MDA/CGA/EGA to VGA Converter Released!

[keropi]

so... I will pm plasma on this project

EXCELLENT

[dreamblaster]

okay, talking to retrocanada76,
delving into this project
Ordering altera USB blaster, cyclone IV dev kit,...

[brostenen]

I have gone through this tread. That it can be used for PC's are easy enough for me to see. And I can see that it should support some Apple and stuff. Yet what about Amiga? Can this be used as a kind of "scandoubler" or "linedoubler"? I mean.... Can this be used to display standard 15khz AmigaRGB on a 30khz VGA monitor?

[dr.zeissler]

In order to get no stuttering at all you need a 50hz capable TFT.

[retrocanada76]

a REALLY usefull thing for me would be an external Scandoubler for the ST.
I get a really nice and sharp image on my TFT with an A2320 (31.5khz 50hz),
but on my ST the picture is really bad on lowres and medium/high as well.
(with 15khz/50hz which the LCD supports)

No amigas, this is a pure digital design. Even RGB2VGA has only 3 bits of color (64 colors) and will not look good. Many colors will be filckering. For a true amiga converter it would require ADC chips and lots of memory.

[carlostex]

okay, talking to retrocanada76,
delving into this project
Ordering altera USB blaster, cyclone IV dev kit,...

Yes! Now this is my kind of xmas!!

[retrocanada76]

(64 colors) and will not look good.

sigh, in fact it has 512 colors but it's not enough for an amiga you only get 8 shades of each color and they get lots os flicker.

[dr.zeissler]

I already have the desired solution for my A2000. The A2320 is really a nice thing. Supports passthrough 15/50 and 31.5/50.
With a 50hz capable TFT you get a really good picture with 31.5 khz. And the best thing interlace-modes look BEST! better
then on a 1084! (less flickering) and much much better, then a Benq BL702a directly connected (15/50).

I think a scandoubler like the A2320 for a ST would lead to the same quality-picture...but as you said..it's not TTL and
you are constructing a TTL converter with will be a very nice thing fort my Schneider EuroPC (CGA/MDA) and the TowerAT
(EGA) and my Tandy T1000 of course. I will check out if I can get rid of my 1084 on my Acorn A4000 as well.

Doc

[dr.zeissler]

...but it will display EGA correctly? (64 colors).
I have a program that dispalys all 64 EGA colors at once in Hires (640x350). perhaps this will make a good test?

[retrocanada76]

yes all 64-colors are displayed. Where can i get your test program ?

[dreamblaster]

My PCB redesign arrived, assembled components, flash the fpga !!!
but not tested yet...

I regret getting rid of our Epson 286 with EGA card and very nice Eizo CRT monitor
So I didn't have an EGA,CGA or Hercules card here anymore.
I had ordered one from ebay, but it doesn't seem to arrive.
Hope it gets here soon.

If someone in Belgium would have an EGA, CGA or Hercules card, could you borrow it to me please ?
I will send it back after testing.

[dreamblaster]

OK I bought another EGA card on ebay
hope it arrives soon

[Cyrix200+]

Let me know if you still need a card. I have an ATI VIP (that is a combination EGA/VGA/MDA card) I could lend you for a while. Not Belgium, but close

[keropi]

the converter looks sexy
too bad the 1st EGA card is MIA, at least the new one is sure to be good

[carlostex]

I volunteer to test. I have a CGA and a Hercules card. I can also test with a Tandy 1000 (enhanced CGA).

Do you only have one prototype? Cause i don't mind paying for one.

[derSammler]

I also have real CGA (IBM 5150), Tandy 1000 CGA, and EGA to test.

[dreamblaster]

I volunteer to test. I have a CGA and a Hercules card. I can also test with a Tandy 1000 (enhanced CGA).
Do you only have one prototype? Cause i don't mind paying for one.

Only one prototype is ready right now, and i will test it first.
If it works fine I will send it to retrocanada76
I will make maybe two or three more handsoldered,
then possibly look into having a batch made professionally in the assembly factory (page.be) here in Poperinge, Belgium.

Thanks for the offers now, I already ordered the 2nd EGA card, it should get here soon, I hope before next weekend.

[jesolo]

Looking forward to the first batch.

[keropi]

I seem to remember CGA-composite mode was also supported at some point but now it is disabled? Any info on that or I remember it wrong?

[lvader]

Cool project! I’m interested.