Running Apple II gs on TV

[foody]

Is there anyway I can run my Apple II gs on my television in colored mode? Is there like some sort of modulator I can use on my Apple II gs that allows me to hook to the TV in colors? Thanks in advance.

 

[david__schmidt]

The video out on the IIgs will run whatever video in you probably have on your contemporary TV (or VCR). Look for "video in" on your equipment and hook the video out of the IIgs (the RCA jack).

 

[foody]

Can you show me a picture of the Video Out for the II gs, thanks?

 

[Twilight_Rodent]

It is the round RCA type plug between RGB DB 15 plug and the keyboard plug. Has a picture of the monitor next to it. Kind of looks the same as the one a the TV or VCRs. You will not be able to read 80col. You will not be able to change the text colors from a composite plug.

 

[foody]

But I will get colored though right? Because I discovered it is monochrome, but the one you are telling me it is colored, right?

 

[david__schmidt]

My earlier reply seems to have gone into the ether, so hopefully this isn't a duplicate.

Yes, the composite video out carries color information. Note that the IIgs composite signal it is NTSC only; if you're trying to connect to a PAL monitor, it's not going to work.

 

[foody]

Ok, thank you so so so so so so so much!

 

[luddite]

You will not be able to read 80col.

That depends on the TV. I've found that a lot of sets can display 80 column *reasonably* if you turn down the colour level and muck about with brightness and contrast a bit. Not near as good as a proper monitor, but it's useable.

 

[foody]

Why can't TV display 80 columns? Is it because 80 columns are higher resolution with refresh rate than what the TV can offer or this signal different?

 

[Quadraman]

Why can't TV display 80 columns? Is it because 80 columns are higher resolution with refresh rate than what the TV can offer or this signal different?

Between the primitive video circuitry on old computers and the low, interlaced resolution of a television screen, 80 column displays don't usually come out looking very crisp. Colors also tend to blur and run together and generally it looks terrible compared to a real monitor.

 

[foody]

I know I am asking toooooo much but I wish System 7 was released for Apple II gs. I really want to use my Apple II gs like a classic Macintosh, use it for typing, browsing, etc. I love it way more than the classic Macintosh in every ounce of way. I am going to buy it a HD worth of 160 GB and it would be a shame I cannot run QuickTime on it, listen to musics on it, etc. I know, I know, modern PCs does more than adequate job on this regard but it is not the same on doing it on the Apple II gs though with the awesome way Apple II gs display the GUI, graphics and still able to run 8 bit Apple II software.

I am very much dreaming but it is a dream I wish it becomes true.

 

[magnusfalkirk]

You can use your GS for word processing, web browsing (check out comp.sys.apple2 on Google Groups), Quicktime movies might be difficult but as to music there's SynthLab that came with System 6, Diversi-Tunes, Music Studio or several different Mod players and tons of Mods (music modules) available. Just look around and continue to ask questions.

Dean

I know I am asking toooooo much but I wish System 7 was released for Apple II gs. I really want to use my Apple II gs like a classic Macintosh, use it for typing, browsing, etc. I love it way more than the classic Macintosh in every ounce of way. I am going to buy it a HD worth of 160 GB and it would be a shame I cannot run QuickTime on it, listen to musics on it, etc. I know, I know, modern PCs does more than adequate job on this regard but it is not the same on doing it on the Apple II gs though with the awesome way Apple II gs display the GUI, graphics and still able to run 8 bit Apple II software.

I am very much dreaming but it is a dream I wish it becomes true.

 

[foody]

Thank you so much magnusfalkirk for your help!

I also emailed a company that sells Apple II gs products the following email:

Hi,

October 5th which is the next coming week I will have the money to purchase the items I listed: 1) 40 blank DD disk for my Apple II gs, the ADT Pro and the card. However, I want to ask a serious question. I am a software developer and I want to develop for the Apple II gs, however I am also planning to buy that 300 buck video output card that allows me to use modern monitor on my Apple II gs. What I am asking is, are there plans to increase the CPU speed from 2.8 Mhz (maintaining of course a 1 Mhz backward compatibility for the 8 bit software) to 200 Mhz and above? The reason I am asking is because I want to develop the following software in a complete team for System 6.0.1 with your company for FREE:

1) Quicktime like program

2) Movie player

3) Browser using the Apple II gs advance graphic chip producing 16 colors for the browser

4) IRC client

5) Modern word processor suite running through System 6.0.1 , etc.

