Can I scan double my Amiga display?
A Scan doubler is a device that doubles that vertical frequency
of the Amiga 15KHz video modes allowing them to be displayed on a
31KHz monitor, as used by most VGA and SVGA monitors. Whilst it is
possible to connect an Amiga to a VGA/SVGA monitor using a standard
VGA adaptor (retails for about £15) this has the disadvantage
of restricting you to only a few modes, such as VGAOnly. If you
have been using a standard TV the display will be vastly improved.
Standard Amiga modes, as used by most games cannot be displayed;
this is where a scan doubler becomes useful. Most scan doublers
also include a flicker fixer that removes flicker caused through
using interlace modes.
This is one of the major annoyances with the Amiga; it has been
so closely tied to video standards that Commodore gave no thought
to using the machine as a powerful desktop computer. The only
machine that comes with one as standard is the A3000. Other users
are forced to buy a scan doubler separately. However, these have
traditionally been very expensive. A few years ago A4000 scan
doublers would usually set you back about $400. Fortunately, a
number of devices have managed to solve the problem. If you own an
Amiga capable of attaching Zorro cards, such as the A2000, A3000,
A4000, or expanded A1200's you can add a graphics card. Most of
these come with built-in scan doublers, although the CyberVision64
only includes it as an optional extra for another £90. Another
option is to buy a ScanMagic FlickerFixer. Contrary to the name,
these are available with flicker fixers as an optional extra. These
retail for £54.95 for an internal device for the A1200 or
A4000 or £99.95 for the internal model with a flicker fixer.
External models that will connect to most Amigas retail for
£69.95, or £99.95 with the flicker fixer. These are
available from Power Computing.
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