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Copyright © 1994-2007
Reproduction of this document in whole or in part is permitted if both of the
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We will not be responsible for damage to equipment, your ego, blown parts,
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of this material.
Most of the articles in this document have been compiled over the last two
years based on replies from myself and others to postings on the USENET
newsgroups comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video and those of the sci.electronics
hierarchy. I apologize if your response is not here - it could have been
that I missed the posting and will welcome contributions.
As always, comments, suggestions, and corrections are welcome.
Note: in this document, the terms 'VGA' and 'SVGA' are used somewhat
interchangeably. However, strictly speaking:
There are boards for your PC that will take NTSC/PAL and put it into a window.
There are also stand-alone boxes that will allow you to view NTSC/PAL on a
VGA computer monitors. One example is the
Z64 V-Box. I have no idea how
well it performs. However, from the specs, it would appear to have a limited
color resolution (only Y:U:V 4:2:2) so while adequate for some games, it may
display annoying contours for continuous tone images. And since it only
generates a resolution of 640x460, there may be serious artifacts when driving
a higher resolution flat panel display.
What you may find in the end is that your $150 TV gives you a better picture.
(The following from: Stan Rohrer
For cards as well that take NTSC and put it into a window on your PO:
Check in the PC mail-order catalogs and your local PC parts outlets.
There are a number of TV boards and frame grabber boards that do what you
want. Prices start (I think) around $150. Professional level conversion
boxes soar above there somewhere.
I've just started investigating such devices. PC Zone (800-258-2088 for
orders/catalog) and MicroWarehouse (800-367-7080) carry Computer Eyes and
TelevEyes by Digital Vision. Prices here range from $300 to $600 with
the highest reported to include genlock and overlay capability.
PC Zone has an AITech TV board for $150. I don't know if it will take NTSC
video input or not. One of the guys I work with just bought an (unknown
brand) TV board that takes NTSC but he doesn't have it installed yet.
While VGA usually expects separate H and V sync - it looks like SCART has
them only in combined (composite) form but many monitors and video projectors
will accept either.
(From: Someone who wishes to remain anonymous.)
I just bought a box that lets me view PAL/NTSC output from a VCR or DVD
player on an old (but big) VGA monitor I had spare.
It's called the Gamars V-box.
Inside it has a Philips SAA7111 and an Averlogic AL250 IC.
Inputs are composite video and S-video, autodetecting PAL or NTSC.
Output is VGA.
The quality is great. The only problem is that playing an NTSC disc in my
PAL DVD player causes the DVD player to output PAL at 60 Hz. This fools the
V-box into engaging NTSC mode, which results in a black and white picture.
The box was inexpensive, about $40 or so. Cheap importer:
Golden
Shop VGA Box Page.
(From: Mike Deane.)
I have played with the V-Box unit, and it's pretty good considering it =
wasn't really meant for converting monitors into TVs. However, it only =
produces 640 x 480 resolution, which is not so great if you were =
planning to use a 1024x768 TFT display with it. The screen syncs up OK, =
but cannot do a decent job of multiplying up the resolution, so the =
result is fairly nasty.
(From: Jerry Penner (jpenner@sentex.net).)
You want to connect a Herc Mono TTL monitor to a composite video signal? Can
you say 'Big Waste of Time and Effort'? If you want a black and orange or
black and green TV screen, connect your RCA video output on your VCR to the
input of a composite CGA monitor. These monitors were used on Sanyo MBC
computers, and early Apple clones as well as some XT's. Colour composite
CGA monitors used to be used on C-64 and Vic-20 computers. Their usefulless
as TV/game monitors is legendary, and you'll be lucky to find a used one for
under CDN$80.
I have a Magnavox CM8762-074T RGB Color Monitor which accepts both CGA TTL
and NTSC color composite video inputs. Locating monitors of this type may
be an alternative to video format conversion. These may be available for
next to nothing as the owners have upgraded and are often not interested in
(or aware of) their present utility. They are often of relatively high
quality and display a very nice picture since their original intended
resolution is similar to that of NTSC. I use the Magnavox CM8762-074T for
testing of VCRs and other baseband video sources.
Some (mostly older high-end) monitors will accept multiple input types
like VGA, EGA, and composite. Some examples are: Mitsubishi AUM1371/81,
Tatung CM1495, Princeton Ultra-14, and NEC MultiSync. These can select
between VGA and EGA input (either a switch or cable) and the Mitsubishi (at
least) will also accept composite (NTSC) video.
The scan rates differ by a significant factor. If you can program your
VGA card for the monitor's horizontal scan rate (around 15.734 Hz - similar
to NTSC in the case of CGA), then the remaining problem is converting from
analog to TTL. This will require some high speed comparators and logic.
If it's a true CGA monitor, there simply is no practical way to use it with a
VGA card. Period. If it's one of the original multisyncs that happens to work
with CGA, then there's some hope. However, these weren't so common: Sony 1302,
Mitsubishi AUM1381 or Diamond Scan, plus a few others). In this case, you just
need the proper cable and the appropriate switch settings for the monitor.
Well, what happens is that the display is quite acceptable other than
the fact that there are two of everything on the screen indicating timing
problems. Covering the right side of the screen with a sheet of paper
works to cure the problem but a more acceptable solution is needed.
Adjustments to the monitor frequency, width, phase, H-hold, etc. don't help."
Note that CGA outputs TTL level signals (0 to 3-5V) and VGA outputs
analog levels (.7 V p-p). Therefore, what you have done may not work
in any case if the monitor expects strictly a TTL input. However, your
monitor must be compatible with the VGA levels.
The monitor would have to sync at double its normal scan rate for the picture
to properly fill the screen. First, it would be difficult to modify the
monitor for such a substantial change in horizontal scan rate. Second, and
more importantly, any such change could compromise the safety - stressing
the monitor's circuitry - increasing the risk of failure and the possible
fire hazard. Therefore, I would not recommend even making the attempt unless
you are quite knowledgeable in the design of monitor deflection circuits and
power supplies.
One other option other than replacing the video card or the monitor would be
to determine if your PC is capable of putting out CGA scan rate video. Many
video cards do have this capability not so much for CGA as for NTSC/PAL
compatibility. However, some programming or use of special video drivers
(software) may be required.
Alternatively, you may be able to find an inexpensive card that would be
able to provide the correct timing or even some old CGA cards that no
one wants anymore. Also, monochrome video rates are 18.43 kHz. If you can
find some MGA cards, you may be able to tweek the monitor that far.
Actually, for your intended application, painting over one half of the screen
isn't such a bad idea. :-)
A scan converter can be used on the analog signals once they are generated
to adapt the video to your monitor. However, I don't know if scan converters
with suitable input and/or output capabilities exist.
The digital to analog conversion can be done with a few resistors if you
are not terribly fussy about the quality. For example, the following
circuit should be able to generate a reasonable VGA signal from a 2 bit
input (e.g., MGA or one of the EGA color channels):
I have not tested this circuit. Using low value pullups on the TTL
signals (say 220 ohms) should help improve the high level consistency.
(From: Jack Schidt (jack@wintel.net).)
Most questions regarding changing or using VGA signals in non-standard (PC)
methods, is answerable only by consulting either:
However, this is not always simple!
You will have to obtain the specs to have any idea of whether what you want
to do is possible. These are very often high resolution with a typical
horizontal scan rate of 64 kHz.
There are several issues:
If it is fixed frequency, you will be able to use it only in your high
resolution (probably) applications. Booting the PC will require a normal
VGA monitor for the messages to be seen.
You need to determine what its expected H and V rates are to see if they
fall within the range of the video card. Some internal twiddling may
be possible depending on the monitor. Also, the software size adjustment
in the ATI Install program also affect rates so that adds another couple
of degrees of freedom.
If you need to combine the H and V sync, a TTL gate, single transistor
circuit, or sometimes just a couple of resistors will do it.
For example, if you are able to program your video card for negative
sync polarity, then an AND gate (which will act as an OR for negative
logic) should do it. For positive sync polarity, a NOR gate or NPN
transistor will work. It is also possible to build an auto-polarity
switching circuit to accommodate any combination of positive and negative
sync polarities. In some cases, just using a resistor in series with
each sync line will be enough.
(From: Exar (exar@aol.com).)
For any type of video converters call ALTINEX,INC. in California
714-524-5400 they make a device that will combine sync, separate sync, put
it on Green, shift image left or right. Product name is DA1910SX. I have
several of them for my PC, MAC SGI and SUN.
See the documents: "Fixed Frequency Monitor FAQ" and "Sync-On-Green PC
Video FAQ" for details.
Some monitors have the required circuitry to accept separate sync
internally that is not brought out for a particular model. In this
case, some careful exploration may reveal hidden treasures.
There are video cards designed for just this purpose. Whether the investment
is worth it compared with a new PC compatible monitor is questionable IMO.
See the document: Notes
on Approaches to Using Fixed Frequency Monitors on PCs for additional
information and names of companies who manufacture the special video adapters.
Has anyone ever managed to do this? Any opinions on whether
or not it is possible?"
This would require changing the horizontal scan rate by a large amount and
is unlikely to be easily accomplished without extensive modifications to
the monitor's circuitry. This should not even be attempted unless you are
knowledgeable in the design of monitor deflection circuits and power supplies.
For other Apple (MacIntosh) monitors, see the section: VGA
to Fixed Frequency Monitor (3, 4, or 5 BNC Connectors) as most of these
run at a fixed frequency. For example, the Mac II rate is 35.0 kHz H and
66.67 Hz V.
(From: James Willcox (jwillcox@spitfire.net).)
Boca makes an adapter. I have one and it works fine. It has little switches
on it to select resolution and refresh rate.
The most important thing is to get the sync pin(s) connected and the
horizontal scan rate as close to the required value.
(From Paul Langemeijer).
