Video Convertor for DB9 Analog RGB to ?

[SoCalHntr]

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm going to try and resurrect my Targa video system. I just acquired 3 complete pc's (286, 386, 486) and have everything except the output monitor. I owned the complete original system, and have the JVC vidcam, Targa 24 card, Summagraphics SummaSketch tablet, and the software from my hard drive way back when. My original monitor was a very large SONY with 4 BNC input (RGB and Sync). I've seen several converters online, and tha Bay, for $20 and up, but am unfamiliar with the DB9 output of the Targa. I have old documentation stating the output is 512 x 482, which is close to 480i, but I don't think that was a standard in 1986.

Anyone able to recommend a way to take the DB9 output and convert it to something newer might recognize? Some earlier documentation suggests the original SONY unit I had was used due to long persistence, causing a "smoothing" effect, so I'm guessing no matter what I will have some flickering issues.

Thanks for the help!
Dave

 

[g4ugm]

Well you could look for a replacement Sony Monitor but they are getting expensive. e.g.

Sony Trinitron PVM-1943MD 19" Monitor TV | eBay

The screen size is perfect for desktop use, and the gray color fits well with any setup. With its CRT display technology and component BNC video inputs, you can expect crisp and clear images.

www.ebay.com

or a converter. I rate the Extron DSC 301 HD like this :-

Extron DSC 301 HD Video Scaler HDCP w/ AC Adapter, Used | eBay

The DSC 301 HD accepts a wide variety of video formats including HDMI, HDTV, RGB, component, and standard definition video. It features advanced Extron video signal processing with deinterlacing of signals up to 1080i.

www.ebay.com

It will convert most things to HDMI and has a lot of adjustments. The docs are on the EXTRON site

Request Rejected

it won't be perfect, but it will let you tweak everything.

 

[Eudimorphodon]

which is close to 480i, but I don't think that was a standard in 1986.

Those Targa cards were in large part for television content creation, so there’s a good chance it is “480i”, IE, NTSC television framing, if its output is indeed interlaced.

A rotgut solution would be one of those cheap Gonbes 8200 arcade scaler boards. Arcade board output is also usually NTSC frequency analog RGB. Quality isn’t great but it would let you confirm it worked before investing more.

 

[SoCalHntr]

@g4ugm - Thanks for the info. It's weird seeing that monitor again. It looks just like the one I had. Due space and "wife-acceptance-factor" concerns, I'd rather not go the CRT route.

@Eudimorphodon - I've actually just been looking at those. I just bought these:

GBS8200 Video Converter CGA/EGA/YUV/RGB TO VGA Arcade Game Monitor Board C8Y7 | eBay

It can convert CGA/EGA/VGA/YUV Component input Signal to the HD Monitors (CRT Monitor LCD Monitor PDP Monitor) with VGA interface (VGA video signal), and automatically scan CGA / EGA / YUV signal, VGA output signals.

www.ebay.com

DB9-Pin RGB CGA Male To HD 15-Pin VGA Female Cable | eBay

It will pass the RGB video signal from a 9-pin D-sub type output of legacy CGA RGB device through a 15-pin VGA-like connector. It will be just pass-through only with NO video format conversion. RGB CGA 9-Pin Male To VGA HD15 Pin Female Adapter Cable.

www.ebay.com

We'll see if they work...

 

[GiGaBiTe]

The firmware on those GBS8200 boards is usually junk. There's a whole community around modding those boards with custom firmware and mods to make them better.

I had one of those boards a few years back when trying to get an RGB output on something, and I could never get it to work properly. It would work for about 10-15 seconds and then start dropping the sync repeatedly.

 

[Eudimorphodon]

I had one of those boards a few years back when trying to get an RGB output on something, and I could never get it to work properly. It would work for about 10-15 seconds and then start dropping the sync repeatedly.

I have one set up to work with an Apple IIgs with no special firmware customization and... it's okay. The IIgs really torture-tests it because the GS/OS relies on color dithering to fake you into believing the 640x200 video mode has more than 4 colors. The scalar board *badly fails* at turning the blue and white pinstripes of the default desktop into the uniform pastel blue you'd see on the original kinda-intentionally-fuzzy CRT monitor they sold it with, and worse, because it doesn't try particularly hard to get "pixel perfect" horizontal registration the pinstripes you do see look pretty lame. But... eh. It looks okay in games.

@Eudimorphodon - I've actually just been looking at those. I just bought these:

I wouldn't be *too* hopeful that the pinout on that 9-to-15 pin cable will be correct, there were several different "common" (and probably even more uncommon) 9-pin RGB Analog pinout schemes floating around, but worse comes to worse maybe you can cut it in half and patch it up.

 

[Chuck(G)]

TANSTAADB9C.

 

[g4ugm]

@g4ugm - Thanks for the info. It's weird seeing that monitor again. It looks just like the one I had. Due space and "wife-acceptance-factor" concerns, I'd rather not go the CRT route.

@Eudimorphodon - I've actually just been looking at those. I just bought these:

GBS8200 Video Converter CGA/EGA/YUV/RGB TO VGA Arcade Game Monitor Board C8Y7 | eBay

It can convert CGA/EGA/VGA/YUV Component input Signal to the HD Monitors (CRT Monitor LCD Monitor PDP Monitor) with VGA interface (VGA video signal), and automatically scan CGA / EGA / YUV signal, VGA output signals.

www.ebay.com

DB9-Pin RGB CGA Male To HD 15-Pin VGA Female Cable | eBay

It will pass the RGB video signal from a 9-pin D-sub type output of legacy CGA RGB device through a 15-pin VGA-like connector. It will be just pass-through only with NO video format conversion. RGB CGA 9-Pin Male To VGA HD15 Pin Female Adapter Cable.

www.ebay.com

We'll see if they work...

I would still look for a used EXTRON HDMI converter. The thing is so versatile.