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From: opto1k@jetson.uh.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: VGA RAMDACs with >= 8 bits per color?
Message-ID: <8801.27e1f44b@jetson.uh.edu>
Date: 16 Mar 91 16:32:41 GMT
Organization: University of Houston
Lines: 24

I just read in the book "Programmer's Guide to EGA/VGA", 2nd. edition, that a
company named Sierra Semiconductor makes an 8-bit per color RAMDAC that is
software AND hardware(pin-for-pin) compatible with the regular 6-bit per color
ones.  I would like to know:

1) If I can buy a SuperVGA card using the 8-bit RAMDAC, and/or
2) If such a card is not available, which SuperVGA cards allow me to swap
   RAMDAC (i.e., RAMDAC in a socket) and are compatible with Sierra's RAMDAC? 
3) the phone numbers of Sierra Semiconductor and of any one making compatible
   8-bit-per-color VGA RAMDACs.

Why do I need such a beast?  I am not interested in colors but gray levels,
more the better.  However, some of the cards that have 8-bit-per color cost
an arm and a leg, AND/OR they are not compatible with EGA/VGA -:(.

Any info will be helpful.  Please respond by e-mail.

Thank you very much in advance.

___
Tong Ho
University of Houston, College of Optometry
E-Mail: opto1k@jetson.uh.edu
Phone: 713/749-1309