Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!microsoft!brianw
From: brianw@microsoft.UUCP (Brian Willoughby)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Apple II Video Overlay Card
Keywords: Piracy
Message-ID: <9075@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 18 Nov 89 04:00:43 GMT
References: <879@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU>
Reply-To: brianw@microsoft.UUCP (Brian Willoughby)
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 33

OK,

I've got a few frightening questions about the Video Overlay Card.  I
understand that the VOC plugs into a standard 8 bit slot and is
functional on the IIgs AND the //e.  I also understand that it converts
the Apple II video so that it is compatible with the NTSC standard.  What
I would like to know is: does this mean that the VOC will add Super HiRes
graphics to the //e?

The reason I ask is because there are no Video-specific signals on the 8
bit slot connectors (except possibly slot 7) that would allow the VOC to
communicate with the existing Apple II video circuitry.  I know for a
fact that the GenLock function of the VOC requires the computer to
synchronize with the external video.  For example, if a VCR is currently
scanning the lower right corner of the video screen and then starts
vertical blanking, then the Apple II must also synchronize by displaying
the same area of the screen and then entering VBlank.  Well, as I see it,
there is no way for a card in a standard slot to 'reach into the Apple II
innards' and force the video to re-sync.  Therefore the Video Overlay
Card must COMPLETELY DUPLICATE the Apple video modes so that total
control over synchronization is possible.  I've looked at the picture of
the VOC in the Apple flyer, and there appears to be enough DRAM memory to
support SHR.  Since all the video circuitry of a IIgs appears to be
duplicated, is there any way to activate SHR graphics on the //e?

P.S. Will the Video Overlay Card work in a II Plus?
I could be mistaken, but I thought that the VOC did NOT use the aux slot.

Brian Willoughby
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