Amiga 500 VGA monitor question

[AussieAtari]

I have a NEC Multisync monitor I would like to use with my Amiga 500s, is it all right to simply plug it in, connect it up and see if it works (syncs down to 15Hz) or could that damage the monitor?

 

Is there anywhere that lists the NEC Multisync models and what their capabilities are?

 

Also, I have a TV-out adaptor for the Amiga but no cable; does it require a special cable?

[+remowilliams]

I have a NEC Multisync monitor I would like to use with my Amiga 500s, is it all right to simply plug it in, connect it up and see if it works (syncs down to 15Hz) or could that damage the monitor?

The old ones (3D's ?) are definitely 15Khz horiz refresh. If you know your monitor is for sure, then there is no harm connecting it directly to the Amiga. Just use an adapter or be sure to use the correct lines as the Amiga video port carries accessory voltage out

 

As far as the TV adapter - who makes it?

[AussieAtari]

The TV adaptor is the original Commodore Amiga unit. It has RCA jacks for Audio In, Video Out (could this be used with an Apple IIe monitor?) and TV out with a "H/L" channel selector switch.

 

It has a duplicate plug to that on the back of the Amiga for RGB out, can I simply use a serial cable to connect them or do I have to use a purpose-made cable?

 

What is the adaptor I need to use to connect the Amiga monitor cable to my VGA monitor cable and prevent damage due to the power out from the Amiga?

 

This is frustrating, I have all of these old monitors but they are either Apple or VGA, no Commodore units and no hope of ever getting one. I gather I'll have the same or similar issues with connecting my STFM as well.

 

Actually Remo, whilst I have your attention, what is the "Mono" jack for on the Amiga, is it simply a mono audio out jack?

Edited March 23, 2007 by AussieAtari

[+remowilliams]

It has a duplicate plug to that on the back of the Amiga for RGB out, can I simply use a serial cable to connect them or do I have to use a purpose-made cable?

Ah, okay that's the C520 (?) RF adapter. It's meant to plug directly into the RGB out port. I suppose theoretically if you had a straight through 23 pin cable you could use it - serial is 25 pin. The 'mono' jack on the A500 is IIRC to plug into the RF adapter's audio in jack, as the 23 pin video port is video only.

 

What is the adapter I need to use to connect the Amiga monitor cable to my VGA monitor cable and prevent damage due to the power out from the Amiga?

That would be the C 390682-01 (or equivalent knock off) adapter. It's a little 23 pin female to 15 pin VGA silver adapter.

 

This is frustrating, I have all of these old monitors but they are either Apple or VGA, no Commodore units and no hope of ever getting one. I gather I'll have the same or similar issues with connecting my STFM as well.

Yes it is annoying to say the least. Luckily I have four C108x monitors that I use, they are fantastic retro monitors (RGB/TTL/s-video/composite) . One of the best modern solutions would be to obtain a SCART RGB LCD TV unit, which I'd like to do but shipping would be ridiculous.

 

Other than that there are scan doublers (pricey) for the Amiga. As for the STFM - you can get a composite video cable for it that might be sufficient for your use. Also note that you can connect any ST to a modern VGA monitor for high resolution (B/W) only if that helps.

[marcfrick2112]

Hello, I own 2 of those Amiga RF Adapters..(A520, BTW). The 'Mono' jack on the 500...Oh, almost forgot about it, it's a standard video out, but only in Monochrome. About your monitor, you'll need to give us the model #. I know the NEC 3D is definately good for 15KHz. You may want to google for 'Amiga compatible monitors', there is a list somewhere of which NEC models work. As for the 23-pin to 15-pin VGA adapter, best advice is to order from an Amiga dealer, some Mac dealers carry the same part but charge more for it Try www.softhut.com or Amigakit.com to start. Heck, I might even have a spare laying around if you need it....

[+remowilliams]

Hello, I own 2 of those Amiga RF Adapters..(A520, BTW). The 'Mono' jack on the 500...Oh, almost forgot about it, it's a standard video out, but only in Monochrome.

Ah, right you are. I never used RF myself on the A500, nor would I ever ( RF - BARF ) and my A500s are in a closet. My 1200 or super expanded CD32 are the goto machines these days.

 

At least I got the model mostly number right.

[marcfrick2112]

Hello, I own 2 of those Amiga RF Adapters..(A520, BTW). The 'Mono' jack on the 500...Oh, almost forgot about it, it's a standard video out, but only in Monochrome.

Ah, right you are. I never used RF myself on the A500, nor would I ever ( RF - BARF ) and my A500s are in a closet. My 1200 or super expanded CD32 are the goto machines these days.

 

At least I got the model mostly number right.

 

No big deal, I am suprised I remembered...my 2 A500's suddenly died a couple years ago...so my goto machine is my A1200 Power Tower

[Ze_ro]

GGS Data has an adaptor that should work for you... check out this page and scroll down to VGA Adaptor. They're a swedish store, so their prices are all listed in SEK (there's a thing on the left that will let you change the prices), and include VAT (which you won't have to pay), so it should work out to something like $25 Australian. I've bought stuff from them in the past and they seemed pretty good.

 

As for the STFM, you can always use the RF output to display on a normal TV... you won't get a very good picture, but it's better than nothing. That reminds me, I bought the parts to make a ST -> 1084S cable a while back and never got around to building the damn thing... I have three ST's and have yet to find a video cable

 

--Zero

[AussieAtari]

The old ones (3D's ?) are definitely 15Khz horiz refresh. If you know your monitor is for sure, then there is no harm connecting it directly to the Amiga. Just use an adapter or be sure to use the correct lines as the Amiga video port carries accessory voltage out

 

Damn, my monitor is a XV15+, which only goes down to 31Khz horizontal refresh and 55Hz vertical. I gather that it would be okay for monochrome but I wanted to play my Amiga games in colour.

 

I spotted an old Apple 14" multisync monitor buried at the back of the Cave last night so I'll dig that out and try to find the specs in case I can use it.

 

I don't suppose there is any composite video hack for the Amiga 500?

 

I tried the mono video out with an old Apple IIe monitor and it worked perfectly with a great quality picture, but only in glorious B&W.

 

Remo, I got all of my STFM stuff out over the weekend and mighty play around with that for the next month or so, can you point me to where I may purchase a composite video cable for it?

[fueriose]

Ebay is full of adapters that you can use..

http://cgi.ebay.com/VGA-MONITOR-ADAPTOR-FO...1QQcmdZViewItem

I've never personally seen THAT one, but it seems to be pretty nice. But as is says you will need to know if your 500 has a denise or super denise.

Also ebay is full of those 520's... Here are the specs:

 

* video modulator allows TV sets to display Amiga graphics

* provides a standard UHF RF output as well as a standard composite video output

* three RCA connectors:

o RF output

o colour composite output

o mono audio input - connected to the stereo Amiga output with an Y-cable

* channel selector switch

* atrocious video quality

* PAL and NTSC versions

 

Also genlocks might do the trick for you as well, search ebay for those.

Edited April 6, 2007 by fueriose

[+remowilliams]

I don't suppose there is any composite video hack for the Amiga 500?

 

Remo, I got all of my STFM stuff out over the weekend and mighty play around with that for the next month or so, can you point me to where I may purchase a composite video cable for it?

No A500 mod like that, that I know of. A500 doesn't have internal RF signal generation, so I doubt there's anything to be done in that respect.

 

This page at Best Electronics has a composite ST cable listed.

 

* atrocious video quality

Yes, that pretty much sums up the RF signal picture quality.

 

Also that thing linked in ebay looks like it would only work with a video driver on the Amiga, so that means workbench only software, which means in reality no games.