========================================================================= (C) 1993 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May be reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt.Type XTX99437,GENIE and press [RETURN]. The system will prompt you for your information. ========================================================================== ************ Topic 12 Sat Feb 20, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 10:36 EST Sub: Cybercube Sunrise M16-1280 The brand new Cyrel Sunrise 24 bit color card is now available. We would be happy to discuss all aspects of this card with you here, both in general terms or technically. 205 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 1 Sat Feb 20, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 10:42 EST DMC is proud to announce that this excellent addition to the graphic options available for your Atari platform is now shipping We have been using this card in-house for some time now and are really pleased with its performance. Our next customer mailout will contain the appropriate order information etc.. but in the meantime, we are happy to start the ball rolling for our GEnie customers right now. The suggested retail price is US $1,495.00. The next series of messages will clearly outline the incredible features brought to you by this excellent card. Join me in welcoming Ralf Doewich of Cybercube to GEnie and to Cat 16 where he will be helping us support you and answer any of the technical questions that may arise. This guy is good so don't be shy. ;-) Nathan Potechin DMC Publishing ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 2 Sat Feb 20, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 10:55 EST -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ._____. __ __ .______. .______. ._. / .___. \ \ \ / / | .___. \ | .____! | | | | !_! \ \_/ / | !___! | | !__. | | | | ._. \ / | .__. ./ | .__! | | | !___! | | | | | \ \ | !____. | !____. \._____./ !_! !_! \_\ !______! !______! ._____. ._. ._. .__ ._. .______. ._. ._____. .______. / .____! | | | | | \ | | | .___. \ | | / .____! | .____! | !___. | | | | | . \ | | | !___! | | | | !___. | !__. \.___. \ | | | | | |\ \| | | .__. ./ | | \.___. \ | .__! .____! | | !__! | | | \ ! | | | \ \ | ! .____! | | !____. !_____./ \.____./ !_! \__| !_! \_\ !_! !_____./ !______! .__ __. _. ._. _. .____. .____. .____. | \ / | / | / / / | !___. \ / .__. \ / .__. \ | . \/ . | /_ | / /__. .____. /_ | .__! | | !__! | | | | | | |\ /| | | | / .__. \ !____! | | / .__./ | .__. | | | | | | | \/ | | | | | !__! | | | | !___. | !__! | | !__! | !_! !_! !_! \______/ !_! !_____! \.____./ \.____./ The True Color High Resolution VME Bus Graphics Card for the Atari TT030 and Mega STE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 Features Version: 1.2b Date: 02/93 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 The High-Resolution True-Color Graphics Card for the ATARI TT030 and MEGA STE - Programmable Color Video Timing Generator for all resolutions from 320 x 200 to 3400 horizontal and 2048 vertical. Supports Overscan resolutions. - All SUNRISE cards are equipped with 2MB Video RAM. - Fast Dual-Port Video RAMs increase throughput and effectively minimize bus bandwith losses caused by conventional display update cycles. - Integrated GRAPHICS ACCELLERATOR for faster drawing operations. - No need to exchange or replace crystals or oscillators. More than 70 frequencies ranging form 5 to 120 MHz are software-selectable. - A specially designed VIDEO-GUARD circuit protects all components against accidential damage or destruction. - Automatic configuration. Every card is equipped with non-volatile memory which can completely restore the last used configuration. This unique and batteryless solution features up to one million programming cycles and 10 years data retention (guaranteed). - Every SUNRISE card can be expanded to function as a complete Desktop-Video system. The CyReL VidiMix8 option uses the verstatile expansion port and the alpha channel of the SUNRISE boards thus allowing the generation of realtime Video effects. - SUNRISE cards achieve a high level of integration and reliability employing the latest processing and manufacturing technologies. Every production step is being followed by a number of inspections and quality control procedures. - Supports true device sharing in multi-tasking environments. - Up to four CyReL M16-1280 cards can be installed in a single ATARI VME bus system and support multi-level superimposed images. - User-friendly and easy to follow installation. No need to change settings or switches once the card is installed. Package provides a number of versatile GEM based installation programs. - All SUNRISE boards work with single frequency monitors, VGA monitors or multi-sync monitors ranging from 12" to 37" screens. - All colors can be selected from a palette of 16,777,216 shades. - Supports monochrome, four color, 16 color, 256 color/VGA and 24-bit true color modes without hardware changes, expansions or options. - High ergonomic refresh rates of up to 120 Hz (depending on the attached monitor) increase the quality of the display and avoid eye-strain. Refresh rates of up to 260 Hz are supported. - A very flexible access method supports changes in the hardware without the need to adapt or patch existing M16-1280 software and programs. - PAL and NTSC compatible signals can be generated. - Outputs video signals in either standard formats or professional formats for industrial or TV studio applications. Video output is CCIR and EIA343-A compatible. - Programmable true color GAMMA-CORRECTION. - Interlace or non-interlace modes with internal or external synchronization for GENLOCK modes. - Hardware smooth-scrolling & panning allows virtual screen size management for up to 4096 x 4096 pixels. - A High-speed LAN port with a software selectable transmission speed of 10 Megabit/second or 20 Megabit/second. The provided LAN port allows an easy and efficient way to connect up to 32 CyReL M16-1280 graphic stations per network. - Drivers for 2 & 3 button serial AT mice and Summagraphics Graphic digitizer tablets are included, providing the user with a comfortable operation even in higher resolutions. Both drivers can be dynamically adjusted and feature a build-in screen saver. Buttons/keys can be swapped if desired. - Package includes: 1 CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 High Resolution True Color Graphics Card with 2 MB VRAM 1 User's Reference Manual, Software License, Registration and Warranty Card 2 Disks containing the M16 Software: 1 CyReL RUN-ME-FIRST GEM-based Interactive Installation Program 1 CyReL CM16_VIP Init & Diagnostic Driver 1 CyReL VMECache+ Driver 1 CyReL VDI Driver for 256 Colors Mode Driver 1 CyReL VDI Driver for True Color Mode Driver 1 CyReL M16 Palette Master Utility 1 CyReL M16 VDI Configuration Utility 1 CyReL Serial Mouse Manager Utility 1 CyReL XCHANGE Resolution Changer Utility 1 CyReL VIEW_GIF GIF Viewer Utility 1 CyReL VIEW_PCX PCX Viewer Utility 1 CyReL VIEW_TGA TGA Viewer Utility 1 CyReL VIEW_JPG JPEG Viewer Utility 10+ On-line Help and Documentation Files 80+ predefined Modes & Resolutions 500+ Monitor Specifications -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Specifications subject to change without notice. All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright (C)1993 by CYBERCUBE Research Limited -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 3 Sat Feb 20, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 10:59 EST ----------------------------------------------------------------- | A discussion of | | C O M P A T I B I L I T Y | | Expanding your system and | exploring new worlds | | ------------- ---------------------------------------------------- A lot of ATARI users are concerned about the compatibility of their software with our high resolution true color boards. Compatibility is a key issue when attempting to improve the system performance through hardware upgrades. This is especially true for graphic cards. The ability to expand a system greatly depends on the way how the operating system handles I/O operations (like producing an output on the screen), additional hardware and the accompaning software drivers. Fortunately, the ATARI computers feature GEM. GEM consists of several software layers, each providing an increasing freedom and independence from the underlying hardware components. One of these GEM layers is called VDI (Virtual Device Interface). By exchanging the existing ATARI specific VDI portion of the GEM environment, the ATARI system can accommodate a wide range of other display devices. Therefore we have not only tried to develop a unique and powerful graphics expansion board but also a VDI driver that emulates the original, which maintains a high degree of compatibility while extending the capabilities according to the provided hardware features. Considering these facts, all programs can be divided into three groups: a) programs that use the VDI as the only interface to produce ANY output on the screen. b) programs that seem to require one of the original Atari modes to run properly. c) programs that use the VDI AND CUSTOM ROUTINES to update the display. Case 'a' programs show little or no difference when used in conjunction with the CyReL M16-1280 boards. Almost all major software titles can be found in this group. These applications allow the user to take advantage of e.g. higher resolutions (in some cases even higher refresh rates), more colors and sometimes even faster output speeds. Fortunately most of them are designed according to the GEM and ATARI guidelines and therefore can be used instantly without any additional system modifications. Case 'b' programs are a little bit more difficult to deal with. Most of these programs use the information of the Getrez (XBios4) operating system call to find out more about the state of the display. Instead of examining the (correct and available) informations provided by the VDI some programmers seem to prefer the XBios call. This can lead to some surprising results: THE CALL CAN ONLY RETURN A CODE TO DESCRIBE THE GRAPHICS MODE WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING USED BY THE BUILT-IN ATARI VIDEO CIRCUITRY! Original intention: a program wants to find out if the current screen resolution supports all the requirements (e.g. at least 640x400) Effect: Some programs refuse to run even when using a sufficiently high resolution because it might be that the ATARI VIDEO CIRCUITRY is operating in a lower mode, and thus the XBios call returns an unacceptable value. Note that we support a 'two monitor' configuration, consisting of our graphics card connected to one monitor and the simultaneous use of the screen output generated by the Atari connected to a second monitor. WE DO NOT IMPOSE ANY RESTRICTIONS WHATSOEVER regarding the mode in which the Atari must be placed. Our cards even allow 'multi- monitor' setups with up to four CyReL cards per single system + the Atari output. Patch: We provide custom XBIOS driver that can be installed plus an accessory that allows the user to define the return value of the XBios call to eliminate about 90% of the described problems. Nonetheless we would like to urge EVERY developer to adopt the VDI method for any inquiries regarding screen size and/or screen attributes! Further we have to add all programs which take advantage of certain hardware register layouts and ATARI specific hardware features to group 'b'. The use of such features prevents these programs from being used with a graphics card. A number of monochrome-only drawing programs and almost all of the games and entertainment software titles fall into that category. This is not limited to CyReL cards and applies to all system expansions as long as they are not specifically supported by those programs. Group 'c' programs can prove to be the hardest to adapted by the user to run on any graphics card, since some of the screen output may end up at the wrong place and most likely in the wrong format. There is little the user (or we) could do to correct this problem, which means that in almost all cases the developer or author of the program must re-write at least a part of the code. The only way to prevent such problems is to fully support the VDI interface from the very beginning. With the continuous development and introduction of new ATARI systems, it represents the only way to maintain compatibility with new ATARI features and ultimately all third party products. Further it is the only way to guarantee the portability of programs in case the user intends to upgrade to a bigger system. Obviously there will be future developments that cannot be forseen and thus will remain unsupported by today's software titles. But we can at least do our share to improve flexibility and user-friendlyness for years to come. This adaptation of programs is a process that has already begun and benefits all, the user, the developer and the manufacturer of e.g. the graphic boards. The developer can take advantage of new improved screen output, a higher number of on-screen colors, and not to forget new and evolving market niches. The user benefits through improvements in appearance, comfort, features and better ergonomics while the manufacturer can take advantage of increasing market opportunities. We at Cybercube welcome the introduction of the Falcon. We see it as an interesting and important addition to the Atari product line. It will help create a market that is increasingly oriented towards graphic and video applications. Furthermore it will help educate the user base in regards to the requirements of modern desktop video technology. This aspect should not be underestimated. It is our goal to provide a quality product for the professional user or the serious home user. With on-screen resolutions of e.g. 2048x1024 in 256 colors, refresh rates that can go beyond 100 Hz, real (no less than 16 Million colors) True Color capabilities with resolutions of e.g. 640x480, 800x600, 960x512 or even 1024x512 and virtual resolutions up to 4096x4096 (non-interlaced) we do not anticipate any problems regarding the evolving Falcon market. Through the additional expansion capabilities of the cards (which is for instance being utilized by the CyReL VidiMix8 desktop video module) we think that we have a very promising platform to offer. A platform that easily integrates into the ever expanding Atari environment. But we are still convinced that there is a need of a co-operation between users, software-developers and hardware manufacturers in order to make this concept work. We hope that our contributions might help to establish the Atari computers as a viable alternative to the popular systems in the DTP, CAD and desktop video markets. In this spirit, I would like to thank you for your interest in our products. Best regards, CYBERCUBE RESEARCH LTD. M16-Product Coordinator Please feel free to write, e-mail or fax us any comments or suggestions. We are interested in your feedback and will do our best to make needed improvements on a timely basis. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 4 Sat Feb 20, 1993 S.SAMUELS [ORCA] at 23:58 EST Ahhh...very nice posts and very good news. In light of the illuminating discussion about the 3 types of programs that will, might and won't run on the card, I wonder if you might post for us a listing of your discoveries in these three areas. Perhaps something along the lines of what Gadgets by Small used to do for the GCR compatible and non- compatible Mac programs. This might be helpful to us, you potential customers, to consider the state of our current softwares as they relate to installing a card. Thanks again for all the good info, I look forward to hearing more. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 5 Sun Feb 21, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 00:39 EST I've got a few specific compatibilty questions. Since DMC is selling it I'm assuming SL works with it so I won't ask.:-) Would it be possible to post a list of some other programs that have been tested on it? Like... DynaCADD, Prism Paint, Atari Works, Word Perfect, Chronos or anything along the lines of well used software. I'd like to know more about the Video Ouput. Can you just plug it into your VCR and record away or do you need something extra or a special VCR capable of 1 frame recording? Will it support Atari Monitors along the lines of the PTC1426 and TTM194? Will DMC be supporting the add on options as well? Thats about all the real life questions I can think of at the moment.:-) Thanks! ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 6 Sun Feb 28, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 15:16 EST I'm glad to see that the Cyrel Sunrise M16-1280 will be the topic of discussion in the DTP RTC tomorrow night. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend. Is it possible for someone to capture the conference and upload it, so that I can review the disscussion later? Thanks Bob ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 7 Sun Feb 28, 1993 LEXICOR2 [Ringo] at 15:52 EST Bob. I always capture the RTCs if no one official is capturing for release to the magazine you are welcome to have my copy. Ringo ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 8 Sun Feb 28, 1993 ST.LOU [Lou Rocha] at 16:00 EST Bob Voorneveld, the Cybecube RTC has been postponed until March 15th. Due to my error, our bannermaker was not informed in time! The transcript will be available the next day, March 16th. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 9 Tue Mar 02, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 18:06 EST Ringo, Lou Thanks for the info. Bob ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 10 Wed Mar 10, 1993 R.SYKES2 [RAYMO] at 19:12 EST ???? Will it work with Lexicors suite of programs I asked Lee Sieler 9 mont hs ago and he said he tried to get board for devlopmet but was not succeseful ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 11 Thu Mar 11, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 08:52 EST Ask me in the not to distant future. Lee is sending out the latest versions of his software for testing with the board. Nathan@DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 12 Wed Mar 24, 1993 J.TOWLER1 [John] at 00:36 EST Wasn't there an RTC on the Sunrise card recently? I can't find it in the libraries when I do a search - maybe it's in one I've closed. - John ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 13 Wed Mar 24, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 07:18 EST Roundtable Table Conferences are usually archived and kept in Library 13 John. Here is the file information: No. File Name Type Address YYMMDD Bytes Access Lib ----- ------------------------ - ------------ ------ ------- ------ --- 28072 CYBER_CO.ARC X ST.LOU 930316 18048 53 13 Desc: Cybercube RTC Transcript Nathan@DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 14 Sat Mar 27, 1993 G.NORTON [Falcon Systm] at 14:15 EST Nathan, Do you have any info ETA's etc on any ad ons for the Sunrise card? What I'm looking for are Genlocks and any other video related equipment. Thanks. Graham @ Falcon Systems ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 15 Sat Mar 27, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 19:01 EST I will ask Cybercube on this. I can say that their Cyrel boards are in stock and waiting for a home. Have you bought yours yet? ;-) I can also mention that John Russel has worked very hard to get his genlocking up and running and I believe it is complete and also available for sale. Nathan@DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 16 Thu Apr 01, 1993 LEXICOR2 [Ringo] at 23:36 EST I would like to thank Cybercube for sending me my winning price of Mouse manager & Palette Master. I'd given palette master a try and it looks very nice. Mouse manager should be my next try, will let you know later. Thanks. Ringo ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 17 Fri Apr 02, 1993 J.KUDRON [Jim~ST Sysop] at 09:31 EST Ringo, I purchased Palette Master last week. It is a very nice piece of work. Cured my color problems with Pha$ar in TT med. Well worth the investment! Jim Kudron 2Apr93 09:13:16 ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 25 Wed Apr 21, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 08:11 EDT Thanks for the posts Ralf. In particular, the post explaining color I found quite informative. Nathan @ DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 26 Wed Apr 21, 1993 J.BRIGHAM at 21:03 EDT Will this card ever be converted for use with the Mega STs? Can we install the card, if the JRI 4096 color board is installed ? Brig ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 27 Thu Apr 22, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 19:43 EDT Ralf, In the OL3 RTC you mentioned that you have tested almost 50 applications that run fine with the Cyrel Sunrise card. Could you give us a list of these applications. It would be greatly appreciated. Bob ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 28 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:05 EDT There have been quite a few questions raised on the various services over the last little while. As most of the issues addressed are quite common, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share them with you here. EM> Incidentally the version at Replay (an Atari Dealer in Toronto) was EM> said to have 2048 x 2048 graphics, and you say the new version affords EM> even higher resolutions than that? If so, what? And what monitor can EM> handle that? THe best monitor I've seen thus far that can handle EM> resolutions like that is the Cornerstone Technologies, and it handles EM> up to 2048 x 2048. Well, the cards support resolutions up to 4096x4096. With that kind of resolution we are talking about monochrome pictures and we are talking about a principle called 'virtual' resolutions. The actual resolution displayed on the monitor is most often a lot lower than the total 'virtual' screen. To give you an example: set up your monitor for e.g. 800x600 (choose what you want, this is just an example), set up the card for (again just to pick something) 2048x3072. Our VDI driver will work on the entire area and you can use the mouse to scroll your 800x600 'window' over the entire 'virtual' area. Confusing enough ? Hmmm, maybe I should try do draw a small pic... _________________________________ | | | ___________ | | | | | | | 800x600 | | | | | 2048x3072 | | !___________! | | | | | !_________________________________! Here is how it works: you always see 800x600 pixels on screen. You can use your mouse to move or shift the 800x600 window within that larger 'virtual' area of 2048x3072. And these are the limits of the card: - horizontal resolutions MUST be an even multiple of four (gosh, sounds very restricting! *,* ) \_/ - vertical resolutions can be any arbitrary number up to the maximum buffer size usage. - Every CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 card comes with 2 MB of high speed video RAM. Therefore the maximum resolution can be computed as follows: 2 MB * 8 bits / (x_resolution * y_resolution * bits_pixel) Example: for 256 colors (needs 8 bits per pixel): 2097152 * 8 / (x_resolution * y_resolution * 8 ) So, I you for instance choose 2048 as your horizontal resolution, you can have a maximum of 1024 lines. This works out to: 2048 x 1024 in 256 Colors. We supply a predefined screen setting that *DISPLAYS* that entire resolution on a 21" monitor. But by keeping the above listed restrictions in mind, choose any suitable resolution and perform the simple test to see if it 'fits in'. Here a few 'magic' numbers that might be of help: MODE BIT PER PIXEL Monochrome 1 4 colors 2 16 colors 4 256 colors 8 True Color 32 Remember, to use any 'non-standard' resolution, like the fantasy resolutions we talked about a little earlier, you will certainly need a multi-sync monitor. You can use any industry standard VGA monitor, single-frequency monitor, multi-frequency monitors from 12" to 37". But by using the virtual resolution technique you can also use lower rated monitors to enjoy the freedom of a HUGE desktop. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 29 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:07 EDT EM> Ah, yes, I'm familiar with the principle of 'virtual resolutions'. EM> Many of the monochrome emulators for colour STs use the same EM> technique. Yep, that's almost it. Only that we offer better scrolling & panning. If you're using a serial 3 button mouse, you can use the middle button to 'move' your window in the virtual area. EM> I have a few questionns about the graphics board, though: EM> 1) Is the on-board RAM expandable? To what degree? And EM> what sort of RAM does it use? Although the cards have a special expansion connector, you cannot expand the video frame buffer memory (you could if you wanted to, but this would not a plug-and-play solution like the rest of the products we offer). Here are the reasons why: 1. the RAM used is VRAM (video RAM). A special (and costly) RAM designed especially for high-end graphics cards. Not something you come across in your next door computer shop. 2. 