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

[Neil Morrison]

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