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Graphics on the PDP-11
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Bill Gunshannon
Jul 29, 2012, 10:12:16 AM7/29/12
to
There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
"Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
Display". I will quote what follows:
"The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
actually supported or used the VSV11?
bill
--
Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves
bill...@cs.scranton.edu | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
University of Scranton |
Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
"Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
Display". I will quote what follows:
"The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
actually supported or used the VSV11?
bill
--
Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves
bill...@cs.scranton.edu | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
University of Scranton |
Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
Hans Vlems
Jul 30, 2012, 4:25:55 AM7/30/12
to
> University of Scranton |
> Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
May be DEC realized that they couldn't improve what Tektronix was
> Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
doing?
In 1980 the graphics standard terminal was the Tek 4010/4014 and
around 1985 the
4105 / 4107 became very popular. PLOT-10 (?) was available for RT-11
and VMS,
may be other operating systems as well but I only remember using
PLOT-10 on these two.
I still have a PLOT-10 manual (somewhere).
Hans
So
Johnny Billquist
Jul 30, 2012, 9:50:56 AM7/30/12
to
On 2012-07-29 16:12, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
> Display". I will quote what follows:
> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
> So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>
> It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
> what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
> and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
> listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>
> I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
> actually supported or used the VSV11?
I guess the answer is: Yes. Yes, VSV21 and RSX-11M(-PLUS).
> There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
> Display". I will quote what follows:
> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
> So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>
> It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
> what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
> and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
> listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>
> I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
> actually supported or used the VSV11?
To expand a but more: the VSV11 was a niche product for special systems.
I think the VS11 was the same VSV11, plus a Q-Unibus adapter.
The followup was the VSV21, which I have one of.
Thus, I actually have more information, and know more of the VSV21.
The VSV21 can run in VSV11 compatibility mode, with one or two restrictions.
The VSV21 can do up to 640x480 with 16 colors. The graphics subsystem is
pretty advanced. It can do all kind of scaling, moving, projecting, and
whatnot. There is a 68000 on the card, which runs a graphics processing
system, which is rather advanced. It do DMA from normal memory to fetch
graphic objects which it manipulates. But you can also download fonts
and graphic objects into the local memory of the card for higher
performance. And you load various software as well, which can be
replaced. I have a trackball to my VSV21, and it also uses an LK201
keyboard, and you have a serial port. The whole graphics subsystem can
also be used as the console of the PDP-11. In this case, you use an
extra serial port on the VSV21, to which you connect the console serial
port with a short cable.
Device drivers, as well as a rather thick manual for RSX exist, which
goes through how you do graphics.
My card came from a mass spectrometer which was decommissioned. Very
nice toy. I've written a few short test programs to check it out, but I
want to do something more interesting whenever I have more time...
Johnny
Richard
Jul 30, 2012, 2:49:32 PM7/30/12
to
[Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]
Hans Vlems <hvl...@freenet.de> spake the secret code
<2fe9d784-3eaa-4192...@a16g2000vby.googlegroups.com> thusly:
>May be DEC realized that they couldn't improve what Tektronix was
>doing?
On the contrary, graphics peripherals are a fairly standard item for a
DEC minicomputer.
Point and line drawing were present on the TX-0 and TX-2. The TX-2
was used for pioneering work in interactive computer graphics by Ivan
Sutherland with his sketchpad system.
The TX-0/TX-2 were the inspiration for the PDP-1, which came with a
graphics display. The game "Spacewar!" was created on the PDP-1.
Until RAM was cheap enough for raster based displays, DEC
minicomputers typically had either a dynamic refresh vector display or a
storage tube display attached to them. At some point, the display
controller becomes another DEC minicomputer integrated with the
display and the display list memory, like the GT40.
While it doesn't figure prominently in the evolution of DEC's
products, it seems that from the very beginning they have always
offered some sort of graphics peripheral. Reading "Computer
Engineering" by Gordon Bell, I note that many times in the diagrams
showing the array of peripherals for PDP-1, PDP-4, etc., machines,
that a graphics display is shown. So clearly they knew the importance
of a graphics display from the very beginning and always included it
in their product line.
There are some DEC graphics products that basically OEM a Tektronix
611 storage tube display for the system.
Tektronix dominated the graphics terminal market because their system
was inexpensive -- there was no need to have a dedicated computer
refreshing the display. However, many applications require a dynamic
display which Tektronix could not provide until the early 80s. For
those systems requiring a dynamic display, it was not uncommon to wed
a minicomputer as the display controller to a vector refresh display.
Some manufacturers made dedicated equipment for a DEC minicomputer,
however, such as the early terminal products by Evans & Sutherland
(LDS-1, Picture System, Picture System II, Multi-Picture System).
Other manufacturers used a Data General Nova as the controller
(Megatek), or made their own controller that was compatible with
DEC's PDP-11 instruction set (Sanders Associates Graphic 7 and 8).
