[Coco] [Color Computer] Re: TRS-80 CoCo Group Color Computer Composite Video - Compared to "modern" composite - I don't get it

[Kevin Diggs]

Hi,

	They tried to confuse us by using an RCA jack for the connector. But on 
the deuce that is an RF output. The good news is that the tre has a 
composite output as well. The bad news is that the quality of that 
signal is ... less than it should have been. The GREAT news is that 
someone on this board (Roy?) has come up with a doo hickey to hook a tre 
up to a standard VGA monitor using the RGB output (that was intended for 
the CM-8).

					kevin

Neil Morrison wrote:
> Everyone has trouble with those. Usually you buy an RCA to F converter adaptor from Radio Shack - much better. You can use an F cable instead of an RCA cable too.
> 
> http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103580&cp=&kw=f+cable+rca&parentPage=search
> 
> Gold Series "F" Connector to Phono Plug Adapter Model: 278-290
>  
> $4.29
> 
> Grossly over priced, but hard to find at the dollar store. You can get the cables there though.
> 
> No, the Coco 1 and 2 have TV output only, only the Coco 3 had composite.
> 
> Neil
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Ben Willis 
> 
> 
>   Neil,
> 
>   Wow! Talk about a lightning fast response. From what I saw from the board and limited number
>   of members, I didn't think I'd get an answer, much less in less than half an hour!
> 
>   Thanks for your clarification - I apologize but I misspoke.  The gizmo I'm using, I've always
>   called an "RF modulator" but it's really a "Game/TV Switch" - here's the URL to exactly
>   what I've been using:
> 
>   http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062058&cp=&kw=game+switch&parentPage=search
> 
>   This is basically the same switch I used in the 80's - and it always seems to have performed poorly.
>   I get a blurry picture, with interference lines. I notice that if I squeeze the switch, or flip it back and
>   forth, I can sometimes get better results.  So I always thought the switch was a piece of junk.
>   Hence I was trying to bypass it and hook the Coco up directly to the composite input on my TV
>   (which I knew wouldn't work but tried it anyway for the heck of it).
> 
>   So basically the Coco has a composite output, right?  This is where I get confused is in the terminology.
>   Since it's really a TV signal it's outputting.  How do you hookup your Coco to your TV?  Or do you have
>   a monitor?  Are there any particular monitors you would recommend?  I know Tandy made the CM-8,
>   but I'm concerned that this will only work with a Coco 3 since it has different video outputs.
> 
>   Thanks again for the advice and quick response,
>   Ben
>