Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!att!emory!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!lll-winken!quintro!bpdsun1!rmf
From: rmf@bpdsun1.uucp (Rob Finley)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: (Thanks, and) Looking for Video Controller Info....
Message-ID: <1990Nov3.040124.7063@bpdsun1.uucp>
Date: 3 Nov 90 04:01:24 GMT
References: <3795@idunno.Princeton.EDU>
Reply-To: rmf@bpdsun1.UUCP (Rob Finley)
Organization: Harris Broadcast Div., Quincy, IL
Lines: 33

In article <3795@idunno.Princeton.EDU> markv@gauss.Princeton.EDU (Mark VandeWettering) writes:
>On a (slightly) related topic, what chip do people use to generate video
>graphic displays?  I am looking for something to generate some low res
>(around 256^2) with some small number of colors, plus some text.  Emphasis
>should be on ease of interfacing, and low chip count.  Also info about
>RF modulators would be useful.
>
>Is there some standard text for this kind of stuff?  Most of what I have
>access to is several years out of date, and I know there must be better 
>chips out there....
>

Because you don't want to sweat out timings, are using a video monitor
and not an LCD panel, and could use color video generation, look
at either the Motorola MC6847 or the TMS9918.  The 6847 is a neat chip
but the 9918 has more "smarts" to it.  

TMS9918 needs two 16K by 4 drams and a crystal.  It generates NTSC
color video directly or there are other versions available for 
y/c or rgb output.  It can be unique to program the powerful graphic
sprites and such.  Give TI a call and order the application guide.

If you would consider using an LCD panel, give TimeLine electronics a call.  
I have their panel/controller combo that runs about $80 probably more.
It consists of an older-technology 480 by 128 display with a little
controller card that you could hang off a centronics parallel port
or something like that...  Very neat.

-----
 "Lets go kick some Earthling butt!" -- Spaced Invaders

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