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" free book <http://tinyurl.com/d3d-pipeline>
The Computer Graphics Museum <http://computergraphicsmuseum.org>
The Terminals Wiki <http://terminals.classiccmp.org>
Legalize Adulthood! (my blog) <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com>
Hans Vlems <hvl...@freenet.de> spake the secret code
<2fe9d784-3eaa-4192...@a16g2000vby.googlegroups.com> thusly:
>May be DEC realized that they couldn't improve what Tektronix was
>doing?
DEC minicomputer.
Point and line drawing were present on the TX-0 and TX-2. The TX-2
was used for pioneering work in interactive computer graphics by Ivan
Sutherland with his sketchpad system.
The TX-0/TX-2 were the inspiration for the PDP-1, which came with a
graphics display. The game "Spacewar!" was created on the PDP-1.
Until RAM was cheap enough for raster based displays, DEC
minicomputers typically had either a dynamic refresh vector display or a
storage tube display attached to them. At some point, the display
controller becomes another DEC minicomputer integrated with the
display and the display list memory, like the GT40.
While it doesn't figure prominently in the evolution of DEC's
products, it seems that from the very beginning they have always
offered some sort of graphics peripheral. Reading "Computer
Engineering" by Gordon Bell, I note that many times in the diagrams
showing the array of peripherals for PDP-1, PDP-4, etc., machines,
that a graphics display is shown. So clearly they knew the importance
of a graphics display from the very beginning and always included it
in their product line.
There are some DEC graphics products that basically OEM a Tektronix
611 storage tube display for the system.
Tektronix dominated the graphics terminal market because their system
was inexpensive -- there was no need to have a dedicated computer
refreshing the display. However, many applications require a dynamic
display which Tektronix could not provide until the early 80s. For
those systems requiring a dynamic display, it was not uncommon to wed
a minicomputer as the display controller to a vector refresh display.
Some manufacturers made dedicated equipment for a DEC minicomputer,
however, such as the early terminal products by Evans & Sutherland
(LDS-1, Picture System, Picture System II, Multi-Picture System).
Other manufacturers used a Data General Nova as the controller
(Megatek), or made their own controller that was compatible with
DEC's PDP-11 instruction set (Sanders Associates Graphic 7 and 8).
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" free book <http://tinyurl.com/d3d-pipeline>
The Computer Graphics Museum <http://computergraphicsmuseum.org>
The Terminals Wiki <http://terminals.classiccmp.org>
Legalize Adulthood! (my blog) <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com>
Bill Pechter
Jul 31, 2012, 8:59:30 AM7/31/12
to
In article <a7kum0...@mid.individual.net>,
the Fort Monmouth install.
Hung it off an 11/780. I think there was a four slot backplane box of
cards that drove the monitor. The box was hooked up by cables to an
interface that went to the Unibus on the 11/780. The box looked like
a Qbus chassis if I remember it correctly.
>It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
>what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
>and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
>listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
Weren't many out there. Pretty much outpaced and replaced by Xterminals.
>
>I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
>actually supported or used the VSV11?
>
>bill
Perhaps CAD/CAM stuff. Fort Monmouth used theres a little but never
saw it used for much that couldn't be done by Xwindows terminals.
Only had one in my area of NJ. Never saw them elsewhere.
>--
>Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves
>bill...@cs.scranton.edu | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
>University of Scranton |
>Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
Bill
--
--
Digital had it then. Don't you wish you could buy it now!
pechter-at-pechter.dyndns.org http://xkcd.com/705/
Bill Gunshannon <bill...@cs.uofs.edu> wrote:
>There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
>on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
>Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
>that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
>Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
>"Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
>Display". I will quote what follows:
>"The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
>the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
>that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
>be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
>planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
>microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
>So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>
Got one, nope. Installed one back in '84 or so so the memory is hazy of
>There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
>on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
>Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
>that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
>Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
>"Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
>Display". I will quote what follows:
>"The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
>the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
>that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
>be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
>planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
>microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
>So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>
the Fort Monmouth install.
Hung it off an 11/780. I think there was a four slot backplane box of
cards that drove the monitor. The box was hooked up by cables to an
interface that went to the Unibus on the 11/780. The box looked like
a Qbus chassis if I remember it correctly.
>It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
>what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
>and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
>listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>
>I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
>actually supported or used the VSV11?
>
>bill
saw it used for much that couldn't be done by Xwindows terminals.
Only had one in my area of NJ. Never saw them elsewhere.
>--
>Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves
>bill...@cs.scranton.edu | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
>University of Scranton |
>Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
--
--
Digital had it then. Don't you wish you could buy it now!
pechter-at-pechter.dyndns.org http://xkcd.com/705/
Charles Richmond
Aug 1, 2012, 6:09:04 AM8/1/12
to
"Bill Gunshannon" <bill...@cs.uofs.edu> wrote in message
news:a7kum0...@mid.individual.net...
that the graphics done for the movie "War Games" were all done using a
PDP-11. If you remember the film, there were some fairly sophisticated
displays.