6) Drivers for modern printer(s) etc, etc

What prevents Apple II gs from achieving this is the low CPU horse power which is 2.8 Mhz. Here is the reason why I am asking for this dream, the reason I am asking for this dream because I want to use the Apple II gs also as a serious modern computer instead of the Macintosh. I like this system billion times better than modern Macintosh, it will use the system CPU type of the Apple II gs but running in modern speed. There will be no need for modern video chip, etc that destroys the magic of the Apple II gs, but I want to still be able to run it as a modern machine. For example, Windows is famous for it's powerful developing tool such as .NET that runs within the Windows platform, I want one like this for Apple II gs for example. A developing tool that asks System 6.0.1 to work and uses all the API of system 6.0.1, GUI, etc thus it would like any system such as linux, windows, etc. You need to install the OS to run the software for it...

* SIGH * I love it!!!

Do you think I am dreaming? Do you think I am asking too much? . If it can happen or if it is possible can you discuss it with your colleges, if I can join your team. I am not asking to get paid for it, I am doing this in passion and love. If the team agrees which I am hoping they would, I will turn my Apple II gs into a developing system YES!

Do you think I am dreaming?

 

[magnusfalkirk]

Just out of curiousity which company did you e-mail? As far as I know there are very few, if any, companies making products specifically for the Apple IIGS any more.

Also ADTPro is a free program that you can downloadfrom here:

http://adtpro.sourceforge.net/

Dean

 

[foody]

I know the ADTPro is free, the company is sending me a free copy on diskette As for the company name it is called:

GSE-Reactive.

 

[LCGuy]

The main problem is, is that as great a machine as the Apple IIGS is, there are certain things that the architecture just can't do. Its like old cars...sure, it'd be great if you could take a Model T Ford to Germany, and go hooning down the autobahn at 200 km/h, but as great a car as the Model T is, its just not possible with the old technology.

 

[foody]

But I love the way Apple II display graphics.

http://www.webomatica.com/images/blog/apple_iie/spyvsspy_lg.gif

See those dots that represents the graphics that is HOT!

http://www.ouvre.com/experiences/Apple%20II/Conan2.gif

Another hot graphic quality that Apple II famous for!! It is one of these reasons why I would want to use my Apple II gs to browse the net, chat, etc

I love it as is and it is THE GREATEST Apple computer out there and I believe in my opinion kicks classic Mac on the butt hard. Oh God, how I wish I can use it instead of a modern Macintosh. I understand now more than ever why people where raged with Apple's decision to destroy Apple line for Macintosh. I understand hundred percent :'( I miss the days where Apple line exist...* sigh * :'(

 

[luddite]

Another hot graphic quality that Apple II famous for!! It is one of these reasons why I would want to use my Apple II gs to browse the net, chat, etc

With an Uthernet card and some Spectrum Internet Suite you can get your IIgs online... I believe the Spectrum browser is text-only, but it does support colours and text formatting. There are also apps to handle ftp, email and telnet, but don't expect any of it to work right out of the box -- you'll need *some* knowledge of network stuff to get it all up and running.

I think Spectrum is available from Syndicom... they might also have printer drivers, if not google Joe Kohn. I'm going from memory here, I don't actually use my IIgs for this sort of thing, so sorry if any of this is incorrect. ;-)

 

[Charlieman]

Back to OP...

Get one of these cables (or make yourself) if you have a SCART capable TV:

http://vintageware.orcon.net.nz/scart.html

I'm exposing my ignorance, but I'll ask the question. European/Pacific Region TVs have a SCART socket (labelled Euro-something in North America) which can often cope with a non-standard NTSC signal. "European" TVs typically cope with any odd ball console or computer RGB signal. But not in North America? Do North American TVs have any RGB inputs?