2 MB of RAM seems quite reasonable or not ? Remember the normal ST modes work with 32 KB, the TT has 153 KB. So, managing 2048 KB seems to be quite the right size for some time to come. 3. Space limitation. There is no room left in the small VME cage to add anything more besides the CyReL M16 graphics card and one M16 expansion module like our VidiMix8 Desktop-Video module. 4. Power considerations. We tried really hard to stay within the recommended power consumption levels (and did so). Adding more RAM would consume A LOT more power. EM> 2) What sort of software is available to support this card? Any EM> animation software? If there is, how would it compare -- on a EM> larger scale, mind -- to Cyberpaint? Does it use frame flipping EM> or does it actually monitor the changes from frame to frame and EM> capture only that which has changed? First off all, we provide a general replacemet for the VDI. Think of something like WARP 9, TURBO ST, NVDI or whatever these VDI replace- ments may be called. The benefit: Allmost all software that worked on your computer before (when running GEM and the desktop) will work on the card as well. As a matter of fact, I HARDLY use the normal video output of my TT at all. I use assemblers, compilers, editors, wordprocessors, picture viewers, drawing programs, CAD programs and DTP programs, all directly on the card. To answer your question: yes there are some fine drawing programs available that use the VDI and run on the card. We just received the latest version of GEMVIEW (a JPEG, GIF, PCX, GEM, IFF etc. picture viewer from Dieter Fiebelkorn, Germany). It looks fabulous!! If you are interested in animation software, maybe you should ask LEXICOR about it! EM> 3) Is the card specifically designed for the MSTE/TT series, EM> or can it be used on a Mega ST? I assume it requires a VME EM> slot, at any rate. Something is coming. Sorry no further details yet. I'll keep you posted. For the time being, you'll need a VME slot. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 30 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:07 EDT HN> Will the Cybercube card work on the old Mega ST's or do we need HN> a machine with a VME bus? Harj: For the time being you'll need a machine with a VME bus. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 31 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:08 EDT JB> I didn't think it would work..... I'm a bit dissapointed that JB> the VME bus was excluded in the Falcon... Well, at least until now, the VME bus has been perceived as an interface standard that allows you to play around with some wonderful ...TOYS (the costly ones!) and some pretty heavy duty system boards for industrial (or military) applications. So it iss rather more of a question of: did you really expected this sort of thing in a machine clearly targeted for the mass market, the home user ? I think the Falcon is a fine machine and certainly welcome as a big new attraction to the Atari market. Atari computers have evolved quite a bit over the years. There have been machines for all kinds of market segments and applications. And I am confident, that Atari will continue in this tradition. JB> I'd have personally rathered the same case as the TT that JB> would have been the best choice in my mind...There'd be JB> room & they wouldn't have to develop a new case... Well, let us have some diversirty. Even Ferrari does not package all their goodies in the same case! *,< \_/ JB> I'm still working on how they fit a hard drive in that JB> case...... Try to 'work' on something small, real small like 2.5" ! Maybe your getting the IDEa ! +,+ \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 32 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:09 EDT KJC>CR> Kevin-John Conway about the CyReL Mouse Manager for Atari KJC>CR> computers: KJC>CR> > Wunaful! I will download it and give it a whirl! KJC>CR> KJC>CR> Kevin: KJC>CR> KJC>CR> Glad I could be of help. Let me know if you run into troubles. KJC>CR> KJC>CR> Thanks, KJC>CR> KJC>CR> Ralf. KJC> Downloaded. Tried. Loved! The cheque is in the mail. Thanks for your support Kevin. We appreciate your contribution. -************************************************************** U P D A T E I N F O R M A T I O N -************************************************************** For all those of you who want to check out the CyReL Serial Mouse Manager: The latest demo version: RELEASE 1.0D has been uploaded. To D/L it, look for SMOUSE1D.LZH. It features full TT compatibility and better redraws than the previous version: RELEASE 1.0C. The demo version is FREEWARE. Please distribute it amongst all your friends. Thank you! -************************************************************** KJC> I had no problems using either mouse (ST or Dexxa) simultaneously. KJC> As well, I had no problem using the serial mouse and the modem KJC> together. This is one nice product that will definitely go on KJC> my list of things to review and recommend. KJC> I am looking forward to having the registered version - I use the KJC> main serial port on my STe as the modem, with the second port for KJC> the mouse. The demo version does not allow me to save the config KJC> - necessarily so, but nonetheless. Hmmm..., we had to limit that thing somehow, didn't we ? *,* \_/ So we decided that a selected few features should be reserved for the exclusive club of registered users. *,< \_/ Some of the additional features only to be found in the full edition: - seperate mouse accelleration curves for ATARI & SERIAL mouse - fully implemented SAVE feature - SLEEP function for screen saver - new menus. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 33 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:11 EDT NC> So what is true colour then? 65,000 sounds like an ample number NC> especially use that are used to 16 colours and even the more NC> standard 256. How much difference is there between 65,000 NC> and true colour? Just interested! You had to ask that, didn't you ? *,* \_/ Hmmm.... how to describe the difference of color with ASCII text? Well, let's do a simple mind experiment. Task: Think of a small program that tries to paint every pixel on screen with a different color. Seems simple enough, or not? Now here is how it goes: 16 color mode: The program stops in the first row, after the 16th pixel has been drawn. No more colors left. Pitty! 256 color mode: A little more luck here, but again, the program stops in the first line, after the 256th pixel has been drawn. Yes, that's all in glorious 256 color mode! Hi-Color or 65,536 color mode: Assuming we have a 1024x768 display, the program stops after drawing 64 lines, every pixel with a different color. Assuming again that your characters on screen are 16 pixels high, that's as much as 4 lines of text! And now... 16.7 Million color mode (True Color): Boy, we have to expand the screen. The program could fill an display with the size of 4096 x 4096 (!) pixels, every pixel with a unique color shade! No tricks, no flickering interrupt driven stuff. Just the plain display mode! Assuming again a character size of 8x16 pixels, that represents an area of 512 characters per line, 256 lines per screen. Big enough to start with ? But the difference between a 65,000 color display and a 16 Million color display becomes even more apparent if you want to display pictures which contain a lot of color shading, i.e. very smooth color transitions. And for all those who doubt they really need 16.7 Million colors... ... you don't need to watch 16.7 Million colors since you can emulate the 65,000 color mode on the CyReL SUNRISE cards as well. *,< \_/ Seriously, let's compare the color issue with something a lot more people would have some experience with: What sense does it make to expand your system with i.e. 8-bit wide RAM cards if your computer has 32-bit RAM? My point is, people apparently do not compromise when buying the best possible RAM upgrades. So why settle with an inferior graphics output. Besides, what do you watch most of the time ? Your RAM or your screen ? +,+ \_/ Working with the computer is a visually driven interaction. Demanding the best possible performance levels for the interface you work with the most, does not only make sense, it also preserves your health. +.+ \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 34 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:12 EDT SS> I must admit that I keep getting impressed by you and your SS> company! I admire Cybercube because as you said you concentrate SS> on producing "good" products not cheap ones. These are tough SS> times and a lot of companies try to get away with selling cheap SS> crap (pc clowns are one example) and that emphasis on quality has SS> disappeared. Shervin: Thanks for the nice compliments. But with increasing competition and our aspirations to compete on a 'global' market, we feel that we MUST make sure we offer products that can stand up and will endure the day-in day-out workload put on them. It has always been our goal to reduce MAINTENANCE & SERVICING COSTS. How do you do it? Simply by doing it right in the first place. We are far from claiming that we invented this principle, rather it seems to be a growing trend nowadays. Let's hope many more will follow. SS> I must say that for what the Sunrise/Skyline cards do, they are SS> indeed INEXPENSIVE. I don't believe EVEN the clown market has SS> cards that can compete with it in the price/performance category. SS> I am impressed I must say. If I were into video work, I would SS> definitely save my pennies and purchase your card. With the most recent addition of the VidiMix Video Desktop Module we hope to emphasize even more that comparable systems often cost a couple (of thousands *,* ) dollars more. \_/ SS> I am glad Cybercube is supporting Atari computers which are SS> unique in their own right. Well, we'll do it as long as there is demand for our products. A lot depends on how the Atari platform is supported in general. This in turn depends on every user. We welcome any suggestions and any help we can get. *,< \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 35 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:13 EDT Introducing: The CyReL VidiMix8 Desktop-Video Module The VidiMix8 is an expansion module designed to add desktop video capabilities to the CyReL M16-1280 High Resolution True Color Graphics Cards. The VidiMix8 encodes computer generated pictures, animations and images in 12 different international TV standards while providing a host of special effects. A user friendly GEM-based interface allows the user to instantly capture live video clips, single frames, even resize video images in real-time. The VidiMix8 offers three video inputs for multiple-source processing as well as a SVHS and composite video output. Add a fresh touch to your presentations, design fancy titles for your favourite video clips, enhance the appearance of your shots or add some stunning visual effects to your footage. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 36 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:17 EDT Here is a partial list of programs found to be compatible with the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 Graphics Cards. NOTE: This list is *NOT* complete. The information is provided 'as is'. Some of the programs listed have been tested by Cybercube, others by our customers. Should you require more information about a specific program, please contact the author/manufacturer directly. This will most of the time be the best way to find out if the program is 100% VDI compatible. In case you are not able to contact the these parties, try the manufacturer/distributor or leave a message here. We will try our best to answer your questions. ----Telecommunications----------------- Rufus Terminal Program Stalker Terminal Program Steno Capture Buffer prog. Connect Terminal program Alladin GEnie Interface ----Filehandling----------------------- Cheetah File Manager CodeHead MAXIFILE File Manager ----Screen Accelerators---------------- Bela NVDI* Accelerator CodeHead WARP9* Accelerator ----Utilities-------------------------- Selectric Fileselector Letemfly Flying Dialogs CodeHead MULTIDESK** Accessory Manager CodeHead HOTWIRE Program Launcher STZIP Decompressor COMMAND Command Line Interface Gribnif MUTIL** Disk Utility Atari PRGFLAGS File Utility Atari NOROACH Disk Utility Bela GEMTEST Benchmark WINNI 40 Windows program CHAMELEON Accessory Manager PRIV_EYE System utility SYS_INFO System Utility STDCAT Disk Catalog prog AUTOSORT AUTO Folder Manager SuperBoot Boot Utility ----Accessories------------------------ CyReL SERMOUSE Serial Mouse Manager CyReL CYRELSSM Serial Mouse Accessory CyReL PALMASTR Palette Master CyReL VDI_CONF VDI Configuration CyReL RUNME1ST Installation program CyReL CB_PAINT Fun paint program CyReL DISPCONF Display Configuration PAULA Mod Player GRAFITY Fun paint program MDISK RAM Disk/ File Manager MPAINT Paint program BIT37 Disk Formatter ORA DFORMAT Disk Formatter GEMLOAD CPU workload display GLASNOST Disk space analyzer PROCALC Calculator SNAPSHOT Snapshot utility Atari TLKCLOCK Talking Clock Atari XCONTROL Extended Control Panel ----CPX Modules------------------------ Atari GENERAL Version 01.20 Atari SOUND Version 01.00 Atari CONFIG Version 01.00 Atari MACCEL Version 01.01 Atari MODEM Version 01.20 Atari PRINTER Version 01.20 Atari SAMPLE Version 01.00 Atari FONTGDOS Version 01.00 Atari COLOR Version 01.06 Atari FSM Version 01.00 Atari FSMPRINT Version 01.00 Atari COLOR Version 02.00 Atari WCOLORS Version 02.00 COOKIES Cookies viewer FILEINFO Dir config CPX SYSTEM System/OS analyzer BOOT AUTO Folder ASCIITAB Programmer's utility SETENV Environment String CPX ----System Software-------------------- CyReL CM16_VIP M16 Boot Program CyReL M16VDI8B 256 color VDI CyReL M16VDITC True Color VDI Atari GDOS GDOS OS extension Atari FSMGDOS GDOS OS extension Atari MINT Multi-tasking TOS Atari MULTITOS Multi-tasking TOS POWERDOS Multi-tasking OS, LAN ----DTP Programs ---------------------- DMC CALAMUS Calamus SL DMC OUTLINE3 Font/Image processing Soft-Logik PAGESTREAM V2.2 ----Image Processing------------------- TMS CRANACH Touch-up/post-processing HiSoft TRUPAINT Graphics/Drawing ----Charting/Drawing Programs---------- SciLab SCIGRAPH Vektor Drawing ASH PAPILLON Graphics Lexicor PRISMPNT** Prism Paint Artis ARTIS3** Paint program ----Word Processing-------------------- GST WORDPLUS First Word Plus WordflairII Word processor ----CAD Programs----------------------- Ditek DynaCADD CAD program GfA GFADRAFT** Drafting program ----Rendering/Animation---------------- RAYSHADE512 Renderer Lexicor PHOENIX Renderer Lexicor CyberColor Recoloring utility Lexicor TRACE Tracer/Vektorizer ----Editors---------------------------- EDISON Editor 7UP Editor ----Assemblers------------------------- HiSoft GENST Editor/Assembler HiSoft DEVPACK Editor/Assembler Borland TASM Assembler ASH PASM Assembler ----Debuggers-------------------------- TEMPLMON TempleMon HiSoft MONST Debugger HiSoft MON Debugger OverScan SYSMON Tracer ----Compilers-------------------------- Borland TC Turbo C ASH PC Pure C ----Harddisk Utilities----------------- Atari HARDDISK Backup program TURTLE Backup program THEVAULT Backup program ORA BACKUP Diamond BackUp ORA EDGE Diamond Edge ----Alternate Desktops----------------- GEMINI Desktop replacement ----Recource Construction Sets--------- ORCS Otto's RSC Atari RCS8 Digital Research RSC Atari SE Sprite Editor ----Viewers---------------------------- CyReL VIEW_JPG JPG Viewer CyReL VIEW_TGA TGA Viewer CyReL VIEW_GIF GIF Viewer CyReL VIEW_PCX PCX Viewer 1STView File/Image Viewer GEMView File/Image Viewer/Converter Migraph IMGSHOW IMG Viewer Lexicor TTGIF2 GIF Viewer ----Math programs---------------------- MNDL_FPU Mandelbrot MNDL_INT Mandelbrot ----Games------------------------------ BALLERBURG Game TETRIS Game BREAKOUT Game REVERSI Game --------------------------------------- This list will be ammended and updated as required. )* needs CyReL M16 PM2 Module )** requires patch ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 37 Sat Apr 24, 1993 ST.LOU [Lou Rocha] at 22:40 EDT Ralf, an impressive list so far! I am particularly interested in those graphics viewers. Are they for sale now? Do they work without the Sunrise card? ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 38 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:41 EDT Re: CyReL M16 VDI Compatibility The previous post list some of the programs already tested on the CyReL cards. Since this is a constant process, we are adding files daily. But even this 'snapshot' clearly demonstrates the broad scope and the flexibility of the CyReL software. Here is a list of all the drivers shipped with the cards: CyReL XBios Emulator CyReL TT Color Emulator CyReL LINE-A Emulator CyReL VT52 Emulator CyReL VDI Driver These drivers and emulators plus the provided accessories to control their function, create a comfortable and fast working environment. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 39 Sat Apr 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:47 EDT Lou, these graphic/file viewers are 'customized' to take advantage of the particular features of the cards. But if you are looking for a really stunning viewer, have a look at the *NEW* GEMView.... (I have to admit that the author of GEMView is a friend of mine, so please don't be suprised if I am constantly promoting not only our products but also his =') ) GEMView 2.30 is due to be released. It surpasses the current version in several ways: 1. more file formats (like Prism Paint files, TGA, Cranach ESM...) 2. better conversion features 3. improved user interface 4. MULTI-TOS compatible 5. ... CyReL M16 compatible ( =') ) I am sure there are many viewers out there... and I would love to hear what sort and type of viewers are used the most.... Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 40 Sun Apr 25, 1993 J.TOWLER1 [John] at 00:30 EDT There's an interesting illustration of the differences between 24, 16, and 8 bit colour in the May '93 MacUser, p.130. The colour changes in a continuous gradient from black in one corner to red in the opposite corner. The change is smooth in 24 bit, the steps are visible in 16 bit, and the pattern is fascinating if not very desirable in 8 bit. This is in three reproductions only about 2 in. square, mind. I might be getting a MegaSTE soon - the Sunrise card sure would be nice... ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 41 Sun Apr 25, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 02:20 EDT Whats the price for the Vidimix8 Module? Also I was looking back over the specs and I couldn't really tell if you can hook the card itself to a VCR. I noticed just about every format is supported btu what ports are included for output? ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 42 Sun Apr 25, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 17:18 EDT One of our best customers sent me email on a wide variety of things, some having to do with the Cyrel Sunrise card. So I have taken the liberty of re- posting those specific questions here. -------- Got a few quick questions... I was wondering how well the Cyrel card works on Atari's PTC1426 color monitor. I can live with a low 640x480 resolution but I'd like a non-blinking image.:-) Can I output to a VCR? Whats it cost delivered to my doorstep? Do you have some in stock? --------- Yes, we have them in stock. They cost US $1495.00 plus $10.00 shipping and insurance unless you wish to expidite delivery and pay accordingly. I'll let Ralf answer the rest. ;-) Nathan @ DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 43 Sun Apr 25, 1993 S.SAMUELS [ORCA] at 18:16 EDT Ralf, ..thanks for the list of prgs. that do work. I wonder if you might also have a list of prgs., acc's, etc. that -do not- work? This might be useful in making a decision for purchase. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 44 Mon Apr 26, 1993 J.HICKEY6 at 00:14 EDT How about DBMan and LDW Power? ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 45 Mon Apr 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:38 EDT Hi John, thanks for the info regarding the color reproductions in the MAC User. We've been working on a similar demo, so that people can see for themselves how the different depths in bits/pixel make a difference. One tool we have been using is GEMView. It runs in 24-bit on the card and allows you to display the same image in e.g. 24-bit, 256 colors, 64 colors, 16 colors, 4 colors and monochrome... all on the same screen. You can also show the difference between 16.7 million color displays and the 32,000/65,000 color displays very neatly. We will probably U/L such a series of demo images that can be viewed on the normal modes of the Atari (bear with me, there are limitations, so the best would be to convince a mag to print them in all their glorious beauty. =') ) Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 46 Mon Apr 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:46 EDT Joey, we have not set a final price for the CyReL VidiMix8 Desktop Video Module yet. As soon as I have more information about pricing, I'll post it here. The module works as an expansion board for the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 and fits entirely into the VME Slot. The only difference you'll notice are the extra ports when it is installed: the video in/out connectors The VidiMix8 software allows you to switch between three composite video inputs. Each input can either be terminated or act as a 'loop-through' port. The module accepts 12 international TV standards. Further, the VidiMix provides *SIMULTANEOUS* S-VHS and composite video output. This feature has been provided to give the user the best possible output signal. Additional features include chroma booster, gain adjustments, gamma correction and many more. Right now we are working on an 'MULTIMEDIA' extension for the GEM desktop. This will allow you to instanly record live video clips, capture single frames, resize video or simply record your images onto tape. Let me know if you need more informations. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 47 Mon Apr 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:55 EDT Nathan: Yes, it is possible to use the PTC1426 with our card. But there are certain limitations that should be kept in mind: 1. the PTC1426 is a fixed frequency monitor. 2. it has been designed for resolutions ranging from 320x200 to 640x480 Considering these facts, we have included a number of predefined resolution settings for the PTC1426 with the card. These settings allow you to operate the CyReL M16-1280 with these resolutions: 640x480 640x480 768x480 800x512 All modes work in either 256 color or True Color formats. The 800x512 seems to be the upper limit. Since we had to provide a certain safety zone (due to variations of the PTC1426) the user may finetune these settings for a slightly higher resolution, like 800x600. But consider the advantages of multi-sync or even S-VGA monitors, they have been getting better all the time, while prices continue to fall. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 48 Mon Apr 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:59 EDT S.SAMUELS, *,* \_/ OK, we will list a few programs that absolutely refuse to work with the card. But I'll have to check them again, since I just got a new version of our VDI drivers today and a lot of the programs that needed some patching before or had shown some strange effects, run very smoothly now. *,* \_/ We've been busy today testing SpeedoGDOS. It looks really stunning. And it's fast too! Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 49 Mon Apr 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 21:00 EDT J.HICKEY6, we have not yet tested DBMan or LDW Power on the card. Do you know who is the manufacturer/distributor ? Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 50 Tue Apr 27, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 08:43 EDT Thanks for posting Ralf. Jack ... Not to worry, I'll test LDW on my card but I don't have a copy of DBMAN. Who has one in Toronto that can drop by for 5 minutes and test on our unit? Nathan @ DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 51 Tue Apr 27, 1993 E.WINDELL [GENE] at 08:49 EDT Ralf, >The VidiMix8 software allows you to switch between three composite >video inputs. Each input can either be terminated or act as a 'loop >through' port. Does this mean a user can simultaneously play back 3 video devices (VCRs) and switch between inputs on the fly, as in A-B-C roll video editing? Does the software allow scene transitions between the inputs, such as dissolves and wipes? If the current software doesn't provide these features, does the hardware allow this sort of development in the future? If so, I assume a time base corrector would be required? Does the VidiMix8 perform the basic genlock function? That is, does it allow the overlay of a graphic file or computer screen display onto live video? >Right now we are working on a 'MULTIMIDIA' extension for the GEM desktop. Bravo! Will this software provide controls for any hardware devices other than the VidiMix8? Such as CD-ROM players, page scanners, etc? Is there anything in the works to control the transports on video recorders, using SONY VISCA or Control L protocol. How about a GPI trigger through the serial port? I applaud your efforts. Keep up the good work. Gene ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 52 Tue Apr 27, 1993 J.HICKEY6 at 10:52 EDT Ralf, DBMan is from VersaSoft Corporation, 4340 Almaden Expy, Suite 110, San Jose CA 95118 Phone 1-408-723-9044, FAX 1-408-723-9046 LDW Power? Ask Atari, I think they have purchased the rights to that software. BTW, these are SERIOUS programs, just as your hardware is SERIOUS. I hope that your user base extends to other VME equipped platforms, so you won't get "shaken out" by the ups and downs of the Atari market. Jack ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 53 Tue Apr 27, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 23:40 EDT Ralf, Sound great! Thanks for the monitor info too! I can't afford to replace my PTC and the buy the Cyrel, it's one or the other at this point. Actually, this money was for a new monitor but I'd rather have the Cyrel first.:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 54 Wed Apr 28, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 01:22 EDT Gene: yes, the hardware supports such fancy stuff like switching in real time between the inputs. If you want to use more than one 'live-video' input for output purposes, you will need something like a time base corrector to assure complete synchronism between the inputs. But if you e.g. want to mix the signal from one 'live video' input with some pre-recorded clips that are stored in memory, you won't need one. Wipes, transitions and dissolves are planned, but right now we are working on the general appearance and user interface. GENLOCKING: YeS! That's the basic function of the VidiMix8. You actually have to tell it to *STOP* GENLOCKING or real-time capturing frames so that you can e.g. record computer generated images onto tape. *,* \_/ VISCA/Protocol-L: We've discussed the implementation of such a protocol several times. Do you know a good source where we can get more informations about these protocols (not just brief overviews?) MULTIMEDIA Extensions: Wow! Hmmm... our intentions are to add the capabilities of the VidiMix8 to the Atari system. I think there are already a good number of excellent imoplementations for CD-ROMS, PHOTO-CDs etc. If you have any more ideas, we would be happy to discuss them here. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 55 Wed Apr 28, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 01:23 EDT Jack: thanks for the informations regarding DBMAN and LDW Power. We haven't had a chance yet to look at DBMAN. For an update on what runs on the card, see the program list update information I'll U/L in a minute... Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 56 Wed Apr 28, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 01:27 EDT Joey: anytime. *,* \_/ We just went through another test cycle with the new version of our VDI driver. Some of the redraw functions perform a lot faster now, the VDI is now fully compatible with MiNT, MULTI-TOS, SpeedoGDOS and features a new LINE-A emulator for all those 'nasty' little programs... *,* \_/ If you have any more questions, just ask. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 57 Wed Apr 28, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 01:32 EDT --- U P D A T E --- Here is the first update to the list of CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 compatible programs: ----Telecommunications----------------- Flash II Terminal Program StraightFAX Fax program ----Accessories------------------------ FORMAT.ACC formatter accessory TitEd.ACC text editor accessory ----System Software-------------------- SpeedoGDOS Scalable fonts, GDOS ----Utilities-------------------------- CodeHead MULTIDESK patches no longer necessary EDITFONT.PRG GDOS font editor ----Spreadsheets----------------------- LDW LDWPOWER.PRG Spreadsheet/charting program (run only in resolutions like 640x400) ----Harddisk Utilities----------------- Data Becker PBP Partition Backup Program ----CAD Programs----------------------- digital workshop CAMPUS.PRG CAMPUS CAD ----Compilers-------------------------- Megamax C C compiler CCD Personal Pascal Pascal compiler*** CCD Pascal Plus Pascal compiler*** ***= only the editor does not run properly but can easily be replaced by any other compatible editor that accepts arguments. ----Disk Utilities--------------------- ACOPY.PRG copy/format program COPYSTAR.PRG copy program FCOPY_3.PRG copy/format program HYPRF307.PRG format program ----Shells----------------------------- ARCSHELL.PRG shell ----Games------------------------------ KUBIS.ACC Tetris game MINOS.ACC 3D labyrinth REVERSI.ACC Reveri game RUBRIKS.ACC Rubrik's screen saver YAMS.ACC game Many thanks to Bob, Dieter, Reimer, Ulrich and Eric for contributing to this update. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 58 Wed Apr 28, 1993 E.WINDELL [GENE] at 10:36 EDT RALF: Thanx for the E-MAIL. Progress is being made. I am amazed by the potential of the VidiMix8. Its capabilities are not much different from the (very popular) Video Toaster on the Amiga platform. It also compares very favorably with the best available for the Mac and PC. I suppose that is what you intended all along . After wanting and doing without this device for so many years, I still can't quite believe it. I think the only remaining obstacle to a run-away success is the lack of a VME slot on the Falcon. I hope a VME adapter for the Falcon is made available soon. This is a really exciting product. VISCA & Control L (LANC) - VISCA is used primarily with 2 very important SONY products, the CI-1000 V-Box and the CDV-1000 Vdeck. These products were designed for Desktop Video, in fact they won't even function without a computer. The V-Box is an interface unit which connects a computer to several video decks, allowing computer control of the record, stop, play, pause, frame-advance, etc. tape transport functions. The V-Box allows extremely accurate video tape editing. It costs about $250. The CVD-1000 is essentially a V-Box with a Hi8 format video recorder inside it. It has PCM digital audio and is perfect for single frame animation recording. It costs about $2250.00. Both of these devices are widely used with the Amiga, Mac and PC. They connect to the computer by cable to the parallel port. Control L is an earlier and simpler version of the same thing. There is no interface box. A cable runs from the computer parallel port directly to the jack on the camcorder and/or VCR. VISCA and Control L are propriatary to SONY Corp. They surely must offer a developer's kit. I suggest calling SONY Professional Products Division, Phone# 800-635-7669. I am not a programmer, but my guess is that the implementation is very simple - perhaps 100 lines of code. You could market this as a separate software product, or integrate it into the VidiMix8 software to start and stop the VCRs while switching input ports on the VidiMix8. On the PC platform, the Control L software and a simple cable retail for $200.00 Gene ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 59 Wed Apr 28, 1993 J.HICKEY6 at 10:56 EDT Ralf, >(run only in resolutions like 640x400) Say what?! LDW POWER runs well on the Moniterm(1280x960), doesn't your Sunrise support TT High Res? ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 60 Thu Apr 29, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 00:54 EDT Gene: thanks for the kind words about the VidiMix8. So far we have not ventured into single frame recording. What we have tested is this: capturing single frames in realtime from any composite video source. encoding a computer generated image and record the results on tape. gen-locking a computer generated image on top of a live video input. Now that we are designing the user interface, we will certainly have a look at the protocols to control the recorders/decks. I am going to try the number you posted. We have talked to SONY on several occasions before. Maybe this will lead to something more productive. *,* \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 63 Thu Apr 29, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 01:18 EDT Joey, let me assure you that our cards work with all kinds of resolutions (except New Year's resolutions =') ). Here are some examples: 256x192 (far to small to be visible on a 21" screen. *grin*) 320x200, 640x400, 768x512, 800x600, 960x600 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x1024 1600x1200, 2048x1024 and so on.... Almost all programs will work in whatever resolution you may start them provided there is a bare minimum of space on the desktop to fit in all the menus, dialogs, windows and icons. I now have to say almost. Before testing LDWPOWER I would have said all. This is the very nature of a 'good' GEM based program. First it questions the OS about the environment it is supposed to run in, then configures itself to do so. And here is what happened as we've tested LDWPOWER: we've checked it in 640x480 ... ran OK. tested it again in 1024x768 ... hung (during some complex redraw) Well, I have to admit that we have not yet investigated the matter any further... there was simply not enough time to do so. If this is important to you, I'll ask somebody to check it more thoroughly this time around. One more thing: you mentioned that the program runs in 1280x960 (monochrome). This might be true... as stated before, programs are normally designed to gather all the necessary information about screen mode amongst other things. The next step usually involves the configuration of the program or its data according to the values obtained by the previous inquiry. Therefore a program may react quite differently if running in monochrome as opposed to (the mode we've tested) 256 colors or anything else... Please let me know if this answers your question, or if you would like to know about something about other programs available on the Atari. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 64 Thu Apr 29, 1993 E.WINDELL [GENE] at 09:16 EDT Ralf, Please try to do a compatibility check on a significant program. It is significant because it is the only character generator program ever commercially released in the U.S. for the Atari. The program name is VideoText, published by Water Fountain Software. The phone number for Water Fountain is (was?) 212-929-6204 in New York. RIO Computers in Las Vegas, phone 702-454-0335, has recently advertised this program for sale. Thanx, Gene ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 65 Thu Apr 29, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 19:45 EDT Ralf, I didn't ask about LDW... but I can't even do New Year's resolutions myself!:-) I'm buying one for sure, I just need to clear some room out on the old Master Card. Should be ready to order the end of next week if all goes well! I know the latest version of LDW works on the AlberTT card at 1024x768x16. I picked up a copy for my cousin not to long ago and they've been using it with no problems. Hope that info helps... ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 66 Thu Apr 29, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:59 EDT Gene: thanks f We will try to contact Water Fountain Software, or whoever might be offering/producing it right now. I also sent you some e-mail regarding our discussion of desktop video. Maybe we should move this discussion over here, so that others might participate as well. (Besides, it may turn out to be good advertising for us too. =').... Hmmm delete advertising, insert product support. =') ) Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 67 Thu Apr 29, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 21:03 EDT Joey, sorry for that hickup. I should have addressed that response to J.HICKEY6. Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. *.* \_/ As stated before, we will certainly have a look at LDWPOWER. Maybe we have overlooked something or we have to use another configuration before starting the program Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 68 Thu Apr 29, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 21:14 EDT Several users or customers have called or e-mailed for some more specific details about the CyReL VidiMix8 Desktop Video Module. So here they come, a neat list of specs for all those who simply love to dig in technical data and parameters. *,* \_/ ._____. __ __ .______. .______. ._. / .___. \ \ \ / / | .___. \ | .____! | | | | !_! \ \_/ / | !___! | | !__. | | | | ._. \ / | .__. ./ | .__! | | | !___! | | | | | \ \ | !____. | !____. \._____./ !_! !_! \_\ !______! !______! .__ ._. ._. ._. ._. .__ __. ._. .____. \ \ | | !_! | | !_! | \ / | !_! __ __ / .__. \ \ \ | | ._. .___| | ._. | . \/ . | ._. \ \ / / | !__! | \ \| | | | / .__. | | | | |\ /| | | | \ \/ / | .__. | \ ! | | ! | !__! | | ! | | \/ | | | ! / /\ \ | !__! | \__| !_! \______! !_! !_! !_! !_! /_/ \_\ \.____./ CyReL VIDIMIX-8 Features for SUNRISE M16-1280 Version: 1.2b Date: 02/93 CyReL VIDIMIX-8 The Integrated Desk-Top Video Module for the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 for the ATARI TT030 and MEGA STE = 3 composite video inputs. Software allows to instantly switch between several video sources. = Software controllable 75 Ohm termination or high impedance for loop-through on each input. Enables the operation of a control monitor on each input or signal looping to the next video processing station. = Inputs CCIR compatible. Almost any tape recorder, video disk, Camcorder, Camera or video effects equipment can be used as a video source. = 1 composite video output. Accepted by most VCR and TV equipment. = 1 S-VHS output ( MINIDIN-4 ) for better output quality and signal fidelity. = Simultaneous S-VHS ( Y/C ) and NTSC / PAL output. Record the S-VHS output while controlling the composite output on a monitor. = Programmable sync output ( high / low, composite, H & V ). Flexible enough to match any equipment requirements. = 12 different NTSC & PAL output standards. Many different PAL and NTSC substandards and options supported. = Interlaced / non-interlaced output possible. Captured interlaced video frames/clips can be played back in non-interlace mode for use on a computer monitor. Also de-interlaces incoming TV signals. = Pixel output configurable to 1:1 or 4:3 ratio. Ideal for switching between computer graphics (1:1) and video (4:3) applications. = Programmable 24-bit gamma correction. Allows many color correction functions as well as a host of special effects like solarisation. Software controlled color look-up table bypass feature. = 8 different YUV / RGB input formats. Process and save captured video frames and clips in many different formats including the most widely used YUV modes. = Video keying. Allows a wide range of 'graphics-over-video' effects, including video titling, GEN-locking and image keying. = Software controlled chrominance phase. Adjust the color quality of the output signal through software controlled slider functions. = Chrominace bandwidth enhancer. Boosts the output quality or reduces the signal strength to match any recording equipment specifications. = Software controlled color sub carrier adjust. Prevents loss of color due to weak or mis-aligned color sub carrier frequencies. = Four operating modes ( including : Gen-lock, master / slave ). The VidiMix8 can either receive or generate all necessary control signals to drive a variety of video equipment. = Selectable fast tracking mode for VCR operation ( in Gen-lock mode ). Enables very stable gen-lock operation even when operating with various VCR playback modes. = Color or B&W operation. Introduce color to B&W pictures or convert color signals to black and white. = Background color generator. Flash fills the entire screen. Fades to or from any desired shade or black. = Real time true color digitizing. Digitizer can perform on-the-fly picture scaling. Scaling function and amount can be freely configured. = Possible output resolutions : - NTSC 640 x 525 60Hz interlaced - NTSC 720 x 525 60Hz interlaced - PAL 720 x 625 50Hz interlaced - PAL 768 x 625 50Hz interlaced - NTSC 640 x 524 60Hz non-interlaced - NTSC 720 x 524 60Hz non-interlaced - PAL 720 x 624 50Hz non-interlaced - PAL 768 x 624 50Hz non-interlaced Specifications subject to change without notice. All trademarks are properties of their respective companies. (c) 1993 by CyReL, Canada. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 69 Thu Apr 29, 1993 J.BRIGHAM at 22:04 EDT What are the prices for your products? Brig ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 70 Fri Apr 30, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 08:18 EDT Hi Brig, thank you for your interest in our products. Here is the CyReL Software Price List: PRICES CyReL Utilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Order Description Media/ Canada U.S. or Code Format International -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACSM12 CyReL Serial Mouse Manager & Driver one 3.5" 2DD Cdn $15.00 US $13.00 Release 1.02c or later Disk ACPM37 CyReL Palette Master one 3.5" 2DD Cdn $20.00 US $17.00 Release 3.7e or later Disk SHIPPING & HANDLING CHARGES -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quantity In the U.S. or Canada International of Disks Ordered US $ or Cdn $ US $ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 $1.00 $2.50 2-5 $2.50 $5.00 5-10 $5.50 $10.00 10-over* $10.00 $20.00 Cut along the dotted line. ..................................................................o/..... REGISTRATION FORM: -Please print clearly- LAST NAME:________________________ FIRST NAME: ___________________________ COMPANY (if applicable): _________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________________ CITY: ______________________________ STATE/PROVINCE: ____________________ ZIP/POSTAL CODE: ___________________ COUNTRY: ___________________________ PHONE NR.: ( _____ ) _____ - _______ E-MAIL: ___________________________ COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ ORDER FORM: Please read all the ordering information before signing this form. Allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- QTY. | CODE | DESCRIPTION | PRICE | TOTAL ------|--------|-------------------------------------|--------|----------- | ACSM12 | CyReL Serial Mouse Manager & Driver | | ------|--------|-------------------------------------|--------|----------- | ACPM37 | CyReL Palette Master | | ------|--------|-------------------------------------|--------|----------- | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------|----------- Subtotal of all items ordered | |----------- Ontario residents add 8% tax | |----------- Canadian orders add 7% GST | |----------- Shipping and handling charges | (See schedule above) |----------- __________ TOTAL | | ---------- DATE: ____ - ____ - 19____ NAME: _______________________________________ SIGNATURE: _______________________________________ Method of payment: All orders must be prepaid. Check/Money Order in Canadian or U.S. funds only. PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: COMPUTER: CPU: WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS PRODUCT: [] ST [] 68000 [] Magazine article/review _____________________ [] Mega ST [] 68010 [] Magazine advertisment _____________________ [] MEGA STE [] 68020 [] Dealer visit ________________________________ [] TT030 [] 68030 [] Trade show ________________________________ [] Falcon 030 [] 68040 [] Network _____________________________________ [] Portable [] 68060 [] BBS _____________________________________ [] Personal recommendation WHERE WILL YOU USE THIS PRODUCT: [] Primarily at home [] Primarily at work [] Both equally MAIN APPLICATION(S): _________________________________________________________________________ STof493/VI Mail to: Cybercube Research Limited 126 Grenadier Crescent Thornhill, ON, L4J 7V7, Canada ..............................................................o/........ Cut along the dotted line. The recommended U.S. retail price for the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 True Color High Resolution Graphics Card is U.S. $1,495 . The distributor for North America is: DMC Publishing Inc. 2800 John Street, Suite 10 Markham, ON, L3R 0E2, Canada For fast and friendly service call (416) 479 1880 or fax your request to (416) 479 1882. If you have any other questions, we would be glad to be of assistance. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 71 Fri Apr 30, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 10:32 EDT Anyone asks Ralf a question, come to expect an answer and a half. :-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 72 Fri Apr 30, 1993 J.BRIGHAM at 20:37 EDT THANKS........ Brig ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 73 Tue May 04, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:32 EDT Update: Cybercube is pleased to announce the release of the new and enhanced CyReL VDI driver featuring the latest revision of the CyReL Color LINE-A Emulator. The LINE-A Emulator has now been fully integrated into the VDI driver package, allowing the use of many LINE-A dependent programs and utilities. Most of the CyReL LINE-A functions execute up to 300% faster than the original routines found in the TT030. Currently we are working on the TRUE COLOR LINE-A Emulator, which is planned to be released by the end of the week. With the implementation of this unique set of drivers consisting of a VT52, TT Color, LINE-A XBIOS and VDI drivers, the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 achieves a new level of compatibility. The upgrade will automatically be sent to all CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 users. The CyReL upgrade policy has been extended and we now offer a free 18 months upgrade service for all our customers. Should you have any more questions regarding the CyReL drivers, the upgrade policy or any other inquiry, please leave a note in this topic. