Matrox -- ALT256 VIDEO BOARD This was the board
that launched the Matrox company.
The ALT-256 low cost high resolution graphics
interface can be used in a wide range of applications. Typical examples
range from video games like electronic etch-a-sketch, to industrial uses
such as computer image processing. The unit has 4 times the resolution of
other S100 bus graphics at the time and includes features such as expansion
for color/grey scale, external sync capability, on card refresh memory and
direct S100 bus compatibility. The ALT-256 was compatible with the ALT-2480
permitting a powerful combined alphanumeric/graphic display. The
onboard memory was made up of sixteen TMS4027-30 TI RAM chips. It
provided a 256X256 monochrome display.
The card had its own built-in TV sync generator. This generator could also
be synchronized to an external TV sync signal. The card could be jumpered to
work with either American or European TV standards.