--
numerist at aquaporin4 dot com
news:a7kum0...@mid.individual.net...
> There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
> Display". I will quote what follows:
> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
I don't know about his stuff... but I did hear a rumor back in the 80's,
> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
> Display". I will quote what follows:
> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
that the graphics done for the movie "War Games" were all done using a
PDP-11. If you remember the film, there were some fairly sophisticated
displays.
--
numerist at aquaporin4 dot com
Johnny Billquist
Aug 1, 2012, 6:20:46 AM8/1/12
to
However, there is a PDP-11 in the movie itself. Running RSTS/E. It's the
school computer hacked into in the beginning of the movie. You can see
the screen of Broderick's IMSAI as it is logged in. No mistaking the
system. :-)
Johnny
John Wallace
Aug 5, 2012, 5:49:26 PM8/5/12
to
On Jul 31, 1:59 pm, pech...@tucker.pechter.dyndns.org (Bill Pechter)
wrote:
> In article <a7kum0Fuu...@mid.individual.net>,
> >billg...@cs.scranton.edu | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
control+automation (be it industrial or military or whatever) than CAD/
CAM. That doesn't mean they weren't used for CAD/CAM, but with a
limited resolution and a rather unusual application interface, it
would be a bit niche.
After the VSV21 there was a CSS-proposed next generation product with
workstation-class capabilities but afaik it never came to market; real
workstations (not X terminals as such) had all but eliminated the
need.
wrote:
> In article <a7kum0Fuu...@mid.individual.net>,
> >University of Scranton |
> >Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
>
> Bill
> --
> --
> Digital had it then. Don't you wish you could buy it now!
> pechter-at-pechter.dyndns.org http://xkcd.com/705/
VSV applications I was vaguely familiar with were more likely to be
> >Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
>
> Bill
> --
> --
> Digital had it then. Don't you wish you could buy it now!
> pechter-at-pechter.dyndns.org http://xkcd.com/705/
control+automation (be it industrial or military or whatever) than CAD/
CAM. That doesn't mean they weren't used for CAD/CAM, but with a
limited resolution and a rather unusual application interface, it
would be a bit niche.
After the VSV21 there was a CSS-proposed next generation product with
workstation-class capabilities but afaik it never came to market; real
workstations (not X terminals as such) had all but eliminated the
need.
Henk Gooijen
Sep 17, 2012, 3:51:34 PM9/17/12
to
> There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
> Display". I will quote what follows:
> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
> So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>
> It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
> what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
> and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
> listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>
> I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
> actually supported or used the VSV11?
>
> bill
Sorry for the delayed response, got Usenet back up just yesterday ...
> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
> Display". I will quote what follows:
> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>
> So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>
> It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
> what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
> and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
> listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>
> I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
> actually supported or used the VSV11?
>
> bill
I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
in its own little box with white metal front cover.
It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
- Henk, PA8PDP
www.pdp-11.nl
Bill Gunshannon
Sep 17, 2012, 8:32:24 PM9/17/12
to
In article <k37v0j$qng$1...@dont-email.me>,
I don't suppose there is any way I could convince you to give it to me? :-)
I even have one of those expansion boxes but I am not sure if I have the
right cables to hook it to one of my PDP's. Of course, most of them have
enbough room to put it in the main box. (the only thing I have ever used
in a secondary box was a KDA50. Ut drew too much current to reside in the
same box as the VAX.
bill
KB3YV (formerly DA1WO)
I even have one of those expansion boxes but I am not sure if I have the
right cables to hook it to one of my PDP's. Of course, most of them have
enbough room to put it in the main box. (the only thing I have ever used
in a secondary box was a KDA50. Ut drew too much current to reside in the
same box as the VAX.
bill
KB3YV (formerly DA1WO)
Jerome H. Fine
Sep 17, 2012, 10:41:17 PM9/17/12
to
>Henk Gooijen wrote:
> "Bill Gunshannon" <bill...@cs.uofs.edu> wrote in message
> news:a7kum0...@mid.individual.net...
>
>> There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
>> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
>> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
>> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
>> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
>> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
>> Display". I will quote what follows:
>> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
>> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
>> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
>> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
>> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
>> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>>
>> So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>>
>> It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
>> what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
>> and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
>> listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>>
>> I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
>> actually supported or used the VSV11?
>
> "Bill Gunshannon" <bill...@cs.uofs.edu> wrote in message
> news:a7kum0...@mid.individual.net...
>
>> There was some discussion here a short time ago about graphics
>> on the PDP-11 (I even brought up a question about the VCB01).
