Matrox -- ALT256 VIDEO BOARD
This was the board
that launched the Matrox company.
The ALT-256 low cost high resolution graphics
interface can be used in a wide range of applications. Typical examples
range from video games like electronic etch-a-sketch, to industrial uses
such as computer image processing. The unit has 4 times the resolution of
other S100 bus graphics at the time and includes features such as expansion
for color/grey scale, external sync capability, on card refresh memory and
direct S100 bus compatibility. The ALT-256 was compatible with the ALT-2480
permitting a powerful combined alphanumeric/graphic display. The
onboard memory was made up of sixteen TMS4027-30 TI RAM chips. It
provided a 256X256 monochrome display.
The card had its own built-in TV sync generator. This generator could also
be synchronized to an external TV sync signal. The card could be jumpered to
work with either American or European TV standards.
The manual for this board may be
obtained here.
This page was last modified
on
10/25/2013