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Connecting 68k Macs to LCD Monitors

Trash80toHP_Mini

NIGHT STALKER
Many VGA LCDs only sync @ 60Hz, which is a problem with many Macs which don't put out a 60Hz resolution. MultiSync type LCDs work with traditional Mac resolutions/sync rates.

You've got me curious about your report on the Q605:

re. the 605 said:
video: 512 KB VRAM, expandable to 1 MB (remove both 256K VRAM SIMMs, plug in 512K replacements; supports 512 x 384, 640 x 480, 640 x 870, 832 x 624, 1024 x 768, and 1152 x 870 resolutions. We have a field report of an 800 x 600 option as well.
Did you try running it at 800 x 600?

As for 1024 x 768 @ 75Hz, Macs can run this @ 60, 67 & 75 Hz rates, depending on the Mac. Some will output @ 75Hz while others won't IIRC. A lot depends upon when the Mac was introduced. VGA and Mac resolutions/sync rates developed in parallel, converging as time passed. In much of the 68k Mac history, 60Hz was considered flickery on a CRT, which isn't an issue for LCDs. By the Quadra era VGA resolutions began to be supported by Macs.

edit: has anyone got a link to Mac resolution/scan rate chart? The closest thing I could find online was:

http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/vid-mon-matrix.html (bottom of page)

 

register

Well-known member
For the sense pin and extented sense pin codes visit http://lam.kilu.de/lam2/sense.htm, please.

To make any supported display resolution available in System 7.1 (and probably some other System versions), use "Activate all Resolutions", an extension which permits to access any resolution by the usual monitor control panel.

 

AlpineRaven

Well-known member
I'm using Dell 2408 24" display - best of all worlds... It can be used with Apple II!!! It has VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D, Component and s-video. I was very carefully choosing this display and been researching on and off for 6 months and found this one that I am happy with that I can use on ANY computers or devices. I am planning on buying Dell 2711 for my MacPro, it also has same ports as 2408 has.

Cheers

AP

 

Iesca

Well-known member
I've had great luck with my dip-less converter and an LG Flatron E2242 that I bought new several years ago as a second monitor. The converter I have is this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002J1JAE/

I have used this configuration with my Powerbook 540c and am able to use it at 640x480 in both mirroring mode and as a second monitor, and 800x600 as a second monitor. I can't recall if I tried it with the 540's narrower 640x400 resolution (with thousands of colors).

I have also used the same configuration with my LC III with 768KB VRAM and while I do have access to the thousands of colors I don't seem to be able to access the higher promised resolution of the added VRAM module. Still, it otherwise works great, if a little fuzzy at 640x480 interpolated.

 

corgski

Well-known member
The Visio E221A1 21" TV which is native 1920x1080 and has VGA in has managed to sync with every resolution and frequency I've been able to get out of my 68k macs, including oddball ones like 832x624@72Hz. It's also been able to display the 800x600x95Hz video output on my iMac G3.

 
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register

Well-known member
Kai Kramp's collection of Macintosh related hardware hacks seems not to be available as a website, anymore. However, it can  be found somewhere in the back of intarwebs as a copy of the early standalone file to be viewed on a classic Mac. Very useful this file can be: loeten-am-mac-016.hqx. This file contains a lot of pinouts and hints like how to make a hardware handshake cable for the serial port, wire the sense pins correctly to set up a desired video resolution or also overclocking information. Some portions are written in English language, the rest is in German.

 
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ajacocks

Well-known member
Kai Kramp's collection of Macintosh related hardware hacks seems not to be available as a website, anymore. However, it can  be found somewhere in the back of intarwebs as a copy of the early standalone file to be viewed on a classic Mac. Very useful this file can be: loeten-am-mac-016.hqx. This file contains a lot of pinouts and hints like how to make a hardware handshake cable for the serial port, wire the sense pins correctly to set up a desired video resolution or also overclocking information. Some portions are written in English language, the rest is in German.
A number of pages are on the Internet Archive,  here:

https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://lam.kilu.de/lam2//*

- Alex

 

pcamen

Well-known member
I've been buying the Dell 2001FP LCD monitors lately.  They support up to 1600x1200 and seem to work with a wide range of vintage Macs.  They have VGA, DVI, RCA, and SVIDEO inputs.  I seem to pay about $75 shipped for them. 

 

dr.zeissler

Well-known member
Anyone ever got 12"RGB 512x384 to display on a any TFT with any adapter?
I tested several adapters on several machine but none worked. 640x480 is no problem though.

M goal is using 512x384 on my LC1 with a TFT. I don't own the original 12" RGB MOnitor that used this resolution (and had a hidden mode for the IIe card)

Thx!
 
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