AmigaActive (546/2061)

From:Nick Lamburn
Date:7 Jun 2000 at 16:23:39
Subject:Re: Apollo Z4 and BVision

Hi Michael

>> From: Nick Lamburn [mailto:oruk_amigan@btinternet.com]
>>
>> Now:
>>
>> 1.) I want to fit a Bvision to the PPC, now I have had Picasso '96
>> installed for the Pixel64. Will CGfx install over that with no
>> problems? I guess I just need to remove the monitor drive (Pixel64)
>> really. I realise CGfx 3.x comes as standard with the BVision. Will
>> the BVision work 'out of the box' until i get v4? Or will I have
>> loads of problems.
>
> The latest DMS of cgx 3 on the vgr.com website should run fine. But CGX 4
> offers greater speed and compatability - AND the ability to clock your
> Permedia2 up and make the 2d and 3d zoom along much more. I heard last
> night of an increase from 26 fps on Heretic II to 30 fps! When clocking
> the permedia2 to 97mhz! Scary stuff though...

Yeah but you have a 240MHz 603e :)) For old student here, i have 175MHz :)
However the notion of overclocking a £200 piece of equipment is not
something I'd do in a hurry. Yes, £200 that's how much they are new, with a
sometimes okay, mostly bad experience with second hand gear, I'm buying
brand new. Knowing my luck (what there is of it :)) when I go to purchase
it there'll be none left.

But it is damn friggin annoying that a one £140 card is now £60 more, almost
a year and half later, therefore another 1.5 year out of date... :( Least
the Z4 is cheap at £90 :))

>> 2.) Can I easily fit the ZIV alongside the BVision? Or does this
>> require a lot of work?
>
> Hmm, I doubt it. The BVision was a clever squeeze into an A1200 desktop
> shape, but it obscures the clockport and is not possible to re-locate the
> card AFAIK. I guess it all depends on how this Z4 board fits into the
> tower.

I just hope it fits in, I'm quite happy to hack the back of my Ateo Tower
with a welder (my dad is a mechanic so he has these things :) and sheet
metal, but slicing and dicing multilayer boards is not my speciality -
funnily enough.... ;) I'm sure it does (well I have to keep a positive
outlook don't I! :)) otherwise I'll have to go for the lesser CV64/3d,
which'll still be nice, just not as nice as a Permedia II and twice as much
video memory... :)

Then I'll want a bigger monitor.... :)) Does it ever end? :)

>> 3.) I plan to add a IDE expansion card like the Buddha card (does the
>> card in question have a 'h'? :) will I be able to use the basic A1200
>> IDE (via the buffer) and the Buddha, or Buddha only?
>
> Yes it has a H, from the same maker as the Catweasel, IIRC it has a
> Catweasel built onto it too? Or maybe that was the + version I had. Anyway
> yes you can use the A1200 IDE socket and the Buddha ones, the on card
> Buddha ROM also allows auto booting from devices on the card. They use
> 2nd.scsi.device style references BTW.

SO I could in theory have five Buddhas, and they'd be 3rd.scsi.device,
4th.scsi.device etc.? :) Waste of Zorro expansion that, and I doubt i'll
ever have (me counts up) 24 IDE devices (inc. A1200 IDE) :))) BTW: there
are two Buddhas - one w/Catweasel (£80) and wo/Cat' at £50. I'm going for
the latter being a student! :))

>> 4.) What is the best ZII SCSI controller, GVP HC8? (Is that it?)
>> A2091 (with rev. 7 ROMs, naturally :), What others are there? Oh the
>> Oktagon, any good? :) What's the speed? (No better than 3Mb I guess
>> :)
>
> IIRC I tried to get an Oktagon and a A2091 but could not purchase a new
> one anywhere. I haven't a clue what is available these days, if anything.

Second hand I guess....

>> 5.) This is a curiosity thing really, as I won't be getting one, but
>> is the VLab Motion card ZII or ZIII only?
>
> I personally don't know. :)

Anyone else?

Anyways thanks for more advise as ever! :)

Regards

Nick.



:+ ooO :O-
=- -=- OO8.:8 --------------------------------------.
= ..: oOO8::88 |
+ . -O88=.-8 Trogladite Software |
=-. .-==+ ...888= |
.=- ..-==o ..:888=: http://www.trogsoft.org |
.+== :-==+o..::888== |
O ===-- ..8888:--88 ································ |
OO o++++ .....8888:--8: NB: Currently Pending License |
.8. OOo8.....:8888--o8 ································· |
-:O8 88888=::-888= |
==88...88888::-o88= Nick Lamburn - Deputy Manager |
| oOOo+=oooO+OOOO= nick@trogsoft.org |
| -Oo8O==88=8 Boing Ball is a ® of Amiga Inc. |
`----------------------------------------------------------'

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take your development to new heights. Work with clients like Dell and
pcOrder. Submit your resume to jobs@liaison.com. Visit us at
http://click.egroups.com/1/4358/3/_/468125/_/960390930/
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote carefully and read all ADMIN:README mails