From: skip@tacky.cs.olemiss.edu (Skip Sauls)
Subject: Re: IFF database of .advocacy folks
Organization: University of Mississippi, Dept. of Computer Science
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 16:51:34 GMT

In article <jbickers.0f6a@templar.actrix.gen.nz> jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz (John Bickers) writes:
>Quoted from <1992Sep6.031318.8241@usl.edu> by das9674@usl.edu (Stephenson Daniel A):
>
>> You DO realize, don't you,that 320X200 *isn't* VGA resolution, right?
>> 320X200 is the common CGA resolution.  A VGA-capable monitor/card *can*
>
>    The CGA pics I've come across are usually 640x200. I've even got a
>    couple of GLs that run in this mode, and the documentation for
>    various programs claims that this is CGA.

There haven't been any specs about the AA video modes or anything else for
a couple of days and we all know how much we computer geeks love to quote
specs.  Below are the specs for various PC video modes.  These are from
memory and I'm still feeling the effects of last night's beer, so please
forgive any errors.

CGA         320x200       4 colors, really ugly palette combos
            640x200       2 colors, black and white

EGA         320x200      16 colors from 64 color palette        
            640x200      16 colors from 64 color palette
            640x350      16 colors from 64 color palette

VGA         320x200      16 colors from 256k color palette
            320x200     256 colors from 256k color palette
            640x200       2 colors from 256k color palette
            640x200      16 colors from 256k color palette
            640x350       4 colors from 256k color palette
            640x350      16 colors from 256k color palette
            640x480       2 colors from 256k color palette
            640x480      16 colors from 256k color palette
 
CGA is almost painful to look at, due to the pitiful resolution and the
horrible color combinations.  EGA is a big improvement over CGA and is
actually OK as long as you don't mind the 64 color palette.  BTW, the
ECS also uses a 64 color palette, truly pitiful in this day and age.

VGA is pretty much the LCD for PC clones if any sort of graphical work
is involved.  It may not have the highest resolution and number of colors,
but Amiga owners should be aware that it holds its own against the modes
supported by current Amiga hardware.  If Amiga owners will think about it,
they'll realize that the Amiga's standard modes are essentially CGA with
more bit planes, interlace, and overscan.  :-)

As for SVGA, well there may not be any real standard, but I'd bet that
there are or will be more Tseng SVGA boards out there than there are 
Amigas.  That may not constitute a standard, but it would seem to ensure
that the drivers will be available.  And if C= doesn't have some sort
of RTG or other solution, there will be more Windows apps which use the 
SVGA modes than there will be Amiga programs that use the AA modes...

Hopefully I'll be less pessimistic after the WOA.

>> Dan Stephenson                                           das9674@usl.edu
>--
>*** John Bickers, TAP, NZAmigaUG.        jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz ***
>***    "Radioactivity - It's in the air, for you and me" - Kraftwerk    ***

Skip Sauls
skip@tacky.cs.olemiss.edu