If you have a GDM-1960, you can make an even easier modification to the
monitor. A thing I might add to the problem of the sync-on-green, is the
'modifying' of your monitor. Well actually it isn't that hard. If you remove
some of the panels (the one near the connectors with the monitor turned off!),
I found holes for two more BNC connectors. You can put them in, attach a
bridge and put in two resistors (the holes for these are obvious, the numbers
are above them). And you've got a 5-BNC monitor (and it works). You should
use 75 Ohm resistors and the monitor syncs perfectly at 1024*768 at 85 Hz
(Standard VESA videomode).
(From: Pascal Specht (specht@roguewave.fr).)
I'm now running the GDM-1960 from my DECstation 5000 on my PC.
I found an even easier way (if you can live without the three VIDEO OUT
BNC's). Simply reuse two of them for H and V-sync - No resistors, no holes to
bore. This applies to my Digital GDM-1960 D3. Simply follow up the cables
going from these 'video out' BNC's and take them off at the other end. Put
these ends now into the obvious holes for the two predesigned places intended
to take in the missing BNC connectors. Add the bridge to make the HSync
connected. That's it. It perfectly works on my nVidia RIVA 128 with
1024x768 at 85 Hz, but also 1280x1024 at 60 Hz.
It is a CGA frequency only monitor. It has an 8 pin analog jack on the back
and may have a 5 pin ttl jack and ttl to analog converter inside for
standard CGA, you can use a cable for the analog plug to a 9 pin d plug for
MCGA and get 320 x 200 by 16 Million colors. Some IBM cards will put out the
correct frequency and analog signal, most won't. I used an ATI Wonder VGA
card that would work correctly *if* manually configured.
Otherwise you need a VGA to NTSC converter. See the section:
VGA to TV - NTSC or PAL for more information.
Signal conversion from VGA to SCART is straightforward - just a matter of
generating composite sync and making the proper cable. However, it has the
same problems as the others with respect scan rates unless you are running
an O/S like Linux or an X-server - for the latter case, see:
X on TV.
(From: Jon Jenkins (jenkinsj@ozy.dec.com).)
I use standard 74HC DIP gates available from any electronics store. I use
a 14 pin DIP socket originally so that I could change gate types (OR/XOR/AND)
easily. 74HC86 (XOR) works just great with the VR320 (I am using it now can
also use OR, don't understand why ??).
The VN10KM is a small signal N channel enhancement mode MOSFET also available
from most electronics store.
If the video card you are using is a standard VGA output (I'm using a diamond
stealth 64 VRAM):
Just a note, when you set up your video card in Windows (or Win95) set it
to 1280x1024x72|66 or whatever is closest. I use a VR260 (1024x864) at
1027x768@66Hz (check with your manual DA or D4 are 72Hz) your VGA will not
like this frequency so either disconnect it quickly or before you actually
set the video card to this mode (i.e. put the OK as the active control in
Windows and then connect the VR320 and hit return) My diamond setup gives
me 10 seconds to do this adjustment When you exit you will probably have
to select the 1280x1024 mode with your old VGA connected again and from then
on every time you start Windows you will be able to view it in "big" colour
mode. Note the vr320 will not work in DOS mode as it is not an auto-scan
monitor so all you see when you boot up is garbage until Windows starts, I
put "win" in my autoexec.bat file.
Note there is a danger here: I had set up the monitor and for some reason it
did not work so I couldn't see what was going on: my old VGA wouldn't work and
the VR wouldn't work either so I had to find the cards .ini files and edit by
hand to get back to usable video!!
For FreeBSD/XF86 the lines are:
Notes:
Gate type=LS or HC types, HC preferred:
Use XOR gate with DEC monitors and as a first shot with others, then OR gate
then NAND gate.
Get an oscilloscope and adjust porch levels to 0.3V and 0 level (sync level)
to 0.0V
For example:
(From: Brian B
Some other possibilities may be: ADV7175/ADV7176, UPC1352 (ECG/NTE1416).
(From: Quick Fix (iradg@guru.nu).)
You can also buy little boxes to do this. Quality is general not great
as you are seriously limited by the NTSC/PAL standards. Even with S-video
inputs to a TV or and S-VHS VCR played on a high-end TV, don't expect to
be able to throw away your computer monitor!
Here's one link to check:
(From: Tomi Holger Engdahl.)
There is all sorts of information relevant to video at:
There is collection of links to RGB to NTSC/PAL converter and other video
chips at:
For more detail on this, check my circuit and related software at
There you can find schematics, drivers, tips, ideas, documents, links to
commercial products and much more. It does not have everything you need but it
is a good start. Going to composite video or RF is more complicated as there
are three composite video standard NTSC, PAL and SECAM in use in the world and
there are also some small differences in modifications of those used in
different countries) which is the reason why there are not much of this kind
of project. VGA to TV conversion is not simple technology either (the circuit
can be simple but there are quite many things to consider when designing such
circuit).
Homebuilt circuit persons should take a look at:
All Rights Reserved
2.There is no charge except to cover the costs of copying.
DISCLAIMER
Interconnecting a video source and display device that are not compatible can
potentially result in expensive damage to either or both pieces of equipment.
While this isn't that likely with just a bit of care, it cannot be ruled out.
Introduction
Scope and Purpose of This Document
Questions relating to various aspects of converting one video format (like
PC SVGA) to another (like NTSC) are very common.
Commercial Solutions
A number of companies offer adapters to handle many of the problems discussed
below. They may advertise in the backs of electronics/hobbyist magazines
(many are not exactly large companies!) or turn up with a Web search. One
example is Magenta Research.
Look under: "Video Adapters, Cables, Accessories". (I have absolutely no
affiliation with this company nor do I have any first hand knowledge of
their products.)
TV (NTSC/PAL) to RGB
Watching TV on a VGA/SVGA Monitor
Depending on the monitor, you may need a lot of electronics. VGA uses a
31.47 kHz horizontal scanning frequency - twice NTSC.
For PAL (625/50) the relevant resolution is closer to 800x600.
SCART to VGA
This will only be possible without a lot of work if the VGA compatible monitor
or video projector can sync at the PAL (or whatever) scan rate. If so,
this may be possible with just a special cable. If available, use an
oscilloscope to confirm that your equipment produces the relevant signals (not
all SCART connectors have all the signals). See the document:
Pinouts for
Various Connectors in Real Life(tm) for the SCART pinouts.
TV to Fixed Frequency Monitor
The hardware needed to watch TV on a typical high resolution fixed frequency
monitor would cost more than a nice large TV. In two words, forget it! In
addition to decoding the NTSC/PAL to RGB, the scan rates are SO different that
the only hope would be to build a full blown scan converter.
TV to MGA
"How hard would it be to make my amber Hercules monitor display the output from
my VCR? the VCR has a RCA video output and a coaxial RF output and I want to
use the monitor as an orange TV."
This is almost certainly not worth the effort as the monitor accepts TTL (2
bits) and can display at most 4 gray (well, amber) levels without extensive
modifications. In addition, the scan rates differ substantially between
NTSC or PAL and the Hercules standard. As noted below and elsewhere in this
document, a CGA monitor with a composite video input would be a better choice.
TV to CGA
"I have a RGB CGA monitor and would like to use it to display a composite
or S-video signal from a VCR. I was wondering if anyone knows how to
accomplish this or knows of any economical products that will be able to
do this. Any info on S-video pinouts would also be greatly appreciated."
Is it strictly CGA? If so, that is TTL and you can forget about displaying
VCR S-video without extensive and not worth-it modifications. Some CGA
monitors have composite inputs or analog RGB inputs. With analog RGB inputs,
you need an NTSC to RGB converter. These can be built with a single chip and
some discrete components. There are probably converter boxes available as
well. If it accepts composite, then just use the normal video out from
your VCR. S-video won't gain you anything unless the monitor has separate
Y and C inputs as well. If all it has is S-video in, then you can combine
the Y and C signals with a resistor and capacitor. See the section:
S-Video to Composite.
PC VGA/SVGA to/from TTL
VGA to TTL (MGA, CGA, EGA)
Both the signal format and scan rates are incompatible. Therefore, simple
conversion between analog VGA/SVGA and any of the TTL formats - Mono, CGA,
and EGA - is generally not realistically possible.
VGA to CGA1
The following applies with minor changes (scan rates, number of bits) to
MGA, CGA, EGA, and most other TTL video signal formats as well.
"I am trying to use an old Sony monitor, (PVM-1342Q), which only accepts a
CGA video signal through a 9 pin connector. My output is SVGA via a HD15
pin connector. Any suggestions on pin assignments or existing converters
to do the job?"
Assuming the monitor is actually CGA, it is probably not worth it. CGA
is TTL and SVGA is analog - you would need a converter and then only end
up with CGA's 8 colors or whatever.
VGA to CGA 2
For the general case of desiring to drive a true CGA-TTL monitor from a VGA
card, there are three options:
If the monitor accepts analog RGB, it may be possible to program you VGA card
to put out the CGA (15.734 kHz) horizontal scan rate to be compatible with a
CGA monitor of this type. Your hardware and software may or may not support
this easily or at all.
VGA to CGA 3
"We are trying to upgrade our print servers and have a lot of CGA monitors
and a lot of PS2 computers with VGA cards. We don't need more than 2
colors (mono) but when we make an adapter to connect the R to R, G to
G, B to B, H to H, V to V, Ground to Ground and the rest NC we don't
really get what is wanted.
This is not surprising as the horizontal scan rates for VGA and CGA differ
by about a factor of two. This is much too large change for the monitor to
accommodate.
TTL to VGA/Analog
This requires matching the scan rates and implementing a suitable digital
to analog converter to take the TTL data and produce analog signals.
450 ohms
Bit 1 (MSB) o--------/\/\/------------+
|
900 ohms |
Bit 0 (LSB) o--------/\/\/------------+-------+----o Analog video signal
|
/
\ 75 ohms (termination, may
/ be inside monitor).
\
|
Ground o--------------------------------------+----o Monitor Ground
This assumes the H and V sync are separate signals. If this is not the
case, these will need to be combined into this signal (at least one
of the channels) as well.
CGA to VGA
There are two problems:
In general, where only 1 (or a few) of these are needed, locating true CGA
monitors at used computer stores or thrift shops is definitely the easier
way to go!
