Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!mit-eddie!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!raster From: raster@itsgw.rpi.edu (Jerry D Bain) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Subject: Re: Tha extra connector on a VGA card... Message-ID: <+B#=*W_@rpi.edu> Date: 11 Mar 91 17:19:31 GMT References: <39015@netnews.upenn.edu> Distribution: usa Lines: 17 Nntp-Posting-Host: jec407.its.rpi.edu sheinfel@grad1.cis.upenn.edu (Aviad Sheinfeld) writes: >I have a "Super 8900" SVGA card based on the Trident 8900 chip. My >"manual" describes the edge as a "Feature connector: For special >applications." There is, however, no mention of what these special >applications might be... I believe the feature connector on the top of all true VGA cards (or so the rhetoric goes) is for external (re: off board) signal handling. Although I've never actually seen this, I am told boards like the IBM 8514/A connect to this connector to provide VGA compatibility. The original 8514/A had no built-in ability to handle VGA modes. I know there are some special purpose video boards out there that do make use of this connector for VGA compatibility... In summary: the average person has no need for this connector. It is intended for special-purpose piggy-back video and multi-media boards.