Best option for 1024x768 video on IIci?

[ifrit05]

640x480 is kinda claustrophobic. Was looking at an 8•24 card and was wondering how much slower it would be then the on-board video on the IIci.

 

[finkmac]

there's a lot of options. the best option depends on what your budget is

 

[ifrit05]

there's a lot of options. the best option depends on what your budget is

100-150ish. Trying to save money for a 040 card.

 

[halkyardo]

I have an E-Machines Futura SX that'll do 1024x768 at 8 bit (plus 24 bit at lower resolutions, and 1152x870 at 8 bit as well). It's not perfect (actually getting 1024x768 out of it requires an annoying sense-code workaround and I can't get it to work properly in accelerated mode), but they're reasonably cheap, and even unaccelerated, performance is perfectly acceptable by my standards.]

(I should add, my comment in the linked post about the Futura SX not working in A/UX was incorrect - it works fine in A/UX, it was another card in my machine that was upsetting things)

 

[ifrit05]

Well, I found an SX off ebay but can't seem to figure out how to output 1024x768 using a bmow sync-inator.

Also, seems a bit weird that I can only set virtual screens (pan and scan), not a set resolution with the e-machine control panel.

 

[halkyardo]

Well, I found an SX off ebay but can't seem to figure out how to output 1024x768 using a bmow sync-inator.

Also, seems a bit weird that I can only set virtual screens (pan and scan), not a set resolution with the e-machine control panel.

Yes, as discussed in the thread I linked in my last post, it does not use the standard monitor sense codes for 1024x768 (and 1152x870). It uses an otherwise-undocumented sense code, and the small rotary switch that's on the top edge of the card.

The sense code that is required is SENSE0 unconnected, and a diode from SENSE2 to SENSE1. I don't know if the Synicinator is capable of generating that sense code, but the ubiquitous adapters with 10 DIP switches can do it with the switch setting 6-7-9. I don't think you need a Syncinator for it in any case, as IIRC the Futura SX outputs separate sync.

Once you have that sense code set up, the resolution is controlled by the rotary switch on the card. Setting the rotary switch to position 4 gives you 1024x768.

As far as not being able to set resolutions in the control panel, that's fairly normal for old Mac video cards; they were designed for fixed-resolution monitors where the card detected the appropriate resolution at boot using the monitor sense pins, and that's the resolution you got. Multisync monitors and on-the-fly resolution switching didn't really become a thing until later.

 

[ifrit05]

Well, tried a 10-switch adapter using 6-7-9 but it didn't work. Hmmm...

 

[joevt]

According to https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/documentation-for-db15-to-vga-adapters.318/post-21290

679 is separate sync (67) with a diode from SENSE1 to SENSE2 (9)
678 is separate sync (67) with a diode from SENSE2 to SENSE1 (8)

There doesn't seem to be switch for including a diode to or from SENSE0. A diode from SENSE2 to SENSE0 would be required for sense code type 7 11-01-01.
https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/e-machines-futura-mx-issues-in-iici.44442/post-532182

 

[halkyardo]

I may have gotten the technical specifics of the sense code wrong in that thread, it was a while ago and I was working off of a scrawled pile of notes that I may have gotten wrong. What I *can* confirm is that the Futura SX in the IIfx that's sitting next to me right now is outputting 1024x768 with a 10-switch adapter set to 6-7-9 and the rotary switch on the card set to position 4. I'm pretty sure it outputs separate sync; all of my monitors seem to be OK with it.

 

[Unknown_K]

Supermac Thunder/24

 

[ifrit05]

I may have gotten the technical specifics of the sense code wrong in that thread, it was a while ago and I was working off of a scrawled pile of notes that I may have gotten wrong. What I *can* confirm is that the Futura SX in the IIfx that's sitting next to me right now is outputting 1024x768 with a 10-switch adapter set to 6-7-9 and the rotary switch on the card set to position 4. I'm pretty sure it outputs separate sync; all of my monitors seem to be OK with it.

Hmm... I know its not a sync issue, the Dell monitor I use for all my retro stuff supports SOG. Using the Syncinator works if set to 8**x6** (some weird res I can't remember at the moment), but it would be nice to have 1024x768. Could a cable/PCB be made to specifically work with the SX?

Edit: Is the SX/8 any different from the SX? The box I got with the card is marked SX/8 on the side, but the card shown on the box itself does not match the card I got. My card has what looks like a RAM daughter board. The declROM states it's a SX no /8 though.

 

[volvo242gt]

^832x624, which is the stock resolution of the M1298 16" monitor shown on my IIfx in my avatar. Another option, if you decide to give up on the Futura, is a Radius PrecisionColorPro 24x or 24xk. Have the latter in said IIfx, replacing an Apple 8•24 that was in it previously.

 

[ArmorAlley]

How important is the word 'best'?
Do you absolutely have to have 24-bit colour and QuickDraw acceleration, nice though they are?
I ask because «settling» for a card without Quickdraw acceleration and 24-bit colour will halve the price of a card.
I run my IIfx at 1024x768 at 256 colours with a Supermac Thunder/8 card and it is grand.