>> Well, I have been cleaning up quite a bit (retirement will force
>> that to happen!) and came across a book titled: "Microcomputers
>> Products Handbook" dated 1985. The last chapter is Appendix C,
>> "Mature Q-bus Products". The very last entry is: "VSV11 Graphics
>> Display". I will quote what follows:
>> "The VSV11 is a high-performance color video graphiics system for
>> the Q-bus. The base system consists of three quad-height modules
>> that communicate accross the CD interconnect. The base system can
>> be expanded to provide higher resolution and/or multiple graphics
>> planes. The system uses DMA Q-bus transfers and a dedicated display
>> microprocessor to read and execute graphics instructions."
>>
>> So, has anyone got one? Has anyone ever seen one?
>>
>> It is interesting to note that while other "mature" products list
>> what replaced them (ie. "The RLV11 has been replaced by the RLV12."
>> and "The RXV11 has been replaced by the RXV21.") there is nothing
>> listed as a replacement for the VSV11.
>>
>> I guess the other major question would then be what OSes or products
>> actually supported or used the VSV11?
>
> Sorry for the delayed response, got Usenet back up just yesterday ...
> I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
> in its own little box with white metal front cover.
> It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
> in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
> I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
>
> - Henk, PA8PDP
> www.pdp-11.nl
Obviously, Bill has first dibs on the VSV11. But you should
> I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
> in its own little box with white metal front cover.
> It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
> in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
> I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
>
> - Henk, PA8PDP
> www.pdp-11.nl
be able to use any PDP-11/23 or PDP-11/73. I have a number
of such systems running in BA23 boxes. Eventually, I will have
to dispose of them, but not for a few years yet.
As far as the VSV11 is concerned, I believe that DEC dropped
support with V05.06 of RT-11. I doubt that RSX-11 kept
support much longer.
The RX02 floppy drive retained support, but was never upgraded
to a 22 bit controller, although it was possible to enhance the device
driver, DYX.SYS with a bounce buffer.
Jerome Fine
Johnny Billquist
Sep 18, 2012, 7:31:40 AM9/18/12
to
On 2012-09-18 04:41, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
> As far as the VSV11 is concerned, I believe that DEC dropped
> support with V05.06 of RT-11. I doubt that RSX-11 kept
> support much longer.
I've never seen anything software wise for the VSV11. Like I said before
I have a VSV21, which is the follow on graphic system, and I have the
software for RSX. It is not compatible at the hardware level, so the
software I have will not work on a VSV11.
> The RX02 floppy drive retained support, but was never upgraded
> to a 22 bit controller, although it was possible to enhance the device
> driver, DYX.SYS with a bounce buffer.
Are you talking about general RT-11 support for the RX02 now?
Johnny
--
Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus
|| on a psychedelic trip
email: b...@softjar.se || Reading murder books
pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol
> >Henk Gooijen wrote:
>
>>
>> Sorry for the delayed response, got Usenet back up just yesterday ...
>> I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
>> in its own little box with white metal front cover.
>> It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
>> in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
>> I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
>>
>> - Henk, PA8PDP
>> www.pdp-11.nl
>
> Obviously, Bill has first dibs on the VSV11. But you should
> be able to use any PDP-11/23 or PDP-11/73. I have a number
> of such systems running in BA23 boxes. Eventually, I will have
> to dispose of them, but not for a few years yet.
It should work in any Qbus system.
>
>>
>> Sorry for the delayed response, got Usenet back up just yesterday ...
>> I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
>> in its own little box with white metal front cover.
>> It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
>> in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
>> I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
>>
>> - Henk, PA8PDP
>> www.pdp-11.nl
>
> Obviously, Bill has first dibs on the VSV11. But you should
> be able to use any PDP-11/23 or PDP-11/73. I have a number
> of such systems running in BA23 boxes. Eventually, I will have
> to dispose of them, but not for a few years yet.
> As far as the VSV11 is concerned, I believe that DEC dropped
> support with V05.06 of RT-11. I doubt that RSX-11 kept
> support much longer.
I have a VSV21, which is the follow on graphic system, and I have the
software for RSX. It is not compatible at the hardware level, so the
software I have will not work on a VSV11.
> The RX02 floppy drive retained support, but was never upgraded
> to a 22 bit controller, although it was possible to enhance the device
> driver, DYX.SYS with a bounce buffer.
Johnny
--
Johnny Billquist || "I'm on a bus
|| on a psychedelic trip
email: b...@softjar.se || Reading murder books
pdp is alive! || tryin' to stay hip" - B. Idol
Jerome H. Fine
Sep 18, 2012, 3:23:35 PM9/18/12
to
>Johnny Billquist wrote:
> >On 2012-09-18 04:41, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
>
>> >Henk Gooijen wrote:
>>
>>> Sorry for the delayed response, got Usenet back up just yesterday ...
>>> I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
>>> in its own little box with white metal front cover.
