Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!sri-unix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!randvax!lacasse From: lacasse@randvax.UUCP (Mark LaCasse) Newsgroups: comp.sources.wanted,comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: ATI Graphics Solution (display board recommended) Message-ID: <767@randvax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 31-Dec-86 21:01:13 EST Article-I.D.: randvax.767 Posted: Wed Dec 31 21:01:13 1986 Date-Received: Sat, 3-Jan-87 22:35:18 EST References: <194@skatter.UUCP> Reply-To: lacasse@rand-unix.UUCP (Mark LaCasse) Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica Lines: 61 Keywords: ATI Graphics Solution card, block cursor in emulation mode Xref: mnetor comp.sources.wanted:238 comp.sys.ibm.pc:770 In article <194@skatter.UUCP> kuo@skatter.UUCP writes: > > ... [questions about ATI Graphics Solutions Card] > "I would also like to hear any comments about this card." > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Peter Kuo Bitnet/Jnet: KUO@SASK >Accelerator Laboratory uucp: !ihnp4!sask!skatter!kuo >(a.k.a. The Beam Warehouse) >Univ. of Saskatchewan >Saskatoon, Sask. CANADA S7N 0W0 I don't know how to get a block cursor (never tried). But I do have comments on the card. This card has some interesting features. It emulates the Hercules monochrome graphics standard, which is supported by 'business oriented' software; and also emulates the CGA, which is often the only display (or only display to get any graphics) on more 'home market' and 'public domain' software. There are some high-end EGA emulations that have both CGA and Hercules mono-graphics emulation as well. But this card will do these both on a MONOCHROME MONITOR (e.g. Amdek 310A). I have little interest in $800 EGA color monitors for a mostly text-editing application. You EE's might note that the Amdek 310A is a "TTL" monitor that does not have 'gray scale' capibility since it lacks an analog input. They circumvent this by varying the pulse width (all on center) of the TTL video signal. This turns out to work suprisingly well. So each of the CGA's colors map to a unique shade of gray. There are about 3 cards on the market that do this. From calling around, the scuttlebut is that that the others do not reliably work at speeds over 6MHz, but that the ATI works to at least 10MHz. This is the reason I picked the ATI above the others. (One of the others is the Everex "Edge", I can't remember the other, perhaps Plantronics.) I had hardware problems with the particular card I got in an AT clone, which turned out to be no fault of ATI. On the phone, ATI and I thought this was a 'defective' or 'doa' from ATI; but they were really suprized at this since they have had almost no 'doa's in the field. ATI is in Canada, and I am in California. It takes about 3 weeks to UPS between the two as it sits around in customs or something. I was in a hurry (isn't everyone?). ATI shipped me a new board, Federal Express ($50), at their expense, BEFORE I RETURNED THE 'DEFECTIVE' UNIT. They trusted me to send the 'defective' back regular UPS (3 weeks) AFTER I received their replacement (2 or 3 days Fed Ex). They had no previous business with me or reason to trust me. (It turned out the problems wasn't with their board. Yes I did send a board back.) I was very suprised at their prompt customer service and level of trust. The product also has performed well. I recommend the company. (I have no connection with the company...except one-time buyer...) Mark LaCasse qantel!hplabs!sdcrdcf!randvax!lacasse c/o The Rand Corporation cbosgd!ihnp4!sdcrdcf!randvax!lacasse 1700 Main Street lacasse@Rand-Unix Santa Monica, CA 90406 213/393-0411 ext. 7420