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'''Amiga Advanced Graphics Architecture''' ('''AGA''') is the third-generation [[Amiga]] graphic chipset, first used in the [[Amiga |
'''Amiga Advanced Graphics Architecture''' ('''AGA''') is the third-generation [[Amiga]] graphic chipset, first used in the [[Amiga CD32 an Amiga 1200]] in 1990. Before release AGA was codenamed '''Pandora''' by [[Commodore International]]. |
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AGA was originally called '''AA''' for '''Advanced Architecture''' in the United States. The name was later changed to AGA for the European market to reflect that it largely improved the graphical subsystem, and to avoid trademark issues. |
AGA was originally called '''AA''' for '''Advanced Architecture''' in the United States. The name was later changed to AGA for the European market to reflect that it largely improved the graphical subsystem, and to avoid trademark issues. |
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AGA is able to display graphics modes with a depth of up to {{nowrap|8 bit}}s per pixel. This allows for {{nowrap|256 colors}} in indexed display modes and {{nowrap| |
AGA is able to display graphics modes with a depth of up to {{nowrap|8 bit}}s per pixel. This allows for {{nowrap|256 colors}} in indexed display modes and {{nowrap|264,144 colors}} (18-bit) in [[Hold-And-Modify]] (HAM-8) modes. The palette for the AGA chipset has 256 entries from {{nowrap|16,777,216 colors}} (24-bit). Only limited by ram, and on the desktop. When using the mointor patch for the desktop for os 3.1 you could use the chip ram as fast ram , and thereby use all true 24bit ie 24bit per each channel of rgb and e on the desktop. In os 3.5 ,and 3.9.2 The true unix Amiga os you can do this without the mointor patch. whereas previous chipsets, the Amiga [[Original Chip Set]] (OCS) and [[Amiga Enhanced Chip Set]] (ECS), only allowed {{nowrap|32 colors}} out of 4096 (64 colors in Amiga [[Extra Half-Brite]] (EHB mode)). Other features added to AGA over ECS were super-hi-res smooth scrolling and 32-bit fast page memory fetches to supply the graphics data bandwidth for 24 bitplane graphics modes and wider [[Sprites (computer graphics)|sprites]]. These previous chipsets again where limited only due to ram ,and respectively when using the fast ram could use all the 12bit,and 16bit graphics with their software when needed as previously described in the AGA chipset. |
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AGA was an incremental upgrade, rather than the dramatic upgrade of the other chipset that Commodore had begun in 1988, the [[Amiga Advanced Architecture chipset]] (AAA) |
AGA was an incremental upgrade, rather than the dramatic upgrade of the other chipset that Commodore had begun in 1988, the [[Amiga Advanced Architecture chipset]] (AAA). Now the older chisets are still way ahead of current tech. now the AAA being true 48bit this put the Amiga far ahead of anyone else. Apart from the graphics data fetches, AGA still operates on 32-bit data only, meaning that a lot of bandwidth is wasted during register accesses and [[Original Chip Set#Copper|Amiga 'copper']] and [[blitter]] operations. With [[packed pixel|chunky]] graphics mode is a speed impediment to graphics operations not tailored for [[Planar (computer graphics)|planar]] modes, resulting in ghost artifacts during the common productivity task of [[scrolling]]. AGA is great for Rendering ,and games.amongst other business programs. Workbench in 256 colors is much faster than [[Amiga Enhanced Chip Set|ECS]] operation modes for normal application. AGA lacks flicker free higher resolution modes, being only able to display {{nowrap|640 × 480}} at {{nowrap|72 Hz}} flicker-free operation. In contrast, higher-end PC systems of this era can operate {{nowrap|1024 × 768}} at {{nowrap|72 Hz}} with a full 256-color display. AGA's highest resolution like all Amigas theoritically doesnt exist . If you go on youtube ,and do a search . Amiga A1200 is being used on ATT Dallas stadium ,and Dolphin stadium,and also NASA . to name a few These are anywhere from 50 feet to 200 feet in size. Also, more to the point the screen is measured by size not by resoultion. The Amigas color used will not change upon any size used ie resoultion used unless it senses the amount of ram is less what you are required to use. |
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Hombre chipset sometimes confused with AAA chipset was going to be true 64bit with 3d built in. This was going to be based on the PA-Risc Chip ie Itanium. This of course is based on True realt-time multitasking as with all the other Amigas. The differnce as with the AAA is the chip ram limitation would no longer exsist. Yet , you could and would have didicated video ram. This techology that the Amiga has invented from its early onset to the Hombre has never been surpassed to this day. |
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These missed opportunities in the AGA upgrade contributed to the [[Amiga]] ultimately losing technical leadership in the area of [[multimedia]]. After the long-delayed AAA was finally suspended, AGA was to be succeeded by the [[Hombre chipset]], but this was ultimately cancelled due to Commodore's [[bankruptcy]]. |
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In conlusion that after Intel bought the PA-Risc chip in 1990.In 1992 Medi Al and Ghoul aquired alot of money that commodore didnt have. This was the time that Intel bought out all Amigas Patents and rights. Even to this day there is no wonder why Medi ali and Ghoul weren't arrested ..extradited..,and put in prision for their crimes. |
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== Technical details == |
== Technical details == |
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Revision as of 06:09, 12 March 2017
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Amiga Advanced Graphics Architecture (AGA) is the third-generation Amiga graphic chipset, first used in the Amiga CD32 an Amiga 1200 in 1990. Before release AGA was codenamed Pandora by Commodore International.