>>> It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
>>> in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
>>> I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
>>>
>>> - Henk, PA8PDP
>>> www.pdp-11.nl
>>
>> Obviously, Bill has first dibs on the VSV11. But you should
>> be able to use any PDP-11/23 or PDP-11/73. I have a number
>> of such systems running in BA23 boxes. Eventually, I will have
>> to dispose of them, but not for a few years yet.
>
> It should work in any Qbus system.
I agree. But my older systems with RL01 / RL02 have
> >On 2012-09-18 04:41, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
>
>> >Henk Gooijen wrote:
>>
>>> Sorry for the delayed response, got Usenet back up just yesterday ...
>>> I have a VSV11 and the documentation. It is in a 4-slot backplane
>>> in its own little box with white metal front cover.
>>> It was used in some typesetting application for offset press letters
>>> in a microPDP-11/23+ running RSX11-M+.
>>> I still; have the VSV11, but "lost"the 11/23+ and its disk :-(
>>>
>>> - Henk, PA8PDP
>>> www.pdp-11.nl
>>
>> Obviously, Bill has first dibs on the VSV11. But you should
>> be able to use any PDP-11/23 or PDP-11/73. I have a number
>> of such systems running in BA23 boxes. Eventually, I will have
>> to dispose of them, but not for a few years yet.
>
> It should work in any Qbus system.
now been collected. The BA23 systems are still reasonable
to use.
>> As far as the VSV11 is concerned, I believe that DEC dropped
>> support with V05.06 of RT-11. I doubt that RSX-11 kept
>> support much longer.
>
> I've never seen anything software wise for the VSV11. Like I said
> before I have a VSV21, which is the follow on graphic system, and I
> have the software for RSX. It is not compatible at the hardware level,
> so the software I have will not work on a VSV11.
the support was dropped. I don't have any use for
a VSV11 for myself, but it could probably be made
active again in RT-11 with a bit of work.
>> The RX02 floppy drive retained support, but was never upgraded
>> to a 22 bit controller, although it was possible to enhance the device
>> driver, DYX.SYS with a bounce buffer.
>
> Are you talking about general RT-11 support for the RX02 now?
the RX03 was my primary backup. DEC made an attempt to support
the RX03 in V04.00 of RT-11, but removed the extra code by
V05.00 of RT-11. Eventually, when I managed to acquire a BA23
system and 4 MB of memory and a DSD 880/30, the RX03 drive
was still used quite a lot. Since the DSD controller supported only
18 bit addresses, it was annoying to have to copy a file from the
RX02 / RX03 media to a file on the hard drive to be sure of being
able to edit the file. I run KED as a system job in extended memory
and the user buffers are rarely below 256 KB.
Finally, I realized that a bounce buffer in the first 256 KB of memory
would allow DYX.SYS to look as if it supported 22 bit addresses
while the hardware only supported 18 bit addresses. The PDP-11/73
was fast enough to initiate the next disk I/O operation after it freed
up the bounce buffer. But the PDP-11/23 was too slow. The code
had to initiate the next disk I/O request, then process the bounce buffer
from the previous disk I/O request. The result was a bit more complicated,
but worth the extra effort on a PDP-11/23 since missing the interleave
window forced a wait until the media turned around again.
I mentioned this a few times a decade or so ago, but no one was interested.
Jerome Fine
Johnny Billquist
Sep 18, 2012, 3:31:20 PM9/18/12
to
On 2012-09-18 21:23, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
> >Johnny Billquist wrote:
>
>> >On 2012-09-18 04:41, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
>>
>>> The RX02 floppy drive retained support, but was never upgraded
>>> to a 22 bit controller, although it was possible to enhance the device
>>> driver, DYX.SYS with a bounce buffer.
>>
>> Are you talking about general RT-11 support for the RX02 now?
>
> NO! When I was using a DSD 880/8 as my primary disk system,
> the RX03 was my primary backup. DEC made an attempt to support
> the RX03 in V04.00 of RT-11, but removed the extra code by
> V05.00 of RT-11. Eventually, when I managed to acquire a BA23
> system and 4 MB of memory and a DSD 880/30, the RX03 drive
> was still used quite a lot. Since the DSD controller supported only
> 18 bit addresses, it was annoying to have to copy a file from the
> RX02 / RX03 media to a file on the hard drive to be sure of being
> able to edit the file. I run KED as a system job in extended memory
> and the user buffers are rarely below 256 KB.
[...]
> >Johnny Billquist wrote:
>
>> >On 2012-09-18 04:41, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
>>
>>> The RX02 floppy drive retained support, but was never upgraded
>>> to a 22 bit controller, although it was possible to enhance the device
>>> driver, DYX.SYS with a bounce buffer.
>>
>> Are you talking about general RT-11 support for the RX02 now?
