Xref: utzoo comp.graphics:1767 comp.sys.ibm.pc:12274
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bgsuvax!ritzenth
From: ritzenth@bgsuvax.UUCP (Phil Ritzenthaler)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Mulsisync monitors and VGA boards -- buy now or wait...
Message-ID: <1580@bgsuvax.UUCP>
Date: 23 Feb 88 15:03:59 GMT
References: <2646@gryphon.CTS.COM> <681@ndsuvax.UUCP>
Organization: The Land Beneath the Forest Moon of Endor
Lines: 43
Keywords: VGA card
Summary: VGA summary

In article <681@ndsuvax.UUCP>, ncreed@ndsuvax.UUCP (Walter Reed) writes:
> In the new issue of BYTE (March '88) Genoa advertises an 800 x 600 256 color
> VGA board.  The list price is supposed to be less than $600...

I was the first to ask in this net about HELP!! with purchasing VGA/Multisync
combo's.  I was EXTREMELY disappointed in the response, so I have had to do
a little of my own digging.  If you can help any, please do so . . .

Firstly, the monitors.  So far, the only ones I've seen are the NEC MultisyncII
and the Princeton Graphics Ultrasync.  According to a test done in a Dec.
PC magazine, the Princeton does not have the the clarity (resolution) of the
NEC.  Don't know about the Mitsubishi yet, though.

As far as the cards, the only ones to consider are register compatible and 
there are 4 interesting ones on the market (Paradise NOT included).  These
prices are list from current PC Weeks, or talking DIRECTLY to the manufacturer:

- Designer VGA Orchid Technology ($445).  Three additional hi-res modes: 
  (colors x hor x vert) 256x640x480, 16x800x600 and 16x1024x768.  Hardware Pan
  & scroll.  "AutoCAD, PageMaker, Windows, and many others already use our 
  hi-res modes."
- VIP VGA ATI Technologies ($???).  Softsense automatic mode switching.  
  Automatic analog monitor detection.  High-res ?x800x560.  Drivers supplied 
  for Windows, GEM, Ventura, AutoCAD.
- SuperVGA HiRes Genoa Systems ($???).  256x800x600 and ?x1024x768 modes.  Does
  Windows.  Don't know if BIOS or register compatible.
- VGA/H Sigma Designs ($399).  100% Hardware Compatible EGA, CGA, MDA, 
  Hercules, & VGA on an analog monitor.  Includes supporting Windows 386 and 
  132 text mode.  16x800x600 maximum mode. Auto switching between modes.  Not 
  shipping yet (next couple weeks 'they say').

I know there are probably more boards out there, but the price/color quality of
these are interesting.  Especially the Orchid Tec. (256x640x480) and the Sigma
designs.  One of the big tests seems to be if the board supports Windows 386.

If anyone has any better suggestions, PLEASE, post/send them on.  Thanks . . .

-- 
Phil Ritzenthaler			|USnail: University Computer Services
Computer Graphics Research Consultant   |        241 Math-Science Bldg.
UUCP :.!cbosgd!osu-cis!bgsuvax!ritzenth |        Bowling Green State University
CSNET: ritzenth@bgsu.edu                |        Bowling Green, OH   43403-0125
ARPA : ritzenth%bgsu.edu@relay.cs.net   | Phone: (419) 372-2102