1438 Monitor

killergorilla · 23 March 2003, 23:50

Hi,

I've got a Microvitek 1438 Monitor and I've got it running from a Picasso II GFX card with a pass through for normal screen modes.

The monitor works fine using modes that utilise the GFX card but when I use the normal modes (such as playing games) the screen is wider than the monitors view and there are no horizontal controls.

Any ideas of how to overcome this problem?

Is there any way to set the default screen size for the Amiga that loads whenever it boots up?

Unknown_K · 24 March 2003, 02:04

can you change the refresh rate on the monitor?

killergorilla · 24 March 2003, 02:06

How would I go about doing that?

Unknown_K · 24 March 2003, 02:34

Not exactly sure.

I know the new multisync monitors remember the refresh rate for each resolution you use. The older monitors would need adjustment for each change in resolution/refresh rate.

Since your using 2 different cards for video output I assume that your monitor doesnt resize the screen when you change video mode/refresh.

Just for the heck of it put your cursor over the game you want to run in AGA mode, turn off the monitor power, click on the mouse so the program runs, then turn the monitor on.

Does the screen look any different?

Mr Creosote · 24 March 2003, 09:55

Maybe you should try a tool like MonEd (from Aminet).

RetroMan · 24 March 2003, 11:05

Can´t you just use the OVERSCAN Prefs and edit the PAL Screenmodes to fit on the screen

Severin · 24 March 2003, 13:12

Makes a change, mine was narrower, I had to bypass a preset on the motherboard to get it almost full width.

You could always open up your monitor and adjust the one in yours, it's at the front right of the motherboard...

killergorilla · 24 March 2003, 16:32

Overscan doesn't make a difference as PAL screenmodes are larger than my display and overscan only lets you make the screen bigger.

I don't think altering workbench in anyway will alter it, as most games dont use workbench at all, so the presets will not be able to take effect before the game starts.

I might have to adjust the mobo, what do I have to do? Turn a little screw?

Damn stupid to not include horizontal controls if you ask me.

Amiga1992 · 24 March 2003, 17:49

Boot a game directly, bypassing loading workbench. See what happens.

As Severin suggests, it might be that your monitor doesnt change the rates correctly when it switches from 31 to 15 Khz

Severin · 24 March 2003, 22:32

Quote:

Originally posted by killergorilla
I might have to adjust the mobo, what do I have to do? Turn a little screw?

basically, yes, I did this back in '96 so I can't give you specific info

iirc there are 3 presets at the front left of the mothorboard, (a little metal thing with a slot in it that you can turn with a tiny screwdriver), I think they were marked fairly clearly in the 1438's. Best thing to do is mark them with marker pen bfore you start playing so you can put them back to the original position easily. but be very careful when you do it as the monitor will have to be on and parts of the board can have 50,000 volts belting around. You should be ok though as they're on the other side

the best thing to use is a long matchstick with the end trimmed to fit the slot as wood is non-conductive

If you have access to a digital camera, take a closeup photo of the front left corner of the board and I'll tell you which one to twiddle...

killergorilla · 10 April 2003, 19:59

Hi,

I managed to finally get the thing apart but without any luck.

Inside where a lot of screws and the ones you said did make a little difference.

The ones at the front where Width, H. Phase, and Pincushion/whatever.

Turning the width one all the way just meant that the screen still doesn't squeeze down small enough. It looks distorted as well.

It's a bloody shame but it looks like I'm going to have to grab a scandoubler and use an old SVGA monitor instead.

How exactly does an internal scandoubler connect? Can someone point me in the right direction?

I don't really want an external one because my Video out already connects to a 23pin > 15pin SVGA connector and then has another chord going to the pass-through on my GFX card. Adding a sd/ff will make it stick out a hell of a long way!

Unknown_K · 10 April 2003, 20:03

I just won a Nec Multisync 3DS on ebay, hope I dont have any problems with it.. now I need to find a amiga to vga monitor adapter in the US.

Overdoc · 10 April 2003, 22:59

You can also easily build such an adapter yourself

Also, maybe Killergorilla's problem has to do with the adapter ?
I know I once saw schematics of such an adapter and it had both Hsync and Vsync lines double-inverted ! That must be just for some timing reasons ! Maybe it is needed for the monitor when switching resolutions ?
Also, myabe the Microvitec needs composite sync, which won't be available on the 15-pin VGA standard ?
Just some ideas....
How do all cables and connectors between the Amigas 23-pin RGB-out and the Microvitec's RGB-in look like ?

killergorilla · 10 April 2003, 23:36

The Microvitek has a 15pin(?) SVGA style lead on the end (just like an svga monitor)

This lead plugs into the Picasso II's GFX output.

