TashSync: Macintosh Video Sync Signal Converter/Generator

[sfiera]

it should be referred to as a 19-pin D-sub connector or a "DB"-19, with the DB in scare quotes, or maybe a D?-19... I think I'm going to start using the latter.

I always thought DX-19 would be a nice name for it.

 

[Tashtari]

I always thought DX-19 would be a nice name for it.

That was what I originally wanted to call it, too, but apparently there's some smaller connector that that refers to... can't find the details now, but I successfully confused someone with it once.

 

[olePigeon]

How about DΒ-19? That's an uppercase Beta. Then we can all snicker every time someone calls it DB-19.

 

[Tashtari]

OKAY! Finally finally, the final (at least I hope) PCBs are here. I'd like to send a few of these out for testing...

The perfect candidate would have:

• A II-series machine with a Toby card, a IIsi/IIci, or both
• A decent-sized collection of VGA monitors that are known not to work with the above machines using a passive adapter
• A PIC programmer (I checked, the TL866+ doesn't support the PIC10F320, so it needs to be a PICkit 3 or similar)

Willing to compromise, though, if need be. In gratitude for tests performed, I'll pay shipping, you can keep the TashSync(s), and I'll be your best friennnndddd...

Anyone interested? =)

 

[Tashtari]

I'm really quite pleased with myself for the design of these boards, everything fits together so neatly. The bulk cap even snaps right in between the DIP socket and the DA-15 so the leads don't need to be bent to retain it while soldering it. Once I'm satisfied with the firmware, I might even offer some of these for sale fully assembled, such is my non-hate for the process of putting them together...

I have a few volunteers (thank you!), all with PIC programmers so far, which is great for the early stages of testing where I want to be ready to tweak the firmware, though could always use more.

 

[Tashtari]

Guess I never updated this thread. Early testing results showed some jitter which revealed a fatal flaw in my assumptions - specifically, that the PIC10F320 would be able to generate the vertical sync signal in software (since it only has one configurable logic cell, used for the horizontal sync signal). So this project's back on the back burner...

 

[shirsch]

Odd. I never saw a single problem with the one you sent me. I must lead a charmed life.

 

[Tashtari]

Odd. I never saw a single problem with the one you sent me. I must lead a charmed life.

It doesn't manifest everywhere, but the fact that it manifests anywhere is a source of consternation. In hindsight, I really should've guessed this would be a problem, but I was a little bit obsessed with using a PIC that was available in a SOT-23 package, heh...