LCIII Video Adapters

[dcr]

A long time ago, I bought (via eBay, I believe) an assortment of video adapters for converting from the output of a Mac (pre-Intel) video to (mostly) VGA. Of those, I only had one that worked with any sort of reliability (and still a lot of trial and error). The bottom line is that I don't have a reliable adapter, which means if I use one and it doesn't work, I cannot be sure if the issue is with the adapter or the computer.

So, what is/are some good adapters (brands, models, links to eBay/Amazon item) for connecting an LC III to a modern-ish display? The LC III has only the built-in video output. I would prefer to use an HDMI display if there is something available that can convert from Mac video output to HDMI. Alternatively, I do have some displays that take VGA input.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[finkmac]

get one with dip switches. preferably two rows.

 

[Macsimus]

Check out the Mac Sync-inator from Big Mess o' Wires: https://www.bigmessowires.com/mac-sync-inator/

 

[dcr]

Thanks! The Mac Sync-inator seems promising.

Are there no Mac video to HDMI adapters? I suppose I could try a Mac > VGA adapter and then VGA > HDMI adapter but that seems like that might be asking for problems.

 

[cheesestraws]

Are there no Mac video to HDMI adapters? I suppose I could try a Mac > VGA adapter and then VGA > HDMI adapter but that seems like that might be asking for problems.

HDMI is digital, VGA is analogue. You need a digitiser in the path. Anything that claims to adapt VGAish to HDMI has a digitiser in it, usually a bad one. The scaler I (and a number of other people around here) use with great success is the Extron RGB-HDMI 300 (A), which is relatively available on eBay for reasonable prices if you're a bit patient.

But you'll still need a mac-style d-sub to VGA-style d-sub adapter.

 

[dcr]

Thanks!

 

[joevt]

This thread has adapter info: https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/documentation-for-db15-to-vga-adapters.318/

 

[mikes-macs]

I have two of these that work well for Mac IIsi, Performa 400, SE/30 with PDS video card, and Power Mac 8600.

 

[theirongiant]

+1 for the BMOW Mac Sync-in-ator.

 

[ironborn65]

I have found this ... it was unknown to me

 

[shirsch]

Mac-sync-inator is a great gadget. I have perhaps a half-dozen passive adapters and the sync-inator was the only device that gave me a display from a newly acquired IIci.

 

[theirongiant]

+1 for the Mac Sync-inator. It was a day-1 purchase when announced. Very handy thing.

 

[Iesca]

This is a bit old, but, speaking from experience, the video output of an LC III can be easily converted to VGA with a non-dipswitched adapter. A dipswitched adapter won't hurt, but they're often a bit more expensive (for obvious reasons).

 

[theirongiant]

@lesca: that really depends on the monitor receiving the signal. An old square Dell 17" LCD might be able to handle it, but newer monitors may struggle and will need the Mac Syncinator.