Bartosz,

Have no personal info re: ATARI. My info came from:

Atari 800 computer page.

My point was that if the goal was to produce a "peer" system to the ATARI then "spec creep" has occurred.

Saying this, i wouldn't imagine producing a video solution that wasn't "useful". My personal definition of "useful" would entail full bitmap capability (vs. block pixels) and a level of resolution that allowed a reasonable graphic capability (i.e. 640x200 min).

The "pong" and other single chip solutions are admirable projects but generate a level a video capability not useful from my point of view (but clearly useful for many purposes other than my own).

The reuse of VGA technology (i.e. monitors/lcds) is a good idea due to it's proliferation and cost. Driving these devices requires only that you generate the approp. sync Fz/polarity/timing. The remaining display format can be defined approapriately for the required platform solution and requirement. The Xess solution is not (as an example) 640x480.

regards,
p