VGA to Analog RGB
Note that in some cases, no actual hardware is needed - the video adapter may
be programmed to do what you want either using existing or special driver
software or at a low level by directing controlling the video chipset:
If you are lucky, you can reach an apps engineer in either case who has
knowledge of your requirements, and has the means to supply you a solution.
Otherwise, you need to write a short assembly language program to stuff the
VGA controller registers with the correct parameters for what you are trying
to do.
VGA to Fixed Frequency Monitor (3, 4, or 5 BNC Connectors)
Questions about this specific problem are among the most common as low
cost fixed frequency monitors become available when their workstation
hosts are decommissioned due to the march of progress.
Assuming you are willing to use something else to boot and only run at a
single resolution, then the last hurdle is sync:
So, check your scan rate. If that is not compatible, then you will need
a new display board anyway. If it is compatible, then you will just need the
sync combiner. Then there is the problem of booting DOS or Windows - these
usually want 640x400 at boot.
VGA to Apple RGB
"Is there any way to modify an Apple 12-inch RGB color monitor
so that it can display 640x480 (instead of 512x384)?
I assume you want VGA resolution - 31.4 kHz horizontal.
VGA to Mac (Monitor) Conversion
I have no idea of what this gadget actually does but it may be worth checking
out:
VGA to Sun/Sony GDM1960
(From: Flupke ut Warns (P.O.Langemeijer@student.utwente.nl).)
VGA to Amiga 1024
From: jcaldwel@iquest.net (Mr. Caldwell)
VGA to SCART
SCART is basically an analog RGB + composite sync interface found mostly
on PAL (and maybe other European standard) TVs but rarely on TVs in the U.S.
Notes on VGA to RGB Conversion
See the document: Approaches
to Using Fixed Frequency Monitors on PCs for an adapter using a
programmable logic device to implement conversion from separate H and V
sync to sync-on-green. Or, here is a solution using discrete logic:
Pin 1: Red video
I join all the "returns" together with the ground on the small PCB and use
that as a common ground for the RGB cable to the monitor. You can use separate
if you want to but you should join the green return and sync returns together.
I did find some small shadowing if I didn't group them all together.
Pin 2: Green video
Pin 3: Blue video
Pin 4: Monitor ID bit 2
Pin 5: Ground
Pin 6: Red return
Pin 7: Green return
Pin 8: Blue return
Pin 9: NC
Pin 10: Sync return
Pin 11: Monitor ID bit 0
Pin 12: Monitor Id bit 1
Pin 13: H sync
Pin 14: V sync
Pin 15: NC
#VR260 monitor is 70MHz 1024x864
The circuit to do this is as follows:
#VR320/319 monitor is 130MHz 1280x1024
Modeline
"1280x1024" 130.81 1280 1312 1472 1696 1024 1027 1030 1063 +hsync +vsync
Modeline
"1024x864" 69.2 1024 1040 1168 1272 864 864 867 904 +hsync +vsync
+5 V
o
|
/
\ VR1 (1k carbon mini pot)
/ (Warning: don't let this go near zero!)
\
33uF tantalum | ~0.3V DC in porch area
GREEN o----+----||-----+----------------------+---o GREEN to monitor
+----||-----+ |
.1-.01uF ceramic |
|
Gnd |
o |
| |
/ |
\ 47k |
| _|
HSYNC o-+----|-------\ |
| GATE |------CSYNC----+----|| VN10KM or similar small
VSYNC o-+----|-------/ | |_ N channel enhancement MOSFET
| \ |
\ / 47K o
/ \ Gnd
\ 47K /
/ |
| o
gnd gnd
HSYNC, VSYNC and CSYNC are grounded with 47k carbon resistors
Capacitors are optional, I don't use them.
VGA to TV - NTSC or PAL
"I am interested in converting a signal from my video card to a signal
that can be taken into the video in on my vcr. I realize that it is not
going to be easy. Still I would appreciate how to do it."
You are correct - this is not easy.
For the special case of VGA to NTSC or PAL, you may be able to get away with
something less than a full blown scan converter. See the section:
What is a Scan Divider?".
"In the July 1996 issue of Electronics Now, a MC1377P (Motorola) is used
to convert RGB to NTSC/PAL. The chip can be purchased through the Newark
catalog. This chip is very easy to use and should make your circuit
simple." (See the wiring instructions, below. --- sam.)
"The MC1377 is a 20 pin all-in-one chip. Connect the following: +12 VDC to
pin 14 and ground to pin 15, composite sync to pin 2, RGB to pins 3, 4,
and 5, respectively. Put a 3.58 MHz xtal between pins 17 and 18. Optional Y
delay pin 6 to 8. Video output at pin 9. I have made and sold many of these.
"http://www.epanorama.net/links/videocircuits.html#converters">Epanorama
Video Conversion Links
There you can find my design of VGA to TV converter which outputs RGBS signals suitable for TV SCART RGB input (I have also designed one with composite video output, but that's for a commercial application). At the same page you can find a PAL composite video output version of the circuit designed by Paulo Coelho.
For introduction to scan conversion, check
Specifically:
Flickering is a problems always when yu do graphics to TV systems. The graphics material must be designed so that flicker is not noticeable or the scan converter box must include some kind of filtering to do the job.
NTSC/PAL system limit the bandwidth which makes picture to loose some details. The picture is usually even worse than that, because of the cheap video encoding chips used in many converters.
(From: Bill Sloman (sloman@sci.kun.nl).)
Try the Analog Devices AD721 and AD722. When I used the AD720, I had to add a National Semiconductor LM1881 sync separator, and black-level clamps on the red, green and blue inputs to get the right DC levels.
Check them out at Analog Devices.
(From: Leon Heller (leon@lfheller.demon.co.uk).)
Raytheon has a chip which produces broadcast quality PAL/NTSC from VGA. I think that Harris does one, as well.
There are a couple of VGA-to-TV converter boxes that also output an NTSC RGB signal. I own one from UMAX - I think it's called the TV-Mini. I bought it from Global Computer Supplies for about $175. I also think that MicroWarehouse sells this product. There's a model sold by AVer also that has RGB out... but it's over $300.
The UMAX TV-Mini is a small box that plugs into your VGA card... it also has a female VGA connector on it so you can display images on your computer monitor and television monitor at the same time. The TV-Mini is powered by the PC's keyboard connector. It has an RCA jack for composite NTSC, an S-Video jack for S-video output and a Mini-8-DIN for RGB output... if you go to UMAX's web page, they'll talk about how the TV-Mini comes with an RGB SCART cable (SCART is a strange looking connector that's used on many European televisions) - but it doesn't come with this cable.
I was able to build a small adapter cable with some parts from Digi-Key. The TV-Mini manual provides the Mini-9-DIN pinouts.
(From: Jerry G. (jerryg@total.net).)
I have played around with a few. The ones in the upper $300 to $400 are not too bad. You will get a reasonable picture. I found the cheap ones are extremely poor.
The best way to do it is with a video display card that has it built in. These cards are expensive because the scan rate must be changed. There is a lot of high speed ram and processing involved to do it right.
It is not a question of movement involved. It is a question of scan rate conversion that makes things complex. With this conversion there is the requirement of some complex quantizing to also convert the characters to match as well. In a lower priced card that I have seen good results is the ATI card with the NTSC output. I don't know the price of the card, but it is not cheap...! There is a Targa card that is excellent, but the price is too high unless you are in the business... But like I said, the higher the price, I found the pictures get better.
Also, the bandwidth for the fonts, and data comming through the conversion is extremely wide. It is wider than off of a conventional TV broadcast, or what comes out of a VCR. The TV set that you use must have a Video Component input, and be able to handle at least 600 lines resolution or better. If not, you will be cutting the performance of the signal right at the end! If your TV has S-Video capability, get the card with that option. It is better than using encoded NTSC or PAL. The S-Video mode keeps the color information separate for processing. This allows for a better signal to noise in the luminance signal, thus rendering cleaner pictures.
Please note, that you will never get the same picture out of a TV video monitor as your computer monitor. They are based on very different processing and CRT design. There are VGA Monitor projectors on the market, and I would consider renting one for the casual use. It will certainly do a much better job. This is what I recommend and do for my clients. Don't even think about buying such a projector unless you have a lot of use for it. They are extremely expensive, and require periodic maintenance.
(From: E. Abel (EugeneA1@worldnet.att.net).)
I've used an ATI 3D Expression+ PC2TV. The S-Video output is not bad, although text is really not very crisp.
Surprisingly, the TV output from the Canopus Pure 3D card is much better. Text is actually readable. (this is on a 27" Sony trinitron TV.) The Canopus card uses a Chrontel chip to do the conversion.
Of course, at $190 the card is a little pricy.
"I am trying to build a circuit to convert the RGB output of a video game to my large screen TV."(From: Leon Heller (Leon@lfheller.demon.co.uk).)
If the game outputs VGA, Raytheon has a chip, the TMC2360, which converts it to broadcast quality PAL/NTSC video.
Another IC that does most of the required functions is the Analog Devices AD725 "RGB to NTSC/PAL Encoder".
(From: a-freak@freenet.de.)
A very nice IC is the TDA8501 which converts RGB or YUV to Y/C and FBAS signals, needs very few external parts ana can be switched between NTSC and PAL with a single jumper. See TDA8501 Datasheet for more details.
Together with a sync processor like the TDA2579 and a colour decoder like the TDA4650 it gives a very simple color standard converter. Also the fast input switch allows one to build a very simple video genlock for home computers.
"I managed to construct a VGA to RGB converter so far, so I'm almost halfway there, all I believe I need now is an RGB to NTSC converter circuit, although i was trying to avoid the cost of buying one they sell in the PC catalogs."
Can you program your video card to output 15,734 Hz H interlaced scan? If so, you will have a lot less hassle.
