1. A programmable video output format generator comprising: a video format compiler having an input for receipt of a display format program, said compiler deriving a plurality of timing information from said display format program and outputting said plurality of timing information at an output; and means, coupled to said video format compiler, for generating a plurality of video display signals in response to said plurality of timing information, said means for generating comprising a reprogrammable state machine including, a vertical counter to run said state machine, a programmable line type storage means, coupled to said vertical counter, for storing a plurality of video line types, a programmable line count storage means, coupled to said vertical counter, for storing a plurality of line count values, a line counter, coupled to said programmable line count storage means, for counting said line count values, a horizontal counter, coupled to said programmable line type storage means, for counting a plurality of elements across a video line, and a programmable signal storage means, coupled to said programmable line type storage means and said horizontal counter, for generating a plurality of video output signals, wherein, by modifying said display format program, the programmable video output format generator can generate different video output formats for connecting to different video display devices having arbitrary video output format requirements.