dphirschler Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 (edited) Who here has done the F18A VGA-out mod? I want to do the mod, but I'd like to hear from the others around here about it first. Also, I'd like to know more about the extra parts needed to finish the mod. Ribbon cables, VGA connector, mounting screws, other chips and stuff? Does it come with instructions? Where can I find the socket to put in place of the original chip, and how much is it? Darryl Edited August 10, 2014 by dphirschler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Who here has done the F18A VGA-out mod? I want to do the mod, but I'd like to hear from the others around here about it first. Also, I'd like to know more about the extra parts needed to finish the mod. Ribbon cables, VGA connector, mounting screws, other chips and stuff? Does it come with instructions? Where can I find the socket to put in place of the original chip, and how much is it? Darryl Hi Darryl, I did the F18A mod and I LOVE IT! It comes with almost everything needed to install it. You'll have to have a couple of screwdrivers of your own and a set of tin snips will come in handy. Also a Dremel tool is nice for making the hole on the back of the TI in a neat manner. As you can see from this first image, it just slides into the same socket as the old video chip. I would recommend having at least a SMALL flathead screw driver to gently pry the old chip up. This is what the back looks like (on mine) once I modified the plate that came with the unit and added two small nuts and bolts from the local hardware store. This is the UNMODIFIED plate that comes with the F18A This is the plate AFTER I got done carving on it. It's actually an EASY project as it requires NO SOLDERING. If you take your time, it'll take about 45 minutes from start to finish. As you've already been to the site << HERE >>, you know how much it costs. In my opinion, it's one of the top three mods available for the TI. IF YOU WANT TO DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU PURCHASE GO TO << THIS POST >>. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ti99iuc Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) It's my Guide: >>Here<< Edited August 10, 2014 by ti99userclub 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Vectrex Roli made a nice video you might like to watch... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp57qmpcUnY 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstimson Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I've also done the mod and love it as well. HOWEVER: something to keep in mind is that you will need to still use the regular video cable and a set of amplified speakers if you want sound. The VGA is video only, of course, so it will only send video out to your VGA monitor. So, the F18-A with VGA cable to send video to your VGA monitor. Regular TI cable with amplified speakers to get sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I've also done the mod and love it as well. HOWEVER: something to keep in mind is that you will need to still use the regular video cable and a set of amplified speakers if you want sound. The VGA is video only, of course, so it will only send video out to your VGA monitor. So, the F18-A with VGA cable to send video to your VGA monitor. Regular TI cable with amplified speakers to get sound. True, he will still need get his audio via the old connector, but I'm curious, what kind of monitor are you running? All the TV's and computer monitors in my house have an AUDIO IN, so no external amplified speakers are necessary, although they might sound better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstimson Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 True, he will still need get his audio via the old connector, but I'm curious, what kind of monitor are you running? All the TV's and computer monitors in my house have an AUDIO IN, so no external amplified speakers are necessary, although they might sound better! I'm using a cheap LCD monitor without speakers. The picture is fantastic, but had to use external speakers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 The picture is fantastic, but had to use external speakers. I bet your's sounds better too! The speakers in mine leave much to be desired! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 What they said, the hardest part is making a spot in the back for the vga connector and mounting the bracket.. I didn't do as nice of a job as the pictures above I bought three of these one in my console and plan on refurbing a couple more consoles and adding them. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dphirschler Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 I was planning on running audio to a 1/8" mono audio connector. And I was also planning on removing the original monitor connection. Possibly put the audio-out connection there. Maybe there is a way to solder an audio connector in that same spot. Darryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I was planning on running audio to a 1/8" mono audio connector. And I was also planning on removing the original monitor connection. Possibly put the audio-out connection there. Maybe there is a way to solder an audio connector in that same spot. Darryl This is just my opinion, but I believe it might just be easier to leave the original monitor connector, since that is where the audio out is already located. You could just hack the end off the old audio/video cable you were using and solder on the proper connector for your specific application or plug on an adapter. Either way you'll still have two cords coming off the back, right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+hloberg Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 great mod. easy to install