from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
display standard
display standards
<hardware> {IBM} and others have introduced a bewildering
plethora of graphics and text display {standards} for {IBM
PCs}. The standards are mostly implemented by plugging in a
video display board (or "{graphics adaptor}") and connecting
the appropriate monitor to it. Each new standard subsumes its
predecessors. For example, an {EGA} board can also do {CGA}
and {MDA}.
With the {PS/2}, IBM introduced the {VGA} standard and built
it into the main system board {motherboard}. VGA is also
available as a plug-in board for PCs from third-party vendors.
Also with the PS/2, IBM introduced the {8514} high-resolution
graphics standard. An 8514 adaptor board plugs into the PS/2,
providing a dual-monitor capability.
Graphics software has to support the major IBM graphics
standards and many non-IBM, proprietary standards for
high-resolution displays. Either software vendors provide
{display drivers}, or display vendors provide drivers for the
software package. In either case, switching software or
switching display systems is fraught with compatibility
problems.
Display Resolution Colours Sponsor Systems
MDA 720x350 T 2 IBM PC
CGA 320x200 4 IBM PC
EGA 640x350 16 IBM PC
PGA 640x480 256 IBM PC
Hercules 729x348 2 non-IBM PC
MCGA 720x400 T
320x200 G 256 PS/2
VGA 720x400 T
640x480 G 16
SVGA 800x600 16 VESA
XVGA 1024x768 256 (IBM name: 8514)
T: text, G: graphics.
More colours are available from third-party vendors for some
display types.
See also {MDA}, {CGA}, {EGA}, {PGA}, {Hercules}, {MCGA},
{VGA}, {SVGA}, {8514}, {VESA}.