Lapis Color PDS/30 Video Card

[mcdermd]

So, I ended up with one of these in a big lot of video cards. I know that the Micron Xceed Color card can be used with an adapter to run the internal display in greyscale. Is there anything similar for this card (or any other SE/30 cards)?

 

[mcdermd]

Nothing? No ideas? maybe it's time to put it the project pipeline.

 

[Charlieman]

I've got one of those in the SE/30 stash pile. I believe that you can increase the VRAM by adding ZIP chips if the board is not already fully populated.

The Micron Xceed is unique for its greyscale option but your card is a good find. Lapis were accomplished video card designers.

 

[tt]

I don't think you will find an easy solution. The Xceed system was unique and also patented, so maybe that discouraged others from doing the same. Something feasible would be the "poor man's" grayscale project where you put in a monitor of the appropriate size inside the chassis, using its electronics/PSU. I bet something similar could be designed using the stock analog board, but with a modified CRT board that interfaces to a custom adapter between the Lapis, SE/30 analog board and new CRT board.

 

[Bunsen]

The Xceed system was unique and also patented

Was it really?

As far as I understand, patent requires that a/ the design be publically available (probably on the USPO website) b/ it is legal for anyone to build *one* replica, in order to prove that it works.

Just sayin' }

 

[tt]

There is at least one patent they were granted for a "Grayscale Video Conversion System". There are some details in the patent about the method and a rough schematic, but they do not have to divulge all the design details in order to be issued one. At the time the patent was relevant, it may have discouraged copying, but poor sales was probably a bigger deterrent given it is not very easy to find. I would not be worried about infringement at this point....if whoever owns the IP is known, they might be willing to release the design, Micron may have sold-off the IP at some point (when Micron was dropped from the name) so it may be harder to figure out now.

 

[Bunsen]

I believe jag built a replica too, with (IIRC) details available on his website jagshouse