RE: New Vector Monitor Project: LM3886

The screen won't flash (as much) when you're hit. Personally I don't like
the screen flashing, so that's fine by me. ;-)

Others would disagree though I'm sure... On the other hand, if that gets us
a replacement vector monitor for the right price that might be an OK
compromise. (I doubt many people would notice it anyway.)

I'm still of the opinion that the flash was a "bug" and they decided the
side-effect was semi-desirable for Star Wars. (You'll notice the Tempest
screen "lighten" at the end of level zoom too-- that probably shouldn't
happen.) In Star Wars the enemy fire "disperses" when it hits you
(basically they zoom the hell out of the shape). If it's a hit near the
edge of the screen, most of the drawing occurs offscreen and you get a
"flash" from the black level going up. If you take a hit dead-center the
flash is much less since less is drawn offscreen.)

Just my $0.02...

-Clay

> ----------
> From: Rodger Boots[SMTP:rlboots@cedar-rapids.net]
> Reply To: vectorlist@lists.cc.utexas.edu
> Sent: Friday, November 05, 1999 12:14 PM
> To: vectorlist@lists.cc.utexas.edu
> Subject: Re: New Vector Monitor Project: LM3886
>
> Then what happens when you put it in Star Wars?
>
>
> Clay Cowgill wrote:
>
> > Well, if that's the only time there's likely a problem, we could always
> just
> > clamp the inputs to not go too far past the visible edge of the
> screen...
> >
> > -Clay
> >
> > > ----------
> > > From: Rodger Boots[SMTP:rlboots@cedar-rapids.net]
> > > Reply To: vectorlist@lists.cc.utexas.edu
> > > Sent: Friday, November 05, 1999 11:42 AM
> > > To: vectorlist@lists.cc.utexas.edu
> > > Subject: Re: New Vector Monitor Project: LM3886
> > >
> > > Make sure you measure power usage when it's do the Tempest logo and at
> the
> > > end
> > > of the round when it zooms the maze clear past the edge of the screen.
> > > The rest
> > > of the time there probably wouldn't be a problem.
> > >
> > >
> > > James Nelson wrote:
> > >
> > > > Rodger, you're not raining on a parade at all, and don't stop
> > > criticizing
> > > > designs, otherwise I won't get something that works.
> > > >
> > > > The specs on the LM3886 looked ok to me, but maybe it's time for me
> to
> > > do
> > > > some actual current and voltage waveform measurements on Tempest to
> see
> > > if
> > > > it's too demanding for the use of such a device or not. I don't
> think
> > > that
> > > > we are running over 50 watts of power through the yoke.
> > > >
> > > > I'll let you know what I come up with on those measurements!
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > James
> > >
>
Received on Fri Nov 5 14:29:34 1999