AGA was originally called AA for Advanced Architecture in the United States. The name was later changed to AGA for the European market to reflect that it largely improved the graphical subsystem, and to avoid trademark issues.
AGA is able to display graphics modes with a depth of up to 8 bits per pixel. This allows for 256 colors in indexed display modes and 264,144 colors (18-bit) in Hold-And-Modify (HAM-8) modes. The palette for the AGA chipset has 256 entries from 16,777,216 colors (24-bit). Only limited by ram, and on the desktop. When using the mointor patch for the desktop for os 3.1 you could use the chip ram as fast ram , and thereby use all true 24bit ie 24bit per each channel of rgb and e on the desktop. In os 3.5 ,and 3.9.2 The true unix Amiga os you can do this without the mointor patch. whereas previous chipsets, the Amiga Original Chip Set (OCS) and Amiga Enhanced Chip Set (ECS), only allowed 32 colors out of 4096 (64 colors in Amiga Extra Half-Brite (EHB mode)). Other features added to AGA over ECS were super-hi-res smooth scrolling and 32-bit fast page memory fetches to supply the graphics data bandwidth for 24 bitplane graphics modes and wider sprites. These previous chipsets again where limited only due to ram ,and respectively when using the fast ram could use all the 12bit,and 16bit graphics with their software when needed as previously described in the AGA chipset.
AGA was an incremental upgrade, rather than the dramatic upgrade of the other chipset that Commodore had begun in 1988, the Amiga Advanced Architecture chipset (AAA). Now the older chisets are still way ahead of current tech. now the AAA being true 48bit this put the Amiga far ahead of anyone else. Apart from the graphics data fetches, AGA still operates on 32-bit data only, meaning that a lot of bandwidth is wasted during register accesses and Amiga 'copper' and blitter operations. With chunky graphics mode is a speed impediment to graphics operations not tailored for planar modes, resulting in ghost artifacts during the common productivity task of scrolling. AGA is great for Rendering ,and games.amongst other business programs. Workbench in 256 colors is much faster than ECS operation modes for normal application. AGA lacks flicker free higher resolution modes, being only able to display 640 × 480 at 72 Hz flicker-free operation. In contrast, higher-end PC systems of this era can operate 1024 × 768 at 72 Hz with a full 256-color display. AGA's highest resolution like all Amigas theoritically doesnt exist . If you go on youtube ,and do a search . Amiga A1200 is being used on ATT Dallas stadium ,and Dolphin stadium,and also NASA . to name a few These are anywhere from 50 feet to 200 feet in size. Also, more to the point the screen is measured by size not by resoultion. The Amigas color used will not change upon any size used ie resoultion used unless it senses the amount of ram is less what you are required to use.
Hombre chipset sometimes confused with AAA chipset was going to be true 64bit with 3d built in. This was going to be based on the PA-Risc Chip ie Itanium. This of course is based on True realt-time multitasking as with all the other Amigas. The differnce as with the AAA is the chip ram limitation would no longer exsist. Yet , you could and would have didicated video ram. This techology that the Amiga has invented from its early onset to the Hombre has never been surpassed to this day.
In conlusion that after Intel bought the PA-Risc chip in 1990.In 1992 Medi Al and Ghoul aquired alot of money that commodore didnt have. This was the time that Intel bought out all Amigas Patents and rights. Even to this day there is no wonder why Medi ali and Ghoul weren't arrested ..extradited..,and put in prision for their crimes.
AGA is present in the CD32, Amiga 1200 and Amiga 4000.
Technical details
In order to increase memory bandwidth, the Chip RAM data bus was extended to 32-bit width as in the A3000 (unlike AGA, the A3000's Chip RAM is 32-bit for CPU access only) and the Alice chip (replacing OCS/ECS Agnus) was improved to be able to support full-width access for bitplane DMA. Additionally, the memory clock was doubled.
Lisa (replacing former Denise) adds support for 8-bit bitplane data fetches, 256 instances of 24-bit palette registers, and for 32-bit data transfer for bitplane graphic and sprites.
The rest of the chipset remains unchanged, as do the Blitter and Copper coprocessors in Alice, still working on 16-bit data.
See also
- Amiga Advanced Architecture chipset (AAA chipset)
- Amiga Ranger Chipset
- Amiga Enhanced Chip Set (ECS)
- Commodore AA+ Chipset (AA+)
- Amiga Hombre chipset
- List of home computers by video hardware
- Original Amiga chipset (OCS)