The Picasso II also has an input for the AGA bypass which again is a 15pin connector.

From this connector there is a simple 15pin - 15pin lead that plugs into a silver vga adapter (shown here http://www.amiga-hardware.com/comm_vgaadaptor.html )

I just think that the monitor is buggered to be honest.

Any ideas on that internal sd/ff?

Overdoc · 11 April 2003, 23:28

Hmm, I don't know which Amiga you are using, but would it be possible that just for testing you remove the Picasso and connect the VGA-adapter between the Amiga's RGB-out and the Monitors VGA-input cable ? Then try loading a game to see if the problem is still there. If it is, then it's a monitor or maybe adapter problem, otherwise it has something to do with the Picasso's pass thru.

killergorilla · 12 April 2003, 03:21

Hmm, might be worth trying...

I'm a little drunk at the moment, so will try this tomorrow.

Hmm, the simplest things somehow get overlooked.

Severin · 12 April 2003, 14:02

ok another couple of simple things to try

delete envarc:sys/overscan.prefs

if that doesn't help reinstall your pal and ntsc monitor drivers in case they have been corrupted or you have modified them in the past and forgotten about it

killergorilla · 13 April 2003, 11:53

There's no point me deleting the overscan files because I only installed workbench last week. I haven't altered any of the overscan prefs yet.

And besides, games that run straight from floppy never even use these prefs. They don't access workbench at all.

I seriously think my monitor is permanently damaged.

Unknown_K · 13 April 2003, 13:59

Plug the monitor into a normal Intel PC and see if it displays normally up to 800x600

Either the monitor works or it doesnt.

killergorilla · 13 April 2003, 18:31

I think this thread is going off in the wrong direction somehow.

I did explain in my first post that the monitor displays modes that use my GFX card perfectly fine. (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 etc.) But when I use just the normal PAL amiga screen (320x256), the screen is distorted and doesn't show the picture properly.

So I can have workbench running fine through it, I just can't properly view pal screens.

This kinda defeats the whole point of it being a multiscan monitor and makes it a pain in the ass when i want to play a game.

So I think I'm going to have to invest in a scandoubler and get my old SVGA monitor down from the loft.

23 March 2003, 23:50	#1
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	1438 Monitor Hi, I've got a Microvitek 1438 Monitor and I've got it running from a Picasso II GFX card with a pass through for normal screen modes. The monitor works fine using modes that utilise the GFX card but when I use the normal modes (such as playing games) the screen is wider than the monitors view and there are no horizontal controls. Any ideas of how to overcome this problem? Is there any way to set the default screen size for the Amiga that loads whenever it boots up?

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24 March 2003, 02:04	#2
Unknown_K Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio/USA Age: 55 Posts: 1,380	can you change the refresh rate on the monitor?

24 March 2003, 02:06	#3
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	How would I go about doing that?

24 March 2003, 02:34	#4
Unknown_K Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio/USA Age: 55 Posts: 1,380	Not exactly sure. I know the new multisync monitors remember the refresh rate for each resolution you use. The older monitors would need adjustment for each change in resolution/refresh rate. Since your using 2 different cards for video output I assume that your monitor doesnt resize the screen when you change video mode/refresh. Just for the heck of it put your cursor over the game you want to run in AGA mode, turn off the monitor power, click on the mouse so the program runs, then turn the monitor on. Does the screen look any different?

24 March 2003, 09:55	#5
Mr Creosote Evil Mastermind Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Home Posts: 740	Maybe you should try a tool like MonEd (from Aminet).

24 March 2003, 11:05	#6
RetroMan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Germany Age: 51 Posts: 3,704	Can´t you just use the OVERSCAN Prefs and edit the PAL Screenmodes to fit on the screen

24 March 2003, 13:12	#7
Severin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gloucester / UK Posts: 700	Makes a change, mine was narrower, I had to bypass a preset on the motherboard to get it almost full width. You could always open up your monitor and adjust the one in yours, it's at the front right of the motherboard...

24 March 2003, 16:32	#8
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	Overscan doesn't make a difference as PAL screenmodes are larger than my display and overscan only lets you make the screen bigger. I don't think altering workbench in anyway will alter it, as most games dont use workbench at all, so the presets will not be able to take effect before the game starts. I might have to adjust the mobo, what do I have to do? Turn a little screw? Damn stupid to not include horizontal controls if you ask me.