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 74 Fri May 07, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:18 EDT UPDATE: Partial list of programs found to be compatible with the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 Graphics Cards. ----Telecommunications----------------- Rufus Terminal Program Stalker Terminal Program Steno Capture Buffer prog. Connect Terminal program Alladin GEnie Interface Flash II Terminal Program StraightFAX Fax program ----Filehandling----------------------- Cheetah File Manager CodeHead MAXIFILE File Manager ----Screen Accelerators---------------- Bela NVDI* Accelerator CodeHead WARP9* Accelerator ----Utilities-------------------------- Selectric Fileselector Letemfly Flying Dialogs CodeHead MULTIDESK Accessory Manager CodeHead HOTWIRE Program Launcher STZIP Decompressor COMMAND Command Line Interface Gribnif MUTIL** Disk Utility Atari PRGFLAGS File Utility Atari NOROACH Disk Utility Bela GEMTEST Benchmark QUICKINDEX 2.2 Benchmark FASTTECH Benchmark NBM The Ness Benchmark WINNI 40 Windows program CHAMELEON Accessory Manager PRIV_EYE System utility SYS_INFO System Utility STDCAT Disk Catalog prog AUTOSORT AUTO Folder Manager SuperBoot Boot Utility EDITFONT.PRG GDOS font editor COMPO That's A Font Font Editor CMPFILE.PRG File comparison utility DoubleClick DCX_PLUS File (de)compressor ----Accessories------------------------ CyReL SERMOUSE Serial Mouse Manager CyReL CYRELSSM Serial Mouse Accessory CyReL PALMASTR Palette Master CyReL VDI_CONF VDI Configuration CyReL RUNME1ST Installation program CyReL CB_PAINT Fun paint program CyReL DISPCONF Display Configuration PAULA Mod Player GRAFITY Fun paint program MDISK RAM Disk/ File Manager MPAINT Paint program BIT37 Disk Formatter ORA DFORMAT Disk Formatter GEMLOAD CPU workload display GLASNOST Disk space analyzer PROCALC Calculator SNAPSHOT Snapshot utility Atari TLKCLOCK Talking Clock Atari XCONTROL Extended Control Panel FORMAT.ACC formatter accessory TitEd.ACC text editor accessory GEMSound Sound/FX accessory APROCALC.ACC Calculator accessory CAL62A Calendar ----CPX Modules------------------------ Atari GENERAL Version 01.20 Atari SOUND Version 01.00 Atari CONFIG Version 01.00 Atari MACCEL Version 01.01 Atari MODEM Version 01.20 Atari PRINTER Version 01.20 Atari SAMPLE Version 01.00 Atari FONTGDOS Version 01.00 Atari COLOR Version 01.06 Atari FSM Version 01.00 Atari FSMPRINT Version 01.00 Atari COLOR Version 02.00 Atari WCOLORS Version 02.00 COOKIES Cookies viewer FILEINFO Dir config CPX SYSTEM System/OS analyzer BOOT AUTO Folder ASCIITAB Programmer's utility SETENV Environment String CPX ----System Software-------------------- CyReL CM16_VIP M16 Boot Program CyReL M16VDI8B 256 color VDI CyReL M16VDITC True Color VDI Atari GDOS GDOS OS extension Atari FSMGDOS GDOS OS extension Atari MINT Multi-tasking TOS Atari MULTITOS Multi-tasking TOS Atari SpeedoGDOS Font Scaling, GDOS POWERDOS Multi-tasking OS, LAN Data Diet V1.0 Compressor ----DTP Programs ---------------------- DMC CALAMUS Calamus SL DMC OUTLINE3 Font/Image processing Soft-Logik PAGESTREAM V2.2 ----Image Processing------------------- TMS CRANACH Touch-up/post-processing HiSoft TRUPAINT Graphics/Drawing MT Scan Microtek Scanner software ----Charting/Drawing Programs---------- SciLab SCIGRAPH Vector/Drawing ASH PAPILLON Graphics Lexicor PRISMPNT** Prism Paint Artis ARTIS3 Paint program MyDraw Vector/Drawing ----CAD Programs----------------------- Ditek DynaCADD CAD program GfA GFADRAFT** Drafting program digital workshop CAMPUS.PRG CAMPUS CAD ----Rendering/Animation---------------- RAYSHADE512 Renderer Lexicor PHOENIX Renderer Lexicor CyberColor Recoloring utility Lexicor TRACE Tracer/Vektorizer Lexicor TGASCALE Scaling/Antialiasing ----Word Processing-------------------- GST WORDPLUS First Word Plus WordflairII Word processor COMPO That's Write Word processor ----Spreadsheets----------------------- LDW LDWPOWER.PRG Spreadsheet/charting program (highest tested resolution: 960x600) ----Editors---------------------------- EDISON Editor 7UP Editor ----Assemblers------------------------- HiSoft GENST Editor/Assembler HiSoft DEVPACK Editor/Assembler Borland TASM Assembler ASH PASM Assembler ----Debuggers-------------------------- TEMPLMON TempleMon HiSoft MONST Debugger HiSoft MON Debugger OverScan SYSMON Tracer ----Compilers-------------------------- Borland TC Turbo C ASH PC Pure C Megamax C C compiler CCD Personal Pascal Pascal compiler*** CCD Pascal Plus Pascal compiler*** ***= only the editor does not run properly but can easily be replaced by any other compatible editor that accepts arguments. ----Disk Utilities--------------------- ACOPY.PRG copy/format program COPYSTAR.PRG copy program FCOPY_3.PRG copy/format program HYPRF307.PRG format program ----Harddisk Utilities----------------- Atari HARDDISK Backup program TURTLE Backup program THEVAULT Backup program ORA BACKUP Diamond BackUp ORA EDGE Diamond Edge Data Becker PBP Partition Backup Program ICD SCSI Pro Utilities HD utilities ----Alternate Desktops----------------- GEMINI Desktop replacement ----Recource Construction Sets--------- ORCS Otto's RSC Atari RCS8 Digital Research RSC Atari SE Sprite Editor ----Viewers---------------------------- CyReL VIEW_JPG JPG Viewer CyReL VIEW_TGA TGA Viewer CyReL VIEW_GIF GIF Viewer CyReL VIEW_PCX PCX Viewer 1STView File/Image Viewer GEMView File/Image Viewer/Converter Migraph IMGSHOW IMG Viewer Lexicor TTGIF2 GIF Viewer ----Math/Financial programs------------ MNDL_FPU Mandelbrot MNDL_INT Mandelbrot A&D Tax Wizzard tax calculator ----Shells----------------------------- ARCSHELL.PRG shell EDMSHELL.PRG shell UNLZH172.PRG shell ----Sound/Sample Processing------------ 525.PRG Sample converter ----Games------------------------------ BALLERBURG.PRG Game TETRIS.ACC Game BREAKOUT.ACC Game REVERSI.PRG Game KUBIS.ACC Tetris game MINOS.ACC 3D labyrinth REVERSI.ACC Reveri game RUBRIKS.ACC Rubrik's screen saver YAMS.ACC game --------------------------------------- NOTE: This list is *NOT* complete. The information is provided 'as is'. Some of the programs listed have been tested by Cybercube, others by our customers. We would like to thank Bob Voorneveld for his contributions to this update. Should you require more information about a specific program, please contact the author/manufacturer directly. This will most of the time be the best way to find out if the program is 100% VDI compatible. In case you are not able to contact the these parties, try the manufacturer/distributor or leave a message here. We will try our best to answer your questions. This list will be ammended and updated as required. Last update: May 03 1993 ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 76 Fri May 07, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 21:35 EDT Cybercube Research Ltd has been appointed as the new distributor for Dieter Fiebelkorn's GEM-View File/Image viewer. Please refer to the Graphics Category (#7), Topic 33 for more details. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 77 Fri May 07, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 21:43 EDT Congratulations Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 78 Fri May 14, 1993 J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 03:05 EDT Excellent results, compatibility nearing 110%!!! 68040, 68060....being a bit optimistic aren't we? ;-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 79 Tue May 18, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:43 EDT Jim, no we have not yet achieved the full 110% compatibility. *,* \_/ But maybe one day... *grin* About the new Motorola chips: Well, we are working on some other projects with the newer Motorola processors. Seems that we planned for the future. *,< \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 80 Sun May 23, 1993 VORTEXT at 11:33 EDT Alright, I got the card so you know I now have questions. Well here's the first. I installed the card as per the instructions. However, I get no picture on initial boot up, in other words the Atari logo and the memory test doesn't show. (I'm using a TT by the way.) I press the space bar and then I get a picture as the driver kicks in. I can manage to use my machine as normal by connecting my monitor back to the old video output. However, I want to use the card. Also, how do I change resolution with it. I would like for the system to boot in a normal TT Med rez, so that my normal boot sequence will work properly and so that my wife doesn't get confused if it does something else. I hope I'm making some sense here. I realize this might be confusing. Any help in getting up and running would be appreciated. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 81 Sun May 23, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan] at 16:31 EDT Have you installed the driver software Daniel? Nathan ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 82 Mon May 24, 1993 VORTEXT at 01:26 EDT Okay. I've got the XCHNG program sort of working now and I figuring out the pallet master acc. Now then. How can I save my new pallet settings and rezolution so the system boots the way I want it to? Also, is there anyway to get it so you can see the memory test at the start? I have known my system to do funny things at times and I would like to be able to check this. More questions. In the documention that came with the card it mentions multiple cards in one machine. How is this done? There's only one slot. Also, will virtual screen be implemented. It currently isn't. Daniel More latter as I play with it and try to get everything working again. BTW - I am using a Princeton Ultra 1400 monitor. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 83 Mon May 24, 1993 VORTEXT at 01:34 EDT I did indeed install the driver. Before I installed the card I ran the read me prg and did the installation portion after the tutorial. It's all in the auto folder and in the proper order. I get a picture after the machine goes through the memory test. getting my other auto prgs and accs to work is another story altogether. XBoot doesn't seem to like it. I hope I don't have to switch again. Puttin the card in really is easy, (for anyone considering gettin one.) If I can do it in 5 minutes, you can do it in 3. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 84 Tue May 25, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:17 EDT I am currently re-reading all the messages in this topic, hoping to pick up something I might have missed that will help me out. Ralph, Earlier you mentioned that you hardly ever use the normal video output from your TT anymore. I find that so far, I can get very little working FROM it. Warp9 locks up the system on boot. Truepaint seems to only access the first 16 colors. I must be doing something wrong. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 85 Tue May 25, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 00:45 EDT Hi Daniel, I also have the card and get some great color! Both the True Color and the standard Color modes work Great. I have talked to Ralf about getting X Boot or Superboot to work with the card. I have the TT with the standard Atari PTC1426 monitor [ until I can get some Cash for a 19 inch monitor :^} ] the rez for the 1426 is 800-512, not bad for an Atari! I have been using a CPX called Das Boot for my ACC and PRGs it works OK. Calamus also looks Great with the M16 card. Bye, Greg [ up in Santa Rosa ] ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 86 Tue May 25, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 19:03 EDT Daniel With only one monitor the only way you can get to see the TT boot up is to plug your monitor into the Atari Video port. Boot the system and you will see the normal boot. The monitor will go as far as the message: 1 Board installed... {in inverse video} Now take the cable out of the Atari Video and put it in the Cyrel Slot and the Cyrel Video will appear. The other way to get arround not having to switch cables is to get a data switch and an extra cable so you can switch between one mode and the other. To install extra cards. They are installed externally by pluging into the new lan port in the back of the TT. I hope this helps a little. Bob ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 87 Tue May 25, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:19 EDT Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us here in the CyReL topic. Here are some answers to your questions: I. RAM test during boot-up procedure: Normally there is no way to display the memory test (the one your system performs soon after powering it up) on ANY graphics card. Why ? 1. The ram test code is an integral part of the ROM. 2. None of the harddisks (or diskdrives for that matter) have been accessed yet. So there is no chance in loading another drivers to do it at this point. 3. Neither the VT52 driver nor the VDI have been fully initialized or started. 4. The intention of the test is to verify the correct behaviour (integrity) of the RAM. So loading a driver that operates from RAM is rather dangerous, since it cannot always be assumed that the memory used to store the driver is free of faults. The only possibility left would be to design a cartridge that could perform this task. This cartridge in turn would have to know about the specifics of the graphics card used, which makes it very difficult to write a general purpose RAM tester that is compatible with a number of graphics cards. If you are experiencing any problems with your RAM (ST RAM or TT RAM?), please use a memory test program or try to swap RAM modules to see if you can get rid of the mentioned problems. Something that barely passes the memory test during boot-up may have the nasty habit of failing while you are working with some really important data. But I admit, having some sort of read-out regarding the results from the memory test would be nice. The existing CyReL drivers test only the integrity of the VRAM buffer on the card (and quite extensively as well!). II. TT-Medium resolution boot-up: Start your system, wait until the desktop comes up on the CyReL card. Arrange your icons and windows as you need them. Then use the 'SAVE DESKTOP' function from the desktop menu. Next, please load the 'NEWDESK.INF' file into an ordinary text editor. Look for a line that starts with '#E'. The entry in the DESKTOP.INF file should read: #E 78 xx 00 16 Change the xx value to '04' and save the file again. Next time you boot your system and you can either let it go to the card, or by pressing and holding a SHIFT key (until the release key message appears or the boot-process stops) it will go to the normal Atari desktop and should start in TT Medium resolution! III. XCHNG The Resolution Changer Every time you want to change the resolution of the card, please open up your folder that contains the appropriate XCHNG program as an icon on your desktop, you simply drag the desired *.VTG file (like 800x600.VTG) onto the XCHNG icon and follow the instructions displayed. For a more detailed description of the different XCHNG options, please have a look at the documentation in the XCHNG folder. IV. Multiple CyReL cards in a single Atari system: In order to install more than one CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 graphics card in a single TT030, you will need an VME bus expander. Simply run the RUN-ME-FIRST (installation) program again (without really installing something) for more informations about how to configure multiple cards. V. Virtual Screen Resolutions: Virtual screen resolution files start with an 'X'. Look in your *.VTG files for names like X800x600.VTG Since these files are plain ASCII files, you can simply review the informations and configuration by double-clicking the file. The header of a *.VTG file looks like this: ; M16-1280 G300 Parameter file Version 1.1a ; #ID M16-1280 G300 VTG #TITLE 800x608 VIRTUAL 2048x1024 #MONITOR IDEK-5421 ... In order to use the virtual resolution files, you presently must have a THREE button mouse (using the CyReL Serial Mouse Manager) and you must enable the virtual resolution option in the mouse driver. The normally unused middle button of the mouse can then be used to scroll your 'view port' over the entire virtual screen area. Using this technique it is possible to e.g. grab a window, press the middle button and move the window AND the view port at the same time to their destination. As soon the desired spot has been reached, you can 'lock' the viewport to that position and continue to carry on with your normal operations. Please note that we are revising this method to allow the virtual modes to operate even without a three button mouse. We gladly accept any suggestions as to what key combinations should be used to invoke the 'move viewport' mode. VI. XBOOT, WARP9 and True Paint: Daniel, we are testing a variety of boot-up utilities. I will post a list of compatible programs as soon as we have completed our evaluation. Based on users requests, we have made changes to our drivers in the past to accomodate certain programs and applications. Should we find that our drivers are in any way causing problems with these rather 'vital' utilities, we will do our best to overcome such problems. I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused, but it is simply impossible for us to test every single program ever written for the ST. Therefore we greatly appreciate your co-operation. Since we provide our own customized VDI driver for the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280, you do not longer need the WARP9 VDI driver. WARP9 has been optimized for the normal Atari resolutions and modes and does not know how to handle the CyReL modes. Please make sure to have proper the CyReL VDI drivers in your AUTO folder. These drivers replace the ROM based Atari VDI driver to accomodate the greater number of colors and higher resolutions. So far we only had a chance to test the TRUE PAINT demo. All the drawing and color (256) functions performed normally. We will contact ORA or HiSoft to find out more about the current versions and implementations of this nice program. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 88 Tue May 25, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:26 EDT Boot-up Utilities: We've just tested SUPERBOOT with the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280. It runs fine. And here is how to get it working with the graphics cards: 1. Install SUPERBOOT using the provided installation program. 2. Use a AUTO folder sort program to re-arrange the order of the files in your AUTO folder. Make sure that the SUPERBOOT program is located right BEHIND the CyReL VDI drivers and the SUPERBTA.PRG is the last file in the folder! 3. Do not use the boot-up image display option since SUPERBOOT was designed to work with the original Atari modes and does not know how to correctly display the images on the CyReL card. We would appreciate any reports regarding boot-up utilities. We will continue to test further programs and applications and post a revised list from time to time. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 89 Tue May 25, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 19:44 EDT Greg, I'm in the same boat as you!:-) Got my card ordered but I'm stuck with the PTC1426 until I can afford a real monitor. I almost cheaped out twice but I'm determined to buy a GREAT monitor this time, now matter how long I have to save up!:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 90 Tue May 25, 1993 J.SPANDE [John Spande] at 20:06 EDT Ralf Wouldn't it be easy enough to show the bootup stuff on the monitor by adding an alectronic switch to select which video signals go to the monitor. A short cable would then go from the ST monitor connector to your CyRel board where initially it would be connected via said switch to the CyRel video output connector. Your driver would then include a command to switch to the Cyrel video signal. It would mean a new version of your board but compared to the rest of what you've done, it should be quite trivial. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 91 Tue May 25, 1993 AEO.5 [Ed Krimen] at 20:57 EDT Cool, Dan got a Sunrise board. Can I come over and play? :-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 92 Tue May 25, 1993 VORTEXT at 22:47 EDT Hi Greg. I just called you! But you were at a meeting. I'll talk to you later. Actually Bob it helps a lot! Never thought about the Data switch idea. I'll look into it. Should solve the problems with running certain software. That is until it all becomes compatible. (Hope, hope.) Ralph, Regarding the exhange TTP, I do as you mentioned, drag the desired VTG to the ttp and the system does a bit then goes back to the desktop. I don't get any instructions to follow. I realize that it is impossible to test all available software for compatibility. The work you folks are doing is wonderful and I'm glad you're supporting the platform in the first place. I was merely wondering if i was doing something wrong. I'm a little confused about the potential resolutions I can indeed show on my monitor. As I stated it's a princeton Ultra 1400. The info for it states the following: Dot pitch - .28mm; Display resolution - 1024x768(I); CRT Size - 14 inch. Does this mean that on my particular monitor, the most i could do would be 1024x768, even though the card is capable of more? I'm new to this arena of the graphics enhancement, so please bear with me. And thanks for the help. Between us all we'll get everything worked out. Daniel Also, Regarding boot up. I still can't seem to get it to save my palet the way i want it. I continue to get this awful grey mush and need to go into the Palet Master ACC to get the colors I want. What did I miss here? Come on over Ed. just call first. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 93 Wed May 26, 1993 VORTEXT at 02:34 EDT Ralph, Regarding the #E line. Mine reads 18 04 00 16. Does this make a difference. (I am currently using the card, so some things DO work.) I would really like to be able to save my palet information so I don't have to keep changing it everytime I boot. And for whatever reason, no matter what I try, I can't change the resolution. I always get 640x480 with 256. I would really like to see true color. That's why I put out the money in the first place. with Trupaint I can USE all the colors in the palet, it's just that imported files only see the first sixteen and rewrite the entire palet with those colors. DA's Vektor seem to work with the card, for what it's worth. So does Aladin (obviously, since I'm in it right now.) Multidesk, Maxifile, Hot Wire, ARC Shell, Gram Slam, Cardfile, all seem to behave okay so far as well. At least they do on my machine. Calligrapher loads but when I try to import a doc, all I get are neat little color bars where the letters should be. Real fun to try and read it that way. I'll post more as I discover more. If others have programs they use could post, it would be nice. I know we have seen a list, but what the heck. It can't hurt. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 94 Wed May 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:17 EDT Hello Everybody, just came back from a marathon Motorola seminar. Actually they called it the Five Star Motorola 68ooo Seminar. We've learned a lot about the new wonderful things (here today and still to come from Motorola) and I was surprised that they mentioned the Atari Falcon in their (Video) keynote at the beginning of the seminar. The organizers where quite overwhelmed by the huge attendance of all sorts of engineers from the Canadian Silicon Valey (Toronto). *,* \_/ Over 200 people listened to the latest news and strategies about the 68ooo family. So everybody got a lot more than just some smalltalk and a free lunch. +.+ \_/ Now, let's get back to business... hmmm... lotsa new messages here. So I'll grab them and come back in a couple of minutes with some more answers. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 95 Wed May 26, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:05 EDT John: Good point. Actually we've discussed (internally) a similar solution a couple of weeks ago. I'll see what I can come up with. But we will also try to show you some other important stuff (like all the current linked-in drives, memory sizes etc) after the CyReL card comes up. This would be a pure software based solution. Let's see what we can come up with. Ed: Don't forget to take some notes if you go over to Daniel. *,* \_/ As we said earlier, customer support is VERY important to us. So if anybody has a suggestion, or problems with one of our products or drivers, please let us know so that we can try to find a solution for you. We've been doing this for a number of years now for our industrial products and installations and we will certainly do our best to bring the same service and quality over to the Atari market. Daniel: Here is how the XCHNG.TTP works: (one thing before we start: the XCHNG.TTP is one of the oldest parts of the driver software. It is due to be replaced shortly, so we will have a far more comfortable way of switching the resolutions in the future) 1. Select one of the 90+ pre-defined resolution files and drag it over to the XCHNG.TTP icon. Drop it right on top of it. 2. The XCHNG.TTP program will perform a number of syntax checks and evaluate the file you indicated. 3. If all goes well (in case you don't get any error messages on the screen), the program will re-program the card with the new parameters and thus set a new mode, resolution, refresh and a variety of other things. 4. As soon as the processing of the data is complete you get a message that tells you to either press 'R' to reset the machine and activate the new resolution or press any other key to continue with the present configuration. TWO IMPORTANT THINGS HERE: a) the new mode will only become active AFTER you reset your machine. b) even if you continue to work in the present mode (you did NOT press the 'R' key) the card is already set-up and ready to start in the new mode the next time you switch on your machine! And here is why we need to reset the machine: 1. the nice trick from the Atari desktop (simply pressing ALT plus a FUNCTION key) cannot be intercepted, since it is completely handled in ROM. 2. The code in the ROM too does not simply re-write some values and continue as before... If you watch closely, you will notice that it resets the machine as well 3. Only the new OS (read Falcon and upwards) has the capability to broadcast a message to all installed applications (especially to the *.ACCs and alike) to warn them of the pending change in the resolution/mode. This mechanism allows the OS to handle resolution changes a lot more elegant than the present way. 4. There is NO official and ENDORSED way of switching the resolution. Any implementations that try to go around the RESET mechanisms may run into complications forcing the user to reset his machine anyways. So, after looking at all this, we've decided that the best and quickest way to change the resolution would be the one we offer right now. If anybody may come up with a nicer solution, we would be glad to hear about it. Daniel, you further asked about your Princeton Ultra 1400 monitor. Of all the specifications you quoted, the '.... 