"I figure the odds are in my favor by creating one myself, and as far as I know, no harm could come to my computer by attempting it since the VGA/RGB is and output only and not and I/O. Now since I already manged to convert my VGA to RGB, hopefully you might be able to answer some specific questions for me?"If you mean resolvable spots on the TV screen, realistically, it is about half VGA horizontally and perhaps a little more than half vertically or about 320x300 give or take."Is there a minimum & maximum resolution for a TV , or does that depend on the size of the TV?"
If you mean scan lines, that is pretty much fixed at 525 total interlaced 2:1 at 60/30 Hz (625 at 50/25 Hz for PAL 50 Hz systems) with about 420 (540) actually visible on a typical TV. TV's are not auto-scan - they are designed to run at a single scan rate.
Therefore, even displaying easily viewable VGA resolution will be tough. A TV with an S-video input may do somewhat better.
(Remember when you had at most 40 characters across on a Commodore?)
"Assuming the construction of this circuit would only allow a maximum output from my VGA card, what resolution would that be? 640x480 or 800x600? (I have no expectations of anything higher)"As noted, for a regular TV, you can send it 640x480 but it will be somewhat fussy. 800x600 is really out of the question. A high quality TV-monitor might do VGA ok. The actual number of lines on a TV is, of course, only about 480 active with perhaps only 420 visible due to the CRT bezel. Unlike an auto-scan monitor, you don't get easy control of this and no control of the number of lines.
"Finally, taking into consideration the limitations of such a device, I only intend for this to be used for full motion video playback, as my current video capture card, as well as all other cards currently on the market, lack the ability to output the video back to the original source (i.e. a VCR or camcorder)."Unfortunately, even expensive solutions are still limited by NTSC. However, since your playback is often at reduced resolution (e.g., MPEG) to begin with, this may be acceptable.
(From: FoulDragon (fouldragon@aol.com).)
I'll warn you: You can get a box that will make your PC display on a TV, but it will not be worth your while. We use them at our school, they cost from US $100 and up, and the picture, even on a good TV is very poor. If you can afford one of those boxes, buy a used VGA [even monochrome] and use that as you will be much happier.
(From: Terry Lin (tlin@servtech.com).)
I find that with the ATI PC2TV, on a S-Video hookup on a Sony XBR, the image quality is pretty decent. The flicker removal makes even a full white screen easy to look at (provided you have the contrast turned down, which should be done on every set). I have seen what poor external boxes can do, they give me adaches with the flicker and blurriness. Just make sure your setup is right before evaluating the entire PC to TV monitor thing.
"I need a bit of advice on converting VGA or SVGA to output suitable for a color composite monitor and/or a regular NTSC standard television. I have seen add on cards or outboard boxes that will convert VGA to standard TV but I am not sure if this will have the same effect on a Color Composite Monitor. You see I am wondering if it would be more cost effective to keep my old Apple Color Composite Monitor and buy the necessary hardware to convert VGA output from my IBM clone or to just go ahead and buy a bottom end 14" VGA monitor? Can I even get true 24 bit 800 x 600 color performance out of a TV or a color composite monitor?"A color composite monitor may be somewhat better than a good TV but it is still limited by the NTSC standard - mainly horizontal resolution but color rendition as well. There is no way to get even basic VGA performance (640 x 480) from a TV or composite monitor.
You are much better off getting a bottom-end SVGA monitor for your PC. As noted, the resolution of a TV or composite monitor is not even good enough to do justice to VGA (640x480) when using the composite video input. Direct RGB can be better but the pitch of the CRT relatively coarse dot or slot mask or aperture grill is then likely to be the limiting factor. A composite monitor or TV will give you approximately 480-490 lines vertically but 10 to 15 percent of these may be hidden by the CRT bezel due to overscan. However, horizontal resolution is much worse. You will be lucky to get half the VGA resolution (300 to 350 lines). For SVGA, there is simply no way to display 800 x 600 without expensive scan conversion on such a tube and you will not be able to read text or display clear graphics. In addition, since the composite monitor or TV is interlaced, there will be annoying flicker of graphics with thin horizontal lines.
Save your pennies - prices for basic monitors are dropping. Your Apple monitor may work fine on your VCR, however.
(From: Jerry Roush (roush_jerry@htc.honeywell.com).)
There is an "inexpensive" device available from JDR Microdevices that works fairly well, called the AVerKey (JDR part no. VGA-NTSC) They are about $100. It also has S-video output.
If you would like to experiment, here is a really simple circuit that may work well enough for combining Hsync, Vsync, and one of the VGA color signals, say green, into a composite video.
If the monitor sense lines on the VGA connector are tied MS1 (pin 12) = GND, MS0 (pin 11) = no connect, then some programs will default to monochrome and use a reasonable color map. I don't know how you will get a reasonable mapping to monochrome for the others.
All you will need are 4 resistors.
I am calling your connector on the monitor 'Composite Video In'.
R1
Hsync o--------/\/\/------------+
|
R2 |
Vsync o--------/\/\/------------+
|
R3 |
Green Video o----+---/\/\/--+---------+--------o Composite Video In
| ^ | (Termination = Hi Z)
\ +----+
/ +--------o GND of monitor
\ R4 |
/ |
| |
GND (shield) o----+--------------------+
It is essential that all this be built as close to the monitor as possible
for best signal quality.
Set monitor video termination for Hi-Z. R4 provides the cable termination to minimize reflections and ghosting of the green video signal.
Set your video card for negative sync polarity.
You may need to tweak these values for best results. This will depend on your actual signals. The variable R3 may provide enough range for this.
"Does anyone know how to convert a video out signal into a signal usable by a CGA monitor (RGB + H and V sync)?"If your CGA monitor is TTL, then it may not be possible, at least not without modifications to the monitor. You need to convert from NTSC to RGB. There are single chips (with a few external components) solutions to this. Try Sony, Philips/Signetics, and Analog Devices (I think) as well as others. These take NTSC (or PAL) and output RGB and sync. CGA is not analog (continuous range of video values). It is TTL with Red, Green, and Blue signals as well as a separate Intensity signal. Unless your CGA monitor can take analog video (.7 V p-p) inputs, you will still only be able to get 8 or 16 colors - not a normal TV picture. (And even for that, you will need external circuitry to convert the analog output of the decoder chip to TTL.)
However, some CGA monitors have internal NTSC composite inputs and in that case, it is simply a matter of flipping the appropriate switch.
See: Epanorama Video chips and circuits page:
for an extensive list of video encoder, decoder, sync, and other chips with links to their datasheets. Also, check out the web sites or databooks of Sony, Philips, Brooktree, Motorola, Linear Technology, etc.
One example is the Motorola MC44011. (However, it would appear to not be a currently available part as of Summer, 2001, as I could not find it on either the Motorola or On-Semi Web sites).
This part can be used without an external delay line (for PAL to RGB) but a delay is recommended. The chip also provides an A/D sampling clock output for video digitizing applications.
(From: Julie Porter (Julie.Porter@efi.com).)
I was able to get my Sony PVM Monitor to successfully take a YC input on the RGB port. I used the MC44011 and it worked! However be advised. The MC44011 has just been announced for last buy this month! March of 1999. There are no other non digital solutions. The TDA3330 has been unavailable for some time. There is some additional information on my Video Animation Web site. I urge people to call Motorola and ask that this component, not be discontinued as there are many web references designs that use it. There are no substitutes. It should also be noted that if people are considering these designs then they should get the parts soon. The part will go out of production this fall (1999).
(From: Jeremy Todd (bulb@cix.compulink.co.uk).)
Sony makes at least two PAL decoder chips - CXA1621S and V7021.
It looks like you'd need a separate sync stripper (LM1881 or EL4581CN)
Brooktree's Bt812KHF is a much fancier thing for video processing and multimedia stuff.
From RS(UK) both the Sony chips are 10UKP each for 1 off's. The Bt812KHF is 107UKP!!
(From: Sam).
Also, some questions are along the lines of the following:
"I looked at several chip manufacturers. Most have extensive documentation on their chips in PDF format. Again, most of the chips currently available convert Y/C to digital RGB, and have a lot of extra brightness/sharpness control built in. Too complex- the simplest chip I came across was 18 pins and still required two dozen external components."(From: Eugene (eugenek@istar.ca).)
The answer is: MC44011 by Motorola, cost $28(Can). It requires some sort of a micro to program it (PIC or the like will do).
There is no external critical components except for a 14.318MHz crystal (found on any PC motherboard).
About the old TV single-chip decoders. This is not true, I've been working with those things for 15 years, and in 70-80s the decoders were much more complicated than they are now (each decoder, actually, requires a delay line (sometimes more than one) and a bunch of various filters). Yes, you had one chip and half a dozen of coils, trim-caps to tune (that required some equipment and knowledge).
Sorry, the chip I suggest has 44pins :-( but little hassle :-)
"I'm wondering whether I could use my NEC Multisync as a TV. Long ago I had a Mitsubishi Colour Monitor which could also be directly connected to the videorecorder. Sure, I could use cards in my PC like "WIN/TV", but then every time I want to look TV I have to switch on the PC as well.It depends on your monitor:Is there the possibility to convert a video to a VGA signal? My NEC has only a VGA input. Or: Are there any monitors available which have both inputs (like my old Mitsubishi)?"
"I have a VGA monitor That I want to use to watch TV. I want to be able to maybe build a box that will let me plug a vcr video out into the monitor. I do not want to spend tons of $$$$$. Can anyone tell me if there is a way to do this??"
"I have a HI-FI VHS that is attached to my stereo. Therefore, my audio needs are well taken care of. I now need the video. I had to sell my TV a little while ago so I do not have a T.V. at this point. I have recently acquired a 20" monitor for my PC (DFI brand.) It has the RGB (red-green-blue) connectors on the back along with a Horizontal and Vertical cable connections. So I have a cable that plugs into my video board on my PC that turns into 5 connectors at the end that connects to the monitor."
"Does anyone have any information on viewing composite video on SVGA type monitors. I have a MAGNAVOX SVGA monitor and if possible I'd like to feed composite video from my VCR and Sony PSX and PANASONIC 3D0 to it. Rather than getting a Toshiba TIMM monitor there has to be some kind of blackbox that will allow someone to do this...Please send info to the address provided or post here."
