Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - Printable Version
+- IRIX Network Forums (//forums.irixnet.org)
+-- Forum: SGI/MIPS (//forums.irixnet.org/forum-3.html)
+--- Forum: Beginners' Questions/Tips (//forums.irixnet.org/forum-6.html)
+--- Thread: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! (/thread-2045.html)
+- IRIX Network Forums (//forums.irixnet.org)
+-- Forum: SGI/MIPS (//forums.irixnet.org/forum-3.html)
+--- Forum: Beginners' Questions/Tips (//forums.irixnet.org/forum-6.html)
+--- Thread: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! (/thread-2045.html)
Pages:
1
2
Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - jenna64bit - 04-18-2020
Heyo! I'd been craving a new SGI system lately, as a while back I had to sell off my retro collection and recently purchased a fairly basic Octane. Some time ago I had an Indigo2. While waiting for it, I've purchased a new drive and null modem cable that I figure on using (along with booterizer or similar) for set up.
Background out of the way, all of my current monitors are 16:9, HDMI & DisplayPort only. Of course the octane was never made with these in mind. Given that it's fairly easy to convert the SoG output with a nice DIP switch VGA converter, will a simple VGA<>HDMI scaler work? I'm really hoping there are some particularly accepted/well regarded options, maybe even something that won't force scaling?
Secondarily, do basic Impact graphics handle pushing 1280x720 as an option?
Thanks and hello from a new user! Looking forward to this as a long term project machine. [cross-posted from sgi.sh apologies if that's a total gaffe but I don't know which of these forums is more active and friendly, etc]
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - Raion - 04-18-2020
Welcome Jenna.
So I have actually confirmed some VGA adapters can handle HDMI upscaling/sync on green to use on a modern monitor. You can also compile VFOs to add custom resolutions, but the recommended thing to do is to pick up an older Dell 4:3 or 5:4 monitor with VGA. They tend to be good, as does AOC, Asus etc.
I'm not sure where the thread is right now but you can check through my post history and find it.
SGI.sh is run by some competitors of mine and we have unfortunately a rather strained/difficult relationship over differences in how the place is run. However we generally tend to be more active in my experience and we have a significant presence of the old guard here from Nekochan days, without the greybearding and unhelpfulness that was often a problem there. There's no worries with you mentioning them here but they have a tendency to act like you said Voldemort in the Harry Potter universe when you mention us there.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - jenna64bit - 04-18-2020
Ah, ok! I'll make sure not to poke the bear. Glad to hear at least some convertors do handle the SGI's somewhat unique signal set up. I think I'll give one converter with the custom video formats a try before getting a one of those old Dell LCDs with every port they could find, since I'll need the VGA adapter either way. Thank you!
Amusingly, while posting this I got reply there with a link to your old post! Saved me some effort and good to see some folks get along.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - Raion - 04-18-2020
Sure, and if you run into any trouble, be sure to let me know. I'll do what I can to help.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - Trippynet - 04-19-2020
To add, widescreen resolutions are possible, but can be a bit challenging. You need to create a new vfs for the resolution then compile it into a vfo for your graphics architecture. I played around a fair bit in the past with these on my O2 and Indigo2. Some resolutions worked OK, some did not. I did find the Indigo2 less accepting of odd resolutions than the O2, and to be honest in the end I scrounged a 20" 4:3 screen from work and now run my SGI machines through that as it was frankly a lot less hassle.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - jenna64bit - 04-23-2020
Don't have any supporting kit yet, but did get the Octane itself. It is in better shape than I thought! No apparent cracks, case came apart nicely for cleaning, and the front door flap even has the fancy plastic arm still in one piece. Anyone know a good replacement for the door spring? Mine works, but it is a bit rusty.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - Raion - 04-23-2020
nobody has developed replacements for that yet but I'm hoping that eventually we can either get 3D printed doors and arms, or someone will come up with an alternative.
I was thinking the other day how cool a polished aluminium door would look.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - nintendoeats - 04-23-2020
A note on those convertors: if you can, find out what the ADC chip they use is (the information is not always available). If the data sheet/reference for that chip says anywhere that it supports composite sync, then it should work with SoG.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - jenna64bit - 04-24-2020
Good news! The system works great, got it installed via headless/serial with booterizer. Octane R12K @ 300Mhz, 256MB of RAM, nice big SCSI drive, basic graphics and the 1.4Xbow frontplane with the newer PSU. Now I have to wait for the video & ps/2 conversion stuff to show up.
RE: Just joined, new old SGI user - Octane video question & Hello! - Lady Serena Kitty - 04-27-2020
If you buy an HP-branded PS/2 mousie, it'll work, with scrollie wheel and everything.