 Documentation about the Vampire hardware |
| Vampire VIDEO Connections | |
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Manuel Jesus
Posts 155
25 Nov 2016 19:58
| Lots of folks on facebook ask about the DIGITAL-VIDEO connection so I'd figure I drop a post on how one could go about connecting all the Vampire video and Amiga RGB video out to just one monitor. Kids in Europe have it easy, just use a Bog standard TV with multiple scart inputs... Here in the Americas (land of NO SCART) everything is over complicated.... We need to source a 15.7g kHz compatible VGA/ DVI or DIGITAL-VIDEO based display. Not many options here in the USA for cheap and easy retro compatible RGB standard like scart.
So I have this SCART to DIGITAL-VIDEO scaler and a collection of Amiga RGB to scart adapters. I have it all routed through the HD video converter SCART TO DIGITAL-VIDEO adapter available on Amazon and EBAY. The SCART to DIGITAL-VIDEO box has a DIGITAL-VIDEO pass through connector so I routed the amplified DIGITAL-VIDEO out from the vampire into the Scaler box.
I sourced a 5 way scart switcher from a low cost UK based seller. I connected the SCART output of the 5 way onto the input of the DIGITAL-VIDEO scaler box and routed all my systems through the scart using various adapters.
I scan now switch from Vampire to Amiga RGB via my scart cable using just one input on my Dell u2140 monitor. I even use an DIGITAL-VIDEO to DVI cable out of the Scaler to feed the Dell monitor. It's great to be able to run all my systems through a single modern day monitor and not have to source a Commodore 1804, or PVM. There is a slight latency issue but I haven't noticed it. Then again I'm not playing super smash bros on the Wii...
EXTERNAL LINK
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OneSTone O2o
Posts 159
26 Nov 2016 18:42
| I don't know which features of DIGITAL-VIDEO Vampire uses. For example for full featured DIGITAL-VIDEO interface there would be licence costs due to things like digital sourround sound, DRM and so. So I guess, maybe it is running only in DVI signal compatible mode?
If yes, then try NEC Multisync TFT 1990 FXP/SXI or newer models (only the 19 and 21 inches NECs (19xx/21xx), not the 17inches (17xx) series, they don't support the low resolutions of Amiga). They have VGA and DVI input. And on VGA they understand anything from PAL/NTSC RGB video (ATARI ST low/medium, Amiga OCS/ECS/AGA modes, ST high (with little adapter spreading mono video to RGB), Atari TT (even ECL mode with little adapter which converts ECL to VGA signal), ATARI Falcon (even with Screenblaster and about 80% of the modes it supports), Archimedes computer, etc. up to VGA mode up to 1280x1024, from 50Hz interlaced to about 72Hz non interlaced).
These NEC monitors are available for example on ebay for small money (the cheapest I bought, I have two FXP, was for 25 EUR). You just link your Amiga RGB output to VGA input and the DIGITAL-VIDEO to DVI input and the monitor as a separate button to switch between both inputs, it also automatically switches to the actual input if the other is inactive. For the interlaced modes of Amiga and Falcon in RGB mode these TFTs also act as a quite good deflicker. With a simple VGA to DVI adapter the DVI can also be used as 2nd VGA input.
These NEC multisync TFTs are the kind of swiss army knife of TFT monitors for old computers as long as they have analoge RGB outputs. A standard RGB cable from Amiga tp VGA is Ok, I use on my A1200 the VGA adapter and then standard VGA cable. For Vampire's DIGITAL-VIDEO a standard DVI to DIGITAL-VIDEO cable or adapter should be enough, if the signal is like above.
By the way, if you buy a TFT TV set here in europe it also gets harder and harder to get one with Scart-RGB input. And I remember somewhere I have seen a simple to make adapter for Amiga to convert RGB to YBR component video (y cb/pb cr/pr).
There are also some other TFT monitors that flexible, but these NECs are mostly easy to get. There are even models with integtaed speakers. No experiences yet with newer models with integrated USB hub.
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Manuel Jesus
Posts 155
28 Nov 2016 23:47
| I have the NEC 1970NX, Avaiable on Ebay for $45 usd as long as "Amiga" or "retro" isn't mentioned in the auction. Use of this monitor on the Amiga requires a high quality RGB 23 pin to VGA 15 pin cable, a commodore 23 to 15 pin VGA adapter, or a Sync Strainer video toaster compatible 23 ro 15 pin adapter. Amigakit style or newer 23 pin to 15 pin adapters don't always work, I have had to boot the Amiga connected to a Sony PVM, get a display, then turn off the pvm and connect to the NEC.
Yes I have also used this display with the Atari STF and STFM using the best electronics monochrome and RGB color multisync cable.The Dell U2410 I use with the scart switcher actually accepts 15 kHz rgb, but switching using the Dell menu is tiresome and archaic.
Both are great solutions in my opinion.
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Samuel Crow
Posts 424
29 Nov 2016 11:16
| DVI doesn't support DIGITAL-VIDEO audio so I wouldn't get my heart set on using DVI yet. DIGITAL-VIDEO style stereo audio is coming soon.
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Nixus Minimax
Posts 416
29 Nov 2016 12:09
| The Problem with those 15kHz-compatible TFTs is their lack of deinterlacing. Mine does support 15kHz, too, but showed a nasty residual flicker in standard digital video after showing an interlace workbench for a minute. I didn't dare try that again...
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OneSTone O2o
Posts 159
29 Nov 2016 18:48
| As I wrote, I can't complain about the interlace modes of Amiga and Falcon (in RGB mode, in VGA this is no topic) on my NEC TFT. It's not perfect but you have to have a close look to discover something. @Samuel: I think there are boxes which can separate the audio singnal from a hdmi signal.
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Alan Haynes
Posts 140
07 Dec 2016 05:16
| Would something like an DIGITAL-VIDEO to VGA adapter work for those lcd monitors that only have vga in? Alan from OZ
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Andrew Kennedy
Posts 1
07 Dec 2016 18:57
| Based on what I have read, DIGITAL-VIDEO does not carry an analog signal, so you would need an active converter. From what I've seen, they are available for $10-30 on ebay and do not require an external power. Just make sure your cable converts an DIGITAL-VIDEO source to VGA, not the other way around. Some product descriptions can mislead you that way.
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OneSTone O2o
Posts 159
12 Dec 2016 08:24
| These converters DIGITAL-VIDEO to VGA always have some signal delays. Better using monitor with direct digital input.
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