Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 15:09:33 -0400 From: Mike Nicewonger <twmaster@twmaster.com> Message-ID: <B8EDCCAD.7509%twmaster@twmaster.com> Subject: Re: [suse-sparc] Video Card Question
This is not entirely true. Only the SS20 and the extremely rare SS10-sx
could do this. The SS20 has a built in socket for the SX (CG-14)
framebuffer. This frame buffer comes in 4 and 8 MB versions. The SS10-sx has
a similar arrangement, however uses a different model framebuffer and is not
interchangable with the SS20.
The SS5 has an option for a board called an S24 or AFX framebuffer that will
render 24 bit color.
Both of these boards are quite slow in comparison to slightly newer
offerings from Sun in the form of Creator, PGX and Elite series graphics for
Ultra machines as well as slow compared to the TGX and TGX+ 8 bit
framebuffers.
I do not know whether these boards, the SX or AFX are supported under SuSE
or Linux in general or not.
Something to keep in mind. These machines were inteneded as workstations and
the SS10 was released in 1992. There was little to no need for more than 8
bit color not like today where the line from a peecee to a workstation is
becomming blurred. Honestly unless you are surfing Pr0n an 8 bit display is
usually satisfactory. Also, in 1992 24 bit color options cost thousands of
dollars.
There are other 24 bit s-bus boards sold by Sun in the past, the CG-12 and
the Leo come to mind. None are presently supported. I am not even sure if
Solaris still supports the S24 or SX. Since the Ultra Sparc based machines
came out in 1995 they have focused on the Creator and PGX based framebuffers
and are dropping support for much of the older machines.
More infor can be found in the Sun Framebuffer FAQ located at Sunhelp.org.
Mike N
on 4/25/02 10:12 AM, Witvliet, Hans at Hans.Witvliet@Alcatel.nl wrote:
> Hi Lou,
>
> These older Sun machines have the capability to install a special video
> memory board
> I use it in my SS20, and since then I'm no longer limited to 8-bit graphics
> Sun Sparc 20 4MB VSIMM for Onboard SX graphics Sper fast 24 bit graphics for
> your sparc 10 or 20
> They are $40-$80 on Ebay
>
> Hans
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lou Picciano [SMTP:LouPicciano@comcast.net]
> Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 2:50 PM
> To: SuSE SPARC LIST
> Subject: [suse-sparc] Video Card Question
>
> Dear All:
>
> As I understand it, I am limited to 8 bits of color with my GX Video
> card
> (Sparc 10) - is this true? Does anyone know which sbus cards (16?
> 24 bit?)
> have been made to work with SuSE Linux?
>
> Can anyone tell me which cards, if any, explicitly do not work??
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