[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] 24-bit graphics card inquiry

kevin@hiatus.enet.dec.com (Kevin D. Baranski-Walker) (07/03/90)

Would someone please recommend a 24-bit card for the (16-bit) AT bus? 
I'm aware
of TARGA already thanks.

Thanks in advance.

BTW:  Can anyone explain why 1024x768x8 non-interlaced cards are available on
the Mac for <$600 and the equivalent for the PC is closer to $2K (some
as outragous
as $3-4K?)

---------------------------------
Kevin D. Baranski-Walker	->	kevin@hiatus.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corporation	->	Super-Commuter	N7021G
Nashua, New Hampshire		->	Christan Eagle	N[Under Construction]
---------------------------------

erik@westworld.esd.sgi.com (Erik Fortune) (07/04/90)

In article <13042@shlump.nac.dec.com>, kevin@hiatus.enet.dec.com (Kevin
D. Baranski-Walker) writes:
> BTW:  Can anyone explain why 1024x768x8 non-interlaced cards are available on
> the Mac for <$600 and the equivalent for the PC is closer to $2K (some
> as outragous
> as $3-4K?)

Huh?!   I paid $273 for my 1024x768x256 (8 bit) non-interlaced super VGA.
It's made by Ahead systems and is pretty speedy for a VGA.   If you want
more of a name brand, I've seen similar cards from Orchid (the pro-designer II)
for $329 and clone cards using the same chip set as the orchid for $299.
I'm not sure if the orchid card is non-interlaced or not...

I've seen the paradise 8514/A clone (also 1024x768x256) for $599 -- the 
original 8514 is interlaced, but I'm not sure about the paradise version.
The 8514 has (relatively simple) accelerator hardware to help with 
clipping/rects/lines etc.

The multi-thousand dollar cards for the PC include hefty graphics
accelerator hardware (by PC standards) -- usually TMS34*0 based
(uses the TIGA library).    You're getting a fair amount of hardware 
assistance for your money.

-- Erik
   (erik@sgi.com)

p.s.  Ahead Systems is in Fremont (415)623-0900, I bought the VGA wizard
      from Hi-Tech USA in Milipitas, CA (408)262-8688.
      The pro-designer II (and the other clone) was at Access computers 
      in Santa Clara (408)247-4444. I think they sell the paradise 8514/A
      clone, but I'm not sure of their price -- the one I saw for $599 was
      at a computer swap meet.

mfinegan@uceng.UC.EDU (michael k finegan) (07/07/90)

kevin@hiatus.enet.dec.com (Kevin D. Baranski-Walker) writes:

>Would someone please recommend a 24-bit card for the (16-bit) AT bus? 
>I'm aware
>of TARGA already thanks.

>BTW:  Can anyone explain why 1024x768x8 non-interlaced cards are available on
>the Mac for <$600 and the equivalent for the PC is closer to $2K (some
>as outragous
>as $3-4K?)

>Kevin D. Baranski-Walker	->	kevin@hiatus.dec.com

Both of the above are included in the Hercules Graphics Station - 24 bit
full color with overlay, 16 bit color, 1024x768x8 interlaced AND non-interlaced,
etc. VGA is thrown in as well! (but no digitization capabilities ...)

						- Mike Finegan
						  mfinegan@uceng.UC.EDU