MiSTer FPGA Forum

Hi there, some hardware-related MiSTer Fpga things are not clear to me:

1) why we can't use DualRam together with analog output with new boards like this?

2) what is exactly the A/V module?

3) the new 24 Bit ADV Video DAC is possible only with analog output or also with the digital one?

Thanks in advance for you answers!

I believe it's because the DE-10 Nano has two strips of i/o pins that can be used for 2xRAM modules OR 1xRAM module and 1xAnalogue video conversion.

The ADC is what converts digital values to an analogue voltage curve that mimics the analogue video requirements of older CRT monitors. It has no effect through HDMI. HDMI's data stream is digital, so no need for conversion. Bottom line is, if you're not going to use a CRT, then you don't need it, and use the i/o pins for an extra RAM module.

1. Limited GPIO pins on the DE10-Nano. If you are using the second GPIO headers for SDRAM you can't use the analog IO board.

2. It's an addon board for analog IO boards to output 24-bit video via the VGA port using a DAC.

3. 24-bit DAC is for analog video output only. The digital IO boards do not have analog video out. HDMI isn't affected.

You can still use analogue video with dual SDRAM but you'll need to use direct video.

AngelicLiver wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 8:01 pm

1. Limited GPIO pins on the DE10-Nano. If you are using the second GPIO headers for SDRAM you can't use the analog IO board.

2. It's an addon board for analog IO boards to output 24-bit video via the VGA port using a DAC.

3. 24-bit DAC is for analog video output only. The digital IO boards do not have analog video out. HDMI isn't affected.

You can still use analogue video with dual SDRAM but you'll need to use direct video.

Thanks! So via Direct Video I can't achieve 24 bit video?

AmintaMister wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 10:24 pm

Thanks! So via Direct Video I can't achieve 24 bit video?

24-bit is achievable via DV

1 I believe you can use direct video and HDMI to VGA to get 24-bit analog out and dual RAM
2 the AV module is what turns the IO 9.2 baseboard (which is a digital IO board) into an analog IO board
3 From what I understand 24-bit has been available via HDMI for longer than analog as it wasn't available until the 9.2 board

One thing is that HDMI to VGA adapters vary a lot in the quality of their output colors. There's a whole thread about it here somewhere.

LamerDeluxe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 8:11 am

One thing is that HDMI to VGA adapters vary a lot in the quality of their output colors. There's a whole thread about it here somewhere.

I’m definitely looking forward to the Reflex Prism

dickhardpill wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 10:14 am

LamerDeluxe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 8:11 am

One thing is that HDMI to VGA adapters vary a lot in the quality of their output colors. There's a whole thread about it here somewhere.

I’m definitely looking forward to the Reflex Prism

That looks like a good solution, hadn't heard about it yet.