Meet the "Super CGA" Cards
The 8-Bit Guy・15 minutes read
The CGA card, introduced in 1981, had limitations due to its 16K video RAM but was the standard until EGA and VGA cards came out. Competitors like Plantronics ColorPlus and Quadram Quadcolor offered new graphics modes, while the Olivetti M24 provided a higher resolution option beneficial for business software and improved display quality.
Insights
- The CGA card, introduced in 1981, had limitations due to its 16K video RAM, offering 16 colors in 640 x 200 resolution, being succeeded by the EGA card in 1984 and VGA in 1987.
- Tandy's innovative systems, such as the Tandy 1000 series, not only enhanced gaming graphics with features like a 16-color mode in 320x200 resolution but also improved the gaming experience through a 3-voice sound synthesizer, setting a new standard for PC gaming.
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Recent questions
What were the limitations of the CGA card?
The CGA card had limitations due to its 16K of video RAM, running in 640 x 200 with 16 colors. It was the video standard until the EGA card in 1984 and VGA in 1987.
What unique features did the Plantronics ColorPlus offer?
The Plantronics ColorPlus, a competitor to the CGA card, offered new graphics modes like a 16 color option in 320x200 and a 4 color option in hi-res mode, with a unique font and susceptibility to the CGA snow problem.
How did the Quadram Quadcolor differ from a regular CGA card?
The Quadram Quadcolor was a regular CGA card with an additional card, the Quadcolor II, doubling video RAM and adding 16 color graphics modes, potentially a 136 color mode.
What benefits did the Olivetti M24 offer over a regular CGA card?
The Olivetti M24 offered a proprietary 25-pin connector, twice the vertical resolution of a regular CGA card, eliminating composite mode, and adding a higher resolution monochrome mode, beneficial for business software.
How did Tandy enhance gaming graphics on their systems?
Tandy introduced low-res color mode for RGBI monitors, a 16-color mode in 320x200 resolution, and later a 4-color mode, enhancing gaming graphics significantly. Tandy systems also featured a 3-voice sound synthesizer, improving the gaming experience on the PC platform.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of CGA Graphics Cards in 1980s
- The CGA card was introduced in 1981 with the original IBM PC, offering 2 or 16 color text, a composite mode with 16 colors, a low-res graphics mode with 2 or 4 colors, and a hi-res mode with 2 colors.
- The CGA card's limitations were due to the 16K of video RAM, running in 640 x 200 with 16 colors, and it was the video standard until the EGA card in 1984 and VGA in 1987.
- The Plantronics ColorPlus, a competitor to the CGA card, offered new graphics modes like a 16 color option in 320x200 and a 4 color option in hi-res mode, with a unique font and susceptibility to the CGA snow problem.
- The Quadram Quadcolor, another competitor, was a regular CGA card with an additional card, the Quadcolor II, doubling video RAM and adding 16 color graphics modes, potentially a 136 color mode.
- The Olivetti M24, a computer from 1983, offered a proprietary 25-pin connector, twice the vertical resolution of a regular CGA card, eliminating composite mode, and adding a higher resolution monochrome mode.
- The Olivetti M24's high res mode was beneficial for business software, offering improved text and graphics display, including underline in text mode and better readability for Microsoft Windows.
12:09
Tandy Revolutionizes PC Gaming with EGA
- Olivetti was the only CGA option before EGA with limited software support, mainly for business and graphics, not impacting the gaming market.
- IBM introduced EGA graphics card and PC-Jr, which had its enhanced CGA graphics but was considered a flop. Tandy used the same graphics system in their Tandy 1000 series, which was successful and connected to a standard CGA monitor.
- Tandy introduced low-res color mode for RGBI monitors, a 16-color mode in 320x200 resolution, and later a 4-color mode, enhancing gaming graphics significantly.
- Tandy systems featured a 3-voice sound synthesizer, improving gaming experience on the PC platform, with games like Planet X3 supporting high-res mode, showcasing Tandy's capabilities.
