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- 14th March 1994
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- Support Group Application Note
- Number: 226
- Issue: 1.02
- Author: PFD/DW
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-
- Video Parameters for RISC OS Computers
-
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-
- Each screen mode within RISC OS has a number of parameters which describe the
- resolution and other details of the mode. This application note documents
- these parameters for each mode.
- The information on MonitorType 4 and MonitorType 5 is only applicable to RISC
- OS 2.01, RISC OS 3.0 and RISC OS 3.1.
-
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- Applicable Hardware: Any ARM based platform fitted with RISC OS 3.10.
-
- Related Application Notes: (249) Connection of Monitors to RISC OS Computers
-
-
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- Copyright (C) 1994 Acorn Computers Limited
-
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this leaflet is
- true and correct at the time of printing. However, the products described in
- this leaflet are subject to continuous development and improvements and
- Acorn Computers Limited reserves the right to change its specifications at
- any time. Acorn Computers Limited cannot accept liability for any loss or
- damage arising from the use of any information or particulars in this
- leaflet. ACORN, ECONET and ARCHIMEDES are trademarks of Acorn Computers
- Limited.
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- Support Group
- Acorn Computers Limited
- Acorn House
- Vision Park
- Histon
- Cambridge
- CB4 4AE
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-
- The data within this application note can be used to ensure the monitor you
- wish to purchase will best suit your needs. The following are two examples
- of where the data may be of use. MonitorType 5 is the LCD display used in the
- A4 Portable, and hence is not relevant to this discussion.
-
- 1. If you require a monitor which will work at SVGA resolution and also play
- games then the monitor you choose must be able to work at the high scan rates
- for SVGA (35.156KHz) and also at lower 'TV' scan rates for the games modes
- (15.625KHz).
-
- 2. Some users may wish to use a large, high resolution display for use under
- UNIX or possibly desktop publishing. The high resolution monitortype (type 2)
- has only one mode (MODE 23) and scans horizontally at 61.224KHz
-
- The parameters below are based on the following system:
-
- Horizontal frequency = reciprocal of time taken to scan one line of the
- raster image
- Vertical frequency = reciprocal of time taken to scan one complete frame of
- raster lines
-
- The remaining parameters are best understood in terms of a diagram of signal
- level vs. time:
-
- (BP = Back Porch
- FP = Front Porch)
-
- <Insert DrawFiles.RGBKey>
-
- Each horizontal raster line comprises a sync pulse (either supplied on the
- HSync pin or stripped out of the CSync signal. The nature of the Sync signal
- sent by the computer is dependent on the status of the Sync bit in CMOS RAM;
- *CONFIGURE SYNC 0 sets the syncs to be separate, *CONFIGURE SYNC 1 sets a
- composite sync to be output on Pin 14 of the computer's monitor connector.
- Currently, there is no facility for the sync signal to be mixed with the
- signal supplied on the Green pin.
-
- Following the Sync pulse, Back Porch delay and the first Border signal, the
- section marked "Analogue Signal" in the diagram above is the actual levels of
- Red, Green and Blue which are painted onto the monitor phosphor. The
- horizontal scan is finished by the second Border delay and Front Porch signal.
- Each horizontal raster line comprises a sync pulse (either supplied on the
- HSync pin or stripped out of the CSync signal. The nature of the Sync signal
- sent by the computer is dependent on the status of the Sync bit in CMOS RAM;
- *CONFIGURE SYNC 0 sets the syncs to be separate, *CONFIGURE SYNC 1 sets a
- composite sync to be output on Pin 14 of the computer's monitor connector.
- Currently, there is no facility for the sync signal to be mixed with the
- signal supplied on the Green pin.
-
- Following the Sync pulse, Back Porch delay and the first Border signal, the
- section marked "Analogue Signal" in the diagram above is the actual levels of
- Red, Green and Blue which are painted onto the monitor phosphor. The horizontal
- scan is finished by the second Border delay and Front Porch signal.
- Each complete frame is delineated by a Vertical Sync pulse, either supplied on
- the VSync pin or stripped out of the CSync signal.
-
- Note that Acorn systems supply CSync on Pin 14 (the VSync line) when CSync is
- selected, and not Pin 13 (HSync). For some monitors capable of sensing host
- configuration, it may be necessary to remove connections to Pin 13 in the cable
- to prevent confusion in the monitor over which sync type is being presented.
-
- Monitor and Screen Mode Data
-
- Monitor type 0 (TV Standard)
-
- <Insert DrawFiles.Mon0D>
-
- Monitor Type 1 (Multiscan)
-
- <Insert DrawFiles.Mon1D>
-
- Monitor Type 2 (High-Resolution Mono)
-
- <Insert DrawFiles.Mon2D)
-
- Monitor Type 3 (VGA)
-
- <Insert DrawFiles.Mon3D)
-
- Monitor Type 4 (SVGA)
-
- <Insert DrawFiles.Mon4D)
-