Using non Mac hardware with Macintosh Color Monitor?

[KieranD212]

Okay so i have this monitor that i use with my Quadra 650 and its 640x480 resolution. http://www.everymac.com/monitors/apple/classic_monitors/specs/apple_mac_color_disp.html

I wanted to try running an old PC on it and possibly my Dreamcast via VGA box since 640x480 would be fine for them. I don't really have room for a Mac monitor and seperate CRT for my older PCs. If i cant get this one to work i may have to buy a VGA CRT monitor, but it would be nice to have the older Mac monitor with the Quadra 650. I have my main pc and also an older Philips (commodore) monitor with scart for my amiga, so rooms a bit tight where everything is set up.

I have 2 adapters for it, but i get a screen sync type of error.

Apparently the adapter bellow works only with I believe your adapter works with:

• AppleVision 1710 Display

• AppleVision 1710AV Display

• AppleVision 750

• AppleVision 750AV

• ColorSync 17 Display

• Multiple Scan 1705 Display

• AppleVision 1710 Display

• AppleVision 1710AV Display

• AppleVision 750

• AppleVision 750AV

• ColorSync 17 Display

• Multiple Scan 1705 Display

• Studio Display (15" Flat Panel)

So i bought a 6 switch adapter (with manual) used a gender converter and that doesn't work either.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

From your link:

Resolution Support: 640x480 (35 kHz Horiz. Scan, 66.7 Hz Vert. Scan)

The PC is undoubtedly putting out a 60Hz Vertical Scan rate flavor of VGA, so it's not likely to work without a lot more flexibility on that end than the average VGA card possesses. If an Apple CRT isn't multiscan or a unique model like the 12" 'zaToppers or the Portrait, they aren't really worth keeping around as far as I'm concerned, but I'm a 24bit TPD junkie.

Just about any multiscan VGA CRT or LCD will be better suited to your cross-platform needs.

 

[KieranD212]

So this display is junk then? Wish i could get a Sony GDM-FW900, unlikely though.

12" 'zaToppers ?

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Nope, not junk! If you have the room and don't mind 640x480, (games don't usually need any more pixels than that) that's a great monitor for a time capsule setup, just not a setup KVM'd to anything but an early mac that talks fixed resolutions. I won't touch anything less than 800x600 if I can possibly help it.

The form-fitted Pizza Box Toppers are notable exceptions:

http://www.everymac.com/monitors/apple/classic_monitors/specs/apple_mac_12_rgb.html

http://www.everymac.com/monitors/apple/classic_monitors/specs/apple_mac_12_mono.html

These two have the same miserable resolution as the Compact Macs, just in low depth color/grayscale and stretched across more real estate.

But they're cute as all hell! :approve:

Most Macs aren't going to talk to the widescreen monitor you mentioned. Stick to 4:3 or 4:5 aspect ratios. A high quality 16" or 17" multisync CRT is almost a requirement for troubleshooting video in vintage computer collecting, IMHO.

 

[CelGen]

The mac refresh rate is different fomr what a PC or PC-standard VGA device will output. Until the advent of "multisync" displays all the mac monitors supported Apple's refresh rates exclusively. By the mid to late 90's Apple did away with that because it was getting obvious that 60hz+ refresh rates were the preferred standard and the vendors were gatting annoyed programming the weird rates Apple was using.

The dip switch adapter only toggle bits on the monitor ID pins for the mac. They set the max supported screen resolutions for the Monitors control panel.

That being said, if you have access to a multisunc Sony monitor, use that. Trinitron tubes were and still are the best CRT tubes you can get.

 

[Bunsen]

12" 'zaToppers ?

Yeah, it really would help if you would speak English, jt.

 

[Bunsen]

So this display is junk then?

Depends. If you can set your PC or your VGA converter box to run at 66 or 67Hz refresh rate then no, it's still useful. The TV standard (PAL/NTSC) output from your Dreamcast isn't really any better than 640x480 even if you do throw it up on a bigger screen.

One thing though, if you run it for any length of time with that garbled image as in your first photo, it will be junk soon. The out of spec voltages can cook the internal components.

 

[techknight]

Well it appears you have no sync at all. 60 to 66hz shouldnt be that much of a difference for the oscillator to lock onto that.

However, its the horiz frequency that might be different enough, and in which case you can find the horiz freq control and adjust it for that frequency your sending it, as long as your not too far off. Then a voltage mod might be required, or maybe swap a couple parts in the horiz osc to change the center freq.

 

[LCGuy]

Yeah, it really would help if you would speak English, jt.

"12" 'zaToppers" = the 12" displays marketed with the original LC.

For the record, the Macintosh Colour Display (which the OP has) also makes a good 'zaTopper. (speaking from experience )

 

[James1095]

Most CRT monitors are relatively forgiving when it comes to vertical refresh, it's the horizontal rate that tends to be the most critical. Make sure the pinout is correct through the adapters and actually routing the signals to the right pins. Still it may not be close enough. The monitor is not junk, it's just better suited to someone who only wants to run it on a Mac.

Multisync PC monitors that will sync to most of the Mac resolutions are still common, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. I second the suggestion to find a Sony if you can. A trinitron in good condition and properly tuned still provides a stunning quality picture IMO.

 

[Cory5412]

Wish i could get a Sony GDM-FW900, unlikely though.

Ah yes, the only worthwhile CRT.

So this display is junk then?

I wouldn't say so, if you want to have and use Macs of various types, then having a display like the Mac Color Display is a good time. This display is relevant from the original Mac II with a Toby framebuffer all the way out to the beige G3 systems.

I've got the MCD's larger, more multimedia-oriented cousin, the AudioVision 14, and have found that the tube in these displays is very beautiful, and it's great to have a Mac display around, but it never has and likely never will work with other computers.