Your Video System

Your video system consists of one hardware and two software elements that work together to produce the image you see on the screen. These are:

• The monitor.
• The monitor driver, which is the Amiga software that manages the basic communication between the monitor and the computer.
• The display mode - a set of specific parameters supplied by driver - that controls the actual characteristics of an Amiga screen. These characteristics include the number of displayable colors, the available scan rates, and resolution.

The hierarchical relationship among these elements is illustrated in Figure 7-1.

Figure 7-1.

Video System Hierarchy

For each type of monitor, you can select more than one driver and, within a driver, more than one display mode. You must, however, ensure that your selections are compatible. We strongly recommend that you read this chapter through completely before setting up or purchasing a monitor to use with your new Amiga.