>
> NO! When I was using a DSD 880/8 as my primary disk system,
> the RX03 was my primary backup. DEC made an attempt to support
> the RX03 in V04.00 of RT-11, but removed the extra code by
> V05.00 of RT-11. Eventually, when I managed to acquire a BA23
> system and 4 MB of memory and a DSD 880/30, the RX03 drive
> was still used quite a lot. Since the DSD controller supported only
> 18 bit addresses, it was annoying to have to copy a file from the
> RX02 / RX03 media to a file on the hard drive to be sure of being
> able to edit the file. I run KED as a system job in extended memory
> and the user buffers are rarely below 256 KB.
Well, this sure is not about the VSV11 anyway, and it definitely sounds
like talk about the RX02...
Just for the record, RSX have been using a bounce buffer for the RX02
the whole time.
Johnny
paramucho
Sep 20, 2012, 12:42:01 PM9/20/12
to
recall the VSV at all).
Ian
Kuze Keisai
Aug 25, 2013, 3:18:36 AM8/25/13
to
VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
if you guys did not see it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
if you guys did not see it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
Johnny Billquist
Aug 25, 2013, 7:34:50 AM8/25/13
to
It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
Bill Gunshannon
Aug 25, 2013, 11:11:37 AM8/25/13
to
In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
as scrap still on the pallets.
Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>> if you guys did not see it.
>>
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>
> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>> if you guys did not see it.
>>
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>
> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
as scrap still on the pallets.
Johnny Billquist
Aug 25, 2013, 11:26:13 AM8/25/13
to
On 2013-08-25 17:11, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>>> if you guys did not see it.
>>>
>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>>
>> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
>> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
>
> Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
> in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
Don't know. Do your cab kit have three coax on the inside, with very
> In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>>> if you guys did not see it.
>>>
>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>>
>> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
>> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
>
> Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
> in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
small BNC contacts, and three normal BNC contacts on the outside. Two
DB25 and one telephone plug connector for the LK201 keyboard?
> Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
> supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
> video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
> as scrap still on the pallets.
documentation for RSX-11M-PLUS. (I also happen to have a VSV21 in my 11/93.)
There was also similar software for VMS, but I only have some
documentation for that, and not the actual images.
Al Kossow
Aug 25, 2013, 12:13:19 PM8/25/13
to
On 8/25/13 8:11 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> The only
> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
> as scrap still on the pallets.
>
There were several companies that sold vector and raster systems that could
> The only
> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
> as scrap still on the pallets.
>
interface to Unibus and QBus in the early 80's. I was the architect for one
(AED Colorcards) that used AMD QPDMs and a 68K processor that ran an X
server on the card. The early 80s was at the end of dedicated graphics boxes
attached to minicomputers since the supermicros with built-in frame buffers
made them redundant, and the world switched from line graphics (ie. GKS) to
raster graphics, windowing systems and BITBLT and 16 bit processors didn't
have the memory or processor bandwidth to deal with those effectively.
There was also a market for video resolution frame buffers, like Imaging
Technology board sets but these were mostly used in image processing applications
with attached array procesors like the Floating Point Systems boxes for medical
and signal processing applications.
Johnny Billquist
Aug 25, 2013, 1:44:40 PM8/25/13
to
On 2013-08-25 18:13, Al Kossow wrote:
> On 8/25/13 8:11 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> The only
>> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
>> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
>> as scrap still on the pallets.
>>
>
> There were several companies that sold vector and raster systems that could
> interface to Unibus and QBus in the early 80's. I was the architect for one
> (AED Colorcards) that used AMD QPDMs and a 68K processor that ran an X
> server on the card.
Uh? Ware you sure about that time?
> On 8/25/13 8:11 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> The only
>> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
>> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
>> as scrap still on the pallets.
>>
>
> There were several companies that sold vector and raster systems that could
> interface to Unibus and QBus in the early 80's. I was the architect for one
> (AED Colorcards) that used AMD QPDMs and a 68K processor that ran an X
> server on the card.
The X project didn't start until 1984. (Admittedly building on previous
work.)
However, yes, various companies did do graphics subsystems for Unibus
and Qbus.
> The early 80s was at the end of dedicated graphics
> boxes
> attached to minicomputers since the supermicros with built-in frame buffers
> made them redundant, and the world switched from line graphics (ie. GKS) to
> raster graphics, windowing systems and BITBLT and 16 bit processors didn't
> have the memory or processor bandwidth to deal with those effectively.
graphics, BITBLT and all kind of fancy schmanzy. It has a 68K processor
for executing graphics "programs" that are either in shared memory with
the PDP-11, or in private memory of its own. All the actual bitmap
memory is in private memory of the VSV21, and the hardware can do all
kind of fast operations on that memory. It has 640x480 with 4 bits per
pixel, and you can write with all kind of logic operations, BITBLT
between different parts of image memory, as well as get some
transformations done when executing your programs. You can write
programs and either put them in shared memory, or load them into the
VSV21 private memory, and then request execution of those programs at
any point later in time. You can have plenty of programs in memory at
the same time.