1024x768(I) ....' is the most important. Have a look if you can find any values regarding the horizontal and vertical scanning frequencies. These three parameters pretty much sum up the monitors capabilities. And yes, you are right. Even if the card supports things like 1280x1024 or higher, I would NOT recommend that you use any of these modes on your monitor. The Princeton seems to have a maximum resolution of 1024x768 in INTERLACED mode. So please be very careful when you select one of the *.VTG files. Do not use any resolution beyond that limit. I have to admit that most monitors can do a bit better than what they tell you in the manual, but I would neither bet on it, nor endorse the continued operation of the monitor outside the manufacturer's recommendations. This is especially true for LOW END VGA monitors where the manual sometimes states more than what would be healthy for the monitor! Please don't mind to asking questions about anything you do not feel comfortable with or about things you simply would like to know. Because it could save you a lot of hassle and may turn out to be very interesting for others that may stop by here and listen to these discussions. Remember, this is a free service for everybody, customer's and prospect's alike. And we are glad if we can help you getting the most of any CyReL product. +,< \_/ General announcement: We are in the process of finishing a new version of the CyReL Palette Master. Here are some of the highlights of the new and improved features: Pick-a-Color: Simply point at any spot on the display and catch the corresponding color value for further processing. This e.g. allows you to use the Palette Master in conjunction with GEM-View to do some nice color processing work on a wide number of images. You simply load the GEM-View file viewer and our Palette Master as accessories and then use GEM-View to load and display an image. Next you switch over to the Palette Master and you can start editing all the colors (in a more flexible way than it was previously possible with GEM-View alone) and if you are finished, you simply save the image again with GEM-View. Stunning color fx results, almost inperceptible color reductions and a host of special effects can be generated in an instant. STARTUP.PAL support: Simply create a Palette Master *.PAL file called STARTUP.PAL file in the same directory as you have your Palette Master accessory/program. Everytime you boot your machine, load the accessory/program, it looks for that particular palette and sets up the system to use that palette. More infos, as we come closer to releasing that new Palette Master update. Gosh... I hope I covered it all now. If I missed something or someone, please *YELL* as loud as you can. I'll try to get right back to you... (and YELL as well). *,* \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 96 Thu May 27, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:49 EDT Ralf, Glad to hear about the Palette Master starup file. That should greatly help with one of the problems I have. Hope it comes soon. The problem I have with the XCHNG.TTP is that I don't GET the request. It simply reads the file, (or so it would seem) and then goes back to the desktop. Is the prg not working? Could something be wrong with the card? What is it? I would really like to get this working properly. Sync- Horiz: 15 - 36.5 kHz autosynchronus Verti: 45 - 120 Hz autosynchronus I hope this helps. I really want to find out what's going on. I would like to be able to use the board the way I thought I would when I ordered it. thanks again. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 97 Thu May 27, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 01:34 EDT Daniel, When I talked to you last night, I could not remember if I told you about getting all the latest CPX's, I told you about the "Color VDI" CPX, But I also found the modem CPX to give me trouble with the Cyrel Mouse Program. I just deactivated it, now everything is fine. There also is a new Control Panel that works a little smoother. :^} Joey, The PTC1426 Monitor works very well, with 800-512 rez you get a full screen and it's "clean & clear". Don't you have Calamus SL?, because now, you will have a larger 1 to 1 screen. In the SL system parameters mod, the Horizontal is 75.000, and the Vertical is 68.324. Ralf, I did get Superboot to work, thanks. Tonight when I logged on to GEnie you had E-mailed me a message, well, GEnie dumped, I lost the mail, :^( If you remember what you had said, you can post it here. Thank you again for all the great information! Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 98 Thu May 27, 1993 VORTEXT at 01:59 EDT Some more compatibility notes. Calligrapher doesn't seem to want to work. The program loads, but the text display is useless. All you see are colored splotches. Avant Vektor, no good. Loads but can't work with it. Home Accounts, seems to load but icons are scrambled. Can be dealt with and the program can be used. The Color CPX I had was causing problems. Deactivated things are a little better. First impressions at this point, If you are thinking of getting the card, plan on using two monitors or getting a switcher. I'm currently working on putting a vidoe switch box on the system. After it's hooked up, I'll let you know what I think. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 99 Thu May 27, 1993 R.STEGELMANN [Rolf] at 04:41 EDT Ralf: I am looking for a graphic board to use with my TT. I have been following the messages here. The CyRel m16-1280 board sounds very impressive, but expensive. I have a NANAO FLEXSCAN F550i (17") monitor (expensive also). It is can display up to 1280x1024 non interlaced. I bought it with the idea of buying a high resolution graphics card in the near future. I hope you can clear up a few technical questions that I have. In message #28 you went into some detail on calculating the maximum resolution. You stated that 2048x1024 in 256 colors is possible. It does come to 2meg, but don't you need at least 768 (3*256) bytes of pallete space reserved in the video RAM? So would not the maximum resolution be 2048x1023 (assuming an actual display not virtual display)? Of course my monitor can't go that high so it is probably a mute point. I would like to use the board at a resolution of 1024x768. What is the maximum number of different colors that can be displayed at that resolution? I can't use the 24 bit true color mode because that would take more than 2 meg. I can use a pallete mode display using two bytes (16 bits) for each pixel as the index into the pallete. But, that would only give me 65536 colors, and leave a little over 1 meg of unused video RAM. Can I use 17 bits for each pixel as the index into a 131072 pallete giving that many colors? This would fit into 2 megs of video RAM. Is it possible to use a 21 bit true color mode with 7 bits for each primary color and give me a choice of 128^3= 2097152 colors? If that is possible then I would assume that each step for the range of 0 to 127 for one primary color would give be equivalent to a two step increase in the 8 bit per primary color mode (24 bit true color mode). I would not expect it to go to only half intensity for each primary color. Is that correct? My TT has two serial ports that come out of the cover plate for the VME slot. When the CyRel SUNRISE M16-1280 board is placed into it's slot what happens to the serial ports? Do they still come out the rear? Can they still be used? How does that work? How does the CyRel VidiMix8 board fit? How do you handle all of the input and output video ports that it has, in that small VME exit hole? Seems like the cover plate does not have that much room. Hope that I didn't ask too many questions. Thanks, Rolf -- the better spelling. ;-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 100 Thu May 27, 1993 VORTEXT at 22:43 EDT Everyone - A suggestion that works. If you have XBoot, have it load BEFORE the Cyrel driver. You can then set your system to either use the Cryel or continue without it. This of course also works better with either two monitors or a switch box. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 101 Thu May 27, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 23:26 EDT Daniel Try setting your VDI Utility.ACC to the following setting to see if you get the message with the XCNG.TTP Lock M-16 Board -[ON or check marked] VT52 Emulator -[ON] Now click on Enter XBIOS Config menu XBIOS enabled [ON] Line A emulation [ON] Screen Mode choose M16-1280 This should allow you to see the Message and respond to the XCNG.TTP dialog. Bob ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 102 Fri May 28, 1993 VORTEXT at 01:39 EDT Ralph, Expect a call from me just as soon as I get a chance to be around during business hours. I intend to get this thing working right. (Just warning you.) Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 103 Fri May 28, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 06:51 EDT Daniel: The Palette Master Release 3.8e is ready. You will receive it with your next update of your VDI driver. To check out the operation of the XCHNG.TTp file: try to change the resolution as described here and in the documentation, then call up the VDI_CONF.ACC and verify if the new resolution has been set or not. About your monitor: Before you go ahead and use any of the *.VTG files, it might be a good idea to create a new folder and copy all the *.VTG files into it, that do not exceed the horizontal and vertical frequencies you mentioned. You can easily identify them yourself by listing the files and comparing the values given in the header of each file. The upcoming XCHNG version will do this automatically for you. Greg: You can have the modem CPX file enabled while you use the CyReL Serial Mouse driver. Check the settings of the mouse driver (which channel you are using, and what type of mouse/input device you have), next, look up the parameters for the CPX module in the mouse documentation, then set the modem CPX values accordingly. From then on, it works fine and in harmony. ='> I'll look through my protocol file again and I'll check what message got lost. =') Daniel: Compatibility: We haven't had the chance yet to verify Calligrapher and or Avant Vektor. This will be done shortly and we will check if we can get them working too. Home Accouncts: Who's program is this ? Where can we get a copy ? Color CPX: Contrary to the version number stated in the manual, you must have Atari's COLOR.CPX version 2.00, ID:VDI (!). All earlier versions exhibited some problems and quirks. Rolf: Welcome to our CyReL topic and congratulations! Your NANAO FLEXSCAN F550i is a fine piece of equipment. But wait until you see a 16.7 Million color display on it! *,* \_/ 2 Megabytes and no place to store the color palette: Yes, the card needs 3*256=768 bytes to store the actual color palette no matter what mode you are using. If you run modes like monochrome, only the first two color registers will be used (registers 2-255 are still there but unused). In a similar fashion, 4-color mode uses register 0-3, 16-color mode uses register 0-15 and the 256 color as well as the True Color mode use registers 0-255. The good news is: You never need to substract the 768 bytes from your display buffer since the card has an own color buffer called CLUT (color look up table). So, whenever you try to figure out the maximum resolution for a particular pixel depth, you do NOT have to worry about leaving extra memory for anything other than your plain display buffer requirements. But why does the True Color mode use the palette ? Isn't it supposed to be 'unpaletted' ? Yes and no. Our cards still uses the palette even in True Color mode. Only it is being used in a slightly different way, thus allowing such extra features like programmable gamma correction or a total, extremely fast color remapping. For a better description of the gamma correction and the associated effects, please download the CyReL Palette Master demo (#27799) and have a look at the documentation. =') What a shamless plug. Maximum # of colors at 1024x768: 256 colors. 16,17 or 21 bits per pixel: Rolf, right out of the box our cards already support 1 bpp, 2 bpp, 4 bpp and 8 bpp as well as 24 bpp. And we do 24-bit per pixel like nobody else: from as little as 320x200 to 640x480 to 800x600, 960x544 or even 1024x512! There is something called the CyReL SWEET-16 module being designed right now, which is basically a small add-on module to give you 15 and 16 bit per pixel modes (like in the Falcon). Looking at all these features and options, we think we covered pretty much everything. But in order to stay within well accepted industry standards, and to save us from quite some messy conditions on the software side (like 17 or 21 bits per pixel), we had to 'limit' our design to the above listed bpp modes. Besides, you do not need to use all 24-bits available in the True Color mode. You CAN display images which have less bits/pixel. *,< \_/ One of the most impressive things the True Color mode allows you to do is: Showing the same image displayed in e.g. 2bpp, 4bpp, 8bpp, 16bpp and in it's original beauty right beside each other on the same screen. =') That's when everyone realizes that 24-bits of color really makes a difference. +,+ \_/ VME bus cover and the case of the 'lost' serial channels: I have to admit that we've never been very happy with Atari's decision to incorporate the extra two channels into the VME faceplate. Was it because they did not expect to see such fine VME products to come out? sTOP SECRET: Psssst, don't tell anybody *grin*, but here is what I've done: I left the faceplate along with the serial cables dangling out of my TT030. I admit, it's not the most elegant solution, but a) I use the channels for my SUMMAGRAPHICS tablet and the serial mouse and b) who is gonna look behind your system ? So you get both, the card and the channels. +.- \_/ VidiMix8 Connectors: You do have a sharp eye (or mind or both...). You are right, having all those connectors at the back and without anything sticking out of the VME bus, we had to come up with a solution to give you the extra five connectors when you use the VidiMix8. First, when you buy the video module, you get a new faceplate as well. Besides the usual hole for the DB-15 connector (monitor) and the MiniDIN8 for the LAN you get another two holes inbetween. One connector is a standard S-VHS connector while the other is a combo connector that accomodates the three video inputs and the composite video output. You get the necessary Y-cables with the VidiMix8. Nice, ehh ? Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 104 Sat May 29, 1993 R.STEGELMANN [Rolf] at 02:29 EDT Ralf: Thanks for your extensive answer. That clears it up a lot. I will have a look at the Pallete Master demo documentation when I get back from the short vacation I am taking. Have to pack now. -- Rolf ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 105 Tue Jun 01, 1993 VORTEXT at 22:26 EDT Ralph, Thanks for taking the time on the phone. I really hope to get this worked out. WHY am I the only having trouble. It must have something to do with air out here. Anyway. I can't get any of the VTG files to work or take effect, no matter how I try to make them work. Futhermore, the screen scrunch, which is what it was doing for a bit, has stopped and I think it has something to do with the settings in the VDI config ACC. It's related it would seem to the xbios or TT color function. But since I can't seem to change them consistently I can't be sure. I try to recongigure the VDI, but it doesn't always seem to take hold. I'll keep at it and let you know if I get it working right. Daniel I really hope to see more than 256 colors one day. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 106 Wed Jun 02, 1993 VORTEXT at 01:01 EDT Ralph, Thanks for all the help. I am getting closer to having this all working. One thing I have found, at least on my system the VTG file needs to be in the same directory as the XCHNG.TTP. I can run the program by dropping the VTG onto it on the desktop, but they need to be in the same folder. Furthermore, I am finding out which VTG will work on my system and which ones won't. Some give me a message that the resolution is to small. Others create the scrunch screen effect. Some work just fine. As I discover which ones do work, I'll let you know. I can get the true color modes to take effect, but I'm not getting true color. I don't know exactly what's happening, so I can't explain it yet. I'll try to figure it out and then post. Right now I'm working in 960x512 TC & Alpha. So it does work. I can change the res easily enough now. Just need to get the color thing worked out. It seems the Various VTG files have their own VDI settings and color paletts. Is this true? When I go into the M16-Config ACC the settings change sometimes dependant on the VTG used. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 107 Wed Jun 02, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 02:25 EDT Vortext, I got mine today but I haven't had time to do much more then install it and use it in the standard 640x480x256. I'll keep posting on my experiences. Prism Paint appeasr to work OK in the 256 Color mode. The PNT files don't work but GIF seems too! I haven't had a chance to test my Tru Paint yet and see what it does. Alladin works, as I'm using it now.:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 108 Wed Jun 02, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:51 EDT Daniel, > I try to recongigure the VDI, but it doesn't always seem to take hold. > I'll keep at it and let you know if I get it working right. If you use the M16_CONF.ACC (formerly VDI_CONF.ACC) and you change the configuration or any of the parameters, you will get a message box when you try to exit the accessory asking what to do with the new setup: There are three buttons: USE SAVE CANCEL You now have the choice to just to: 1. Temporarily use the new configuration. This new configuration will be activated immediately, but will only last until you switch off your system. Next time you boot, the previously used configuration will take effect again. 2. Permanently save & use the new configuration. The newly selected parameters will be stored (saved) in the E2PROM on the card. At the same time the new settings will be activated. Remember that you will totally LOSE your old settings and you have to re-program the E2PROM again in case you want to get them back! 3. Simply forget all the changes and continue with the present settings. Please check which option would be best suited for your needs and let us know how it works out. *,* \_/ New Palette Master Version now supports STARTUP.PAL feature: The CyReL Palette Master Rev 3.9e now fully supports the boot palette feature. Simply save a palette named STARTUP.PAL in the same directory as your PAL_MSTR.ACC and every time you boot, the system will load and set this custom palette. You can also just save a part of a palette to save disk space and only change select colors. A pick-a-color feature as well as some new keyboard commands to adjust the color components levels have been added as well. Furthermore we removed a couple of bugs: 1. reverse loading of a palette file now works as it should. 2. the palette rotation feature as been extended and now operates in four 90 degrees steps. There is even an undocumented feature: SHIFT-F4 save the current palette status in the UNDO buffer. Especially useful if you use the F1-F8 keyboard commands. Simply press UNDO to get back to the last SHIFT-F4 'saved' state. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 109 Thu Jun 03, 1993 VORTEXT at 03:07 EDT Ralph, Things are getting better. Now it seems that as far as the 256 color modes, I'm almost okay. I can switch my resolutions, and the colors, (at least within Calamus) seem to be working okay. The problem now is with the True color modes. When in TC, regardless of the resolution involved, the colors do not translate correctly to the screen. This is again while in SL. For instance... If I go into the color list edit window and switch to RGB mode, the colors of the sliders appear correctly. That is red looks red, green looks green and blue looks blue. However, when the red slider is all the way up and the grenn and blue sliders are all the way down, instead of the little color square being red, I get cyan. This is true, only worde in the CYMK mode. What is going on please. BTW - Can anyone tell me where I can get the latest version of the VDI_CPX. I need to replace my old color cpx. it's driving the cyrel card crazy. (And yes. I do have the color CPX disabled when I'm trying to do all this color work.) Daniel Nice to have you with us Joey. Maybe we can get all this worked out. I sort of hope you have some of the same troubles I do. Only so that I won't feel so alone. On the other hand, I also hope for your sake that you don't. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 110 Thu Jun 03, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 04:11 EDT Vortext, I found if you use the setup program and then install XCHANG.TTP using the desktop you can double click on the VTG files and have them take effect. Just leave everything set to defaults even the parameters for installing the application. Ralf, Great job on the setup program! I like the little drawings of the computer and such. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 111 Fri Jun 04, 1993 B.AEIN [B Man] at 02:22 EDT Joeym, Can you post some Quick Index Numbers for the Cube? Thanks Bman ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 112 Fri Jun 04, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:32 EDT B.AEIN, I don't think I have quick Index anywhere. If I do it's the older version that came with Quick ST way back. Doubt it works to well on the TT in True Color.:-) The redraws are definately quicker then Matrix maybe even the TT itself. The text functions seem a little slower but then it is emulating the VT52 codes. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 113 Fri Jun 04, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:04 EDT Daniel, > If I go into the color list edit window and switch to RGB mode, > the colors of the sliders appear correctly. That is red looks red, > green looks green and blue looks blue. However, when the red slider > is all the way up and the green and blue sliders are all the way > down, instead of the little color square being red, I get cyan. Please have a look at your M16 Drivers and Utilities Disk. (Disk #2) In the M16_MISC folder you should find the CCALAMUS doc & files. Please follow the instructions in the documentation and let me know if it solves the problem you are experiencing. > I need to replace my old color cpx. it's driving the cyrel card > crazy. (And yes. I do have the color CPX disabled when I'm trying > to do all this color work.) Please use COLOR.CPX version 2.00 with the card. The earlier versions do tend to create havoc and corrupt the color palette. Since Atari released version 2.00 it all works fine now. *,* \_/ I'll contact them to find out the proper and official way to acquire the latest versions of their CPXs. Richard, > Ralf, Great job on the setup program! > I like the little drawings of the computer and such. Thanks. +.- \_/ The basic idea was to show everybody how SIMPLE and EASY it can be to install one of our grphics cards. We've always tried to make the installation as user friendly as possible. But this is an enormous task, especially when you consider how many different set-ups and system configurations are out there. *,* \_/ Bman & Joey, we'll post some benchmarks as soon as we have some time to run several of them. What these numbers usually do not tell you is the overall speed and the personal impression you get when you are working with any VDI replacement. *,* \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 114 Fri Jun 04, 1993 VORTEXT at 22:04 EDT Ralph, Why won't my Palett Master save a palett I create? I have tried to do some custom arrangments but it won't write the new palett. I give the file a new name, then when I go to check it, it's not there. More on the true color mode: Using the RGB color sliders, these are the results I get when I try to use true color. R G B Result 0 0 0 Black 0 100 0 Blue 0 100 100 Blue 100 0 0 Green 100 100 0 Cyan 100 100 100 Cyan 100 0 100 Green You can see the trouble I'm having with my colors. I can't get many. There's no red, and well, that leaves out a lot of possibilities. What might be causing this? Is anyone else having problems? Could it be a function of my particular monitor? I hope to heck I don't need to get a new one in order to have TC. I just spent all my money on the card! Daniel Some initial compatibility notes. These were with 1024 x 512 256color Style - Loads but scrambles picture display. Make a Date - Works ST Fax - Works Touch Up - No Tru Paint - Yes - Only uses first 16 colors to render imported files. Image Cat - Works Multi Viewer - No MugShot - Loads - picture parts are undiscernable. Outline Art - Works DAs Vektor - Works Avant Vektor - Loads - Images unworkable. Convector - Works LDW - Works HyperLink - Works This is by no means a difinitive assertation. I have not fully tried all these programs yet. These are simply quick tests with certain features of each program to attempt to determine which will work or not. If you discover any further info on any of these programs, please post your results. