First post, by marcin512
Hi,
It's my first post here. I'd like to share some info about project I built few day ago. It's basically an attempt how to circumvent the inherent flaw of all LCD screens - single native resolution (bad for DOS / Win9x gaming). There are two things to take care of:
- dedicated hardware
- dedicated software
Hardware:
- Any LCD screen. I use HP LP2475w (1920x1200) - IPS
- TvONE 1T-C2-750
- ATEN CS1644a dual DVI (4 sources)
Software:
- Custom 1T-C2-750 software for controlling the device using RS232 port (so called controller).
Setup - 4 PCs:
- PC1: PII 133 - GeForce 256. Using analog output (DOS).
- PC2: PIII 1000. GeForce 3 Ti 500. Using both analog and digital (WIN9x).
- PC3: AXP 3000+. Radeon X850 XT. Using both analog (for bios only) and digital (for Windows) (WINXP).
- PC4: Q6600 (WIP - W7).
How is it connected:
Each analog pc output goes into ATEN input port 1.
Each digital pc output goes into ATEN input port 2.
ATEN analog output goes into 1T-C2-750 input port 1.
ATEN digital output goes into 1T-C2-750 input port 2.
1T-C2-750 output port goes into LP2475w.
The idea:
The controller runs on separate machine (server for example) and listens for state changes on either input port of 1T-C2-750. The software can see which port is active and adjusts output parameters of input signal (scaling, position). The scaling is done using integer arithmetics: 1x, 2x, ... 6x.
For example if controller sees active signal on port 2 (digital) it checks what's the resolution and performs scaling as follows:
320x200 -> (x6, x6) ->1920x1200. Ratio is configurable - it can be (x4, x6) or anything else.
640x480 -> (x2, x2) -> 1280x960 (black bars everywhere)
800x600 -> (x2, x2) -> 1600x1200 (black bars on sides)
1024x760 -> (x1, x1) -> 1024x768 (bars everywhere)
1280x1024 -> (x1, x1) -> 1280x1024 (bars everywhere)
1600x1200 -> (x1, x1) -> 1600x1200 (bars on sides)
There's no billinear scaling anywhere. The picture is very crisp and sharp at any resolution. The bigger the screen the lesser the issue with bars.
Everything is done automatically (ATEN port switching + 1T-C2-750). Just start your pc and have fun 😀
The scaler:
The KVM:
Kyrandia:
Carmageddon (640x480) - it has never looked so good:
GTA2 (800x600):
Settlers IV (1280x1024):
Quake 3 Arena (1600x1200):
Pics don't do the justice. The IQ is excellent on those titles. All the memories came back 😀
