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From: porter@cbmvax.cbm.UUCP (Jeff Porter)
Newsgroups: net.micro.amiga
Subject: Re: HELP. PAL Amiga is available ??
Message-ID: <786@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 25-Sep-86 18:32:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbmvax.786
Posted: Thu Sep 25 18:32:02 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Sep-86 03:16:02 EDT
References: <5489@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Reply-To: porter@cbmvax.UUCP (Jeff Porter)
Organization: Commodore Technology, West Chester, PA
Lines: 62

In article <5489@decwrl.DEC.COM> zabot@cesare.dec.com (Adv.Tech.Mgr-ACT Torino) writes:

>Subj:   PAL vs NTSC.
>   Amiga is available in Italy since last June, but no one knows what system 
>they are selling. There is a big mess concerning what TV standard is used for
>both composite video and RGB outputs. Commodore Italy has not made any official 
>statement on the subject and has refused to take any commitment on delivery
>of PAL Amiga's ( or the plural you like most) or modification of present 
>systems as soon as PAL systems will be availbale.

All of the Amigas currently in Europe have NTSC PC boards with PAL AGNUS 
chips in them.  This means that the RGB ANALOG signals (which come directly 
from AGNUS) are PAL but the COMPOSITE VIDEO is still gives NTSC color
burst.  They also come with 220/240 volt power supplies and a 50Hz
kickstart disk (so that the real time clock gives the correct time).

The system is bundled in Europe with a Ram Expansion and RGB monitor,
so as far as RGB is concerned, this is identical to PAL PC boards with
PAL AGNUS chips.  Also, when 1.2 is released, a simple software upgrade
will allow you to use the extra resolution of the PAL system.  This
means that you get 640x256 instead of 640x200 and you get 640x512
instead of 640x400!!!  I personally find it kind of useful to have a
CLI window in the lower 56/112 lines, and my application in the top
200/400.

Also when 1.2 is released, it will support different keymaps for
German, Italy, France/Belgium, Sweden/Finland, Denmark, Switzerland,
Norway, Iceland, and French Canadian.  This is when different keyboards
will become available, the first countries being Germany, France and
Italy.  The others will follow later.  Concurrent with this
introduction,  will be the NEW PC board that is either PAL or NTSC
composite video (already set up for PAL COMPOSITE for Europe).

As it turns out, Brazil has a COMPOSITE video signal with PAL syncs
and NTSC color burst.  This is what the first Amigas in Europe have.
LET ME REPEAT, however, AS FAR AS RGB IS CONCERNED, THERE IS NO
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST UNITS AND THE LATER UNITS.

We are working as fast as possible to make 1.2 available.  We have a
final version now, but it is still being tested.  Numerous Beta copies
should be available from Commodore Italy, but PLEASE remember that
use of this disk is at your own risk.  It still has bugs.

>   Better, someone has the address of a REAL dealer in southern GERMANY 
>I can contact to buy my AMIGA. 
>
Commodore Bueromaschinen GmbH
Lyoner Strasse 38
6000 Frankfurt/M. 71
Contact: Walter Schmitz
Phone: 011-49-69-6638-0

Commodore Italiana S.p.A
Sede: Via F.lli Gracchi, 48
20092 Cinisello Balsamo (Milano)
Contact: Rinaldo Farina
Phone (02) 618321

Hope this helps,
Jeff Porter
Commodore Engineering Headquarters
West Chester, PA