Video Modes
Main
the MS-DOS operating system spanned nearly 20 years. This was during a timer period when advancements were being made incredibly quickly. Computers went from low resolution monochrome text only games and applications to high resolution Super VGA graphics with millions of colors in just over 10 years.
Due to the speed at which new video modes were being developed, it was common for games to be released with support for multiple video modes. The eXoDOS project is currently working through the games in an attempt to provide video mode options at launch, in order to be able to experience the game in all possible modes.
Video Modes
Monochrome
Hercules
The Hercules Graphics Card (HGC)
Modes:
- 80×25 text mode with 9×14 pixel font (effective resolution of 720×348)
- 720×348 graphics mode
CGA
PCjr
The IBM PCjr offered multiple CGA-compatible and enhanced modes built onto the system board. Modes:
- 160x200 at 16 colors
- 320x200 at 16 colors
- 640x200 at 4 colors
The primary improvement over CGA is the greater color depth. CGA could only display 4 colors in its medium-resolution mode, and 2 colors in high-resolution. The PCjr increases these to 16 and 4 colors.
Tandy
The Tandy 1000 line of computers had it's own video mode. It started as a clone of the #PCjr, however it was enhanced and capable of displaying up to 16 colors at 320x200. It was also backwards compatible with most CGA modes.
In general, Tandy graphics were better than competing IBM PC models when it was first released. However the introduction of #EGA cards evened the capabilities.
CGA compatible modes:
- 320×200 in 4 colors from a 16 color (RGBI) hardware palette. Pixel aspect ratio of 1:1.2.
- 640×200 in 2 colors from 16. Pixel aspect ratio of 1:2.4
- 40×25 with 8×8 pixel font text mode (effective resolution of 320×200)
- 80×25 with 8×8 pixel font text mode (effective resolution of 640×200)
In addition to the CGA modes, it offers:
- 160×200 with 16 colors
- 320×200 with 16 colors
- 640×200 with 4 colors (from 16)