Airshack Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 I just picked up a C-64 with the older 5-pin (no chroma?) video output. Is there a way to upgrade the system to the 8-pin video out? Apparently this "improved"video option appears in the later models? Are there any VGA-out upgrade options such as TI-99/4A has with F-18A? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjameslv Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Sure there's a a great upgrade...a newer c64 Seriously though by the time you do any mods it would be cheaper to just get another one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 I agree except modding is enjoyable and I'd really go for something like a VGA out kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 If your C64 only has a 5-pin DIN, it is one of the earliest models and worth $$$. Whether you can rebuild it to output S-Video, I'm not sure but you could sell it and buy 2-3 slightly newer C64's for the price of yours. There is no simple VGA upgrade. The Turbo Chameleon 64 cartridge tried to cover this, but it ended up as an almost full FPGA emulation of the C64 minus the sound chip. You might be able to use an external converter too, and at the cost of 3-4 times the value of a C64 you might find a solution good and fast enough to produce a VGA/HDMI image worth the trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 A VGA mod would likely require a completely rebuilt video interface chip so it could handle standard C64 coding and color RAM but output in VGA rather than S-Video. No different than getting NES to output RGB or VGA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjameslv Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 If your C64 only has a 5-pin DIN, it is one of the earliest models and worth $$$. Whether you can rebuild it to output S-Video, I'm not sure but you could sell it and buy 2-3 slightly newer C64's for the price of yours. There is no simple VGA upgrade. The Turbo Chameleon 64 cartridge tried to cover this, but it ended up as an almost full FPGA emulation of the C64 minus the sound chip. You might be able to use an external converter too, and at the cost of 3-4 times the value of a C64 you might find a solution good and fast enough to produce a VGA/HDMI image worth the trouble. ...I wish they were worth something. Here in Vegas your lucky if you can give one away. Bought one for $30 boxed and was given a ton of free stuff to go with it and i thought i almost paid too much. My first c64 was the later model and it came boxed as well and got it for $30 + shipping. Maybe on the bay you can get said $$$? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Well, is that a 5-pin DIN model, often known as Silver Label, or just one of the millions made breadbins with 8-pin DIN? It should be said the 5-pin ones doesn't seem to have been manufactured for very long before the computer was upgraded with S-Video capacity. Silver Labels should easily be worth $100, perhaps far more on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 (edited) Well, is that a 5-pin DIN model, often known as Silver LabelWorth noting that not all C64s with a 5-pin DIN have a silver label, in fact the vast majority of 5-pin DIN models have the normal label but still with tan function keys. Edited October 25, 2016 by ApolloBoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 Ok, true. But also worth noting is that not all breadbins are limited to 5-pin DIN. I used to have a fairly early PAL C64 that had 8-pin output, but I'm unsure if Commodore ever released the C64 in PAL version with anything less than S-Video capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motrucker Posted October 25, 2016 Share Posted October 25, 2016 VGA output from a C-64 can be done, but it's not all that easy: http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?start=15&t=53760 There are composite or S-video to VGA boards on ebay - but be very careful. Most of them are junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro-Z Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 A 5-pin Commodore 64 isn't really worth any premium over the later 8-pin versions. In my experience, only the VERY earliest C64 units with the rarely seen silver label have any sort of "collector's" premium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 VGA output from a C-64 can be done, but it's not all that easy: http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?start=15&t=53760 There are composite or S-video to VGA boards on ebay - but be very careful. Most of them are junk. The big problem is many cheap converters do not like the progressive scan signal created by our old machines. They expect the input signal to be interlaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 The big problem is many cheap converters do not like the progressive scan signal created by our old machines. They expect the input signal to be interlaced. Not just converters, to my chagrin, but also little LCDs like this one. eBay Auction -- Item Number: 150715309597 Screen is grey and scrolls. Ah, well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Some of those LCD will work but it is hit and miss unfortunately. I went through 2 duds before finding one that will work with TurboExpress for LCD mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Some of those LCD will work but it is hit and miss unfortunately. I went through 2 duds before finding one that will work with TurboExpress for LCD mod. Yeah, I figure. I just do not feel like sinking $20 a shot to find the right one. Although, I will need one for my SX-64 project. *sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 (edited) Personally I would buy from seller in the same country to avoid return hassle. ie if you bought from China and it fails, returning with tracking can cost around $10 or up, not worth the return. But if you buy from seller in the same country, return shipping is much cheaper and usually seller are on the hook for this. Buy from one seller, if it doesn't work, bug the seller. They will either issue return shipping label or just issue refund. Then buy from a different seller. Edited October 31, 2016 by 7800fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Personally I would buy from seller in the same country to avoid return hassle. ie if you bought from China and it fails, returning with tracking can cost around $10 or up, not worth the return. But if you buy from seller in the same country, return shipping is much cheaper and usually seller are on the hook for this. Buy from one seller, if it doesn't work, bug the seller. They will either issue return shipping label or just issue refund. Then buy from a different seller. True, but at the same time I cannot in good conscience hold a seller responsible if their kit does not work with my antiquated equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Test it on a VCR or DVD player. If it doesn't work, then you'd have good reason to complain for refund. If it works and won't work with older game systems, you could always sell em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertB Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 I just picked up a C-64 with the older 5-pin (no chroma?) video output. Is there a way to upgrade the system to the 8-pin video out? Apparently this "improved"video option appears in the later models? Are there any VGA-out upgrade options such as TI-99/4A has with F-18A? Ray Carlsen can convert your 5-pin C64 to 8-pin. He replaces the DIN socket and adds a component or two. However, in the conversion, you lose your RF. Then with S-video out, then you can use a common eBay converter to go from S-video to HDMI. Writing from Roseburg, Oregon, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airshack Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Maybe you should consider trading that five pin din model for an eight pin din model instead. It will allow someone who wants this model to keep it original, save you money and you'll get what you are looking for. But, if you really must have it modded, Ray is the man for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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