Re: Very basic questions about RAMDACs
Posted on 2018-11-13, 13:53
Standard VGA actually uses 3x6 bit for it's palettes to let you choose 256 colors from a range of 262,144. So it makes sense that the first RAMDACs were 6 bit internally.
Re: Are there any complete collections of Sierra AGI games on GOG or similar?
Posted on 2018-11-13, 13:51
That's what I feared... Even going grey / illegal seems to be almost impossible. I think the current rights owners pretty much go after any copy of those old games. The Sunlight Games hint is worth checking out.
Are there any complete collections of Sierra AGI games on GOG or similar?
Posted on 2018-11-12, 22:14
I would like to evaluate more of the classic Sierra AGI games. I have boxed versions of SQ 1, 2, KQ 1, 2 & 3. But for example the more rare stuff is missing, especially KQ4 (i have the SCI version, boxed). So I would be fine with buying those at GOG, but for example the KQ collection there contains …
Re: Very basic questions about RAMDACs
Posted on 2018-11-12, 12:26
Ah yes. To quote Wikipedia: TVGA9000 (low component version) TVGA9000B (1992) TVGA9000C (1992) - External RAMDAC TVGA9000i - (rev. a/b/c, 512 KB, 9000 with on-chip 15/16bit DAC and clock generator) TVGA9000i-1 (1994) - appeared on Trident's VC512TM ISA video cards TVGA9000i-2 (1994) TVGA9100B - …
Re: Very basic questions about RAMDACs
Posted on 2018-11-12, 10:32
Which TVGA9000 variant had the integrated RAMDAC? I only have 9000s with external RAMDAC...
Re: Vogons Video Announcement Thread
Posted on 2018-11-11, 21:08
New video: Upgrading the Gotek Emulator to the Flash Floppy Firmware https://youtu.be/7cjWs7AlD_o
Re: dos compilers support for protected mode, xms and fpu
Posted on 2018-11-11, 07:56
There's also "unreal mode" with 286 and higher. It was undocumented. In that mode, the code is real mode code, but it has access to all memory (32-bit addressing.) I think only applications used that. The only game I can find that used this mode was Ultima VII. Problem with that mode is, iirc, that …
Re: dos compilers support for protected mode, xms and fpu
Posted on 2018-11-11, 07:42
XMS is a specification by Microsoft (and others), see http://www.phatcode.net/res/219/files/xms30.txt. It is triggered via software interrupt 2fh. So it can be used by any compiler and language in DOS. FPU support has to be in the language/compiler. But that used to be the case from very early on. I …
Re: Calibrating GamePad/Joystick in DOS
Posted on 2018-11-10, 19:41
As it says on the package, this seems to be 'digital'. So probably instead of potentiometers, they use switches on the dpad. So there shouldn't be anything to calibrate. The switches might be corroded or dirty. Maybe it's simply carbon pads that touch the PCB. Only opening the thing will reveal it …
Re: Very basic questions about RAMDACs
Posted on 2018-11-10, 08:52
Also RAMDACs are semi-analog chips, and the quality output will vary depend on how well are they built. And when I was studying, I was told that (in some cases) would be better using a DAC with more resolution than needed to keep away from errors on the last bits (i.e.: using a 18 bit DAT when a 16 …
Re: terrible limitation of ibm/m$ bascom
Posted on 2018-11-09, 11:23
Did you try 20 b#=a%*2.0 This would maybe cast the integer to a float first, so you don't get the overflow.
Re: What does the Crystal Semiconductor CS4231 chip do?
Posted on 2018-11-09, 09:50
Have a look at the datasheet: https://www.cebix.net/downloads/bebox/cs4231a.pdf Yes, it provides WSS support, integrates ADC and DAC capabilities, ADPCM compression, mixer and some more things. IT is basically a Windows Sound System on a chip it seems.
Re: Very basic questions about RAMDACs
Posted on 2018-11-09, 09:48
I am not an expert either, but there are two aspects towards color depth and picture quality: 1. The Video processor / GPU has to support the desired bit depth, i.e. 8, 15, 16, 24 or 32 bit. Where 32 is mostly the same as 24 (8 bit per channel, but with either alpha information or padding bytes). 2. …
Re: terrible limitation of ibm/m$ bascom
Posted on 2018-11-08, 13:29
Re: Famous computer slogans and quotes ?
Posted on 2018-11-07, 22:47
AlaricD wrote: "You Can't Buy A Better Computer At Twice The Price" -- Commodore Are you keeping up with the Commodore? ‘Cause the Commodore’s keeping up with you. -- Commodore
Re: gwbasic: 60300 byte free
Posted on 2018-11-07, 20:01
Gwbasic probably uses a small memory model and can only address one segment, i.e. 64KiB. If you want more, you might want to use qbasic.
Re: Famous computer slogans and quotes ?
Posted on 2018-11-07, 16:50
Re: Fasttracker 2.10b for MS-DOS
Posted on 2018-11-07, 13:24
Nice. Do you have the source to FT2? IIRC it is closed source, right?
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2018-11-07, 11:17
Two tubes with some SAA1099P arrived. Were earlier than expected. China mail seems to step up its pace before christmas. 😉 Filename A5944274-DE74-4BE5-8C3C-764DD000F180.jpeg File size 635.36 KiB Views 1021 views
Re: Motherboard capacitors.
Posted on 2018-11-07, 10:12
Yes, they will certainly have degraded. With a MK328 tester you can see how much the capacity has changed. And also if the ESR has gone up. Low ESR will have a fraction of an Ohm if good. Normal tantalums or higher ESR will show 2-3 Ohms, if I remember correctly.
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