Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:10684 comp.graphics:1544 comp.periphs:710 misc.wanted:1674
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!uwvax!rutgers!mtune!whuts!whutt!wallace
From: wallace@whutt.UUCP (WALLACE)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.graphics,comp.periphs,misc.wanted
Subject: Re: Wanted: 1024x1024x8 graphics for PC
Message-ID: <2824@whutt.UUCP>
Date: 14 Jan 88 18:03:23 GMT
References: <429@picuxa.UUCP> <1057@tolerant.UUCP> <9965@ut-sally.UUCP> <1794@bsu-cs.UUCP> <5110@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu>
Reply-To: wallace@whutt.UUCP (45263-WALLACE,B.)
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany, NJ
Lines: 74

In article <5110@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu> tim@cit-vax.UUCP (Timothy L. Kay) writes:
>In article mithomas@bsu-cs.UUCP (Michael Thomas Niehaus) writes:
>>AT&T Indianapolis counterpart makes a spectacular video board called 
>>Vista.  It offers 1024x1024 graphics with an enormous number of colors
>>that can be displayed on screen.  I think that it can handle 2Kx2K in more
>>than eight colors.  It is a 32 bit graphic board, has a very powerful
>>(and expensive) TIPS program that does it proud, and can accept video
>>sources from many sources, including video cameras and recorders.
>
>With regard to "an enormous number of colors", this board is known
>as a full-color frame buffer.  It offers eight bits per pixel per
>gun (red, green, and blue).  People who do serious computer graphics
>(such as TV production houses) can't use any fewer colors.  You can
>put a different color on each pixel on the screen.  You need them
>when you want to antialias. 
>
>A little more information on this board:
>
>  o   It lists for $6000

I was able to get it for $5400.

>  o   You'll need a monitor at least as good as the NEC
>      Multisync to do this board justice.

After much research... Microvitec makes a 19" color monitor Model 1019/LPTV
(Long Persistence phosphor monitor tuned for Targa and Vista). Resolution is
1365x860 (max) and it has inputs for analog RGB and 4 or 6 bit TTL. Price
is around $2200. In fact, there's an outfit in Indianapolis called Electronic
Sales and Engineering that sells this exclusively for Microvitec (based in
Atlanta, GA), for Truevision board buyers.

>  o   It generates video in non-standard resolutions, like
>		756 x 486
>	or	604 x 486
>	or	504 x 486
>      while the standard is either 640 x 48? or 768 x 48?.

Wrong. You can set the video resolution to a variety of settings (software
selectable), including 640x486 and 768x486. It's very flexible.

>  o   You can't take full advantage of any frame buffer that
>      uses the TI TMS34010 graphics chip unless you also
>      purchase the C Compiler/Assembler package from TI.
>      It lists for $1500.  Of course, if you just want a
>      canned paint program, then you don't need this.

Wrong again. The complete TI TMS34010 software development kit, including
the C compiler, assembler, linker, etc. is included in the price. Within
the next month or so, all buyers past, present, and future, will receive
at no extra charge, an extensive C-callable library of VISTA utilities for
development.

>  o   TIPS lists for $2500, I think

Unless the VISTA version has just gone way up, TIPS should only cost $1295.

>
>There are other boards that have similar or better features.  They
>are also less expensive.

Ah maybe, but how many with this much memory, local power, and the able to
frame grab, genlock, and do all sort of fancy memory accessing and channeling
of data,...and even add up to a total of 10 Mb of local memory for image data
and 34010 code and data? 

It really does apply here...you get what you pay for!

Fellow VISTA users keep in touch...I'm using mine on a AT&T 6310 and 6386.

Bruce A. Wallace
AT&T Bell Labs
Murray Hill, N.J.
ihnp4!whutt!wallace