IndivisionAGA 4000 or PCI Video?

Hi,

I just got hold of an Amiga 4000 and I'd like to run OS 3.5 or 3.9 and WHDload on it. At the moment my budget allows for either an IndivisionAGA 4000 or a Prometheus PCI bus and S3 Virge or Voodoo card. What I'm wondering, is can I run WHDLoad using a PC video card, if so would this be the best option?

Thanks

Aker

[8bitbubsy]

I'd buy the PCI bus... Then you can easily install network cards, sound cards etc - it's an Amigan's dream! (I really want one myself )

I am leaning towards the PCI bus, I just didn't want to jump right in and find I couldnt play games with it or something silly like that.

[thomas]

WHDLoad is for games and games don't use the video card. You will still need a monitor solution for the Amiga video output. Only Workbench and similar programs can be displayed on the PCI graphics card. There is not even a pass-through solution for PCI graphics, you will always need a monitor switch of some kind.

[fitzsteve]

you can use a dual input solution like an LCD TV use scart input for the native screens like WHDLoad and VGA input for workbench just changing the AV channel.

The indivision will do it all via one connection so may be better for your needs but this does not have you a 24bit workbench like a voodoo card will.

Ive just installed a picassoIV in my A4000 and it does all the above and scan doubler and auto switches between modes, its truely awesome but the can cost big bucks.

Steve.

[alexh]

IMO you have to have both RTG & a Scandoubler. But a Scandoubler should be your first purchase.

I disagree with fitzsteve over price. Hunt around for a few months and you should get a Picasso IV for under €200. I did, twice.

The Mediator 4000Di + Radeon 9200 256MB + Indivision 4000 solution _IS_ technically a better solution.

The RTG side has better resolutions (display native resolution for any LCD), better refresh rates, drawing is faster and it has DVI output.
The Indivision 4000 has better interpolation and scan rate conversion.

Plus you get 200+Mbytes of Zorro III RAM free and you can add 100Mbit Ethernet & 16-bit Audio cards for pennies.

But the overall cost... wow you wouldn't have much change from €400!

OH. I'm pretty sure you don't want a Prometheus PCI bridgeboard. They are pretty nasty in terms of mechanical usability.

[zipper]

Originally Posted by alexh

OH. I'm pretty sure you don't want a Prometheus PCI bridgeboard. They are pretty nasty in terms of mechanical usability.

Except when put into a big tower like my RBM. But even there some relocation of drives frees several zorro slots.

[fitzsteve]

@alexh I didn't quote a price I simply said the can be expensive. My mint boxed PIV cost about £250 plus postage.

[alexh]

Originally Posted by zipper

Except when put into a big tower like my RBM.

Yes? Aren't the PCI slots at 90' to the slots in back plane of the case?

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

My mint boxed PIV cost about £250 plus postage.

Expensive indeed. But still well under the price of a Mediator A4000Di + Indivision 4000. Go for one unboxed, no manuals etc. Perhaps with the Scandoubler disconnected and you can get under £150

[zipper]

Originally Posted by alexh

Yes? Aren't the PCI slots at 90' to the slots in back plane of the case?

Yes they are - if you don't get a 90 deg. adapter.

[alexh]

You got one?

I'd be interested to see a picture of that & the insides if you've got it all set up nice.

[zipper]

No, I haven't. The inside is a mess, WIP for 5 years....

[source]

If you are mainly looking for a game machine and you can't find a monitor that will sync to 15.7 then I would get the indvision. If you are doing more wb based stuff graphics, desktop publishing etc then go for pci and voodoo as for which pci I would go for mediator. At least it is still being developed and with the radeon 9200 you would be able to get 200 or so megs ofram to play with. There is some question on how fast the memory access is, but no matter how tou look at it it would be way faster than virtual mem from a hd. Once they release anindvision for 4000T mediator and indvision will be my combo.

Thanks for all the info and advice, I guess I'll start off with an indivision then, aside from the games, it will provide at least a minor improvement in desktop modes I guess.