too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dphirschler Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 The audio out is a line level, so perhaps the 1/8" audio jack might be misleading as that usually indicates amplified audio. hmm... perhaps a small audio amplifier can be installed too. Headphones would be fun to use. Ag, then I need a volume knob or wheel... maybe I should put an RCA there. Darryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXB Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I have two monitors the work fine a old Commodore 1084S and a original TI monitor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I've done the mod a number of times on both the TI and ColecoVision, and I also love it. Well worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Who here has done the F18A VGA-out mod? If you look at the results of this earlier poll, you'll see the configurations of many A. A. users systems, including who has F18A's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperious Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I have mostly given up attempting to convert one of my Ti's to do component video, maybe later. Nothing I have tried there actually gives a signal that the component input of my Capture card can work with. The Ti's implementation of Component video with a TMS9928a or 9929a is obviously a long way from what modern equipment can understand, hardly surprising considering the age of these video chips. I capitulated and Ordered an F18a last Friday and am looking forward to what will be the best picture any of my retro computers has. Next best is the s-video mod I did on my A500 Amiga. Should be fantastic on my 24" Dell. Thanks for the installation tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregallenwarner Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I guess I'm late to the party, but I also have two F18A mods. As it's already been stated, the hardest part of the whole operation is physically cutting your case to fit the connector. If you can operate either a Dremel or a hacksaw, you can install an F18A. Matthew's done a superb job at making the instructions super easy to follow, and the installation process as painless as possible. I absolutely love it. I'm considering going back and adding a 1/8" audio jack, but that's entirely optional, and not related to the F18A mod iself. It simply so I don't have to rely on having that old DIN connector, so I can hook it up anywhere using standard cables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I have mostly given up attempting to convert one of my Ti's to do component video, maybe later. Nothing I have tried there actually gives a signal that the component input of my Capture card can work with. The Ti's implementation of Component video with a TMS9928a or 9929a is obviously a long way from what modern equipment can understand, hardly surprising considering the age of these video chips. I capitulated and Ordered an F18a last Friday and am looking forward to what will be the best picture any of my retro computers has. Next best is the s-video mod I did on my A500 Amiga. Should be fantastic on my 24" Dell. Thanks for the installation tips. Aw, man... S-Video for the A500 is good, but you should look at getting either a flicker-fixer/scan-doubler (there are a few to be found) or an Indivision ECS (out-of-stock at AmigaKit, but it looks like Vesalia has it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXB Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Only had the TIM card in my TI before that TIM blew itself up. Loved not only the 80 column mode but the 256 colors per pixel was killer. It really was the difference between looking like a PC and a monochrome screen as 16 colors just looked so crappy in comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TI-Sissy Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 i was going to get one, but the nano has problems with them. i have a nano, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swim Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I have a 4a system with vga out that I use for going on the web and letter writing, it really helps my poor eyesight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I have a 4a system with vga out that I use for going on the web and letter writing, it really helps my poor eyesight. When you say you get your TI 'on the web' do you actually mean you're just using Telnet to get to BBS's systems via the Internet, or are you actually surfing the web with some kind of unknown to me TI-based browser There is a guy working on a TI browser, but I've seen nothing from him about it recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swim Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 This is something you can do if you have a "shell account" and use the terminal ZT4 on the 4a or a Geneve with the terminal PORT. The shell account is a Unix server which allows internet browsing without the graphics. Once you learn the navigation it's straight forward except for "java script" sites which can sometimes freeze the TI/Geneve. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 This is something you can do if you have a "shell account" and use the terminal ZT4 on the 4a or a Geneve with the terminal PORT. The shell account is a Unix server which allows internet browsing without the graphics. Once you learn the navigation it's straight forward except for "java script" sites which can sometimes freeze the TI/Geneve. That sounds pretty cool, above my level of understanding at present though. I'll file this for future reference though, after a get a few other things on my list accomplished, I may look into this myself. THANKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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