But yes, graphics subsystems for such machines became obsolete almost at
the same time they started appearing, as workstations also started
showing up.
> There was also a market for video resolution frame buffers, like Imaging
> Technology board sets but these were mostly used in image processing
> applications
> with attached array procesors like the Floating Point Systems boxes for
> medical
> and signal processing applications.
some cool stuff.
Bill Gunshannon
Aug 25, 2013, 2:10:25 PM8/25/13
to
In article <kvd7mm$k94$1...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
BNC's at first glance. I only saw the standard DEC IDC connector.
Mine has that on the inside and two DB15 on the outside. Would go
to the same kind of cables usually used by DEC (I had a VAX once with
a remote head). One is for the monitor and the other for the keyboard
and hockey puck mouse.
Oh well. At least all my stuff is going to find a good home (hopefully
this week!!)
>
>> Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
>> supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
>> video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
>> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
>> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
>> as scrap still on the pallets.
>
> I have both device drivers, various software, and the software
> documentation for RSX-11M-PLUS. (I also happen to have a VSV21 in my 11/93.)
>
> There was also similar software for VMS, but I only have some
> documentation for that, and not the actual images.
>
I used monchrome graphics on some samll VAXen for a while (4000's, I
think). Really long cable under the floor from the computer room to
my desk in my office. But that system is also long gone. I never
had graphics on a PDP-11 unless you count Tektronix 4010. :-)
Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
> On 2013-08-25 17:11, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
>> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>>> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>>>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>>>> if you guys did not see it.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>>>
>>> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
>>> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
>>
>> Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
>> in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
>
> Don't know. Do your cab kit have three coax on the inside, with very
> small BNC contacts, and three normal BNC contacts on the outside. Two
> DB25 and one telephone plug connector for the LK201 keyboard?
Ooops. Nope, not mine. I didn't look close enough to see the little
> On 2013-08-25 17:11, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
>> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>>> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>>>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>>>> if you guys did not see it.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>>>
>>> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
>>> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
>>
>> Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
>> in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
>
> Don't know. Do your cab kit have three coax on the inside, with very
> small BNC contacts, and three normal BNC contacts on the outside. Two
> DB25 and one telephone plug connector for the LK201 keyboard?
BNC's at first glance. I only saw the standard DEC IDC connector.
Mine has that on the inside and two DB15 on the outside. Would go
to the same kind of cables usually used by DEC (I had a VAX once with
a remote head). One is for the monitor and the other for the keyboard
and hockey puck mouse.
Oh well. At least all my stuff is going to find a good home (hopefully
this week!!)
>
>> Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
>> supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
>> video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
>> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
>> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
>> as scrap still on the pallets.
>
> I have both device drivers, various software, and the software
> documentation for RSX-11M-PLUS. (I also happen to have a VSV21 in my 11/93.)
>
> There was also similar software for VMS, but I only have some
> documentation for that, and not the actual images.
>
think). Really long cable under the floor from the computer room to
my desk in my office. But that system is also long gone. I never
had graphics on a PDP-11 unless you count Tektronix 4010. :-)
Johnny Billquist
Aug 25, 2013, 2:38:36 PM8/25/13
to
On 2013-08-25 20:10, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> In article <kvd7mm$k94$1...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>> On 2013-08-25 17:11, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>> In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
>>> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>>>> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>>>>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>>>>> if you guys did not see it.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>>>>
>>>> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
>>>> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
>>>
>>> Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
>>> in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
>>
>> Don't know. Do your cab kit have three coax on the inside, with very
>> small BNC contacts, and three normal BNC contacts on the outside. Two
>> DB25 and one telephone plug connector for the LK201 keyboard?
>
> Ooops. Nope, not mine. I didn't look close enough to see the little
> BNC's at first glance. I only saw the standard DEC IDC connector.
> Mine has that on the inside and two DB15 on the outside. Would go
> to the same kind of cables usually used by DEC (I had a VAX once with
> a remote head). One is for the monitor and the other for the keyboard
> and hockey puck mouse.
Guess that cab kit is not useful then.
> In article <kvd7mm$k94$1...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>> On 2013-08-25 17:11, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>> In article <kvcq4q$gdp$2...@iltempo.update.uu.se>,
>>> Johnny Billquist <b...@softjar.se> writes:
>>>> On 2013-08-25 09:18, Kuze Keisai wrote:
>>>>> VSV21 for sale (Texas, USA)
>>>>> if you guys did not see it.
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/M7656-VSV21-QBUS-COLOR-GRAPHIC-MODULE-USED-/160212436375
>>>>
>>>> Interesting. Of course, my first question becomes - where is the cab kit?