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 115 Sat Jun 05, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:55 EDT Ralph, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I knew there was something I had to be doing wrong. The thing is, after your post I remembered reading that. Funny how the brain works sometimes. Well, as you may have surmized, SL is working just fine in True Color now. Looks very nice and I am becoming more pleased with the card, (now that I have it working properly). If anyone is having trouble out there, ask, I've probably already been through it. More compatability tests: Maxifile - Works Hotwire - Works Doesn't like True Color however. LGS - Works Cardfile - Works Daniel Note - these tests are still at 1024 x 512 256 ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 116 Sat Jun 05, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 01:17 EDT Daniel, I think most of the trouble you are having with color is that old color cpx, I had the same trouble until I tried the VDI Color cpx used on the Falcons. Ralf, The latest version of the M16 Driver sure is fast, I think it is faster than using Warp 9 on my TT with 16 colors, (and the card is working with 256 colors !). Thanks :^) I tried MultiTOS, but the 16 color icons come up as square Multi-color cubes. :^( Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 117 Sat Jun 05, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:56 EDT Ralf, Why don't you try to get permision from Atari to include the CPX's on the cards utilities disk? I can't see where it would hurt since the Control Panel is include with the computer anyway. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 118 Sat Jun 05, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 13:55 EDT Daniel, > Why won't my Palett Master save a palett I create? I have tried to > do some custom arrangments but it won't write the new palett. > I give the file a new name, then when I go to check it, it's not > there. Here is how to save the palette using the CyReL Palette Master: 1. Click on the disk incon in the menu box. 2. Select the save icon in the sub menu. 3. Enter a file name you want to use. 4. SPECIFY the first color to be saved (simply click on one of the colors in the color box or enter a color index) 5. SPECIFY the last color to be saved (again, same procedure) 6. The Palette Master will then save the palette (or the part you selected.) Have a look at the PALETTE folder. All the 30+ files you see in there have been saved with the Palette Master. *,< \_/ Please let me know if you can get it working, otherwise you'll get another of the Palette Master. About your True Color mode problems: Please check the files in the M16_MISC folder, you should find all the necessary informations and files in there. > Hotwire - Works Doesn't like True Color however. Hotwire and Maxifile NEED the CyReL LINE-A Emulator. The LINE-A Emulator so far works only in 256 color mode. But we are working on the TRUE COLOR mode LINE-A Emulator as well. Nonetheless, thanks for posting all the infos about the compatibility tests. I just wish we could somehow find a way to bundle all these little bits and pieces of information, add the version number of the VDI they have been tested with and make the whole thing available as a single downloadable file. *,* \_/ Greg, > Ralf, The latest version of the M16 Driver sure is fast, I think > it is faster than using Warp 9 on my TT with 16 colors, (and the > card is working with 256 colors !). Thanks :^) I tried MultiTOS, > but the 16 color icons come up as square Multi-color cubes. :^( Please e-mail me your VDI release/version. Multi-TOS runs fine on the machines here in the office, and the icons look OK too. Do you also have the correct *.RSC (DESKCICN.RSC) file enabled ? Joey, we will contact Atari to find out the best way to get you the latest CPX releases. We haven't pushed this matter since we think that the Palette Master well surpasses the only troublesome CPX (COLOR.CPX) and all other modules work just fine. Should you or anybody else have encountered any problems with CPX modules, let us know! But we appreciate your input and ideas and I'll keep you informed about our 'progress'. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 119 Sat Jun 05, 1993 VORTEXT at 18:53 EDT I missed the part about selecting the colors. It saves now. Thanks again. You are right about PM being better. I've simply disabled the regular color cpx. Who needs it? Thanks for the info on Hotwire. that helps to explain it. Hope noboby minds all the compat posts. Maybe after a bit, we can edit all the messages and make a compatability file for the library. When there's more info. One more note. Maxifile can't display text files using the Cyrel card. Darn. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 120 Sun Jun 06, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 15:51 EDT How do you go about making new monitor drivers? I noticed there just text files but I have no idea what to change or what to leave the same. Is there some sort of mathmatical formula for guestimating resolution, bitplanes and sync rates? I'd like to create a couple 800x512, 16 color and mono drivers for the PTC. Plus some smaller True Color resolutions to match the Falcons resolutions. I also ran across a problem with DynaCADD. The Icon you choose disappears instead of turning black. It comes back soon as you choose another one but I also noticed some of the Icons are not the Icons they should be.:-) It's rather interesting because using it's Icons is simular to doing one of those sliding puzzles.:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 121 Mon Jun 07, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 21:21 EDT Daniel, > Maxifile can't display text files using the Cyrel card. Can you tell me a bit about what mode your were using, what configuration and where in the program you got that error ? I know that there is a file list option somewhere and the only way to get it working is the following: (since the programs WRITES DIRECTLY TO THE SCREEN!!!) two monitor setup, VT52 output redirected to the original Atari video port. I know, not a pretty solution, but it should work. Maybe you let us know what you can find out ? Joey, We will release a free *.VTG file editor/generator shortly. This will allow you to customize and finetune the VTG files according to your setup. In the meantime I'll try to get you some of the drivers you mentioned. Dynacadd problem: Can you tell me what version of the program you were using ? I'll contact Ditek and we will definetely look into it. The version of DynaCADD here at the office runs fine. Don't remember the version number right now. Sorry, but I will check. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 122 Tue Jun 08, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:34 EDT Ralf, Hmm... might be me, I've got version 2.04.02.:-) I was waiting for the next update as the other bugs didn't bother me anyway. I think Dave's going to have an upgrade shortly soon as he recieves a new compiler. I'm scheduled for updates at that time. Don't worry about the drivers I can wait for the custom deal! I was going to suggest you make one but I guess it's little late for that suggestion now.:- ) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 123 Tue Jun 08, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:50 EDT Joey, thanks for the info. I'll see what I can find out about the program and the new drivers. I just went over to the DynaCADD topic and read the last few messages to check out the latest developments. Sounds that I have to get a newer version of the program so that we can verify what is actually going wrong, or what has to be configured differently. I'll post the results as soon as we had a chance to look into it. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 124 Wed Jun 09, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:37 EDT Thanks Ralf! I can live everything else broken as long as DynaCADD works.:- ) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 125 Thu Jun 10, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:47 EDT Greetings, today I have to make two important announcements (maybe not so important but it sure sounds a lot more interesting that way) *.* \_/ DynaCADD: After talking with Ditek today, we fixed the small (and ridiculous) bug in our VDI driver that was responsible for the 'white on white' icons. Now, when you select an icon, it is being shown in reverse, as it should. All other functions have been tested too, but no more bugs have been found. Once again I was amazed about the flexibility and features offered by DynaCADD. VDI Command: TRANSFORM FORM: A bug in the TRANSFORM FORM table caused some weird patterns to be generated when the VDI used the TRANSFORM FORM command ( device dependent to device independent). This bug has been fixed and all sorts of screen grabbers and graphics utilities can now be used to their full extend. Just as an additional information for all the programmers out there that want to use this command in their programs. All customers will receive the new version with their next scheduled VDI update (probably by the beginning of next week). Should you encounter any other problems with the software/applications you are using, please report them to us. Thanks. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 126 Thu Jun 10, 1993 VORTEXT at 21:51 EDT About the Maxifile show file problem: This occurs in 256 color mode, as maxifile won't work in TC mode, (as you pointed out earlier). What happens is that when you attempt to view a file from within maxifile, the window for display opens, then a color bar appears where there should be text. This is the same effect I get when attempting to use calligrapher with the Cyrel card. After this initial problem, it becomes weird. I can't really explain what happens because I'm not sure what is going on. perhaps someone who has the card and maxifile can try it and perhaps explain the results better. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 127 Fri Jun 11, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:30 EDT Ralf, Great news! I'm a happy camper as long as DynaCADD works.:-) That program is definately one of a kind! I tried my new Invision upgrade in the 256 color mode and it didn't appear to work. It actually came up with the White on White Icons but when I tried to load a picture it crashed. Maybe you could help instigate a fix since DMC carries it as well.:-) It seems to work in the Falcon's 256 color mode so it should be pretty close to working. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 128 Fri Jun 11, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:43 EDT Daniel, these weird color bars are the result of the program's attempt to write directly into the screen memory, circumventing the VDI or other OS routines. So there is VERY little we can do to fix that. But if there is enough 'noise' about this issue, maybe there will be a new update of the program. *,* \_/ Joey, well, maybe the DynaCADD fix will cure (at least some of) the troubles you are experiencing with Invision Elite (256 color upgrade). We will have a nice chat with DMC about it, and I will let you know ASAP what we plan to do or when we will have a fix for it. We fixed all the other problems so far, so I am confident that we will successfully tackle this one as well. *,< \_/ Have a nice weekend guys, Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 129 Sat Jun 12, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:26 EDT Ralf, I gave Invision a second try last night and it appears to work outside the Icon thing and loading pictures. It definately assumes it's running on the Atari interleaved screen though.:-) You can actually draw with it, you just can't save it. You guys are doing good ironing out the bugs! I look forward to my upgrade! ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 130 Tue Jun 15, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:24 EDT Hi, the CyReL VDI update 6/93 has been mailed out today. Please check whether you have received it via e-mail or if you had requested delivery via postal services: let us know if you do not have it by next week. Major changes: VDI Blit Bug: A minor bug in one of the Blit Routines has been fixed. OUTLINE ART 3: A new shell for Outline Art 3 for True Color has been released. Please follow the instructions given in the M16_MISC folder. DynaCADD: Another minor bug caused selected icons to be drawn 'white on white' leading to some unpleasant white spots in the menu. This has been fixed and all icons are being drawn as they should now. True Paint, Avant Vector, Calligrapher: We've contacted the manufacturers/distributors of the corresponding programs to discuss the present situation and to find out about possible future versions and compatibility issues. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 131 Thu Jun 17, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:30 EDT I did indeed receive my update. Thanks. I'm glad to hear about the efforts regarding certain programs. I hope a solution can be found. Is there any way a Line-A emulator can be rigged for TC in order to allow Maxifile and Multidesk to work in that mode? Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 132 Thu Jun 17, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:42 EDT Daniel, we are indeed working on the True Color version of the LINE-A Emulator. Furthermore the True Color VDI version will be completely re-worked to add support for video-in-a-window modes and the VidiMix8 desktop video module. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 133 Sun Jun 20, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 19:30 EDT Sorry I have not been here in a while, I've been very busy, thanks Ralf for the update it did correct a few problems with some programs. Daniel, I have had some trouble with Multidesk, it seems to lockup after using it, have you got it to work ? Ralf, you mentioned to Joey that you would make some 16 color vdi files for the PTC1426, how about a mono vdi ? I saw that new german color card imported by Lexicor at a dealer yesterday, and it looks ok. the card had a nice ACC that let the user change the rez on the fly without reboot, any way the M16 can do that? Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 134 Mon Jun 21, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 01:20 EDT Greg, Did you set your files up so you could just click on them to switch res's? I kept the few I needed and threw the rest away (just off my Hard Drive). You could probably even save them on the desktop if you liked. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 135 Tue Jun 22, 1993 VORTEXT at 02:25 EDT Greg, Nice to see you again. MultiDesk works fine over here, as long as you use it in 256 and not TrueColor. they're working on the Line-A for TC. When that's done, we'll check into MD again. Joey, I've done the same thing in HotWire. I have a screen of rez's and I just click on 'em. BTW - I have my card set up with a Data switch box. I flick between the regular TT video and the Cyrel. I have also put X-Boot BEFORE the VDI driver so i can enable it or not and have my various set-ups the way I want them. Works just fine. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 136 Tue Jun 22, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:50 EDT Vortext, Yeap, I had the switch box left over from the Matrix. Didn't take long to see the need for that.:-) Only problem I had was the huge box the switch came in... 90% of it was air. I made a nice little box about the size of the hard drive cover so it sits right on top. Just used the guts out of the other one, even the rubber feet!:-) Makes things real easy flippping back and forth. I don't have X-Boot but I use Deskmanger for the same effect. It does work well once you get everything setup nicely. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 137 Tue Jun 29, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 00:34 EDT Hi, I'm back. Sorry for the delay, but I am here now to catch up and discuss everything that has been accumulating over the last few days... > VORTEXT: > Is there any way a Line-A emulator can be rigged for TC in order to allow > Maxifile and Multidesk to work in that mode? The new update scheduled for July '93 indeed has a built-in True Color LINE-A emulator. *,* \_/ Performance looks great. Besides, there are quite a few programs that now even run in True Color despite their 'dirty' behaviour. =') > G.CORRELL [CAMPER]: > Sorry I have not been here in a while, I've been very busy, thanks > Ralf for the update it did correct a few problems with some programs. > Daniel, I have had some trouble with Multidesk, it seems to lockup > after using it, have you got it to work ? Can you describe the circumstances a bit more ? Does it lock-up in the 'normal' TT Modes as well ? Because that is what I heard so far. I also know of some people using it without any problems at all. Maybe we could check out some of the configurations and verify if there is something to be set specifically to make it run on the M16-1280. > Ralf, you mentioned to Joey that you would make some 16 color vdi > files for the PTC1426, how about a mono vdi ? We are going to announce a number of new products within the next few days. Can't speculate too much about it (right now), but I think you will be pleased about the news. *,* \_/ > I saw that new german color card imported by Lexicor at a dealer > yesterday, and it looks ok. the card had a nice ACC that let the > user change the rez on the fly without reboot, any way the M16 > can do that? There is a new utility coming called the CyReL MAGIKeys. It has been mainly designed for in-house use (for all those lazy types, you know) but we are going to include it with the next general release. Guess what this one does. =-> See July '93 update of the VDI drivers! OK, folks, here some of the things we've been working on: VDI driver update: ------------------ I am pleased to inform you that a complete rewrite of some of the low level color functions of the drivers has resulted in a even better performance, better compatibility and code compactness. HiSoft's True Paint: -------------------- The recent revision of the VDI driver now allows the trouble free operation of HiSoft's excellent True Paint package. The previous color matching problems have been resolved, thus enabling all image manipulation facilities. We have tested it (Demo Version) with a number of (large & small) JPEG files. They look simply astounding! Crisp colors and swift image manipulation make it a really nice touch-up environment. One of the most impressive features is the real-time zoom function (user configurable). If you do not already have the demo version, download it and give it a try! CyReL Palette Master 4.0f now shipping: --------------------------------------- This new release now has it's own PAL_MSTR.INF file to store the path names and the general configuration of the CyReL Palette Master utility. Together with the improved and expanded feature list, this release is specially geared towards color image manipulations. Prices remain at the same level as before, registered user's may upgrade for a $5 shipping and handling fee. CyReL M16-1280 256 Color VDI gets new FASTblit routines: -------------------------------------------------------- A new release of the CyReL FASTblit blitting routines has been incorporated in the latest versions of the 256 Color VDI driver. CyReL M16-1280 SOLID/IL technology: ----------------------------------- The CyReL M16-1280 True Color Graphics Cards continue to set record levels for on-screen resolutions: We are pleased to report that we are now running the our lab units at an impressive 2048 x 1536 (exact 4:3 aspect ratio) pixels on-screen, in rock steady monochrome resolutions. Tested on 21" monitors. The same resolutions can be achieved with any CyReL M16-1280 in combination with our pending CyReL MonoChromE VDI package. More details will follow. Phew, I think that's enough for today. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 138 Tue Jun 29, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:12 EDT Ralf, Thats enough to keep me happy today!:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 139 Wed Jun 30, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:32 EDT Joey, +.+ \_/ But here is more! I just came across a copy of John Brochu's excellent PicSwitch program. And I am happy to announce that it now fully runs on the CyReL M16-1280 as well. The speed and the imaging processing functions are impressive. I recommend that you try it as soon as you get your next VDI update. Next, some interesting news for everybody planning to upgrade to a bigger monitor. We've noticed an ad offering a pretty good deal on a 20" VGA monitor from Electrohome (a subsidiary of Mitsubishi as it seems). Electrohome is a well known manufacturer of monitors and display devices mostly used in industrial and financial applications. Currently they are having a 'manufacturer's clearance' and are offering their 20" VGA monitor (Model ECM1913) for Cdn $795.00 . This includes tilt and swivel base, VGA cable as well as shipping charges (Greater Toronto Area only). Taxes are extra. Here some of the features: - compatible with CGA, EGA, PGA, VGA and MAC II video modes. - 15-36 kHz multiscan, 1024x768 max resolution, .31 mm dot pitch - factory new product with full manufacturer's warranty. There are only limited quantities available. If you are interested, contact Gary Thompson at 1-519-749-3150 or fax to 1-519-749-3151 Please note that we at Cybercube are NOT in any way associated or involved and we are only relaying these details for your information. And not to forget: Happy birthday Canada! Let's enjoy this holiday tomorrow and make the most of the nice weather. Till Friday, Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 140 Thu Jul 01, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:49 EDT Good news Ralf. I look forward to being to try TP out for real. Now...How do I order my updates? Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 141 Fri Jul 02, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 00:11 EDT Hi Ralf, Thanks for all the great Infomation on things to come, and Happy Holiday ! I did get Multidesk working, I don't know why I was having trouble with it, It is now working in 256 colors and 16 colors just fine ! I do have another question, I went out and got a switch box (an A to B) and VGA cables,and hooked it all up, I get TT rez and M16 rez when switched back and forth, but I get ghosting on everything on the screen. I have checked the box and cables everything is fine. I think it may be some pins in the box that could be causing the trouble, do you or anyone know what could be the trouble? All 15 pins are on the monitor, the cables have all 15 pins thru, I'am at a loss. Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 142 Sat Jul 03, 1993 VORTEXT at 02:49 EDT Greg, What box are you using? I have the same set-up with no problems. BTW - how do you get 16 color on the Cyrel? Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 143 Mon Jul 05, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 07:50 EDT Daniel, > Good news Ralf. I look forward to being to try TP out for real. > Now...How do I order my updates? More good news: You don't have to. As a special service to our customers, you'll get the updates FREE! *,* \_/ Greg, > Thanks for all the great Infomation on things to come, > and Happy Holiday ! Thanks, it sure was a nice day! But you had some reasons to celebrate as well! *.* \_/ > I did get Multidesk working, I don't know why I was having trouble > with it, It is now working Nice to hear. With the pending VDI update (6/93) you should be able to run a lot of programs in True Color mode as well. > I do have another question, I went out and got a switch box (an A to B) > and VGA cables,and hooked it all up, I get TT rez and M16 rez when > switched back and forth, but I get ghosting on everything on the screen. > I have checked the box and cables everything is fine. Hmmm... interesting effect. First let me check a few things: Run the CyReL Palette Master. Select a large color range and set it all to RED. Do you see it in red on screen ? Repeat this with GREEN and BLUE. Just to verify if you connected the RGB pins correctly. Next, please make sure you do not have any shorts and that all wires are isolated properly. Did you use a shielded cable for your switchbox ? How long are the cables you used ? Do you have a stable picture on the screen or does it wobble or flicker ? Could you describe that 'ghosting' effect ? MNDL_INT.PRG and MNDL_FPU.PRG by R.J.Ridder: If you ever wanted to explore the Mandelbrot or Julia sets, try this one. It is public domain, can be found right here on GEnie, works wondefully in 256 colors and allows you to zoom in for incredible detail. Allows color palette animation and even saves your images as XIMG files aftwerwards so that you can use these images for e.g. nice backdrops in your DTP documents. Works with any resolution and is fully VDI compatible. