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what are the options for vector graphics on a pdp8?

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rorypoole

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I have a large oscilloscope tube in storage that I can use, I cant remember its size but I think its over 3 feet long! I also own a few oscilloscopes, most valve based, what are the hardware options for vector graphics on a pdp8, for the vector graphics controller hardware and vector graphics display's, I could also get an old black and white tv or newer vga monitor and gut it for the crt psu and drivers?
 
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Your ambition is endless my friend. :evilgrin3:

Let me see if I have anything to help you on this. PDP-8's are not "my thing" but as it happens, I recall some items on vector graphics here somewhere, and I'm pretty sure they were for the 8.

Might take me a while. (lots to look through) :hunter:
 
rorypoole said:
I have a large oscilloscope tube in storage that I can use, I cant remember its size but I think its over 3 feet long! I also own a few oscilloscopes, most valve based, what are the hardware options for vector graphics on a pdp8, for the vector graphics controller hardware and vector graphics display's, I could also get an old black and white tv or newer vga monitor and gut it for the crt psu and drivers?
Click to expand...

In the laboratory environment that would be the AX08 (if you mean the 8/I+ era). It included a pair of D/A convertors that were commonly used to drive a long-persistence X-Y 'scope; also a pen plotter. (Also included D/A, RTC, and relay controls.)

Example: http://www.pdp8.net/ax08/ax08.shtml

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Documents at that link look as good or better than what I can provide.

Thanks!
 
home-brew implementation of the VC8/I it looks like it dose not take to meny flip chips
www.chdickman.com/pdp8/spacewar/
www.chdickman.com/pdp8/VC8/
www.chdickman.com/pdp8/VC8/VC8.txt
the site lists VC8/I, VC8E and LAB8 for the pdp8, I will have to look them all up
VC8/I 10bit 1024x1024 with pen interface
LAB8 9bit 512x512 part of AX08
VC8E

it looks like I will be going with the VC8/I

or maybe not

"DEC sold a system introduced 1967 called the DISPLAY-8 or type 338 programmed buffered display which was another PDP-8 which handled all the display processing and could draw 300,000 points, 600 inches of vectors, or 700 characters flicker free at the same time."
http://www.pdp8.net/vr14/vr14info.shtml
could the DISPLAY-8 be built with a 6100 or 6120 pdp8 in a chip? I will have to have a look
 
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so far I have only found user guides for the DISPLAY-8 or type 338 programmed buffered display? I will keep looking for the build info.
 
I have collected some old CRT VGA monitors, and a 21 and 28 CRT inch tv's cheap to convert to a vector display, I dont know if the tube in the TV's or VGA monitors are better to use, but as they are getting hard to find and are dirt cheap I got both! I also have a few tiny black and white crt tvs to start experimenting on first.
also I am getting a pdp8/e on a chip for the display8 the 6120 is good for 5.1mhz, that should make a good GPU for the straight 8

I have also found David Gesswein's DS32 Emulator Board, its not the same as a real drive, but it is the equivalent of a USB flash drive for the pdp computers!
http://www.pdp8online.com/dfds32/emulator/index.shtml
if you put it in a plastic case to protect it, it would go in a large pocket!

and there is the RL02/RL01 simulator project!
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcf...r-project-is-finished&highlight=DS32+Emulator
http://www.pdp11gy.com/indexE.html

I dont mind using a hardware emulator boards in my version of the display8

I need to finish my pdp8 straight 8 first
 
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