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Documentation about the Vampire hardware

HDMI Screen Blanking On Vampire 2

Alexander Gent

Posts 75
08 Mar 2022 10:33


Is it possible to have the signal turned off from DIGITAL-VIDEO running non-RTG software?

This feature would be handy for DIGITAL-VIDEO Auto-switchers.


Nick Fellows

Posts 176
08 Mar 2022 13:39


+1


Pat 3657

Posts 50
11 Mar 2022 21:14


The tool settings of the vampiregfx monitor (in DEVS:Monitors) is the first step: Try set DisplayChain=No and/or NoSwitch=YES, I'm not sure which one.
 
  What solution do you have for converting Amiga-RGB -> H.D.M.I.?
  This is the second step: Somehow turn off Amiga-RGB when RTG is in use.
  If you have an Indivision you may need the commercial version of P96 from IComp and a program called indiswitcher (is part of indivision's software). Add indiswitcher to the startup-sequence.
 
  Last step: Hope that your auto-switcher will appreciate your efforts (mine doesn't) ;)


Alexander Gent

Posts 75
13 Mar 2022 04:25


Hi Pat,

I modified the tool types as per your suggestion, but it did work.
I don't have an Indivision ECS.

Thanks you.


Sean Sk

Posts 488
13 Mar 2022 06:47


Open ENVARC:Picasso96/AmigaVideo with a text editor and change 15kHz to 31kHz. That will do the trick.
 
There was another solution but I cant remember what it was.


Alexander Gent

Posts 75
14 Mar 2022 04:25


Hi Sean,
 
  I have already tried that and it made no difference.
  I appreciate your input.
 
I was hoping that the Vampire's DIGITAL-VIDEO output could be configured similarly to the PiStorm & Emu68 project.
You can customise the DIGITAL-VIDEO output to any monitor, configure screen blanking etc.

Thank you...


Gunnar von Boehn
(Apollo Team Member)
Posts 6197
14 Mar 2022 06:31


For editing Screen parameters you can use prefs/Picasso96Mode
 


Alexander Gent

Posts 75
18 Mar 2022 00:27


Thanks Gunnar,

However that does not answer my original question, about DIGITAL-VIDEO Blanking and Auto Switchers.

On Michael Shultz's Emu68 PiStorm project, the DIGITAL-VIDEO configuration is set using a Config.txt. Options like DIGITAL-VIDEO blanking, display frequency settings etc.

There are some similar options for the Vampire card which can be configured using the Picasso Mode or PVS utility, but none for fine tuning (or none that I could find).

Thank you.


Pat 3657

Posts 50
19 Mar 2022 13:44


Turning RTG on and off with proper tool settings is only one part of the equation. AutoSwitcher won't work as long as the other (Amiga) output is constantly on.
 
  Maybe this video help you:
  EXTERNAL LINK 
  And a follow-up video where he eventually succeeded, as he faced the same problem: The RGB2H.D.M.I. solution needed to properly shut-off the Amiga signal in order to work.
  EXTERNAL LINK 


Alexander Gent

Posts 75
20 Mar 2022 10:43


Hi Pat,
Thanks for the feedback.
I already a OSSC upscaler plugged into the RGB output on the Amiga.
I have tried to find an option in the OSSC which might do the trick, but with no success.

I was hoping to find an alternative without opening up the poor Amiga case and subjecting to more abuse.

The DIGITAL-VIDEO priority switcher sounds like a good idea.
Does the DIGITAL-VIDEO priority switcher operate on signal blanking, ie. DIGITAL-VIDEO signal with black output or no DIGITAL-VIDEO signal?
I can't find documentation on this subject to make an informed decision.

Also, the best DIGITAL-VIDEO priority switcher is from StarTech.
At a price tag of AUS$190-00 I am not inclined to purchase one.

Also, switches like the DIGITAL-VIDEO priority switch seem to work well with Amiga hardware mods, like the Pi-Zero Denise chip DIGITAL-VIDEO mod.

I have heard a lot about the Amiga Parasite. If anyone has a link to forward on. then that would be much appreciated and I would purchase one.

Thank you...


Jd 64

Posts 41
20 Mar 2022 11:51


Connect the Amiga's RGB to the OSSC Scart input with a RGB to Scart cable. Then using a DIGITAL-VIDEO->VGA adapter connect the Vampire DIGITAL-VIDEO output to the OSSC VGA input via the adapter and the OSSC will do the auto-switching.




Alexander Gent

Posts 75
21 Mar 2022 21:11


Hi JD 64,
I tried your suggestion but it didn't work.
I managed to find a DIGITAL-VIDEO to VGA cable and plugged in as per your suggestion but did not get an output.
Best guess is that it tried to upscale the input that had already been processed.

If you have an OSSC I am interested in finding out how you got it working?

Good idea though.


Alexander Gent

Posts 75
22 Mar 2022 03:18


Pat 3657 wrote:

Turning RTG on and off with proper tool settings is only one part of the equation. AutoSwitcher won't work as long as the other (Amiga) output is constantly on.
 
  Maybe this video help you:
  EXTERNAL LINK   
  And a follow-up video where he eventually succeeded, as he faced the same problem: The RGB2H.D.M.I. solution needed to properly shut-off the Amiga signal in order to work.
  EXTERNAL LINK   

Hi Pat,
I watched both videos.
I have a similar setup but instead of using a Raspberry PI Zero I am using an external OSSC upscaler for the analogue video.

According to the video, it is not really possible to automatically switch from Vampire RTG to AGA/ECS because the output signal is always on, regardless if the screen is black or not.

Even priority DIGITAL-VIDEO switches cannot tell the difference.

Thank you...



Pat 3657

Posts 50
22 Mar 2022 10:08


Maybe Jd 64 can explain their solution in more detail, as they seem to have a working setup, that is similar to yours ?
I don't own a DIGITAL-VIDEO2VGA converter, the ones I saw online were active converters, that needed USB power to work. Maybe you need a particular model...

I think the original unaltered output of the Amiga does properly shut down, when not in use. But any type of A/D converter or scaler continues to be on (e.g. showing an no-signal message) causing an issue with autoswitchers.


Jd 64

Posts 41
22 Mar 2022 16:28


It was a few years ago that I had this setup working but now honestly I can't remember exactly how I did it all.
     
I've since moved on to a much better solution but it involves using a combination of a ReAmiga 1200 board, an Indivision MK3, hdmi switch modified and Ratte monitor switch software to do the automatic switching between RTG and native resolutions which works very well.
 
 


Alexander Gent

Posts 75
18 May 2022 09:30


jd 64 wrote:
It was a few years ago that I had this setup working but now honestly I can't remember exactly how I did it all.
         
I've since moved on to a much better solution but it involves using a combination of a ReAmiga 1200 board, an Indivision MK3, hdmi switch modified and Ratte monitor switch software to do the automatic switching between RTG and native resolutions which works very well.

   
Hi JD 64,
I figured out how to do it. See below...
   

   
The Amiga RGB video plugged into the OSSC upscaler using a RGB to SCART cable in AV1.
The UGreen DIGITAL-VIDEO to VGA adapter plugged into the Vampire's DIGITAL-VIDEO and a VGA cable connecting to the OSSC upscaler in AV3.
The settings in the OSSC are set to auto detect the input.

When the Amiga switches between RGB & RTG modes the Amiga output loses sync.
Since the upscaler is set to autodetect loss in sync, the input changes over automatically.

Problem solved!

posts 16