway's advertisements indicate that the FlickerFixer is compatible with
2.0 and all the new video modes.
I think it is still useful. You can get a flicker-free 640 x 480 x 4-color
display using the new chips under 2.0, but that is going to use all of the
available chip RAM bandwidth. With the FlickerFixer, you can set up a 640 x
480 x 4-color interlaced display that doesn't flicker and leaves you bandwidth
to spare.
Stuart Piercepselver@ssi3b1.zone1.com (Peter Selverstone) (07/28/90)
In article <13852@shlump.nac.dec.com> guineau@wjg.enet.dec.com writes: >I've been thinking about getting a Multisync monitor (in anticipation of >2.0) and >a flickerfixer (since they're getting cheap!) > >My question is: Will the flicker fixer still be "usefull" with AmigaDOS >2.0? And will >it deal properly with it's new/old modes? Here is the complete text of a file of answers to frequently asked questions regarding flickerFixer, 2.0 and the ECS: ===================================================================== May 2, 1990 flickerFixer Questions and Answers ------------ --------- --- ------- Why should I install a flickerFixer in my Amiga 2000? The flickerFixer will give you nearly the same display capabilities as the new Amiga 3000. It's been doing that for over two years. It is the only compatible way to significantly enhance the display of the Amiga 2000. What is 2.0? Version 2.0 (it used to be called 1.4) of the Amiga operating system is great! It can take full advantage of the overscan display of the flickerFixer. FlickerFixer is compatible with 2.0 which is scheduled to be available for the A2000 in September 1990. What is the Enhanced Chip Set? Also called: The ECS Non-interlace chips New chips New Agnus and new Denise Super Agnus and Super Denise The ECS is Commodore's upgrade to the Agnus and Denise chips of the A500 and the A2000. The new Agnus chip is available now and the new Denise is expected to be available when 2.0 is released. As of May 1990, the Amiga 2000 was being shipped with the new Agnus but NOT the new Denise. flickerFixer IS compatible with the ECS. If I install the ECS, will flickerFixer stop working? No. It may be necessary to readjust the phasing when an old Agnus is exchanged for a new one, but the flickerFixer will work fine. See the manual for instructions on phasing adjustment and call MicroWay tech support at (508) 746-7341 if you need any help. flickerFixer will continue to operate exactly as before after the new chips are installed. What about the "new graphics modes"? Isn't flickerFixer obsolete? Not at all. When 2.0 and the new Denise are released, there will be two new modes. These are "superhires" and "productivity" mode. All the existing modes will be just as they are now. "Productivity" mode is a non-interlace 640 x 400 mode that, like the flickerFixer, requires a high scan rate monitor. It doesn't flicker, but it is limited to 4 colors from a palette of 64. Moreover, bandwidth limitations will cause significant chip memory interference when the mode is used with 4 colors. The slowdown will be similar to what is currently experienced in 16 color hi-res modes. To obtain performance equivalent to the current 4 color workbench, "Productivity" mode must be limited to 2 colors. Since flickerFixer has no color limitations and does not slow down the computer, "productivity" mode is NOT a replacement for flickerFixer and flickerFixer owners would generally not have a use for it. "Superhires" is a 1280 x 200 (non-interlace) or 1280 x 400 (interlace) mode that does not require a high scan rate monitor. It is also limited to 4 colors out of 64 and has the same performance problems as "productivity" mode when used with 4 colors. This mode will not display properly through the flickerFixer, it may appear to work, but actually only every other pixel is visible. This behavior is EXACTLY the same as the Display Enhancer in the Amiga 3000. If I plan on taking advantage of all of the new display modes will I have to give up my flickerFixer? No. You NEVER lose any capabilities when you install a flickerFixer in the Amiga 2000. It has a separate output connector and does not modify the signals on the standard Amiga 23 pin RGB connector. How can I use the new display modes if I have a flickerFixer? Just connect your monitor to the Amiga 23 pin RGB output. If desired, a standard 9-pin switchbox can be set up to switch a multiscan monitor between the flickerFixer and the Amiga output connectors. Check with your dealer (or Redmond Cable). What about the 640 x 800 "Interlaced Productivity" mode? This is just the interlaced version of the 4 color productivity mode. It requires a high scan rate monitor and it will flicker on that monitor. There is no way to cure this with standard 31.5 KHz monitors. Set up a switchbox if you want to use this mode. What about the new 1280 x 800 mode? It doesn't exist. Someone must have gotten confused. What about the new 1008 x 800 mode? This resolution isn't actually related to the ECS, but to the A2024 and Moniterm monitors. These are special scan converting monochrome monitors which are capable of 4 level grey scale. Since the Moniterm monitor uses a video slot card, it cannot be used with the flickerFixer. The A2024 monitor (also called the Hedley monitor) connects to the 23 pin RGB connector, so it will be possible to use it on a 2000 with a flickerFixer installed. Do I need a flickerFixer for an A3000? No. The Video Display Enhancer that Commodore built in to the A3000 is very similar to the flickerFixer and performs the same functions. Can I use an NTSC encoder like the A520 with the flickerFixer? Yes. Just plug the encoder into the 23 pin RGB connector and you will have simultaneous NTCS composite and non-interlace VGA frequency video. The flickerFixer has its own 9 pin output connector and operates in parallel with the Amiga display. FlickerFixer never modifies the Amiga video signal. If you use a genlock rather than an encoder, then the flickerFixer display will not be available unless you have installed the genlock compatibility option. However, a genlock can still be used while the flickerFixer is installed in the video slot. What does the Genlock Compatibility option do? The function of the Genlock Compatibility option is to allow the flickerFixer display to be used simultaneously with an external genlock. While there is no problem using a genlock on a 2000 with a flicker fixer installed in the video slot, the monitor attached to the flicker fixer cannot be used at the same time as the genlock unless the compatibility option is installed. I use a VGA card with the Bridgeboard. Can I use the same monitor on it and the flickerFixer? Yes. With the right cables and switchbox this works fine. Your dealer or Redmond cable should be able to help get the bits and pieces. ====================================================================== -- Peter Selverstone ...{mit-eddie,pyramid,datacube}!mirror!ssi3b1!pselver Spy Pond Systems pselver@ssi3b1.zone1.com Arlington, MA BIX:pselverstone PLINK:pselverst CIS:72527,2652
guineau@wjg.enet.dec.com (07/30/90)
WRT: Peter Selverstone's posting on all you ever wanted to know about the FlickerFixer. Thanks! Just the info I needed. One question that you didn't answer: Is CBM making an A2000 version of the "display enhancer" -- W. John Guineau guineau@wjg.enet.dec.com Digital Equipment Corporation Marlboro MA. 01752