Atari 400 User Manual page 179

relatively expensive, however, and offer no real
advantage over combination color TV/monitors.
The quality of the picture on a color monitor is
definitely better than that of a regular TV set. A
color monitor can be used with an Atari SOO or
1200XL, but not with all Atari 400. The Atari
400 has the capability to be used only with a
TV; it cannot be used with any type of monitor
or TV/monitor combination.
Black-and-White TV Sets
If you have a black-and-white TV hooked up to
your computer, you will not be able to use the
color capabilities of the Atari. However, black-
and-white TV sets offer one advantage: you can
buy an additional peripheral that will produce
an SO-column-wide display, rather than the
standard display of 40 columns on a color TV or
monitor. A company called Bit3 makes a special
board which, when used with a black-and-
white TV and with certain software programs,
produces the SO-column screen. Software that is
written to make use of the Bit3 board is avail-
able for word processing and data base
applications.
Monochrome Monitors
One-color monitors, called monochrome moni-
tors, are also available for the Atari. Like a black-
and-white TV you can use the Bit3 board with a
monochrome monitor to produce an SO-column
display
Monochrome monitors are available with black-
and-white screens or amber or green letters on a
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