If your PC monitor scans down to 15.734 kHz, then all you need to do is convert the line level NTSC composite to RGB and sync. Some older auto-scan monitors like the Mitsubishi AUM1381 even have a composite NTSC input jack. Conversion requires a single chip and a few discrete components. Commercial converter boxes are also available.
However, if it is a modern SVGA/auto-scan that does not go below 31.4 kHz, then it is a non-trivial problem requiring a video A/D, frame memory, readout electronics, video D/A, etc. This is called a scan converter and is not an afternoon project even for an experienced design engineer.
You can of course buy PC cards that will enable you to watch TV in a window on you PC.
There are also external boxes that will accept antenna/cable or NTSC/PAL composite input and drive a VGA monitor. One such unit is the 'Proview' (Proview Technology, Garden Grove, CA). This is reviewed in Popular Electronics, June, 1997. It appears to be quite capable with its own internal 181 channel tuner and IR remote control. It accepts both RF (antenna or cable) and composite inputs and can select between the video source or computer to drive the monitor (but does no processing of the computer's VGA signal - full screen only). With a suggested list price of $119, the Proview could represent a cost effective alternative to a new TV if you have a VGA monitor sitting around collecting dust.
Another one can be found at:
(I have no personal experience with any of the above products --- sam).
In any case, a $150 TV may actually produce a better picture. This is because the CRT/electronics in a computer monitor is optimized for focus at the expense of brightness. Therefore, sharpness may actually be excessive and brightness may be inadequate except under subdued lighting conditions (especially on a well worn monitor!).
(From: Helmut Weber (Helmut.Weber@hamburg.sc.philips.com).)
There are some companies that have boards ready, which you only have to buy and plug into your PC. Try:
(From someone else. --- sam).
"I want to display output of VCR on my computer monitor. Is there a video card that has Video In (such as RCA in)? Would you tell me which video cards they are? Or does anyone know any other way to display VCR out on a computer monitor? Or Is there a PC monitor exist that has RCA input jacks?"(From: Todd McCormick (todd@galstar.com).)
There are lots of video cards that have video capture and real time display from RCA phono and S-Video inputs, Matrox Rainbow Runner (which requires a Matrox Millenium/Mystique 220/G200) or the upcoming Marvel, the ATI All-In-Wonder and it's decendents.....
There are several other cards that fill this bill. There are external devices that attach to your parallel ports, or USB port, or Firewire port which can also do this. Some of the older Diamond monitors also had video input as well as a computer input but they were quite expensive.
"Does anyone know of a simple way to convert NTSC signals produced by American video equipment to UK PAL signals."If you simply mean the color conversion, then a couple of chips will do it.
There are chips to do RGB to NTSC or PAL color encoding but not, as far as I know, scan conversion. For your needs, look into Sony, Philips, and Analog Devices, Motorola, and others.
See: Epanorama Video chips and circuits page:
for an extensive list of video encoder, decoder, sync, and other chips with links to their datasheets.
As has been pointed out, using the strict definition of NTSC to PAL as referring only to the color encoding, all you need is a couple of chips for NTSC to RGB and then RGB to PAL, maybe even a single chip. However, for the very common interpretation of NTSC to PAL (IMHO, maybe a little USA-biased) is with respect to US NTSC 525 line 60 Hz systems to PAL 625 50 Hz systems which is where the non-trivial part comes in.
If what you really mean is NTSC 525/60 Hz to PAL 625/50 Hz, it's not trivial.
The usual way is to use a scan converter. Essentially, an NTSC color decoder/A-D feeds a frame buffer (approximately VGA size). The frame buffer is then read out at PAL rates and the necessary interpolation is performed using digital processing to go from 525 (480 or so active) to 625 (580 or so active) lines. The output is sent to a video DAC and then color encoded for the PAL system. Everything all happens in real-time.
Needless to say, this is not your basic hobbiest afternoon project.
Here are some additional comments:
(From: Clive Tobin (tobin@nwus.com).)
Conversion is not a trivial matter, involving interpolating scanning lines, changing the field rate, and changing the color encoding scheme. I am not aware of a simple chip set that will do it. There are several ways of doing it with bought equipment, listed in order of increasing price:
Editor's note: Not all multi-standard VCRs do what you want. Some/many simply convert the color encoding between NTSC and PAL without affecting the scan rate (which is much more difficult/expensive). A wide vertical range TV or monitor might produce a viewable picture with these but at the wrong speed (off by 5/6 or 6/5 including the sound)! Unless the product specifications clearly state 'full conversion' or 'scan rate conversion' or something similar, you can probably assume they take the cheap way out! Make sure you can return the VCR if it doesn't meet your needs! --- sam.
(From: Geoffrey S. Mendelson (geoffm@pita.cs.huji.ac.il).)
There are digital converters that do this "on the fly". Akai (and Radio Shack in the US) sell a VCR for $500-600 (US) that works well. Panasonic sells the AG-W1 (NV-W1) that is an excellent VCR and a much better converter for about $1800.
You can also buy just the converters.
Avoid VCR's that claim to play PAL tapes on NTSC TVs. They convert the color signal from PAL to NTSC (well enough for the kiddies to watch tapes), but assume you can "stretch" the sync of your tv to work with 50Hz video.
(From: Tim Jacobs (timothy.jacobs@gecm.com).)
The output from these PAL VCRs won't always record properly, because they take advantage of the fact that the TV can put up with some signal variations that a low-bandwidth VCR (such as an ordinary VHS machine) can't.
The other big problem is the higher frame rate of NTSC as opposed to PAL. In NTSC you have 30 frames per second against PAL's 25. PAL frames have 100 more lines than NTSC frames. So to convert, you have to drop 5 frames each second, add 100 lines every frame, and then you have to worry about the Colour!
This is very complicated if you want good quality.
Here in the UK, there is a VCR available from, IIRC, Panasonic, that will convert between PAL, NTSC, and SECAM (French system). You chose your input system which is either from socket inputs or the tape play-back, and your output system which is to socket outputs or tape record. The machine then does the conversion for you.
The only problems I see with this VCR are, no TV Tuner, and they cost around 1000 UKPounds.
(From: Chris Hall christopher.hall@bbc.co.uk).)
At a broadcast level, probably the best known TV standards converters are made by Snell and Wilcox. I have also used a Barco unit. At a PC level, Vine Micros made a number of boxes for much less money than broadcast kit which do the conversions between PC (and Mac) video standards and broadcast ones. (From: Steve Darsey, N5PMB (sdarsey@yahoo.com).) We use a Sony DSC1024G everyday, does what you ask. Up to 1024x768 to NTSC or PAL video in composite, component (RGB or Y,RY,BY) and S. It will also go the other way. NTSC or PAL to a computer monitor. Also does NTSC to/from PAL. It will also do aspect ratio conversion. Did a letter box from a 16x9 source, no sweat. I have also seen it used to down-convert HD to SD TV.
The Hyperconverter is very comparable, at the time of our purchase, it did not do much more than pure scan conversion from the PC to video. I have no knowledge of their current model.
If price is no object, look for the Fulsom 9000 series boxes. Those machines can deal with much larger (over 1600x1200) pixel rates and will probably walk your dog and water the plants. :)
Find an AV rental or convention show production facility and see if they rent one. We use Alford Media, they have a few locations around the country.
The typical scan converter must implement the following functions. (This example applies to a unit designed to convert from SVGA or workstation video format to NTSC):
The output of the interpolator is typically 6 to 10 bits of data for each color channel.
For more information on features and selections of scan converters, try:
(I have no affiliations with this company and am in no way necessarily endorsing any of their products or claims.)
Implementing a system of this type is a challenging task even for an experienced engineer with extensive design experience with both analog and digital systems.
(From: Derek Roberts (der@cam-orl.co.uk).)
If you really want to do this properly, check out the Genesis Microchip gmVLD8 which uses DSP techniques to do the un-interlacing. Of course you need to add an A-D, field or frame store and some control, But this is the basis of a decent quality scan converter.
The following is described for NTSC; A similar approach can be taken with PAL 625/50 to SVGA at 800x600, 50 Hz.
To convert NTSC interlaced at 30 frames/second 60 fields per second to VGA which is at 60 complete non-interlaced frames per second requires a simple scan converter. This is basically an NTSC color decoder and video A/D feeding a full frame memory storing RGB (probably at 24 bits), and VGA video D/A. I say simple to compare it to the general case where in addition to frame store, you need a high speed interpolator to convert between resolutions. VGA is close enough to NTSC resolution (at least in terms of the number of active video lines) that no interpolation is needed. See the section: What is a Scan Converter?. In either case, this is a non-trivial project. IMHO, this is a poor use of an expensive monitor. A $200 TV will likely look better.
An even simpler approach is possible as well which only requires a one or two line buffers instead of a full frame store. Each input line is read in and reformatted to the appropriate VGA line (even or odd) depending on which field is being displayed. The other lines are blanked (i.e., display even lines and blank the odd lines during the even field display). This would only require enough buffer memory for one or two scan lines (depending on whether the implementation uses a double buffer or more sophisticated write and read timing) which would be a significant cost and complexity savings compared to a full frame store. The disadvantage is that since half the lines are by necessity left blank, the maximum possible brightness of the display will be reduced. It is not possible to use the blank lines as the interleaving of the even and odd fields will be incorrect and result in a poor display.
Inexpensive scan doublers do exist. For example:
(From: Jeffrey Kessler (kessler@fas.harvard.edu).)
I picked up a device called the "Video Cheese Box" from a company called TVOne. This is a $70 box that acts as a rudimentary line doubler. It takes a composite or S-Video input and outputs a 640 X 480 60 Hz VGA signal.
The picture is dramatically better than on a regular TV.
I'm in no way affiliated with this company except for having purchased one of their products.
(From: Richard Birchall (birchallr@aecl.ca).)
