Hooking up a TI-99

[Gapporin]

Hey,

So I recieved this console a long time ago, and I have no idea how to set it up on my dangfangled new TV. I tried the Video Modulator with a switchbox, but nothing happened. I tried the Video Modulator directly into an (older) TV. Nothing happened. Could I be missing something entirely obvious? Any help would be apprieciated. Thanks! :)

[long_shawn_silver]

Sounds like you bought a dead Texas Idiot! :lol: But in all seriousness it might be a dead console. Sounds like you have tried all the right steps to get it fired up. I would use a multimeter to be sure your getting any signal at all out the RF port.

[RockyRaccoon]

Hey,

So I recieved this console a long time ago, and I have no idea how to set it up on my dangfangled new TV. I tried the Video Modulator with a switchbox, but nothing happened. I tried the Video Modulator directly into an (older) TV. Nothing happened. Could I be missing something entirely obvious? Any help would be apprieciated. Thanks! :)

I know my friends TI-99 has it's own, special switchbox.... with a TI Logo and all that, it's also Huge. Maybe it requires this huge, butt, switchbox?

~Rocky

[icbrkr]

If you're hooking it up RF, you'll need the special switchbox (which IS huge). It looks a lot like this:

http://particles.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=408&osCsid=fa539fe5f5f7947c16f84582af6ed0d5

I've come across a bunch of dead RF adapters. You can use the old one, desolder the wires going from the computer to the switchbox from the switchbox and make a composite cable out of it (only takes about 15 mins). You can find directions all over the net.

[Gapporin]

If you're hooking it up RF, you'll need the special switchbox (which IS huge). It looks a lot like this:

http://particles.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=408&osCsid=fa539fe5f5f7947c16f84582af6ed0d5

Yes, I do have the TI-99 RF switchbox, and yes, the one I have is similar, but not quite the same. Are there actually RF hookups on said switchbox? I think mine only has the 300 ohm plugs.

In any case, I'll definetly look into making a composite cable from it. I've had a few experiences with soldering before, and, hey, it's not like I can hurt things further by chopping up a dead switchbox. Thanks for the advice!

[john_soper]

In any case, I'll definetly look into making a composite cable from it. I've had a few experiences with soldering before, and, hey, it's not like I can hurt things further by chopping up a dead switchbox. Thanks for the advice!
I made a composite cable for my ti99/4a (is that what you have?) with just a male din-5 connector, rca cables and shrink tubing. It was fairly simple, this site has pinouts:
http://users.erols.com/tiltonj/games/tech/
John

[icbrkr]

In any case, I'll definetly look into making a composite cable from it. I've had a few experiences with soldering before, and, hey, it's not like I can hurt things further by chopping up a dead switchbox. Thanks for the advice!
I made a composite cable for my ti99/4a (is that what you have?) with just a male din-5 connector, rca cables and shrink tubing. It was fairly simple, this site has pinouts:
http://users.erols.com/tiltonj/games/tech/
John

Yep, this is what I did as well. Instead of soldering wires to the 5 pin DIN connector, I just used one from a broken RF box :)

[Charlesaway]

So I'm going to be making this cable, it may be a stupid question but here goes;

Say I'm going to connect the 5 pin DIN plug to my AV cable. Where do the grounds from the DIN go? One each to the shielding on the AV cable leads? If I remember my electronics class correctly, that's where it goes.