Multiple floppies in one system? - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

28 Feb 2002

Joe,

I think I remember using a Videologic DVA-4000.  It was used to overlay NTSC
video over VGA video.  If I remember, you setup a specific color "block"
through the VGA, and the NTSC came through that "window."  Kinda like my
understanding of Chroma-keying (sp?)  Another thing it could do was overlay
the VGA with "transparent" NTSC.

We used it for demos of a ruggedized PC we were building at the time.  It
could do some impressive (at the time!) stuff.  I don't recall the
programming particulars, but don't remember it being that difficult.

Let me know if you want further info.

Gary

...
  -----Original Message-----
 From: Joe [mailto:rigdonj@cfl.rr.com]
 Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 8:09 AM
 To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org
 Subject: Re: Multiple floppies in one system?

 At 03:56 PM 2/27/02 -0800, Dave wrote:
 Wow, thanks for all the good ideas, and
there's probably   more to come!

I like the idea of getting a controller that will handle four drives.
One of my 486 boards requires an ISA controller card, and the other,
I think, lets you disable the onboard floppy controller, if   necessary.

As Russ pointed out, there still is one available at JDR.     (I'll also
 check the bins at RE-PC.)  Is the Compaticard IV
available anywhere?  
   Yes, they turn up on e-bay occasionallly.  I frequently find them in
 surplus stores.  I go to one store in particular that rips 
 apart PCs and
 puts all the cards out on the shelves without sorting through 
 them. I've
 found several Compaticards there. The other thing that I do 
 is to ALLWAYS
 look at the backs of all the PCs that show up in the scrap 
 places that I
 visit and look for unusual connectors. I've found lots of 
 intersting cards
 that way including a $30,000+ GPS reciever card.

 It looks like the neatest solution, especially if
I can hook   8" external
 drives to it, too.   
    I think it's the best way especially if you want to play 
 with unusual
 formats. You can get the optional Uniform software that the 
 manufacturer of
 Compaticard sold (sells?) and it will let you read all kinds 
 of odd formats.

    Speaking of odd cards, a few days ago I spotted a strange 
 one. It's a
 full length PC card with a long cable coming out of the back. 
 The other end
 of the cable splits out into three pigtails, two have RCA 
 plugs and the
 other had a BNC connector. The card was made by Video Logic 
 in the UK and I
 think it was a model DVA 4000. Is anyone familar with it?

      Joe

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