Hercules Graphics Card
HGC with parallel port | |
| Release date | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Motorola 6845 |
| Cards | |
| Entry-level | Hercules Graphics Card |
| Mid-range | Hercules Graphics Card Plus |
| High-end | Hercules InColor Card |
| History | |
| Predecessor | MDA, CGA |
| Successor | Enhanced Graphics Adapter |
The Hercules Graphics Card (HGC) is a computer graphics controller formerly made by Hercules Computer Technology, Inc. that combines IBM's text-only MDA display standard with a bitmapped graphics mode, also offering a parallel printer port. This allows the HGC to offer both high-quality text and graphics from a single card.
The HGC was very popular and became a widely supported de facto display standard on IBM PC compatibles. The HGC standard was used long after more technically capable systems had entered the market, especially on dual-monitor setups.