Upgrade a vintage 1983 Apple IIe with crisp VGA output using the A2 VidGA card from JCM-1.com, a modern Apple II video solution based on the AppleII-VGA project by Mark Aiken. This upgrade replaces the limitations of traditional composite video with a clean RGB-derived VGA signal for use with modern monitors while preserving the classic Apple II graphics look and behavior.
This video covers installation and testing of the A2 VidGA card in an Apple IIe, including setup with an NEC 14-inch VGA monitor, configuration using the AppleII-VGA utility disk, and software loading with a Floppy Emu from BMOW. The card is demonstrated with classic Apple II games including Choplifter by Dan Gorlin and Broderbund, Hard Hat Mack by Electronic Arts, and Crossfire by On-Line Systems while showing how Apple II graphics appear through modern VGA output.
The A2 VidGA and AppleII-VGA firmware support a wide range of Apple II display modes including 640x480 VGA output, text mode, lo-res graphics, hi-res graphics with simulated NTSC artifact color, mixed graphics modes, Apple IIe 80-column text, double-lores, double-hires, soft-monochrome display, some Video-7 RGB card modes, and Videx VideoTerm compatibility on the Apple II Plus. For Apple IIe, Apple II Plus, Apple IIGS, and Apple ][ users looking for sharper video output, this is one of the most useful modern display upgrades available for classic Apple II hardware.