Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!ufqtp!sutherla
From: sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu (scott sutherland)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Enhanced Chip Set and Genlocking?
Keywords: ECS
Message-ID: <725@orange9.qtp.ufl.edu>
Date: 23 Oct 89 16:16:08 GMT
Reply-To: sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu (scott sutherland)
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Florida Quantum Theory Project
Lines: 51


	I have been contemplating purchasing a Genlock for my Amy and
the most cost effective vs. performance seems to be the SuperGen or
ProGEN. However, I have recently come across an article which has
made me wonder if I shouldn't wait for the 1.4 version of the OS and
the ECS. Why? Because of the following:

	In Amazing Computing Vol. 4, No. 8, August 1989, there is an
article entitled, "V1.4: A Pre-preview" by Mike Morrison. In this 
article he discusses the ECS. He states, "The new DENISE chip will
provide SuperHires mode, Productivity mode, and
FOUR GENLOCK CAPABILITIES!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

These are described as follows:
	The new Denise chip allows four genlock modes
		ChromaKey allows any color register to control the
		video overlay.

		BitplaneKey allows any bitplane to enable video overlay.

		BorderBlank creates a transparent "frame" surrounding
		the active area of the screen.

		BorderNotTransparent makes an opaque "frame" surrounding
		the active area of the screen.



First question: IS THIS CONFIRMED??

Second question: Will these modes be incompatible with all the existing
		 Amiga genlocks, from the lowly Amigen to the mega
		 expensive Magni 4004? If so, I think that many Amiga
		 DTV people out there will be extremely upset.

Third question: If there is a compatibility problem, can it be fixed in
		upgrades to these genlocks? If not, will there be a new
		generation of genlocks for the Amiga?


Final question: Can someone out there please explain in non-DVE-technical
		terms (since I am not an electronics wizard nor a video
		hardware guru) how these new modes affect what can and
		cannot be done with Amiga video? 


Thanks,

Scott Sutherland
sutherla@qtp.ufl.edu