MCE2VGA and Amstrad PC1512?

[JohnElliott]

Just an idle thought... Has anyone got a PC1512 to output video using an MCE2VGA rather than its original monitor? (You'd have to provide an alternative source of power too, of course).

The PC1512 video pinout is here - 8-pin DIN socket and (unlike CGA) uses composite sync rather than separate horizontal and vertical sync.

 

[Great Hierophant]

I can imagine the FPGA can be reprogrammed to accommodate composite sync if it doesn't support it out of of the box. The composite H&V sync pin should be connected to pin 13 on the VGA connector.

If it doesn't work and the creator doesn't want to support it, then you could try this :

https://www.aceinnova.com/en/electronics/composite-sync-separator-circuit/

 

[MJay99]

Just an idle thought... Has anyone got a PC1512 to output video using an MCE2VGA rather than its original monitor? (You'd have to provide an alternative source of power too, of course).

I did it on a prototype board first, then adapted the MCE2VGA PCB and FW to incorporate some small changes. I posted a few pictures over at Vogons (Thread: "Amstrad 1512 - CGA(ish?) to VGA.") So, it definitely is possible. The PSU is done with a simple board from hackaday.io and a cheap 12V ATX adapter with a notebook PSU.

 

[Kalidor]

If my PC1512's monitor ever dies, I'll try this https://ctrl-alt-rees.com/2018-09-10-amstrad-pc1512-building-an-external-power-supply.html, as the MCE2VGA is quite expensive.

Parts 2 and 3 talk about the video.