[Coco] CoCo 2

[Brendan Donahe]

Rob,

I can't speak to details regarding CoCoDV since it is not my project nor
have I used it, however, several folks have reported success with it.

Regarding the other solutions you allude to:

CoCoVGA does not require removal of the modulator.  It coexists happily
alongside the RF modulator and uses the existing video chip (6847 VDG) in
your CoCo 2.  However, if your 6847 is soldered onto your CoCo 2's
mainboard, I generally recommend desoldering and removal of it in order to
install CoCoVGA in a socket in its place.  CoCoVGA has a socket into which
you can then place your original 6847 (or a spare available from me or
others).  I assume you have seen the CoCoVGA web site?  For installation
info for the type of CoCo 2 you have (horizontal RF can implies Korean-made
CoCo 2), see
http://cocovga.com/documentation/installation/korean-made-coco-2-installation/.
Note that while the video jack and button controls are intended to be
mounted to the case, you can instead sneak out the ribbon cable from
CoCoVGA between your case halves and put it in a 3D printed case if you
prefer to avoid drilling holes in your CoCo.  Unfortunately, I'm out of
stock of CoCoVGA kits, but I have a waiting list that I actively maintain.
I suggest you get on it if you are at all interested (contact me through
the cocovga.com web site or just email me) - you can always change your
mind later and I can just remove you from the list.

Another project I have had some experience with has been Ed Snider's
composite modification (
https://thezippsterzone.com/2018/10/28/coco2-composite-a-v-modulator-replacements/),
which requires desoldering and removal of your RF modulator.  It outputs
audio and video via a TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) 1/8" headphone jack connector
which can be easily adapted to dual RCA plugs (one each for video and
audio).  When these were available, I performed a number of installations
in CoCos and MC-10s for myself and others.  It works great - sometimes the
simplest solution is the best.  :)  If you are willing to build your own,
there are a number of schematics available.  Some have been posted here:
http://sparksandflames.com/g35.html.

Hope this helps,
Brendan

On Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 3:50 PM Rob Rosenbrock via Coco <
coco at maltedmedia.com> wrote:

> Not too keen on what I’m seeing with AC. The CoCoDV looks interesting, and
> he seems very knowledgeable, but I hear alarm bells ringing.
>
> He has posted many videos on youtube and Facebook telling people to email
> him for details rather than creating a quick and simple webpage with
> answers to common questions. In a post where someone criticized the many
> options (?!) available, someone said that the $100 for CoCoVGA was too
> expensive while the CoCoDV was more affordable. Yet I have been told that
> the price of the CoCoDV was $120 + shipping! This just isn’t adding up
> right.
>
> In another video, (that runs 1:16:01,) he talks about building S-Video and
> Composite video mods for the CoCo. After a lengthy discussion about the RF
> modulator, he then discusses an S-Video to Composite converter that you can
> buy at Amazon and then shows his final results. One is left no wiser about
> actually building an interface.
>
> Thanks, but I think I’ll hold off on this idea. I don’t feel right sending
> him money.
>
> > On Jan 13, 2023, at 11:06 AM, Clifford Flath via Coco <
> coco at maltedmedia.com> wrote:
> >
> > I recently installed  ACs 8-bit Zone CocoDV on a on my Coco1 F board,
> and I am very pleased with it.
> > It arrived about a week after I ordered it.
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZztOCo-0GKI
> >    On Friday, January 13, 2023 at 02:23:54 AM CST, Rob Rosenbrock via
> Coco <coco at maltedmedia.com> wrote:
> >
> > Brief: I’m looking for what options exist currently for connecting the
> CoCo to a VGA/HDMI monitor. I’ve gone through the archives somewhat, but
> everything I’ve seen seems to be out of stock. I want to know what I will
> need now, or in the future, to get my CoCo’s usable.
> >
> > Background:
> >
> > The 26-3136A I bought through eBay looks nice and seems to be working
> just fine. On this model, the RF converter lies parallel to the board
> rather than standing up. It has a 6847 VDG rather than the 6847T1. I
> haven’t broken the warranty seal yet, but I can see that the memory on this
> model is on a daughter card rather than being populated on the system
> board, and all chips appear to be soldered in place.
> >
> > I have connected both it and the CoCo 3 to a Dynex 19” HDTV through the
> cable input and they both presented a rather poor image. Same thing if I
> connect the composite signal on the CoCo 3. I was able to get a half-way
> decent image (readable) by bringing the color down to 0.
> >
> > I then tried my old Sakata composite SC-100 monitor with the CoCo 3.
> It’s not crystal clear, but the picture is much better and I can even read
> WIDTH 40. If I turn the color all the way down I see what looks like a
> white band on the left edge of the screen and a white border on the right
> side of each character - like ghosting.
> >
> > That sounds familiar. On the CoCo 3, the composite output is merely a
> transistor buffer for the same signal that is going into the RF modulator.
> I’m suspecting that an aged capacitor in that circuit is screwing up
> alignment with the color signal. I have a recap kit on the way, so I might
> just replace them after all.
> >
> > Either way, that CoCo 2 is not going to connect to the composite monitor
> without a mod. I like the idea behind the CoCoVGA - replacing the RF
> modulator with a composite interface without modding the case. I am
> interested in one if they are available somewhere. My other option is to
> build my own.
> >
> > I’m open for options on the CoCo 3 as well. I’ve got a (hopefully)
> perfectly good CM-8, but it won’t last forever. All of the options I’ve
> seen to convert the RGB to VGA look rather convoluted involving multiple
> adapters to convert from one connection to another.
> >
> > Sorry. I know this has been discussed before, but there’s a lot of
> messages to look through - and much of it seems obsolete.
> >
> > --
> > Coco mailing list
> > Coco at maltedmedia.com
> > https://pairlist5.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/coco
> >
> >
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>
>
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