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 144 Wed Jul 07, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 00:25 EDT Hi All. Daniel, The 16 color mode was thru the TT video out, sorry for not explaining well. I'am hoping to get a driver for 16 colors thru the M16. I found out what my ghosting was. Thru the switch box I had 6 foot cables connected. I began to shorten the cables to about 1 1/2 feet and tried them one at a time. Now all is well, the box works fine! ;^) Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 145 Wed Jul 07, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:44 EDT Hi, VidiMix8 Update: We are glad to announce that we've made some advances with the CyReL Desktop Video Module. The VidiMix8 can now digitize a complete video frame in real-time, in true-color, gen-lock to an external video source, work in overscan-resolutions, overlay video with a computer generated graphic image and encode this into a TV signal all at the same time. Additionally, the hardware compressor seems to work fine and reduces the frame size to less than 35 % of its original size in real-time. We will now concentrate on the software drivers to allow capturing everything from single frames to complete sequences in resolutions ranging from 160x100 to 768x525 pixels. CyReL VDI Update: We've rewritten some of the lower level I/O functions and are happy to announce a 200% increase in scrolling speeds in 256 and True Color Modes. Next, we will concentrate on the text output which should add even more performance gains. CyReL Catalog Disk: The first CyReL Catalog Disk is scheduled to start shipping next week. This disk contains a whole bunch of very interesting files: -high quality 24-bit images and rendered scenes. -high quality 24-bit scanned photographs and images. -free working DEMOS of all CyReL productivity utilities -latest news and press releases -all the revised technical specifications -printable order forms. -product list and special offers. To order your copy of the CyReL Catalog Disk #1, simply send US $5.00 or Cdn $5.00 to Cybercube Research Ltd, 126 Grenadier Crescent, Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 7V7, Canada. The $5 shipping and handling charge will be deducted from your next order! CyReL M16-1280 Demos: Release the full power of your 24-bit graphics card. Enjoy the stunningly smooth hardware scrolling features, virtual screen modes and dazzling colors of the CyReL M16-1280. Impress your friends, or simply push your system to the limits. You can now also order some of our Dealer and Trade Show Demos for the CyReL M16-1280. Some of these are rather *LARGE* requiring several megabytes. For more information, please leave e-mail or post in this topic. That's it for today, Ralf. +.- \_/ ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 146 Thu Jul 08, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:45 EDT Okay Ralph. I'm posting. Send me some info on the demo packages please. It might be nice to have some real good demos to run at meetings and such. If I can afford them that is. Daniel Also, can you send me some info on the VidiMix8. I've read everything posted to date, but have no clue as to it's cost. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 147 Thu Jul 08, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:19 EDT Daniel, I'll send you the infos on the demo packages and the VidiMix8. Currently we are negotiating the best way to pack those biggies and to distribute them amongst a reasonable number of disks. *,* \_/ CyReL M16 VDI Update: After some further changes in the low level I/O stuff, we are pleased to report an 84% increase in text output speed in the 256 color mode. The True Color Mode will be adapted as well and once these changes are complete, we will start sending out the new VDI update to all our customers. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 148 Thu Jul 08, 1993 AEO.7 [Gregg] at 22:23 EDT Ralf, I'm looking forward to watching the Sunrise run when Mario comes down to the BlueRidge AtariFest.... This is going to be VERY interesting, please have Mario bring LOTS of copies of these demos.... they should do well . So tell me.... how much faster is the Sunrise now in graphics display and text scrolling than a stock TT or Falcon.... or a warped TT or Falcon? Gregg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 149 Fri Jul 09, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 04:48 EDT Ralf, Could you stick me on your "always interested in everything Cyrel" list.:-) I'm especially looking forward to digitizing stuff! ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 150 Fri Jul 09, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:25 EDT Gregg, yep, I'll make sure Mario will bring a whole pile of demos, infos, brochures and cards when he goes to the BlueRidge AtariFest. We are also preparing a list of benchmark figures that should be released shortly. Sorry, we've been rather busy lately, doing all kinds of optimizations and we've prepare a in-house demonstration of our desktop video stuff (which was held this afternoon and turned out to be a real success!). We have, for the first time in public, shown the amazing digitizing features of the CyReL VidiMix8 module, fully working with the real time compression feature, reducing the 1.2 MB images down to 400 KB while maintaining a high quality and sharp edges. Joey, I'll try to U/L some of the images we've digitized during this afternoon's demo session. I'll have to convert them to a more common file format and compress them so that they will be of a reasonable size for downloading... *,* \_/ OK, that's it for today, have a nice weekend guys, Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 151 Sat Jul 10, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 03:07 EDT Ralf, Thanks that would be great! ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 152 Sat Jul 10, 1993 VORTEXT at 03:20 EDT Just wanted to mention that Marcel seems to work just fine with the Cyrel. It seems to be the only word processor I have that does. STeno also works and both seem to function well. So far. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 153 Sun Jul 11, 1993 AEO.7 [Gregg] at 16:21 EDT Mario.... GREAT!!!! Thanks, I'll be looking forward to seeing all that. I've got to be honest and admit that I'm also looking forward to seeing the other boards going head to head as well. I think this will be the first time (in the States anyway) that all of the major graphics adapters will be on display at the same place and time. Gee, I'm going to feel like a kid in a candy shop..... won't know where to look first . Gregg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 154 Tue Jul 13, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:12 EDT Daniel, please excuse my ignorance, but what is Marcel ? Can you tell us what specific word processor you found that did not work with the card ? Gregg, > I've got to be honest and admit that I'm also looking forward to > seeing the other boards going head to head as well. We welcome this opportunity as well. *,* \_/ > Gee, I'm going to feel like a kid in a candy shop..... > won't know where to look first . Graphics cards can be very fascinating and their 'nature' makes it easy to leave some truly stunning impressions. +.- \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 155 Tue Jul 13, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:24 EDT The following message is intended as our answer to some very irritating events and claims that have appeared in various topics throughout GEnie: We have always tried to do our best to work together with other Atari developers to make products for your Atari system more compatible. The flexibility and ease of use of our VDI display drivers have been of special concern to us. We have welcomed the structure of GEM that requires only a single display driver in order to expand the original operating system and feature set. The built-in, intuitive windows based operating system, which has been a standard feature since 1985, has now in a similar fashion been adopted by a increasing number of computer platforms. We value this open and user-friendly operating system as one of the major reasons why users opted to buy an Atari system. The integrated GEM environment provides a simple and easily manageable way of upgrading your entire computer system and thus keeping it in lock-step with the latest developments. Now we are witnessing some very distressing and irritating attempts to force Atari users to the same confinements that users of other platforms ever since had to endure: - Special display drivers for every different add-on and mode. - Special display drivers for every different program. - Even new drivers for every new version of the same program. Limiting the customer's choices to the own selection of products, a few endorsed packages and even statements of deliberate actions to block out competitors, make it hard to promote the open spirit of the entire platform. Any serious company that cares about their customers will cater to their needs. Restricting choices does not reflect proper business behaviour. Such conduct will ultimately lead to a hopelessly segmented market, a market without any viability to support or attract new developments. Instead of productive co-operation and joint efforts to take advantage of new market potentials, we have seen misleading attempts to make customers belief that there is only one right choice and the existence of an ultimate answer for all applications. This has never been nor will it ever be our policy. We think that we offer a good quality product, and we stand by our commitment to continue to improve our products on a regular basis. We try to provide honest product support. Accurate, reliable and down to earth. Keeping our customers up to date and informing them about our progress is a key strategy for us. We have our own experienced staff working on the drivers and associated software in-house. Our customers have direct access to the developers as well as customized versions and we appreciate their input to further improve our products. It in turn provides us with a invaluable insight in our customer's needs. This feedback provides us with all the information about what we have to change, add or remove. Since we also develop the products we sell, we know exactly how to help a customer with his application, what to do and where to seek for answers, and most of all: we care about our products as we care for our customers. Here at Cybercube we place great emphasis on our relation with individual customers. This is a direct result of our experience in dealing with industrial applications over the last years. Cybercube has also a tradition of building custom designed products. We take pride in our workmanship, we adhere to the highest quality, we place reliability and dependability before purely commercial considerations, and we back our products with solid support. All our products are developed right here in North America. We support our local distributors, local suppliers and local contractors and dealers. Every unit must comply with our quality standards, must pass a rigorous set of tests and a minimum of 80 hours of operation and burn-in. The CyReL graphics and imaging products are custom designs, developed specifically for the Atari. It meant extra efforts, additional expenditures as well as longer development times. But we are convinced that it was worth it. We now offer fully integrated solution, suited for a wide range of applications. We even incorporated some custom designed IC's, industrial strength components, military grade boards and a comprehensive set of drivers and utilities for your platform, not just something you tried to avoid by not buying a clone or different system. However, it is not our habit to brag about dubious sales figures, nor do we pressure anybody into any sort a deal because of pending price increases. Quite to the contrary: We invite prospective customers to make a sound and well balanced decision when they plan to buy one of our products. We like to discuss the intended applications that the user has in mind and we tell the customer when we honestly feel that our solution might not be the best for his intended use and refer him to our competitors. It is our belief that only these simple rules can guarantee a satisfied, productive and confident user base. Just to give you a glimpse of the scope of products that we have been working on lately, here a few examples: CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 True Color High Resolution Graphics Cards One of the most powerful and flexible graphics cards available, now supports on-screen resolutions of up to 2048x1536, comes complete with our own unique interactive installation program and more than 1.2 MB of software. The latest revision of the included VDI drivers feature our own True Color LINE-A driver as well as the newest version of the CyReL FASTblit routines. One year free upgrade service and customer support through phone, fax, GEnie, InterNet or our own BBS with almost 1 GB of software on-line. CyReL Palette Master 4.0f: This feature-rich color handling utility is specially geared towards color image touch-ups. It now comes complete with it's own configuration files, color profile processing capabilities and keyboard short-cuts. CyReL Serial Mouse Manager 1.03c: Latest edition now supports MS and PC Mouse compatible mice as well as the Summagraphics MM and BitPad II graphics digitizer for your professional input device driver needs. CyReL VidiMix8 Desktop Video Module: This unique and exceptional add-on module for the CyReL M16-1280 graphics cards brings a full set of desktop video functions to your Atari platform. GENlock to a live-video source, digitize in True Color in real-time, superimpose your video input with a computer generated graphic or a True Color image and encode the result conforming to one of 12 international TV standards ALL at the SAME time. The integrated package completely fits on to the expansion connectors of the CyReL M16-1280 graphics cards and inside your computer. No dongles nor any external boxes or bridge cables. CyReL MPT-16 Module: The next new extension module for the CyReL M16-1280 graphics cards. Provides our own VMECache+ features, the new FlexChrome VDI driver and display accelerations up to 3500%. CyReL Catalog Disk: Another first from Cybercube. Now you can take advantage of one easy way to get all the information about our products, simpler ordering and faster processing of your needs. Enjoy new sets of stunning 24-bit images, sample the awesome beauty of True Color renderings. Have a first hand look at our products and specials. and more... There are even more exciting hardware and software products planned to be released this year. Watch for our upcoming announcements and press-releases. Should you need additional information on these or other Cybercube products, we would be glad to be of further assistance. In case you liked some of our ideas, principles and services, we would like to invite you to stop by in our own topic (CATegory 16, TOPic 12) to experience it for yourself. Unbiased, at your own leisure, without any obligations. And after that, maybe you would even like to join us to continue in this spirit. Best Regards, CYBERCUBE RESEARCH LTD. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 156 Wed Jul 14, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 01:10 EDT Thanks for the post Ralf. As one of your customers I appreciate the customer service, and specific indivual attention that yo and your company provides. Bob ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 157 Wed Jul 14, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 07:03 EDT I'll second what Bob said! ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 158 Fri Jul 16, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:00 EDT CyReL M16 VDI Update: The 7/93 release of the CyReL VDI is almost ready to ship. We've improved a couple of internal structures and squashed a few bugs. Special thanks to everyone involved and don't be shy, report any irregularities you might come across... *,* \_/ Have a nice weekend. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 159 Fri Jul 16, 1993 AEO.7 [Gregg] at 21:32 EDT Ralf, just out of curiosity you understand ... I know the Sunrise handles just about all productivity packages with no problem. Question 1: how fast is it as opposed to a TT/Monochrome running in a similiar resolution on a VGA monitor? 2) does it, or any, support any game packages? A good test would be Lucasfilm's Battle of Britain as it is ST/STe/TT/Falcon compatible. Thanks; Gregg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 160 Sat Jul 17, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 00:19 EDT Hi Ralf, Marcel is a writers word processor written in my home town of Santa Rosa, by a gentleman named Doug McCasland. How soon will we be getting the new upgrade? it sure sounds great! Good post Ralf. I'am very happy with the quality of service that I have been getting from your group. Keep it up! Have you any pricing on the VidiMix8 Video Module yet? Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 161 Mon Jul 19, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:55 EDT Gregg, lotsa questions, eh ? *.* \_/ Well, we haven't finished that benchmarking stuff yet, but we sure will. Right now we are preparing a multitude of packages and products to be released shortly. One of which is the CyReL Catalog Disk. It contains a wide variety of files about our products, including some figures and speed comparisons. I am getting lazy, I know, but I thought I wait until the disk is done, then I just copy over the benchmarks and let you guys know all about it... *,< \_/ Battle of Britain: Gee, games... *,* \_/ I know what you are looking for. When we did the Wrath of the Demon (ReadySoft) for the Atari we had to face numerous challenges: 1. increase the number of on-screen colors beyond 90 ! 2. add a 15 level parallax scrolling, smooth, in real-time. 3. move huge sprites on top of that! 4. play digitized sound and audio fx samples. At the time, we just one of the first TT's ever to be released in Canada, and we immediately made all the necessary adaptations to make it run on the TT. Sorry, back then we did not yet have a CyReL card in our own labs and so we ended up with a game that can be used on all machines down to the 520. Don't know about the Falcon, so I would appreciate a little info from anybody that might have checked this one... *,* \_/ But let's get back to your question. I know that we would just love to put aside all the daily stuff here in the office and use the cards just to play games.... *,* \_/ Well will look into it. Can you give us some more info on the game you suggested. Does it run as a GEM program ? There are many entertainment accessories and games that run just fine within GEM. Have a look at one of the earlier messages for a more detailed list about compatible games and puzzles. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 162 Tue Jul 20, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan @ DMC] at 09:27 EDT Ralf just let slip the fact that Cybercube Research Ltd. is much more than a card manufacturer, they do games! :-) Nathan ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 163 Tue Jul 20, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:22 EDT Nathan, yep. Sometimes we do games, play games, invent games and get lost in games. As long as everybody plays by the rules, I do'nt have anything against silly games at all. *,< \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 164 Tue Jul 20, 1993 AEO.7 [Gregg] at 23:14 EDT Thanks Ralf/Nathan.... Actually, Battle of Britain is not a GEM program.. though it is ST/STe/MegaSTe/TT/Falcon compatible (within reason). It's just my favorite combat sim... . At least until Lucasfilm gets off it's duff and ports Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe over to the ST/STe/TT/Falcon for us . Actually, I'd be only too happy to test a WIDE range of software on the Sunrise for you.... if I had a sunrise, or a TT, or a large-screen MultiSync..... sigh, living on a budget can be awfully frustrating at times. Nathan.... PLEASE.. remind Mario to bring down my Calamus SL update and those modules you suggest I get. I plan on spending as much time as Sheldon will give me 'picking his brain', but since we're expecting a pretty good turn out at the show I don't think that's going to give me much time. Sigh, my first time 'working' a show instead of just 'covering' it for someone.... a very different point of view. See you folks at the BlueRidge AtariFest.... SAT/SUN!!!!! Gregg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 165 Wed Jul 21, 1993 S.WINICK at 06:32 EDT Gregg, >> I plan on spending as much time as Sheldon will give me >> 'picking his brain', but since we're expecting a pretty >> good turn out at the show I don't think that's going to >> give me much time. Tell you what Gregg..... soon as there's nobody left standing in the checkout line at the register, you can go chat with Mario. ;-] Nathan -- tell Gregg about what the store looks like during one of our shows. ;-] Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 166 Wed Jul 21, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan @ DMC] at 10:54 EDT All I remember seeing is the line at the cash. You mean there was a store there too? ;-) Mario will be bringing down Cyrel Sunrise cards for demonstration and sale. I think you will all be really pleased with the result. Nathan @ DMC ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 167 Wed Jul 21, 1993 AEO.7 [Gregg] at 20:16 EDT Thanks Nathan, I'm looking forward to seeing the cards get run through their paces... Don't forget to have Mario bring down my SL upgrade with the modules you suggest I have.... I've been stashing my pennies in a bag for a year now and 'hope' I've enough to pay for it now .... Now I've got to start saving for a Falcon or TT with a graphics adapter AND a 17" VGA multisync good enough to do a graphics card justice (or an expanded Falcon video system). Gregg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 168 Thu Jul 22, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:48 EDT Hi, -phew-, we just finished our presentation package for the show this weekend. Mario will be bringing with him a couple of hundred files, images, renderings and graphics to demonstrate some of the cards capabilities. CyReL VDI Update 7/93: Since we added a couple of new routines to speed up the mouse handling and some new low level I/O routines, we thought it would be best to run a couple of more tests until we send out this update... Let's see how efficient we will be to catch all the NEW bugs. *,* \_/ CyReL CM16_VIP.PRG: The CyReL M16 Versatile Installation Program has been updated to recognize the new CyReL VidiMix8 Desktop Video modules. It also features a new boot-up/welcome image. CyReL XCHNG.TTP: The resolution changer utility has been updated as well. It now supports configuration switches and 'remote control'. CyReL MAGIKeyS: The hot-key resolution changer will be available starting August '93. The user can configure its operation through a simple to use ascii parameter file. This file defines the hot-keys, the selected resolutions and addidional parameters for automatic execution and batch processing. Guess that is all for now. =-> Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 169 Mon Jul 26, 1993 C.ALLEN17 [Cliff] at 19:33 EDT Ralf, Just a quick note. I loaned Mario my TT for the show, and got to install the card. This is one of the cleanest designed boards I have had my hands on. The ease of installation and removal is a real pleasure (I couldn't distract Mario long enough to fool him and make a switch). About a year ago, I had the occasion to troubleshoot two TT's that had two different VME video cards installed. These two other cards (not the two others that where at the Blue Ridge AtariFest), where to say the least, very poor in physical design. It took several minutes to jockey the cards to seat, and removal was scary, because the face plate was secured to the circuit board only by the solder joints on the video jack. CYBERCUBE: well done. But the best part of the card is seeing Mario manipulate the graphics. I had downloaded a couple of GIFs (sun spots) and had viewed them, but really couldn't tell what it was. Mario sayed he'd show me the pics on the CyRel...WHOOOOAAAAAA. Fantastic. With an unnamed module in SL he colorized the sunspot. I couldn't take anymore. I want a CyRel card and Mario module for SL. Please E-mail bundle price quote. Cliff (Ashevillite) Former USAF Radar Technician (now retired) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 170 Mon Jul 26, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan @ DMC] at 20:25 EDT The Cyrel Sunrise cost $1,500.00. Mario costs piece of mind. :-) The last time I heard, he wasn't for sale Cliff, sorry. Could I interest you in a Cyrel Sunrise and unbelievable customer support right here in Category 16 on GEnie at no extra charge? ;-) Nathan ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 171 Tue Jul 27, 1993 C.ALLEN17 [Cliff] at 20:15 EDT Nathan, I still waiting for Ed MacMann. I keep getting these flyers saying I've made the final cut. I should know by late August. Lets see, the CyRel board, 21" Sony, 128 meg TT ram board. Yea. Cliff (Ashevillite) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 172 Wed Jul 28, 1993 SANDY.W [sysop] at 15:17 EDT Cliff - Well, that makes at least 2 of us who made that final cut... :-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 173 Wed Jul 28, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:55 EDT Cliff, thanks for your nice comments. We always try provide quality custom designed products whether they might be intended for an industrial application or a more commercial one like the ST/TT graphics card market. Your satisfaction is important to us. Every product we sell affects our reputation. This is incentive enough to do it right the first time around. *,* \_/ If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask, we are here to help. Thanks again for your interest. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 174 Wed Jul 28, 1993 C.ALLEN17 [Cliff] at 20:48 EDT Sandy, You, me and half the population of the U.S. :-) Cliff (Ashevillite) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 175 Fri Jul 30, 1993 AEO.7 [Gregg] at 21:09 EDT Get in line Cliff.... I'm waiting for that check that Reader's Digest has been promising me for the last ten years.... Lets see... when it arrives, what will I do???? Pay off that house in Arkansas (and then maybe give it to the Republican Party or NRA just to annoy Clinton), Buy the fattest TT I can get my hands on WITH the CyRel Sunrise and a 17" or 21" MAG or ViewSonic Super-VGA ( as opposed to SVGA) monitor. Then a nice log cabin on about 20 acres up in the hills to put it in.... Yea... that's the ticket Gregg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 176 Fri Aug 06, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:14 EDT Greetings, yep, we are back from our short break. Sorry for the delay, but here is an update on the latest developments: CyReL VDI Update 7/93 and 8/93: Once again, sorry for the delay in the shipment of the July update. The shipment has been re-scheduled to start next week. CyReL Catalog Disk Update: The CyReL Catalog Disk has been updated to reflect the new and upcoming release of several new CyReL products. The revised version now contains informations about our entire Atari compatible product line. When ordering, please specify DD or HD disk format. CyReL VidiMix8 SynClip: The CyReL VidiMix8 tools have a new addition: the gen-locked real-time video clip recorder and playback utility records video clips in real time, displays them ontop of the original video image and allows the storage of the clips on harddisk. Hardware compression and real time scaling enables longer 'takes' to be recorded and increases storage efficiency. OK, have a nice weekend, I'm off to the beach again. +.+ \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 177 Sat Aug 07, 1993 VORTEXT at 19:51 EDT Ralph, I am very interested in ANY demos you have that I can run on my TT to show off the Cyrel card. I would love to do a demo at my user group but don't really have anything terrific to show. You've mentioned some disks before. How do I get them and how much? Since I'll be getting the update, anything you have I would like to have shipped at that time. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 178 Sun Aug 08, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 20:16 EDT VORTEXT, If you want to make some good demo pictures get Phoenix and Cybersculpt. Phoenix creates some really great images! It also come in handy if you need to make something fancy to use in SL. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 179 Mon Aug 09, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:48 EDT Actually Joey, I have Phoenix. Just don't have time to learn how to use it. I also have Cybersculpt - same story. What I need is a good two week seminar with nothing but time to sit in fron of my computer and someone showing me how all this REALLY works! Care to send me some of your stuff? Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 180 Mon Aug 09, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 06:32 EDT Most my stuff is uploaded... I'm not much on quantity but I try for quality. Just download some RD1 files and render them to the Cyrels resolution. Basically you set the resolution in the CONFIG portion fo Phoenix, then set it to PHONG or PHONG w/SHADOWS and choose render. Phoenix will do the rest and make you some nice True Color TGA. Need some help ask away! ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 181 Mon Aug 09, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:21 EDT Daniel, the combined CyReL demos that we have right now consume more than 35 MB of data, images and demo programs. They typically fall into two categories: a) scrolling and animation b) virtual-resolution examples Among those, we have a 24 bit palette animation demo to show the amazing smoothness and incredible scope of color fades available in real True Color modes. Further we have demos to show 2048x1024 on screen, while you can move the mouse across an 8192x2048 virtual display. A 24 bit real time multi- directional scroller with True Color rendered images, a impressive picture 'slide' (display scrolls diagonally to impress everyone with the size of the available image area) show and more. All these programs cost just $5 each. This pricing includes a variety of promotional material as well as installation documentation, helpful hints and tips. For a complete listing, additional infos and order codes, please refer to the coming issue of the CyReL Catalog Disk. A special notice will be included with all CyReL VDI updates, due to ship this week. Should you have any further questions, please leave me a message. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 182 Tue Aug 17, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:42 EDT Hi Folks, we've just began sending out the 7/93 VDI update. If you don't get your copy, please leave me a note. Simply replace the new files with the exisiting ones and enjoy! Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 183 Wed Aug 18, 1993 VORTEXT at 00:59 EDT Got mine. And now I can work with TruePaint. YEAH!! It's nice to see the colors correctly. Still looking for the catalogue though Ralph. I want some stuff from you. Do you want my money? Will you be sending anything to Glendale with nathan and crew? Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 184 Wed Aug 18, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:37 EDT Hi Daniel, glad the update worked as promised. *.< \_/ You should now have the updated version with the faster scrolling routines, the adapted color handling and an improved blitting commands. If you find any bugs, please report them, the sooner, the better. =-> The CyReL Catalog Disk is now *gulp* more than two 720 KB disks. Things are going so fast and we are adding stuff every week. But I still hope we get around finishing that thing sometime this week so that we can release at least the first part of it. Glendale: Yep, we are going to show the cards there with the latest drivers, accessories and utilities as well as more than 30 MB of demos. Houston: Mario will be going down to the Atari Safari in Houston, and demo the cards there as well. If you live in Houston or 'nearby', don't miss this chance to see it, test it and exchange helpful tips and hints with Mario. We hope that these shows will be as sucessful as the Blue Ridge AtariFest has been. Please tell all your friends and let other Atari users know about these very promising upcoming Atari shows. Promotional material for your user group and meetings is now available. The material will be provided free of charge. If you need more information, please leave e-mail. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 185 Thu Aug 19, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 04:27 EDT Ralf, I've been checking out 17" monitors for use with the TT and the card. Got any suggestions on what kind of specs are NEEDED and what kind are NICE to have, money willing?:-) I've been mostly looking at 1280x1024 non- interlaced, flat screen square corners, .26mm dot pitch, the Horz and Vert ranges seem to be everywhere. I know you need at least a 30Khz on the lower end to handle the TT's Horizontal rate. Then 50Hz-60Hz Vertical for the TT Res's and then at least 70Hz for a decent 1024x768 or 1280x960. Sound anywhere close?:-) The thing they don't mention much is the MHZ bandwidth? Wheres that come into play? Along the same lines as the monitors, can you tell us about the settings in the monitor files? Can I do anything destructive if I mess with them? This is where experience comes into play. I'm actually asking first before trying!:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 186 Thu Aug 19, 1993 POTECHIN [Nathan @ DMC] at 07:51 EDT For what it's worth, we looked at monitors for about a month and ended up buying the 17" MAG and we are very happy with it. Nathan ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 187 Thu Aug 19, 1993 R.VOORNEVELD [BOB] at 19:06 EDT Ralf, The new update works fine. :>) No Bugs but it seems my little ascii pipe smoking man has mysteriously changed into some strange vertical letters that seem to spell out C Y R E L..... How did this happen? ;>) Bob PS Maybe the new cyrel catalog could come on it's own 1 gigabyte hard drive ready to plug in. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 188 Thu Aug 19, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 22:55 EDT Joey, -phew-... lotsa questions there... =) OK, first suggestion for your monitor hunt: look in the M16_MISC folder for the M16 monitor list There you will find approx. 500 monitors all listed with their specs and features. This should give you a helping hand when selecting the right group of monitors. Next thing, BANDWIDTH: really important. The higher the bandwidth figure the better. And you had to select one of the most complicated things there are about monitors, don't you ? *,< \_/ Fine, imagine a screen filled with the well known checker board pattern. One pixel on, one pixel off, one pixel on etc... So when the video card starts outputting this stream of pixels to the monitor the signal that arrives at the monitor looks somewhat like this: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ and so on... __/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ... As you might have noticed, what the card is really sending as a video signal to the monitor is something sort of a wave, a frequency. Now, the monitors task is to convert that stream into all the nice little dots on the surface of your cathode ray tube (that big mirror in front of you right now! =) ). But as with everything, there is a limit on how fast a monitor can respond to that incoming signal and accurately display two adjacent pixels with the maximum contrast (in our case pure white and the blackest black). Since it takes time for the monitor to change its electron beam from full strength (produce white pixel) to zero ('produce' black pixel), you can't simply keep increasing the speed at which the video signal informations arrive at the monitors end of the cable. Sounds confusing enough so far ? *,* \_/ What you have discovered right now is the bandwidth limit of the monitor. It specifies the fastest speed the monitor can handle to display two adjacent pixels with maximum contrast. *phew* So, woundn't it be nice to just rush out and buy the monitor with the highest bandwidth... yep, but there are only a few things that contribute more to the actual cost of a monitor than a high bandwidth rating... But how can you get an idea what sort of bandwidth range you are going to need? Well, here is a quick and dirty rule of thumb to give you a fairly good idea: Take the max. horizontal resolution you feel you want to use most, add 20-30%. Now take the max. vertical resolution and add 20-30% as well. Got that, good, now multiply those two numbers and divide the result by two (because only every second pixel can be on!), and multiply this value with the desired frame refresh rate! Now you got yourself a value that you should (carefully) consider as a guideline as to what you will need to adequately display the intended resolution as a crisp and eye-strain avoiding manner. OK, let's show this with an example: max. horz. resolution: 1024 + 20 % ~ 1229 max. vert. resolution: 768 + 20 % ~ 922 multiply those values and divide by two: 1229 * 922 / 2 = 566,569 fine, let's say you want to have at least a 60 Hz refresh rate, so 566,569 * 60 = 33,994,140 Good, you now know you should have at least a monitor with a 33 MHz bandwith to display 1024x768, 60Hz properly. Piece of cake, wasn't it ? As for messing with the *.VTG files: PLEASE be careful. The CyReL card is VERY flexible. But this can be dangerous for your monitor! The vertical refresh rate can be pushed up to 300 Hz !!! The horizontal line rate can exceed 150 kHz !!! The card can produce a bandwidth up to 65 MHz !!! We have an alpha release of a *.VTG editor called CONFDISP.PRG. This editor will be available shortly at no extra cost. If you have any more questions, just ask. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 189 Thu Aug 19, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 23:08 EDT Nathan, the 17" monitors from MAG sure are nice. But there has been quite some stir and a lot of new monitors have come onto the market since the awarness for GUIs has increased so rapidly over the last few years. My advice would be: if at all possible, go and SEE the monitor you intend to buy when it is actually WORKING (not just sitting in a fancy box). And a lot depends on personal preferences and habits. I like square (really square) FLAT non-glare monitors best. But these are rather expensive tastes and you should always consider the application you intend to use your monitor for. I have to work on my monitor almost all day long. So, try to make the best compromise between your financial abilities and your personal health. Please do not underestimate the latter, since it will be far more expensive (if at all possible) to replace it or remedy any strains later. Generally, modern monitors have made quite some advances when it comes to ergonimics and safety, especially since the introduction of the swedish MPR II safety standards and the newly awakened energy conservation awarness (noticed those monitors with the green 'energy' logo?). Hope this will help you to find just the 'right' monitor for you! Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 190 Thu Aug 19, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 23:10 EDT Bob, thanks. Nice to hear that the update is doing fine. Yep, somebody here in our 'arts & other silly stuff' department updated the character set and thought it would be a nice touch to introduce a new 'character' or better fade an old one out... *,* \_/ Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 191 Thu Aug 19, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 23:18 EDT General announcement: Cybercube is pleased to announce that we have now the permission to include the latest version of GEM-View (unregistered) with the CyReL tools and software drivers that come with the CyReL SUNRISE M16-1280 True Color High Resolution Graphics Cards. All our existing customers can obtain a copy of GEM-View 2.40 either by downloading it here from GEnie or by sending a pre-formatted 720 KB disk and $2 for S&H to our mailing address. Please state GEM-View update on the envelope. We will start including GEM-View 2.40 and upgrade as soon as newer versions will be changed from their beta status to official releases. Please note that these are unregistered versions of GEM-View and we would like to urge you to register you copy to receive your personalized GEM-View package. If you have any questions regarding this additional offer, please send e-mail to: CYBERCUBE. Cybercube Product Coordinator. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 192 Thu Aug 19, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 23:39 EDT Greetings, boy, what a busy day this has been. I've started my day by attending an keynote address and presentation of Microsoft's CEO Bill Gates. Bill has been on a one day tour to Canada to deliver his speech at the Ryerson Politechnical Univerity here in Toronto. Ryerson is proud to have become a university after educating many students under it's old form as a polytechnic institute. Bill Gate's 'Putting Technology to Work for Canadians' focused on the special role of the $45 billion information technology market in Canada and it's effects on North America. He then continued to outline his and Microsoft's vision of the future of the digital age. One of his most often used words: richness. Rich GUIs, richly packed applications, interacting in a rich way, enriching our lives. Well, certainly his and Microsoft's success have 'enriched' the lives of some now well known personalities as well as created a whole new infrastructure. People have started to do their jobs in a different way, taking advantage of IT tools and they now, according to Gates, perform in richer ways. Well then, now you heard it. *,< \_/ Next, I had to attend a couple of meetings, and we just received a new batch of cards, all ready to be subjected to their final tests. Further, we have come around and finished some long awaited press releases, of which the first ones should have been U/Led by now. We have further pursued to our efforts to create new cooperations with other Atari vendors and we hope to be able to make some exciting announcements soon. Further, I am pleased to report that our new products, due for Fall '93 are coming along nicely. They will once again, offer an integrated environment and help you to better organize your system as well as increase your efficiency. Closing, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Mario (DMC) will be demonstrating the cards at the Houston Atari Safari (Aug. 21). Everybody interested in and around Texas should try to attend this promising show. Next month, we will be represented at the Glendale show, and we are confident that it will be as equally successful as the years before. Take care. Enjoy your updates. More is coming. Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 193 Fri Aug 20, 1993 G.CORRELL [CAMPER] at 00:18 EDT Hi Ralf, I have my upgrade, Thanks, It's working fine. You mentioned that you used an accessory for rez changes, will we be able to get it from you?, and how soon? Joey, I'am also thinking of buying a 17 inch monitor, I hope before to long. keep us posted on your progress. Greg ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 194 Fri Aug 20, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 05:01 EDT Thanks Ralf! Believe it or not that made complete sense!:-) I'm looking at the Mitsibushi Diamond Scan 17. I went and checked the list and it's not there but the 16 and 20 are so that should be close enough.:-) I'll send you the specs to add should I buy it. BTW, this list is great! Would it be possible to upload it or is it considered part of the Cyrel package? Sounds good on the monitor driver program! I could really use some high res monochrome modes... or is it duochrome on a color monitor? Look forward to seeing all this great stuff your working on! Greg, Don't worry, I'll let you know exactly what happens!:-) ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 195 Fri Aug 20, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 18:21 EDT Greg, the resolution changer utility is already a part of the CyReL SUNRISE package. What we are going to release is our in-house timing editor that uses the monitor list as a database to create the different video timings. Joey, sorry, but the list is a part of our software package and NOT public domain. We've put quite some efforts in that package, and the list as well. So for now, this list is for the benefit of CyReL users only. Yep, we are working on our monochrome CyReL MonoFlex VDI, which will give you up to 2048x1536 on screen (8192x2048 in virtual res modes) and features fast screen redraws (about 3000% faster than the normal monochrome modes). Enjoy the weekend. I'm outta here! Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 196 Sat Aug 21, 1993 REALM [Joey] at 06:13 EDT Ralf, Ok, I'm benefitting from the list already!:-) Glad to here your working on the mono modes! I have plenty of things that support larger resolutions but not the colors. I mess the TTM's we have at work. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 197 Sun Aug 22, 1993 VORTEXT at 12:01 EDT Ralph, Does the cyrel card any significant power off the power supply. It seems that at times, after having my machine on for awhile, the screen blanks out. I can switch back to the regular TT ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 198 Sun Aug 22, 1993 R.STEGELMANN [Rolf] at 15:02 EDT Has anyone ever gotten LDW to work with the Cyrel card? I use the card at 1024x786x256 res, LDW comes up (the screen) then locks up the system (this is on a TT). Also Calligrapher 3 does not work. It does the same thing as LDW. I have the latest VDI. In true coler mode (800x600) the MultiTOS icons are all monocrome (all white or black). Does anyone have the same problem or is it just my system? Rolf ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 199 Mon Aug 23, 1993 VORTEXT at 01:57 EDT Rolf, You'll find that most of the Codehead products won't work with the Cyrel card. Something to do with the way they display text on the screen. Calligrapher, Avant Vektor etc. all boot okay, but you can't work with them. Also, if you try and display a file from within MaxiFile, same thing. To bad, I love the Codehead stuff. Daniel ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 200 Mon Aug 23, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 19:27 EDT Joey, anybody interested in the new CyReL MPT-16 module to support the CyReL MonoFlex VDI should send e-mail to CYBERCUBE. We have a new information package regarding this exciting product. Daniel, the CyReL cards have been designed with low power consumption in mind. Refer to the appendices in your manual for more information about the power consumption. About the 'black-out' problem: Are you using any kind of weird screen saver combination ? Rolf, sorry, I promised that already. Now I really have to look into that mysterious LDW Power bug. I'll let you know what we find out. Multi-TOS & True Color: We have advanced the development of the 256 color VDI in the last few months. This month, there will be a major upgrade in the TC version as well. This should then fix the Multi-TOS problems you are referring to. Please note that the icons for Multi-TOS may be stored in a special file and you have to enable this file (DESKCICN.RSC). Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 201 Mon Aug 23, 1993 T.HENRY12 [Tom Jr.] at 23:52 EDT Hey anyone, Is this card available in a MegaBus version. I heard Crazy Dots' maker won't be making them anymore because of low demand. If it does, can I get a brochure or something? If it doesn't, can I get a brochure anyway? ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 202 Tue Aug 24, 1993 R.STEGELMANN [Rolf] at 03:15 EDT Daniel, Thanks, for the info. I think I will leave a note in the Codehead area to see what they say. Ralf, Thanks, at looking into the LDW Power bug. I have seen it working on other high resolution color cards before, at past Glendale shows. The DESCICN.RSC file is present on my system. I will be looking forward to the TC upgrade. Rolf ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 203 Tue Aug 24, 1993 CYBERCUBE [Ralf] at 20:22 EDT Tom Jr., the CyReL M16-1280 graphic cards are strictly VME BUS type cards. Sorry, but we never had a MEGABUS version, due to low demand as you just pointed out. Nonetheless I would be happy to mail you some information material about our entire product line and our graphics cards in particular. Please leave me a note with your address. Should you want to have some additional copies for your local user group, just let me know. *,* \_/ Rolf, yep. What puzzles me a bit about LDW Power is the fact that it runs in all sorts of weird resolutions as long as you stay BELOW that mysterious 1024x768 mark. Well, we've got some digging to do as it seems. =) Ralf. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 204 Tue Aug 24, 1993 VORTEXT at 21:14 EDT Ralph, Turns out the 'Black-out' effect is the result of Spelling Sentry. I had it set for background checking and when I type a word wrong (quite often) it blinks the screen. Well, for some reason, sometimes it doesn't come back, it just blinks it off. I've disabled Spelling Sentry and is fine again. ------------ Category 16, Topic 12 Message 205 Wed Aug 25, 1993 R.STEGELMANN [Rolf] at 03:14 EDT Ralf, Good news! I got LDW power to work even at 1024x768 resolution. The problem appears to be with MACCEL3 and SERMOUSE. If I have either one of them activated in the auto folder (not both at the same time) then the system hangs as soon as I start LDW Power. That should narrow down the problem to looking at SERMOUSE only. This also fixes the hang in Calligrapher 3, but Caligrapher 3 still does not draw to the screen correctly, and as Daniel indicated the CodeHead stuff does not seem to work properly because they are doing their own VDI stuff. I do have a problem with MIGRAPHs OCR and TOUCHUP. The programs work except that their icon menu is totaly blank. There should be a bunch of small icons, one to each grid position--only the grid shows. Rolf ------------