24 March 2003, 17:49	#9
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,646	Boot a game directly, bypassing loading workbench. See what happens. As Severin suggests, it might be that your monitor doesnt change the rates correctly when it switches from 31 to 15 Khz

10 April 2003, 19:59	#11
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	Hi, I managed to finally get the thing apart but without any luck. Inside where a lot of screws and the ones you said did make a little difference. The ones at the front where Width, H. Phase, and Pincushion/whatever. Turning the width one all the way just meant that the screen still doesn't squeeze down small enough. It looks distorted as well. It's a bloody shame but it looks like I'm going to have to grab a scandoubler and use an old SVGA monitor instead. How exactly does an internal scandoubler connect? Can someone point me in the right direction? I don't really want an external one because my Video out already connects to a 23pin > 15pin SVGA connector and then has another chord going to the pass-through on my GFX card. Adding a sd/ff will make it stick out a hell of a long way!

10 April 2003, 20:03	#12
Unknown_K Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio/USA Age: 55 Posts: 1,380	I just won a Nec Multisync 3DS on ebay, hope I dont have any problems with it.. now I need to find a amiga to vga monitor adapter in the US.

10 April 2003, 22:59	#13
Overdoc Commodore Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austria Age: 53 Posts: 944	You can also easily build such an adapter yourself Also, maybe Killergorilla's problem has to do with the adapter ? I know I once saw schematics of such an adapter and it had both Hsync and Vsync lines double-inverted ! That must be just for some timing reasons ! Maybe it is needed for the monitor when switching resolutions ? Also, myabe the Microvitec needs composite sync, which won't be available on the 15-pin VGA standard ? Just some ideas.... How do all cables and connectors between the Amigas 23-pin RGB-out and the Microvitec's RGB-in look like ?

10 April 2003, 23:36	#14
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	The Microvitek has a 15pin(?) SVGA style lead on the end (just like an svga monitor) This lead plugs into the Picasso II's GFX output. The Picasso II also has an input for the AGA bypass which again is a 15pin connector. From this connector there is a simple 15pin - 15pin lead that plugs into a silver vga adapter (shown here http://www.amiga-hardware.com/comm_vgaadaptor.html ) I just think that the monitor is buggered to be honest. Any ideas on that internal sd/ff?

11 April 2003, 23:28	#15
Overdoc Commodore Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austria Age: 53 Posts: 944	Hmm, I don't know which Amiga you are using, but would it be possible that just for testing you remove the Picasso and connect the VGA-adapter between the Amiga's RGB-out and the Monitors VGA-input cable ? Then try loading a game to see if the problem is still there. If it is, then it's a monitor or maybe adapter problem, otherwise it has something to do with the Picasso's pass thru.

12 April 2003, 03:21	#16
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	Hmm, might be worth trying... I'm a little drunk at the moment, so will try this tomorrow. Hmm, the simplest things somehow get overlooked.

12 April 2003, 14:02	#17
Severin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gloucester / UK Posts: 700	ok another couple of simple things to try delete envarc:sys/overscan.prefs if that doesn't help reinstall your pal and ntsc monitor drivers in case they have been corrupted or you have modified them in the past and forgotten about it

13 April 2003, 11:53	#18
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	There's no point me deleting the overscan files because I only installed workbench last week. I haven't altered any of the overscan prefs yet. And besides, games that run straight from floppy never even use these prefs. They don't access workbench at all. I seriously think my monitor is permanently damaged.

13 April 2003, 13:59	#19
Unknown_K Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio/USA Age: 55 Posts: 1,380	Plug the monitor into a normal Intel PC and see if it displays normally up to 800x600 Either the monitor works or it doesnt.

13 April 2003, 18:31	#20
killergorilla Lesser Talent Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 7,957	I think this thread is going off in the wrong direction somehow. I did explain in my first post that the monitor displays modes that use my GFX card perfectly fine. (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 etc.) But when I use just the normal PAL amiga screen (320x256), the screen is distorted and doesn't show the picture properly. So I can have workbench running fine through it, I just can't properly view pal screens. This kinda defeats the whole point of it being a multiscan monitor and makes it a pain in the ass when i want to play a game. So I think I'm going to have to invest in a scandoubler and get my old SVGA monitor down from the loft.

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