ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 1991 Comparison Chart for 80 Column Cards By: Andy Frueh, Lima UG Thinking about buying an 80 column card, but can't decide which one to choose? This chart may help you decide. No opinions, just facts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Asgard EGI/ | Dijit | OPA TI-Image | Feature(s) | Mechatronics | AVPC | Maker | --------------------------|-------------------|--------------|-----------------| Method of installation | Sidecar | P Box card | Internal board | | | | | Modification to console? | No | Some | Some | | | | | Highest resolution | 512 x 424 | 512 x 424 | 512 x 424 | | | | | Max colors in that mode | 16 of 256 | 16 of 256 | 16 of 512 | | | | | Most colors in one mode | 256 (256 x 424) |256(256 x 424)| 256 (256 x 424) | | | | | Ports/outlets | Mouse port *1 | Serial port | None | | | | | Operating system? | TI's | TI's | OPA OS *2 | | | | | VDP chip used | 9938 | 9938 | 9958 | | | | | VDP memory standard/max | 192K | 128K/192K | 192K | | | | | Sprites | Unknown *3 | Unknown | 32/8 per line | | | | | 80 column modes | 80 col/24 rows *4 | 80/24 *4 | 80/24, 80/26.5 | | | | | Composite compatible? | Yes *5 | Yes *5 | No *6 | | | | | Total # of modes *7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | | | | | Approx. price | $250 | $220 | $179 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes ----- *1 I'm not sure if Asgard's device (same as the Mechatronics) will also have the mouse port *2 OPA developed an operating system to cure any software problems. Some programs do NOT operate properly on 9938/58 systems. *3 I know these devices will alow 8 on one line, but I'm not sure on the maximum number of sprites with the AVPC and EGI. An unmodified TI will give you 28 sprites, 4 on a line. *4 There may be other modes, but I'm not sure on that. All 80 column programs are designed to use 80x24 mode anyway. *5 But it is NOT reccomended. An RGB monitor is desirable *6 There should be available soon a device to let the T.I.M. be composite compatible. *7 All of these devices have 256 by 192/212/384/424 as well as 512 by 192/212/384/424 modes. The differences are mainly in the total number of colors. Using what is called the YJK System Display, the OPA device can use 19,268 SIMULTANEOUS colors. The other two are limited to 256. Now some more interesting tidbits. The EGI, although the most expensive in our group, offers a double-edged sword type advantage. All you do is plug it in and go. No set up or modification, no matter how simple. This means any computer can be set up for 80 columns in about 5 seconds. The bad part is that your console will increase in width. Also, some devices seem to have unreliable contacts when you use them "sidecar" fashion. By some devices, I do NOT mean the EGI, just some of the other sidecar devices. Both of these problems can be corrected with a RELIABLE sideport cable. More interesting facts. Check out this table comparing video formats. It compares two of the best IBM/clone graphics modes with an unmodified TI and a 9938/58 TI. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | IBM low | IBM high | Norm. TI | 9938/58 TI | ---------------------------|---------|----------|----------|------------| Best resolution | 620x200 | 720x350 | 256x192 | 512x424 | ---------------------------|---------|----------|----------|------------| Total pixels on the screen | 128000 | 252000 | 49152 | 217088 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's right. The "super video" TI's are better then a "low res" IBM and almost as good as a top of the line IBM. Need more convincing? Well if you think that the TI has good graphics (very good for a 1979 computer) and feel that these devices offer nothing for you other than a handy $180-250 aid in word processing, consider this. The modified TI's have a graphics screen that has barely over 4.4 TIMES the resolution of a normal console!