AverLogic has a chip that makes the task of implementing a scan doubler almost trivial. From their product description: "The AL250 is a 64 pin single chip scan doubler/de-interlacer. It converts interlaced TV signals (e.g., NTSC or PAL) into non-interlaced RGB format for output to a PC monitor or LCD panel. The single device also corrects color accuracy on different types of CRT and removes jagged edge artifacts from motion pictures. To allow a regular PC monitor to display television or video input you just need to add a de-coder and the AL250."
Philips has chips, as does Raytheon, these would take digital RGB and convert to oversampled PAL output.
(From: Mike Diack (moby@kcbbs.gen.nz).)
Analog devices does a chip (AD720) which has the delay & filter elements on the chip itself.
"I'd appreciate on an Integrated Circuit (IC) made by a Hong Kong company called Display Research Laboratory."(From: Philip Decker (pdecker@lds.loral.com).)
The IC is a Video Interlace Processor (VIP), part number VIP-01033. It converts 16-bit digital VGA video (5:6:5, R:G:B) to similarly formatted NTSC/PAL compatible video.
The IC can also be bought as part of a circuit board with additional components, producing composite, Y/C, and SCART analog RGB outputs, in three different configurations:
"I'm looking for a simple GOOD black level clamp circuit for clamping a video signal."(From: Joseph H Allen (jhallen@world.std.com).)
This is actually a very interesting subject. Assuming you have a constant video level (or AGC), a simple diode clamp on the horizontal sync tips (diode clamp the sync so that the black level is where you want it) is actually a high quality black level clamp. The sync level is constant after all. I use this method in accurate video digitizers for DC restoring the video before putting it into an A/D converter. The cool thing about simple diode DC restorers is that the capacitance is usually much less than that of the analog switches needed in other types. For example one of the best analog switches is the readily available 74HC4316, but even this has 40pF (if memory serves) on its pins.
The really hard part is finding a high quality large-signal linear video amplifier. If the video is capacitor coupled to the video amp, then the average brightness level will change the voltage of the black and sync levels seen by the amplifier. This is ok if the video amp is linear, but most aren't so the sync amplitude ends up changing depending on brightness. I.e., the black level will change depending on the brightness of the image (this is completely unacceptable for medical image capturing devices, for example).
The way linearity is measured for video amplifiers is the term "differential gain". It gives the largest difference in percent between a constant small amplitude signal (traditionally the color carrier is used for this) measured at different voltage levels (hopefully which sweep the entire output swing of the video amplifier).
Now you have to be very careful about manufactures differential gain measurements. Many of them play games to get even a mediocre 3% - 1% differential gain. Typically they specify this parameter with a reduced output range (when you really want the parameter to apply to rail-to-rail output swings so you can get a 2V signal needed for most A/D converters) or limit the input range, the gain or flat out lie (I have no idea where comLinear got the specs for their clc520/522 variable gain amplifier, for example. It says .5% in the datasheet, but I measure it to be more like 5%).
All older video amplifier ICs (like the uA722 and NE592) are really lousy. Discrete transistor amplifiers also suck (many monitors use a cascode amplifier which is very bad). Most new ICs suck too- especially those which are labeled as video amplifiers. The only ones which I have been satisfied with are the newest current feedback OP-amps (the + side is high-impedance, but the - side is zero ohms. Usual op-amps are linear, but have a limited bandwidth because the - input is high impedance). These have enough open-loop gain so that they really are linear. One that I really like is the AD9617: .01% differential gain (!), 160MHz bandwidth, immense slew rate (settles to less than 1% of final value within 10ns or so) and only costs about $10.
If you need variable gain (for AGC perhaps), the best chip to use the AD834 500MHz multiplier. This little 8-pin chip is expensive (like $40) but it is the only thing that even approaches being linear (and even it is quite a bit worse than the AD9617).
(From: Brian Campanotti (bcampano@toronto.cbc.ca).)
Look at the Clamping ICs from Gennum Corp (part numbers GB4550 and GB4551). They do input buffering and clamping. They are a good front end to any video project.
(From: Mika Iisakkila (iisakkil@alpha.hut.fi).)
Since your application probably needs some kind of an input/output buffer anyway, you might consider some integrated DC restored video amplifier. Elantec (now part of Intersil makes excellent such chips.
EL2090 is really good as far as video quality goes, but a bit expensive for applications that don't need 100 MHz bandwidth and near-zero droop. EL4089 is simpler and cheaper, but not quite "broadcast" quality. There's also some new chip, but I haven't looked into it yet.
For both chips, you'll need to get the sample pulse from somewhere, so you can't lose the LM1881. I've used the burst gate output from it to control 2090's sample input, and quality of the result far surpasses my measuring instruments.
If you want to also invert the colors, then you have to decode the chrominance to RGB, invert these, reencode, recombine, etc.
The assumption here is that the input is an NTSC or PAL composite video signal and that the desired output is a valid composite waveform with negative sync tips. In this case, what is required is as follows:
For monochrome video, the conversion steps would be replaced with a simple inverting amplifier and possibly an analog switch to merge the sync.
There may be some shortcuts one can take but you get the picture (no pun).
(From: Joel Kolstad (kolstadj@CSOS.ORST.EDU).)
Also note that straight video signal inversion will produce some... interesting... color changes, but not the same changes as you get from photographic film. For monochrome video, the end result will look like a photographic negative.
These are also available from surplus electronics outlets for under $5 or as generic replacements for VCR servicing for $12 to $20.
The only connections required to make them work are a source of regulated power - 5 to 12 V depending on model and possible s control voltage to select output instead of pass-through mode.
Most any multisync "VGA" style monitor will work with the GX, TX or CG3/CG6 frame buffers on a Sun Sparc. Commercial 13W3 cables and adapters are available or you could get the instructions from a couple of places on the net.
I use my ViewSonic 17s on both Macs and Suns.
You should have a copy of Birdsall's Sun FAQ and you may wish to join the Suns-at-Home mail list, for all Sun self-maintainers. Use a search engine for these and they should vector you to the cable pinouts as well.
Usually the chroma line (C) is passed through a capacitor and tied to the luma line (Y) after it is passed through a resistor. Usually 470 pF and 100 ohms.
VGA monitor pinouts and more related links can be found at:
Information on how one commercial VGA to TV converter grabs a VGA signal can be found at:
Information about video signals in general can be found at:
Composite is better than using an RF modulator and feeding the signal into the TV tuner but is otherwise the worst of them all.
S-video uses two signal paths, luma and chroma. It's better than composite video, which mix both together into a single signal.
But component video is better than S-video. With component, you have three separate signals - usually Y, R-Y, and B-Y. This bypasses the subcarrier encode/decode process entirely, and gives better quality.
There's also RGB, which is potentially just a bit better than Y/R-Y/B-Y, but can also be considered a different type of "component".
But be careful, what they say is not always the reality...
If this is not possible then (assuming two sources):
The delay would need to be anywhere up to 1/2 frame (or 1 frame if only one of the sources can be delayed). Not an afternoon project. For N sources, you would need N-1 0 to full frame delay units. Also note that commercial broadcasts will sometimes shift frame reference when cutting between remote locations which are not genlocked. If these sources are to be supported, you will need an automatic adjustment scheme to maintain synchronization.
"I'm designing graphics for a computer that is used on a the set of a TV show. When the camera operators shoot the screen, horizontal lines roll up and down. I assume it has something to do with the scan rates. I know there is a small program for the Macintosh that corrects this, but I know of nothing for the PC. Does anyone know?"(From: Dic (dic@werple.mira.net.au).)
This depends on whether they are shooting on video or film. There are display cards for PC which allow you to dial up the vertical output rate, which you want to match to either 30Hz( NTSC frame rate) or 24Hz (typical film frame rate). Multiples are fine, i.e. 60 or 48Hz respectively.
But that isn't the end of it. You may have (approximately) matched the frame rate of the camera, but you have to also lock them together as there will be a certain amount of drift due to slight differences in the two scan (frame) rates. For film there are devices called a Computach or a Synclock, which attach to the movie camera and take a video input (you can just feed it sync from your PC card but you may need to fiddle the level or polarity).
On set, they roll the camera and adjust the shutter phase so the vertical blanking bars on the PC fall in between movie frames. The synclock then keeps the camera perfectly synchronized to the PC sync.
If you're shooting on video it's a bit harder. You need to genlock the video camera to the PC, which can be awkward as the PC sync may not be quite steady enough (directors HATE having to lock to ANYTHING).
The hardest thing to do is run several PC's in the same shot, because they won't be scanning in sync; you can lock your camera to only one at a time. If anyone knows of PC videocards that can be genlocked together I'd be very interested.
We do a lot of this kind of work and at the end of the day, particularly if there is more than one PC in shot, we record the computer graphics to video and use Amiga monitors, because they look like PC monitors but take video input. We use Umatic or Betacam tapes because the playback machines can be drum locked together. Obviously though, if you need a high degree of interactivity with the actor, this won't work too well.
The vertical blanking bar on a PC is quite fine so if they aren't in the foreground you can usually get away with just matching the vertical rate of the PC as close as possible to that of the video/film camera. You won't see flicker, just a fine dark line moving up or down the picture slowly.
That is about the sum total of my experience but if anyone else has better suggestions I'd be very interested. I have seen some TV/movies with multiple computers in shot with no sign of flicker or blanking bars; maybe the bars are just too fine to show up?
(From: falcon@tao.agoron.com (Tom Strano)
In my personal experience, I've found that simply setting the video mode on a PC to 640*480, any color depth, and a 60 Hz refresh rate, results in a very stable picture, even when taped with a cheap consumer camcorder and no attempt at synchronization. I've done this with at least 3 different computers, all with different monitors and video cards, and it always works fine. Perhaps I'm just luckier than some technicians...
"I wonder if anyone could tell me a good reference on how CRT controllers operate. Specifically, how do the HSYNC, VSYNC, BLANK, and dot clocks interact. Or, would some kind soul like to explain it? Thanks."I am not exactly sure what you really want but here are some simple descriptions:
One source for info on timing specs is the data sheet for a video DAC or RAMDAC. They will usually define all of these parameters.
