Panorama FAQ, Common questions

20081124

Q1: What is standard videomode? non-standard?
A1: Standard modes: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200,
    i.e. videomodes, defined in VESA standard. 
    All other videomodes are non-standard (16:9, 16:10, etc)
    The list of supported modes is stored in Video BIOS of your adapter.


Q2: What is the advantage of color hardware cursor?
A2: If you are using color cursors (standalone or delivered with 
    eSchemes -- http://ecomstation.ru/eschemes) then usual driver will use 
    software mode to draw the cursor. This causes deceleration, because 
    vman.dll begins to follow the position of cursor and show/hide it on 
    screen updates. The problem shows itself when using media players,
    TV-players, etc.
    This is impermissble for modern operating system, that's why 
    we have implemented color hardware cursor for eComStation and OS/2.

    
Q3: What is VMAN?
A3: VMAN.DLL is a component of GRADD. Developers are using this interface
    for fast drawing of streaming video data.
    VMAN is a point of serialization (access serialization to video card) 

    
Q4: How to reset resolution and refresh rate if OS fails to boot?
A4: Boot to command line (Alt-F1) and run 
    x:\OS2\INSTALL\vcfgcid.cmd /RES:640x480x65536 /RR:60
    
    
Q5: How to measure the performance of Panorama videodriver?
A5: You can use sysbench and pmbench benchmarks 
    http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/cgi-bin/h-search?key=sysbench&pushbutton=Search
    For today's applications having lots of pictures as well as 
    anti-aliased text, the by far most important scores are:
      BitBlt S->S copy (= Memory->Screen)
      BitBlt M->S copy (= Screen->Screen)

     
Q6: Why GRADD is not used in other OSes
A6: It is protected with patents: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5745762.html


Q7: What is the need in Video BIOS today? Which OS uses it?
A7: Windows drivers don't use Video BIOS. That's why manufacturers of 
    video adapters do not test video BIOSes.. Modern Video BIOSes are buggy
    and unusable.

    
Q8: Fonts on my 22" monitor are ugly
A8: How did you attached monitor? If via VGA then the picture is not perfect.
    Attach monitor via DVI.
    
    
Q9: How to force Multimedia applications use dive?
A9: WarpVision: set play via DIVE
    kpm -video dive file
    mplayer -vo kva:dive
    
   
Q10: How to convince that LCD connected via VGA is safe for my eyes?
A10: Open this test picture 
       http://ecomstation.ru/projects/panorama/pic/testVGA.png
     If the image is clear than you can work with the LCD.
     If you see trembling/vibration of the picture, then don't work
     with this cheap LCD monitor.
     
     
Q11: How to make video driver work with other video adapter?    
A11: There are 2 cards in the computer. The video driver selects one, 
     you need the second. This is not possible. Video drivers can't help you.
     All depends on video BIOSes