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> Altair 8800 [...] and there was obviously no chance to see any photo on this device. I'm not sure why? A basic Altair certainly seemed primitive from all app

> Altair 8800 [...] and there was obviously no chance to see any photo on this device. I'm not sure why? A basic Altair certainly seemed primitive from all appearances, but it supported S-100 expansion cards. This includes video such as the Cromemco Dazzler[1], which supported: > while the highest resolution used a 2 kB buffer in X4 mode to produce a 128 by 128 pixel image. And the later Super Dazzler: > The Super Dazzler Interface (SDI) had 756 x 484 pixel resolution with the ability to display up to 4096 colors, a capability that had previously only been available in much more expensive systems. You can see the Super Dazzler in action on YouTube[2]. And while it was generally equipped on much more capable machines, it theoretically could be used on the 8800 to display a static image. 1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromemco_Dazzler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromemco_Dazzler 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3EmCf1fw4s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3EmCf1fw4s

rbanffy 5y ago
There were multiple S-100 boards that could do graphics. I remember a BYTE article about one that could join multiple boards to have multiple bits per pixel.
- deaddodo 5y ago
  Oh sure, there are a few[1]. I just chose one that was commonly used at the time. What you’re referring to is probably the MicroAngelo[2], which could display monochrome 512x480; however, it could be multiplexed with up to 8 cards to act as a bitplane renderer @ 256 colors. 1 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:S-100_graphics_cards https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:S-100_graphics_card... 2 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroAngelo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroAngelo
aidenn0 5y ago
Right, if you have I/O and a frame-buffer the speed of the main system will only affect load times, not what still-frames you can show.
- deaddodo 5y ago
  Exactly. If they were talking about video, you’re gonna have to wait another generation are two for commodity hardware. But just showing an image? The Altair was certainly capable.

rbanffy 5y ago

There were multiple S-100 boards that could do graphics. I remember a BYTE article about one that could join multiple boards to have multiple bits per pixel.

deaddodo 5y ago
Oh sure, there are a few[1]. I just chose one that was commonly used at the time. What you’re referring to is probably the MicroAngelo[2], which could display monochrome 512x480; however, it could be multiplexed with up to 8 cards to act as a bitplane renderer @ 256 colors. 1 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:S-100_graphics_cards https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:S-100_graphics_card... 2 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroAngelo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroAngelo

aidenn0 5y ago

Right, if you have I/O and a frame-buffer the speed of the main system will only affect load times, not what still-frames you can show.

deaddodo 5y ago
Exactly. If they were talking about video, you’re gonna have to wait another generation are two for commodity hardware. But just showing an image? The Altair was certainly capable.