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Commodore 64 video cable help

8

80186 Enthusiast

Experienced Member
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May 18, 2023
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I cannot plug in this video cable bought from Amazon into my Commodore 64 ... Why won't it fit???

It has the same pin out as the port, but it won't fit? Are the pins on the cable itself too big to fit into the slots on the video port?

I need help with this.
PXL_20231217_173019310.jpgPXL_20231217_173013403.jpg
 
Did you buy some random video cable or one specifically made for C64?

8-pin DIN cable come in round and horseshoe-shaped configurations:

www.showmecables.com

DIY | DIN Cables

A key detail about DIN connectors is that they do not have a standard configuration. Before assembling a DIN cable, users must find out how the pins need to be
www.showmecables.com www.showmecables.com
 
powerlot said:
Did you buy some random video cable or one specifically made for C64?

8-pin DIN cable come in round and horseshoe-shaped configurations:

www.showmecables.com

DIY | DIN Cables

A key detail about DIN connectors is that they do not have a standard configuration. Before assembling a DIN cable, users must find out how the pins need to be
www.showmecables.com www.showmecables.com
Click to expand...
Also, do you have a link to the item on Amazon? The issue with Amazon (and eBay) is a lot if just cheap junk with Commodore slapped in the name to get sales, but as @powerlot noted may not use connectors that are compatible as the DIN sockets weren't really standardized in the shape.
 
It's the wrong type of DIN used. It should be the horseshoe type. It can still work, but you will need to cut the top two pins off. I've done this with connectors I've bought from my local electronics store because they only stock the round type and it's worked fine.
 

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powerlot said:
Excuse the pedantry, but they are quite standardised. The round one in the OP is a DIN 45326 connector, and the one used on C64s is IEC 60574-18.
Click to expand...
True, I over simplified it. I should have said there isn't a SINGLE standard connector, there are multiple, but they are standardized among their part numbers
 
You should not have to cut anything off if the correct connector part is purchased.

As I stated in my earlier post, the socket pins look damaged, and this may account for the reason that the plug does not actually fit into the socket?

Dave
 
daver2 said:
You should not have to cut anything off if the correct connector part is purchased.

As I stated in my earlier post, the socket pins look damaged, and this may account for the reason that the plug does not actually fit into the socket?

Dave
Click to expand...
You're correct, you shouldn't need to, but as the wrong connector was used it obviously won't fit.

80186 should either return it to the seller and get an exchange, and hopefully get the correct one, or he can just cut the two top pins as I mentioned. These two pins aren't used, so it's fine to cut them and the remaining 6 pins will fit in the 8 pin socket.

Edit, the first picture I looked at (the second one) the socket looked fine but you could see where the cable has been forced in with some pressure. I didn't notice the first picture, and yes the socket does look damaged, presumably from the cable being forced in place.
 
Another tip before you use cables not originally meant for a C64: make doubly sure the pins go to the correct jacks on the other side. I once fried a SID chip by using the wrong adapter (a costly mistake)
 
Yes, a 5 pin 180 degree DIN connector was pretty much the 'standard' for a cassette recorder back in the day. I still have (and so does my wife) portable cassette/radios from the day... Why, I don't know. Oh, now I remember, so I can connect them to vintage computers!

I seem to remember a 5 pin 270 degree DIN connector was used for a remote microphone and a 180 degree DIN connector for 'line' connection.

>>> and yes the socket does look damaged, presumably from the cable being forced in place.

Typical syndrome of some people - it WILL fit!

>>> had a 5 pin connector while later ones had 8 pin.

Probably a Commodore 'thing' to make their equipment incompatible with everything else so they could sell a more costly item? I couldn't possibly comment further...

Dave
 
The later 8 pin connector was used for the separate Y/C lines. See here for a good write-up:
www.lemon64.com

For Newbies - C64 Video output explained

Commodore 64 Video output explained for Newbies This thread is for newbies who don’t know details about the Commodore 64 video output or for retro users who…
www.lemon64.com www.lemon64.com
 
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