>>>> It is of rather limited use with that, except as a spare part.
>>>
>>> Well, if it uses the the QVSS cab kit, I have one sitting on the desk
>>> in front of me. Does this mean it is actually worth something now? :-)
>>
>> Don't know. Do your cab kit have three coax on the inside, with very
>> small BNC contacts, and three normal BNC contacts on the outside. Two
>> DB25 and one telephone plug connector for the LK201 keyboard?
>
> Ooops. Nope, not mine. I didn't look close enough to see the little
> BNC's at first glance. I only saw the standard DEC IDC connector.
> Mine has that on the inside and two DB15 on the outside. Would go
> to the same kind of cables usually used by DEC (I had a VAX once with
> a remote head). One is for the monitor and the other for the keyboard
> and hockey puck mouse.
> Oh well. At least all my stuff is going to find a good home (hopefully
> this week!!)
>>> Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
>>> supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
>>> video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
>>> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
>>> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
>>> as scrap still on the pallets.
>>
>> I have both device drivers, various software, and the software
>> documentation for RSX-11M-PLUS. (I also happen to have a VSV21 in my 11/93.)
>>
>> There was also similar software for VMS, but I only have some
>> documentation for that, and not the actual images.
>>
>
> I used monchrome graphics on some samll VAXen for a while (4000's, I
> think). Really long cable under the floor from the computer room to
> my desk in my office. But that system is also long gone. I never
> had graphics on a PDP-11 unless you count Tektronix 4010. :-)
in the past. But the VSV21 is much more fun.
I should film it while it's running my simple attempt at a Swiss train
clock. Looks pretty, and works just fine. Don't even notice the CPU time
it consumes.
Christian Corti
Aug 28, 2013, 5:08:51 AM8/28/13
to
Bill Gunshannon <bi...@server2.cs.uofs.edu> wrote:
> Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
> supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
> video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
> as scrap still on the pallets.
I have some floppies with diagnostic programs for QRGB Matrox cards that
> Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
> supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
> video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
> PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
> system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
> as scrap still on the pallets.
were specifically made for PDP-11 systems. One of the disks contain
some sources, e.g.
[...]
.SBTTL MENU POUR LETTRES MINUSCULES
.PSECT CODE
.NLIST BIN
LOMENU::
.ASCII <CLEAR>
.ASCII /a = memory write/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /b = memory read/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /c = memory read & write loop/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /d = read-modify-write loop/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /w = acces manuel au registre de gain et d'offset/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /x = acces manuel aux registres du QRGB-GRAPH/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /y = acces manuel aux registres du QRGB-ALPHA/<CR><LF>
.ASCII /z = retour a ODT/<CR><LF>
.ASCIZ <CR><LF><LF>
[...]
;*****************************************************************************
;*********************** MEMORY WRITE ROUTINE ********************************
;*****************************************************************************
.SBTTL MEMORY WRITE
.PSECT CODE
MWRITE: PRINT MSG1A
PRINT MSG1B
GET ADR1,6,6,1,1
TST WB1
BEQ MW1
MOV #1,WB1
MW1: TST BCL1
BEQ MW2
MOV #1,BCL1
MW2: MOV DAT1,R4
MOV ADR1,R5
MW3: TST WB1
BEQ MW4
MOV R4,(R5)
BR MW5
MW4: MOVB R4,(R5)
MW5: TST BCL1
BEQ MW6
JNRDY MW3
MW6: JMP RESTART
[...]
Christian
glen herrmannsfeldt
Aug 28, 2013, 12:28:50 PM8/28/13
to
Christian Corti <u...@reply.to> wrote:
(snip)
> I have some floppies with diagnostic programs for QRGB Matrox cards that
> were specifically made for PDP-11 systems. One of the disks contain
> some sources, e.g.
I think I have one of those cards. I haven't tried to use it, though.
-- glen
(snip)
> I have some floppies with diagnostic programs for QRGB Matrox cards that
> were specifically made for PDP-11 systems. One of the disks contain
> some sources, e.g.
-- glen
Richard
Sep 9, 2013, 6:11:33 PM9/9/13
to
[Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]
bill...@cs.uofs.edu spake the secret code
<b7ul59...@mid.individual.net> thusly:
>Of course, my first question would have been what OS/software on a PDP-11
>supports it? If I remember correctly even the earlier QBUS monochrome
>video hardware was actually for the VAX and not the PDP-11. The only
>PDP-11 systems I remember that did any kind of graphics were a Kodak
>system that failed miserably in the market place and ended out being sold
>as scrap still on the pallets.
display processor. This was a dynamic refresh graphics system.
VSV11 was a successor to the VT11 and was a raster refresh graphics
system using a more conventional monitor.
GT40, etc., was also for PDP-11 but was more of an integrated system
with it's own dedicated PDP-11 as the display processor and acted as a
graphics terminal.
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