Hooking up the old stuff!? Pal and RF sucketh

[Twitami]

So, as I am trying to wire all of my systems (wait till you all see the pics!), I have come across a few snags:

1. Many of my systems (of course) are rf output only. However, in the grand scheme of my basement, I am using Commodore monitors as my displays. Other than running the game systems thru a vcr, any other way to get a/v from rf?

2. Even tougher problem; as I have now come close to running out of US systems, I have begun collecting quite a few from overseas. Of course, many of these are Pal, and 220 volt. Any suggestions on an easy way to use these, or am I hosed and doomed to spend a chunk of change to use them?

Again, wait till you guys see the pics of this setup--Ikea, loads of monitors, and game consoles...the perfect blend!

Thanks!
Brian

[davidleeroth]

For the second part I'd really recommend buying a multisystem tv. These go regularly for ~$150 including US shipping, do a search for "multisystem" on eBay. The PAL to NTSC converters are ok, but they seem to go for about the same. Here's one telly which might end up cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15081&item=5727958768&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

As for 110 to 220, I'd get a stepup adapter (start from ~$10) and European powerstrips. If you have troubles finding the strips, shoot me a PM and I'll get them for you.

[YoshiM]

For the first question, you need an RF to A/V modulator. Google is your friend.

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/RCA/CRF900.htm

You can do more digging to find more advanced setups.


It might be cheaper to use an old VCR as you'll be using another outlet.

[Twitami]

An RF modulator will not work I don't think. It goes FROM RF, to AV, not the reverse. I have never seen one that works in reverse.

Brian

[YoshiM]

Pfft. My bad. You need a demodulator. You can get the parts easy (to DIY) but devices are a bit more difficult to find it seems.

Here's one, but it's been discontinued, though it's something to work from:

http://www.videocapturecard.com/demodulator.html

Here's another: http://www.electronicplus.com/content/ProductPage.asp?maincat=RF&subcat=RVC

It looks like these things go for premium ($69 for that RCA one, $99 for that one from the second link and I saw another for $89 on eBay). VCRs, which have tuners, seems to be the most cost viable solution. Any particular reason why you don't want to use VCRs?

[Twitami]

Only real reason not to use vcrs was a space concern...I am using a big wall system set up from Ikea, and the way I have it set up, I didn't really leave a spot for a vcr. But, it does appear to be the cheapest route, so I will figures something out I guess.


Brian

[YoshiM]

Oh, I see. Well, depending on how much room you have on the shelves, you could possibly flip the VCR on its front (support it some way so it doesn't tip) and then cover it up with a thin layer of wood or paneling (depending on the design of the wall unit). The newer machines are getting pretty small. If you are handy and aren't afraid to tear apart a VCR you could strip out the guts, take out the tape mechanicm and put everything into a smaller box.

[Twitami]

The tearing apart idea could work, but I need about 6 of them, so not fun. If I ever figure out how to post pictures here, I will put up a few so you can see what I am doing :)

[Flack]

When I was a kid my parents bought me this little white box that was designed to turn your monitor into a television. Basically it's a small television tuner.

I've had that thing for 20 years and it still works great. Unfortunately there's no company name or model number on it so I can't really tell you what to Google for. But basically I have my Atari plugged into the back of it, then the TV selector on channel 3, and the whole thing outputting out through my switchbox which then routes it to the television.