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View Full Version : Need help with hooking up my VIC-20 to the monitor (not tv)



PDorr3
02-18-2005, 03:04 PM
I have a manual that shows me how to hook it up to a tv with an RF but not the the commodore monitor. I'm not sure what I am suppost to plug into what. Here is the pic of all the cables I have:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/PDorr3/DSCF0315.jpg

I have the vic20 hooked up and the red light turns on. I thhen plug the cord w/ the black boc into the back of the system, and from there I am lost. My monitor powers on when plugged in. If you could tell me exactly which cables I need to use from the pic that would be great! this is my first vintage computer so I'm not too fond of these things.

Mayhem
02-18-2005, 03:07 PM
What model is the monitor and what inputs does it have on the back?

PDorr3
02-18-2005, 03:15 PM
What model is the monitor and what inputs does it have on the back?

model 1802 and it has audio 1 audio 2 video, luma, chroma, and mono chroma for inputs

rbudrick
02-18-2005, 03:45 PM
Hmmm, maybe your could go through a VCR to convert it to RCA, and then get an RCA to (whatever inputs you have) adapter.

Were you just looking to convert it to simply work on this monitor, or did you want to try to get true (video, luma, chroma, and mono chroma) outputs out of Vic?

-Rob

PDorr3
02-18-2005, 03:54 PM
all I want is to hook up the system to the monitor. I bought it with these wires so I am assuming I can hook it up just with these. I use that really long wire in the rubberband to plug into the black box and into the inputs but I'm getting no signs of activity

PDorr3
02-18-2005, 04:03 PM
I just found this quote on a website:

"Note: You can use a monitor instead of a television set -- in which case you can go directly from the VIC to the monitor cable, without the RF Modulator. (But doing this might require special cables.)"

when they say directly to the monitor cable what are they talking about? and special cables? god why does this gotta be so complicating just to hook it up to a monitor.

vulcanjedi
02-18-2005, 04:07 PM
Hey

It looks like you have a composite video cable and not the split video chroma/luma.

Some commodore monitors like the 1702 have a switch for usine either the front or rear inputs. On mine the switch is a little touchy and has to be switched a few times if I want to change it.

Still sounds like it may not be working. If you put a composite into a luma you still get some kind of screen image.

Can you test the monitor with a VCR or DVD to make sure that works?

VJ

PDorr3
02-18-2005, 04:23 PM
Hey

It looks like you have a composite video cable and not the split video chroma/luma.

Some commodore monitors like the 1702 have a switch for usine either the front or rear inputs. On mine the switch is a little touchy and has to be switched a few times if I want to change it.

Still sounds like it may not be working. If you put a composite into a luma you still get some kind of screen image.

Can you test the monitor with a VCR or DVD to make sure that works?

VJ

well I'm glad to say that I tested my DVD player on it and it works....sigh I must be insterting the wrong cables or something.

I have an AV cord here but it has 8 pins and cannot fit in the vic 20 eventhough it has the comodor logo on it...
I'm, really getting frustrated as I first bought a dead vic 20, i get a new one now I can't get it to work

Mayhem
02-18-2005, 06:11 PM
The AV cord you have is for the C64; the Vic20 only has 5 pins in its video out socket.

vulcanjedi
02-18-2005, 11:33 PM
Hey

I seem to recall the Genesis model 1 and the TI 99/4a all using the same type cable. Same as the atari 800. Somebody has to have one of these cheap.

VJ

Kid Ice
02-18-2005, 11:53 PM
Why don't you try hooking it up to a regular TV first. At least then you will know the Vic is OK and you are getting a signal. From there you can ebay a cable I suppose...you might have to splurge for a whole new Vic set up...or just run the RF into a VCR like someone else suggested.

Look on the bright side...if you happen to find a C64 now you have the cable for it.