(From: (opal@opal.co.il).)
Try philips SAA1101.
Try using the National Semiconductor LM1881 It's a 8 pin DIP that does exactly what you need.
I think it costs @ $8.00 and you only need a couple of caps externally.
(From: Jan Arvidsson (janarv@algonet.se).)
The EL4583C from Elantec has a dedicated HSYNC output in addition to CSYNC and VSYNC outputs, available on the less expensive LM1881 (National). It is of course very easy to derive a pure HSYNC signal from the CSYNC output!
If you have a composite monitor (probably gathering dust at this point), then this in conjunction with the otherwise useless VCR will result in quite a nice TV. Many CGA monitors as well as early auto-scan or multi-scan monitors have NTSC (or possibly PAL) compatible composite inputs. Some even have built in speakers. A set of RCA patch cables and you are all set. Since they were designed for high resolution (at the time) computer applications, the quality is generally excellent. (Note: I do not make the same quality claims for modern SVGA monitors as their display is optimized for high scan rate computer video and not CGA or NTSC). In addition, controls are usually accessible to permit any desired degree of underscan or overscan.
It may even be possible to use the VCR's timer to turn your rig on and off automatically! (It just requires faking out the record/cassette interlock and locating a signal that can be used to control a power relay.
Conserve your landfills - save a VCR!
"Does anyone know about the specifications of the video and sync signals for VGA monitors?"Video: .7 V p-p, (more positive is brighter).
Sync: separate horizontal and vertical TTL signals. May be either polarity.
"I am trying to send VGA signals over some 180 feet of cable, I'd especially be interested in the required line impedance of the cable."Line impedance: 75 ohms terminated at both ends.
"Is it possible to produce a Composite Sync signal (or maybe even a composite video signal) that could be fed into an off-the-shelf VGA monitor, so I could use only 3 instead of 5 coaxial wires in parallel?"RG59U 75 ohm coax is what is normally used, but you will need a good quality cable to go 180 feet without too much signal degradation. Of course, it also depends on what resolution and thus what video bandwidth you need and how much dispersion (signal delay as a function of frequency) you can tolerate.
It is relatively easy to combine the H and V syncs together and then combine these with the video (usually the green signal for 'sync-on-green') but most low cost VGA monitors do not support this mode and you would then need to separate the signals at the far end. You could come up with alternative ways of combining the signals to save on cables but these will all complicate your circuitry at the monitor end. There are multiple coax cables inside a single sheath for just this purpose.
The five coaxial cables (75 ohm, RG59 typical) are wired as shown in the table. The corresponding VGA connector pin numbers are in ().
Coax Center Coax Shield
---------------------------------------
Red Video (1) Red Return (6)
Green Video (2) Green Return (7)
Blue Video (3) Blue Return (8)
H Sync (13) Ground (5,10)
V Sync (14) Ground (5,10)
Tie pin 11 (ID0) to Ground to indicate a color monitor.
Leave pin 12 (ID1) open.
Make sure that the lengths of the cables are fairly well matched - to within a couple of inches - to assure that the 3 color channels line up precisely. (One foot of cable is about 1.5 to 2 ns of delay which is significant for a 10 ns dot clock!).
Also note that you will lose your 'Plug-and-Play' capabilities without the direct control connections to the monitor (or for monitors without these features).
That's it!
You will wish that your fingers were about 10 times smaller than they are, however. :-)
If you insist, the adjustment would be called something like horizontal oscillator, horizontal frequency, or horizontal hold. If you do tweak, mark everything beforehand just in case you need to get back to the original settings.
WARNING: Make sure you understand the issues involved in working inside a monitor! See the document: Safety Guidelines for High Voltage and/or Line Powered Equipment. Something that looks innocent can really ruin your whole day!
There is also some risk to the monitor - changing it too far may result in damage either immediately (the horizontal output transistor or power supply may blow) or increase component stress reducing reliability and shortening its life. There is no way to know without looking at the design.
However, these are digital (TTL) monitors with respect to the video inputs and proper linear video amplifiers may not even be present. Therefore, you may need to implement both the NTSC or PAL decoding as well as boosting the signal levels to the hundred volts or so needed to drive the CRT.
The scan rate of CGA is the same as NTSC so deflection is not a problem.
For PAL (625/50) instead of NTSC, the vertical rate will need to be reduced to 50 Hz but this should not be a problem. The horizontal scan rate is close enough (15.625 kHz).
Similar comments apply to EGA monitors that have a compatible scan rate. EGA represents a range of scan rates between 15.75 kHz and 21.85 kHz so this should not be a problem.
You cannot even safety test scan rates on all monitors - some will blow up or be damaged by being driven with incorrect video.
For a monitor that you already have, posting the model number or looking it up is really the only way to be sure of its capabilities.
Quicky tests:
Monitor World has quick access to the general specifications of many common PC and MAC compatible video monitors. (There used to be many monitor spec Web sites but most disappeared.)
"I have an old mitsubishi monitor, model number C3919N, Scan rate is 15.5-23.5kHz horizontal, analog. I want to run video from my pc svga card into this monitor. I found the correct video mode, resolution, etc. in which it works, but have one problem. I get two perfect images displayed on this screen."(From: Martin Moeller (mmoeller@delphi.com).)
I have a copy of a very detailed book on using old 19" monitors for VGA:
I have not tried his kits but the book is very good. BTW if you pay much more than $300 for a 19' surplus monter you have been moderately had. I do not have any other connection with this person, I just think his book is very good if you are even thinking of using a "non-VGA" monitor with a VGA card.
(From the Editor).
A circuit to perform the automatic sync polarity correction is shown at:
The cost of the parts for this circuit is probably under $5 even if bought from Radio Shack.
Note: I believe there may be a problem with the use of normal or LS TTL for the sync buffers of this circuit due to their sourcing of current when the input is LOW. A gate with a Low Level Input Current of less than .2 mA should be used. (--- sam)
You have two problems: compressing the signals to 1/4 screen and synchronizing them. The straightforward (though not simple) approach is to digitize each at 1/4 resolution into a frame buffer which is read out at NTSC rates. This overcomes the issues of genlocking and timing of the 4 quadrants.
"I am looking for chips that do on-screen display of text and simple graphics. I've got some information about a Philips chip PCA8516 which seems to be a pretty nice complete chip for doing everything I want. Are there other chips out there that do this as well?"(From: Jack Climent (rocket5@haven.ios.com).)
When you are looking for something for the consumer marketplace, Look toward Mt. Fuji :-).
The MB88303 from fujitsu is an "NMOS Television Display Controller" And the NJM 22075 is a "Sync & Video SuperImposer". These two chips and very little else form a complete on screen text & Min graphics system. Add a uC and you are in business. Also low cost and easy to implement. Have hardware & software someplace if needed.
(From: Winfield Hill (hill@rowland.org))
This isn't an easy thing to do, as quite a bit of electronics is required. Fortunately, this function is needed for TV sets, VCRs etc and several manufacturers have created custom VLSI chips to do the task, which is called On Screen Display or OSD. For example, Phillips, SGS-Thompson, Rohm, and NEC, etc. all make OSD chips. Some, like Motorola, include the OSD function within a microprocessor.
I like the NEC uPD6464A chip.
Using an OSD chip, you can roll your own design (e.g. see Sept and Oct 1996 Electronics World, which uses a discontinued chip!), but it's still a non-trivial task! One easy solution is to purchase an OSD already on a pcb, with all the extra circuitry and C source code software. E.g. BOB-1 from Decade Engineering in Turner, Oregon (503-743-3194). It uses the Rohm BU5963AS chip and cost $169 each ($200 with the software).
"I'm looking for a device to do resize (in horizontal direction only) of a video signal. Basically I need a fractional decimator (in this case 2:3). Harris has some stuff that might be useful, and Phillips has some devices but I think they're more geared towards NTSC/PAL (data rate here is around 20 MHz, but, then again, isn't the luminance typically sampled at a pretty high rate?). Anyway, I also know I could do it in an FPGA with bit-serial arithmetic, but I'd rather buy something."(From: David L. Tosh (dlt@earthlink.net).)
Check out:
Gennum makes several multirate filters for video resizing.
Vertical luminance resolution in the monitor or TV is determined by the video standard (NTSC, PAL) and the quality of the monitor or TV. Specifically, for NTSC (525 total lines for NTSC) there can be a maximum of 482 or so active video lines and something like 580 for PAL (625 line). The remaining lines are for blanking and sync during retrace. These are physical scanning lines.
Vertical luminance resolution for the VCR is determined only by the number of active video scan lines for each standard.
Factors which reduce the effective vertical resolution are CRT focus (spot size) and stability of the interlace, and Kell factor. (See the section: What is Kell Factor with Respect to Interlaced Displays?.
Depending on the video standard, vertical color resolution may be less.
Depending on the video source, there will be a variety of other factors which reduce the effective resolution horizontally and vertically.
The Kell factor - which has to do with the fact that we're often undersampling an image from the standpoint of the Gospel According to St. Nyquist - IS a factor in the reduction of vertical resolution, but interlacing plays a part as well. This comes from at least two factors:
Also see the connector info at:
Original VGA (31.5 kHz - 640x480)/SVGA (35-37 kHz - 800x600) 15 pin sub D:
6
1 Red (Analog) 6 Red Return 11 (ID0) GND (Color) 11. . . 1
2 Green (Analog) 7 Green Return 12 (ID1) NC (Color) . . .
3 Blue (Analog) 8 Blue Return 13 Horizontal Sync . . .
4 Reserved 9 No Connect 14 Vertical Sync . . .
5 Ground 10 Ground 15 No Connect . . .
15 10 5
Note: Monitor ID Lines ID1,ID0=NC,G for color; G,NC for Mono. ID0 only may
be used.
Mono VGA is similar using only the Green Video and Return.
