From: SMTP%"RELAY-INFO-VAX@CRVAX.SRI.COM" 30-JUN-1993 14:06:32.02 To: EVERHART CC: Subj: re: monitors Message-Id: <9306301805.AA01554@uu7.psi.com> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 93 22:14 GMT From: "Brian A McMillan (44) 5057 5388" To: INFO-VAX Subject: re: monitors This might answer your question - subject for a FAQ perhaps?? <<< COSMOS::COSMOS$DUC0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]INFO-VAX.NOTE;1 >>> -< Usenet INFO-VAX postings >- ================================================================================ Note 11211.0 vaxstation 4000/60 & multisync monitor? No replies COSMOS::IVAX 99 lines 11-FEB-1993 12:20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- date: 10 Feb 93 11:44:27 GMT from: enterpoop.mit.edu!ira.uka.de!gmd.de!newsserver.jvnc.net!darwin.sura.net!spool.mu.edu!sdd.hp.com!ncr-sd!crash!cmkrnl!jeh@EDU.Berkeley.ucbvax organization: Kernel Mode Systems, San Diego, CA subject: Re: VAXSTATION 4000/60 & MULTISYNC MONITOR? In article <1993Feb9.143425.21049@tigger.jvnc.net>, watersb@pt.cyanamid.com (watersb) writes: > Can one put a standard multisync RGB monitor on a Vaxstation 4000/60 > and make it work, or do i have to use a VRTnn type monitor from DEC?? Ummmm... that depends on what you mean by a "standard multisync RGB monitor". First, let's call it a "multistandard monitor" instead, since "multisync" is a trademark of NEC. That aside, there isn't any "standard" that I know of with respect to the sweep rates that are supported by such monitors. There are definitely some monitors advertised as "multisync" which will work on PCs at standard VGA and a few "super VGA" rates, but which won't work on most DEC machines, certainly not on a VS 4000/60. The NEC MultiSync 5FG and 6FG definitely *will* work on the VAXstation 4000/60. And on every other DEC video standard. And on most every PC or Mac standard up through 1280x1024. (These monitors give *spectacular* images; in my opinion the 6FG, street price $2400, would be a much better buy than DEC's VRT19, even if you could get the VRT19 for the same price (DEC's list is about $4K). If you have a choice, order your VAXstation or DECstation without the DEC monitor, and buy one of these NEC monitors instead.) (By the way, the smaller NEC monitors will NOT work, even though they're called "multisync". They won't run fast enough. So just the "multisync" appellation isn't enough, even on a NEC monitor.) For reference, here is the timing info for DEC's VAXstation video standards: typical applications h res v res h rate v rate GPX (VAXstation I, II, 3n00) 1024 864 54 kHz 60 Hz (1) SPX (VAXstation 3100) 1280 1024 61 kHz 66 Hz (2) VAXstation 4000/n0 and /VLC 1280 1024 77 kHz 72 Hz (3) VAXstation 4000/VLC 60 Hz 1024 768 ? 60 Hz (4) VAXstation 4000/VLC 72 Hz 1024 768 ? 72 Hz (5) Notes: (1) As far as I know this is DEC's original workstation video standard. In addition to the "GPX" card set (VCB02) that went in Q-bus VAXstations, this standard is also used by the single-plane VCB01, by the "on-the-motherboard" video controller on the VAXstation 3100 series, and also by the GPX add-on graphics option for VAXstation 3100. Monitors include VR150, VR260, and VR262 monochrome, and the VR160, VR290, and VR292 color. As far as I know, no current machines use this standard. (2) Early VAXstation 4000/60's that were purchased as "upgrades" from a 3100 SPX system came with a special video card that uses standard. This was done so that the customer could continue to use the 66 Hz-only monitor (often a VRT19) that came with the 3100 SPX. (3) Later 4000/60's reportedly come with a video board that does either type 2 or type 3 -- 66 Hz or 72 Hz, 1280x1024. According to reports, the board does the right thing depending on whether you use the D-15 connector (66 Hz) or the newer three-coax-in-a-D-shell connector (72 Hz). I haven't seen this myself, and I have reason to doubt that it's true at all... hopefully someone from DEC workstation engineering will fill us in. The 4000/90 seems to only be available with the 72 Hz version. (4), (5) 4000/VLCs seem to be available with three different video standards. Type 4 (1024x768, 60 Hz) will work with most "super VGA" monitors intended for PCs (such as the Sony 1304), as long as the sync is compatible -- see below: Sync notes -- unlike PC video, DEC RGB video seems to invariably use sync-on- green. In addition, many of the PC video standards use different combinations of inverted or normal horizontal and vertical sync (four different combinations) to give the monitor a hint as to the sweep rates being used. DEC does not do this. Except for the timing, their "green" signal always looks like standard RS170 composite video, with "blacker than black" sync tips. I listed the timing in the table specifically because there are some monitors which are advertised as capable of 1280x1024, but if you read the fine print you find that they won't run at that resolution at anything faster than 60 Hz, or that they can't reach the horizontal rates necessary to work with the DEC machines. > In the same breath can I make a VRT16 DEC monitor work on a PC clone? It says here (DEC catalog) that the VRT16 is 1280x1024, 72/66 Hz. In other words it works with type 2 and type 3 systems. If your PC video card puts out something close 1280/1024/77 kHz/72 Hz, or 1280/1024/61 kHz/66 Hz, *and* if it puts sync on green rather than on separate lines, then it should work. Sync on green is pretty rare in the PC world, though. (Actually, multi-standard monitors will accept sync on green, but few PC video cards generate it that way.) I haven't seen everything that's available, probably not even 1%, so I am not going to swear that there is no such video card for PCs... but I do believe that if there is such a thing it's a pretty rare beast. --- Jamie Hanrahan, Kernel Mode Systems, San Diego CA drivers, internals, networks, applications, and training for VMS and Windows NT uucp 'g' protocol guru and release coordinator, VMSnet (DECUS uucp) W.G., and Chair, Programming and Internals Working Group, U.S. DECUS VMS Systems SIG Internet: jeh@cmkrnl.com, or hanrahan@eisner.decus.org Uucp: uunet!cmkrnl!jeh ============================================================================== Brian A McMillan | Colloquium | X.25: FDS Ltd | Email and Conferencing | 235110270001 6/7 Steeple Square | "Knowledge today is *power* tomorrow" | Telephone: Kilbarchan PA10 2JD | | Scotland | MCMILLAN@COLLOQUIUM.CO.UK | 05057 2030 ==============================================================================