display standard
display standards

    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.