Note that many of the pins shown above as "no connects" (actually, these were sometimes used as monitor ID bits by many manufacturers) are now defined under the VESA Display Data Channel standard. This standard provides two protocols for display ID and control, including support for the full ACCESS.bus interface. The current definition of the "VGA" pinout per the DDC standard is:
6
1 Red (Analog) 6 Red Return 11 Monitor ID0 (opt.) 11. . . 1
2 Green (Analog) 7 Green Return 12 Data (SDA) . . .
3 Blue (Analog) 8 Blue Return 13 Horizontal Sync . . .
4 Reserved 9 +5 VDC (frm host)* 14 Vertical Sync . . .
5 Return 10 Sync return 15 Data clock (SCL)* . . .
15 10 5
Those signals marked with an asterisk would be supplied by the host only
if the host supports the DDC2 protocol (I2C or ACCESS.bus).
This defined several protocols for digital communications between a host system and its display. DDC provides 3 different modes:
DDC was the first and only definition of the 15-pin D-subminiature video output connector which VESA has provided. No further definitions on this connector will be made, as VESA is instead concentrating on the new Enhanced Video Connector standard which is due out later this year. This will define a completely new connector which will include support for DDC and separate syncs as in the 15-pin D-sub, and will also include support for audio I/O, video input, and the USB and P1394 serial interfaces.
I used a multimeter to determine this on the VGA to 9 pin adapter for a NEC Multisync II.
BTW, don't use an EGA 9 pin extension cable to connect it to VGA. While this will work, the wires are not shielded or the wrong wires and you will get ghosting and ringing at vertical edges. I constructed mine using proper 75 ohm coax for the RGB and H and V sync as well (though it is not needed for the sync).
(From: Carl Mueller).
If you're sure it's a VGA monitor (not CGA or EGA, which are not compatible with VGA), then there are two possible likely pinouts for the plug. I believe they are both detailed in the ibm PC hardware FAQ. One possibility is the CGA pinout, and the other is the 9-pin VGA pinout. Check the grounds to find out.
1 GND 6 Secondary Green Video/Intensity 2 Secondary RED Video 7 Secondary Blue Video 3 Primary RED Video 8 H Sync TTL Positive 4 Primary GREEN Video 9 V Sync TTL Negative 5 Primary BLUE Video
1 GND 6 Intensity 2 Unused 7 Unused 3 RED Video 8 H Sync TTL Positive 4 GREEN Video 9 V Sync TTL Positive 5 BLUE Video
(From: Chris Lawson (lawsonc@micron.net).)
1 GND 6 Intensity 2 Unused 7 Video 3 Unused 8 H Sync TTL Positive 4 Unused 9 V Sync TTL Negative 5 Unused
1 Red Ground 9 Blue Video 2 Red Video 10 Sense 2 3 Composite Sync 11 Ground 4 Sense 0 12 Vertical Sync 5 Green Video 13 Blue Ground 6 Green Ground 14 Ground 7 Sense 1 15 Horizontal Sync 8 Reserved (+12)
Note that the Apple 16" monitor is a fixed frequency display - i.e., it only works at one resolution and scan frequency. Here are the partculars:
Pin Signal Description ----- ----------- ---------------------------------------- 1 RED.GND Red Video Ground 2 RED.VID Red Video 3 CYSNC~ Composite Sync 4 MON.ID1 Monitor ID, Bit 1 5 GRN.VID Green Video 6 GRN.GND Green Video Ground 7 MON.ID2 Monitor ID, Bit 2 8 nc (no connection) 9 BLU.VID Blue Video 10 MON.ID3 Monitor ID, Bit 3 11 C&VSYNC.GND CSYNC & VSYNC Ground 12 VSYNC~ Vertical Sync 13 BLU.GND Blue Video Ground 14 HSYNC.GND HSYNC Ground 15 HSYNC~ Horizontal Sync Shell CHASSIS.GND Chassis GroundYou can pretty much ignore the ID bits. You can try the following cable pinouts to match to a VGA connector.
Mac Video DB15 VGA Connector HD15 ---------------- -------------------- 2 ------------------- Red Video ------------ 1 1 ------------------- Red Ground ----------- 6 9 ------------------- Blue Video ----------- 3 13 ------------------- Blue Ground ---------- 8 5 ------------------- Green Video ---------- 2 6 ------------------- Green Ground --------- 7 15 ------------------- Hsync ---------------- 13 12 ------------------- Vsync ---------------- 14 14 ------------------- Sync Ground ---------- 10
(From: Tony Matt (tonym@world.std.com).)
Cable for Mitsubishi Diamond Scan 20M (Model HC3925ETK)
Pin Function PC Connector Monitor Connector Red (Analog) 1 2 Green (Analog) 2 4 Blue (Analog) 3 10 Reserved 4 6 Return 5 6 Red Return 6 1 Green Return 7 3 Blue Return 8 5 Sync Return 10 6 Monitor ID0 11 6 Horzontal Sync 13 9 Vertical Sync 14 8
Pin Function PC Connector Monitor Connector
HD DB-15 male DB-25 male
Red (Analog) 1 2
Green (Analog) 2 4
Blue (Analog) 3 14
Red Return 6 3
Green Return 7 5
Blue Return 8 15
Sync Return 10 1
Monitor ID0 11 1
Horzontal Sync 13 16
Vertical Sync 14 17
Pin A1: Red
Pin A2: Green
Pin A3: Blue
Analog: 13W3 connector:
+----------------- * gnd
| +------------- * vertical sync
| | +--------- sense 2
| | | +----- sense common (gnd)
| | | | +- composite sync
| | | | |
| | | | | grey
red | | | | | green blue
| 1o 2o 3o 4o 5o | |
(O) (O) (O)
6o 7o 8o 9o 10o
| | | | |
| | | | +--- composite common (gnd)
| | | +------- sense 0
| | +----------- sense 1
| +--------------- * gnd
+------------------- * horizontal sync
* May be NC. My spies tell me Sun considers these obsolete.
The green video input is used by grayscale monitors.
Sense table - 1=nc, 0=strap to gnd
Sense Type/scan rate
-------------------------------------------
0 TBD (?))
1 Reserved
2 1280x1024, 76Hz
3 1152x900, 66Hz
4 1152x900, 76Hz, 19"
5 Reserved
6 1152x900, 76Hz, 16 or 17"
7 Nothing (no monitor connected)
This is a good SVGA monitor (same as Sony Multiscan GDM-17SE). The Sun version doesn't connect the H and V sync lines to the video connector. If you open it, on the the video board there will be a 3 pin connector labeled H sync, V sync, and ground. All you have to do is connect these to some unused wires in the video cable. There will be several wires going to a small board which I think is used for monitor detection, or other functions only used by a sun station. You can just cut any two of these and use them for sync. Cut off the 13W3 and attach a HD15 connector, remembering which pins are used for sync.
If you're not into soldering, I'm fairly sure there is an adapter fit this that just converts the separate sync to sync on green. If I remember correctly, the web site that was selling it incorrectly identified it as a fixed frequency monitor and said you needed one of their special video cards. It is NOT fixed frequency.
I have the pinouts for the RGB connectors on newer Sony monitors (specifically, the PVM-2030 and PVM-2530 Profeel Pro monitors). These pinouts are directly from the owner's manual. The connector used is a DB25 female.
Pin Signal Descr
---------------------------------------------------------------
1 IBM Select High: IBM mode (RGBI)
Low: 3 Bit TTL (RGB)
2 Audio Select High: Audio input from pin 13
Low: Audio input from LINE A/B/VTR jacks
3 HSync/CSync Horizontal or Composite Sync, Negative Pol.
4 Blue Input Video Inputs: Positive Pol.
5 Green Input (Sync on green optional in analog mode)
6 Red Input
7 NC
8 NC
9 Analog/Digital High: Analog mode
Low: Digital mode
10 RGB/Normal High: RGB input selected
Low: LINE A/B/VTR input selected
11 VSync Vertical Sync, Negative Pol.
12 Blanking High: Video input from RGB input only
Low: LINE A/B/VTR signal is superimposed over
signal from RGB input
13 Audio Input -5 dB / 100% mod.
14 NC
15-24 Ground
25 intensity Positive Pol.
These monitors are regular NTSC monitors, but I'm sure they can be
connected to computers the same way I connected the KX-2501... using a
simple buffer circuit and special video drivers. Another possibility is
to build a component-to-RGB converter for really high quality DVD
playback (better than S-Video)... the blanking feature seems interesting
but the RGB source would have to be synchronized with the composite
source. I think the KX's/XBR's have the blanking input, too.
The Sony RGB Multi Input pinout is also valid for the kV-25XBR; it should also work with the kV-20XBR and KX-1901, and I know it works with a KX-2501. (The KX series monitors are the original Sony Profeel monitors from about 1983, and they are very common.)
A female 34-pin floppy connector will mate with the Sony connector just fine. I was able to use the analog RGB input on a KX-2501 to display VGA PC video using a sync level converter circuit and drivers from:
I am trying to connect a Silicon Graphics (SGI) 17" screen display to an SGI Octane CPU. I would like to build my own HD15 to 13W3 cable.
The monitor is standard SVGA with the VESA Display Data Channel (DDC) and works fine on a PC.
SGI OCTANE CPU video pinout (13W3):
1 Monitor ID bit 3 (TTL)
2 Monitor ID bit 0 (TTL)
3 Composite sync (active low), TTL
4 Horizontal drive (active high), TTL
5 Vertical drive (active high), TTL
6 Monitor ID bit 1 (TTL)
7 Monitor ID bit 2 (TTL)
8 Gnd
9 Gnd
10 Gnd
Signal SGI OCTANE (13W3) Monitor: GDM-17E21 (HD15 male)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red A1 1 Red
Red Gnd A1 Gnd 6 Red Gnd
Green A2 2 Green (+ composite sync)
Green Gnd A2 Gnd 7 Green Gnd
Blue A3 3 Blue
Blue Gnd A3 Gnd 8 Blue Gnd
Pins 6, 7, and 8 tied together, along
with both connectors metallic shell
and cable shield.
Notes:
In any case, S-Video uses a 4 pin mini-DIN connector. Viewing from the female-end with the key at the bottom:
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