Replacement Computer Monitor

[jmstevens]

Good afternoon friends!  My Trinitron monitor from 1986(or older) is on the fritz.  Had a good run.  Does anyone know a foolproof way to use a modern screen?  The Dramastic box was perfect, but alas is not being manufactured anymore, and it seems I missed the boat.  I've also tried an Effexor? box I was made aware of, no dice.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

James

[kilmister]

Hey James!

Pretty much any modern TV with RGB Scart input will work. All you have to do is solder a scart connector.
Here's nice pinout picture about it: http://www.pinout.net/connectors/scart_to_rgb.gif
The 1K resistor is used to enable RGB input in TV.
edit: Ok, a little correction here: It's my belive that HSync signal carries necessary control voltage (1-3V) to enable RGB via pin 16. Signal is also feeded to the pin 20 through the 1K resistor. I suppose syncing happens via pin 20. In my case, I feed separate control voltage to pin 16.

And here's a coolest thing:
You can use one of your consoles master section switches (I bet you also have at least one unused) to switch between DAW computer input (HDMI) and SSL Computer (RGB) dispalys. All you have to do is feed 12V to pin 8 to switch display.

-Paavo

[jmstevens]

Thanks for the kick ass info!  Am I wrong in thinking that Scart input TVs are more of a UK thing, harder to come by here in the US?  Maybe I've misunderstood. 

James

[kilmister]

Oh, I think Scart is very international standard but can't be absolutely sure about it.

-Paavo

[jmstevens]

Paavo, please excuse my ignorance here, but what you're above method implies is that I need to find a TV or monitor with the 21 pin connector shown above, and wire the rgb cables that are inserted in my current monitor to a fitting 21 pin connector.  Is this correct? Just want to be sure.  Hamster wheel turning slowly today.   Does this work for the TR screen as well?  Sounds like a great plan if I can find the proper monitor.  I don't know squat about TV's/monitors as is painfully apparent here.

On another note, Bruce Millett at http://deskdoctor.com, who's always so generous with his knowledge, says he knows a fellow who swears by this box, although he hasn't seen it in action himself.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XRGB-3-Micomsoft-Upscan-Converter-Unit-Japan-Import-Brand-NEW-English-Firmware-/300716828939?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46041ea90b

Anyone else tried this beast?

James

[kilmister]

This works at least in our setup with fairly new Philips LCD screen. Finland uses PAL so I can't confirm if same setup works with NTSC systems. Perhaps you can find a TV which accepts both systems?

400 bucks is ridiculous price imo for this use.

-Paavo

P.s more detailed info about scart: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCART
I found it is mostly used at Europe but US has pretty similar system called EIA Multiport connector. I bet working principles are very similar with the Scart.

[kilmister]

Let's see if the link works...
A picture at Facebook of our screen in TR duty

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/415396_10150844960495499_1486445093_o.jpg

-Paavo

[jmstevens]

That looks killer!  Ran across this thread  http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/152259-ssl-6000-rgb-tv-convert.html

It's amazing how complicated this seems to be for many folks, including myself.  Do you happen to have the model of the Phillips screen that's working for you?

James

[kilmister]

Uh, can't remember exact model number but it's one of 6000 series IIRC... 

From that GS thread I get an image that folks haven't realize that very ofen RGB needs to be enabled with control voltage or you will not have colors. I spent hours with Google when I made our system trying to find what the trouble was and you can just imagine how stupid I felt when I found that solution is so god damn simple!

A useful info for US guys was that you need a PAL capable TV.

-Paavo

[jmstevens]

Another possibility I stumbled upon.  A gentleman claimed this worked on his console.  Not quite sure how one would go into this box, BNC cable to VGA adapter perhaps?

http://www.interloper.com/products/product-details.php?productid=54440003&cat=54&mfgn=&page=1&sec=1&od=

Seems like a good solution if it allows any cheap VGA monitor to work.

James 

[kilmister]

This VideoView you linked above does not accept RGB signals at all... so it's no go.

-Paavo

[jmstevens]

AAAANd, what about this one?
http://www.ambery.com/rgbcgatovgac.html

Or this one?
http://www.ambery.com/rgrgtotvcosc.html

They seem to have all the right buzz words

James

[kilmister]

James, I don't see what's your point to use upscaler/converter?
As GS thread showed us, you US fellows can buy tv which works with PAL RGB signals.

-Paavo

[jmstevens]

I smell what you're steppin' in Paavo, but I'm not seeing any on Ebay that are knocking me over the head guaranteed to work.  Even the folks at NEC (Multisync) told me that just because it bears the Multisync tag, does not guarantee it will support PAL.  None of their current US models do, at least that what folks at NEC told me.  Maybe they're confused.  Most of the Ebay listings aren't very thorough in listing specs.  I guess I'm a little reluctant to get stuck with a big ass TV that doesn't work for it's intended purpose.  The only new contenders I've run across that could work are extremely expensive.  I'll keep looking.   

What I find attractive about the converter box option is that I could use any cheap, lightweight VGA monitor I could pick up anywhere, in theory at least.  Obviously it's not going so well thus far:)  Have a good one!

James   

[kilmister]

Ok, got your point. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with converters so can't really say nothing about them.

I made very quick search at eBay and found this:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=140948647198&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=26466151216

Refering to user manual
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200807/20080708073557312_BN59-00720D-Eng.pdf
it looks this TV has a Scart connector and it can handle PAL signal. Should work with SSL.

-Paavo