Now we can show our experimental copy of VGA convertor for Sprinter computer.
There are Video Input connector (16 pin connector at the left side of the image) and a standard VGA connector (on the bracket) on the card. Convertor take video signal from the mainboard video connector. Convertor package will include video ribbon cable.
Also convertor has 8Mb SD-RAM chip used for 50-100Hz screen. 4Mb or 8Mb SD-RAM same for convertor. Today we need 2Mb SD-RAM only.
So, probably, finished variant of this card will has some another set of components. We hope to simplify the card scheme. But any way, VGA convertor should include three ADC chips, Altera PLD chip, DAC chip and SD-RAM chip.
Finally, we should say that sale of VGA convertor will begin in April only.

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PETERS PLUS LTD

Alex:

Nice card indeed! Looks like any hi-tech PC card... Except for the ISA bus .

I'd like to know more "hardcore" techie details for it. For example, you mention it supports vertical frequencies from 50 to 100 Hz. Does this mean that it will autoswitch depending on Sprinter's resolution? Which kind of monitor will then be necessary? What are the standard VGA resolutions supported (640*480, 800*600, 1280*1024 )?

Is there any way to add the card to Sprinter, but not using the ISA slot? I mean, as long as I connect the necessary power supplies, can I just screw it somewhere inside the Sprinter box not connecting it to the ISA slot? (I'm assuming here you just use the ISA slot to power up the card).

Also you mention the card has 8Mb SD-RAM, and "4Mb or 8Mb SD-RAM same for convertor", but you'll use just 2Mb. Are there two 8Mb chips, or use the same 8Mb chip for two purposes, or what? t is not clear (to me).

Finally: What will the price for this jewel be?


Marcelo.
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Speccy rules, its staff is Sprinter.

I couldn't help noticing an Althera chip on the VGA card - does that mean other graphic modes could be programmed (or should this actually be done through Sprinter's configuration)? What I've got in mind is some kind of wide-screen res for a portable LCD panel...

For example, you mention it supports vertical frequencies from 50 to 100 Hz. Does this mean that it will autoswitch depending on Sprinter's resolution?


The first version of convertor's firmware not so rich. But we think it is better than CGA monitor with its 50Hz.
So, convertor supports unstandard 640x512 VGA resolution only. For example, one pixel of Sprinter's 320x256 mode presented on VGA monitor as 2x2 pixels.
Also, today we have 65Hz vertical frequency only.
As I said before, it's not a final features of VGA convertor. PLD allow to upgrade it.

Is there any way to add the card to Sprinter, but not using the ISA slot?

Probably, yes. Mainly, we use ISA to power up the card.

Are there two 8Mb chips, or use the same 8Mb chip for two purposes, or what? t is not clear (to me).

There is one SD-RAM chip on the card. Convertor needs 2Mb SD-RAM only, but we have only 4Mb and 8Mb chips, which useful for card. We can solder 4Mb chip or 8Mb chip. It's same for us. May be, additional memory will be used for anything, but not today.

Finally: What will the price for this jewel be?

About $60. Sale of convertors hasn't commercial target. It's real not cheap device.




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PETERS PLUS LTD

Yes, a new graphic mode needs a change of Sprinter configuration.

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PETERS PLUS LTD

How easy it would be to fit a simple scan doubler into existing Altera chip and avoid creating a special add-on card? Just 2 kilobytes of on-chip embedded memory for storage of 2 scan lines at 8-bit color depth would be enough for horizontal resolutions up to 1024 pixels, with any vertical resolution. This would allow for refresh rates of 50 or 60 HZ on a decent multisync SVGA monitor on existing Sprinter without paying $60 for an add-on card that does essentially the same job. You probably explored such an idea, but existing Flex chip is probably already full with logic ;-)
Hint, hint -- what about a bigger pin-compatible Flex chip to replace the old one on new Sprinter boards? It would make it $5 more expensive, but not $60...
Great computer, but with cost of simple VGA output being half the cost of the rest of features, I humbly say - wrong business move that will discourage many potential buyers at least until more of the potential Hi-res video modes will be realized, not just "possible in the future".

You can build a simple sync-doubler yourself! It has one ttl logic chip and two transistors but the quality of the picture would be bad! Or you can use one quite large FIFO buffer(that would cost you ~50-75 USD). Remember that Scandublers+FlickFixer allways were expensive!

Future Sprinter's mainboard can has VGA output and other improved features but its design will take one year.
VGA Converter allows to use (S)VGA monitors with today's Sp2000 mainboards. It is an external device which was designed as alternative video output. Therefore it was not included in the standard set of Sprinter computer.

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PETERS PLUS LTD

Will accept 30/31khz frecuences ? is rare vga monitor accepting 15khz...

then in 30/31khz the quality image is perfect ? or problems such as scrandoublers/flickerfixers of the amiga computers ?

When will are disponible ethernet for Sprinter ? isnt easy find isa ethernet cards, and the drivers and suite of software ?

For ethernet adapter you can plug into sprinter any isa 8 bit lan card. The only problem is: you must write driver for it! :) bye Stefano