C64 on VGA connection???

legacy2k · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:55 pm Post subject: C64 on VGA connection???

hey guys

is there anyway to get a standard C64 working on a VGA monitor, i have to use a massive tv which wont fit right in my current situation if i cant figure this one out, are there any adaptors or anything i can use??

anything considered at this point

thanks

e5frog · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:11 pm Post subject:

There are little converter boxes that can be used, can give good and bad results depending on VGA-screen and box.

You can use a tv-card in a PC to solve it or you can get a Chameleon.

IMHO C64 looks best on a CRT but I'd go for the converter box alternative.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...0619073385
There are various versions in a wide price range.
Here's one for $8.99:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...0653008227
Could very well be the same circuitry as the more expensive one, who knows how good they are. Get one, tell us how it went.

You're guaranteed to get some unwanted graphic effects, like the freeze or jerks every few seconds for example and then other artifacts. But if you really want to use a VGA screen with an original C64 you don't have much choice. Wink

Oge_user · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: C64 on VGA connection???

legacy2k wrote:

is there anyway to get a standard C64 working on a VGA monitor, i have to use a massive tv which wont fit right in my current situation if i cant figure this one out, are there any adaptors or anything i can use??

Which inputs your VGA monitor has?
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Wiesel · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:23 pm Post subject:

The Chameleon cartridge has a VGA output.

Jens

hurminator · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject:

e5frog wrote:

There are little converter boxes that can be used, can give good and bad results depending on VGA-screen and box.

You can use a tv-card in a PC to solve it or you can get a Chameleon.

IMHO C64 looks best on a CRT but I'd go for the converter box alternative.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...0619073385
There are various versions in a wide price range.
Here's one for $8.99:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...0653008227
Could very well be the same circuitry as the more expensive one, who knows how good they are. Get one, tell us how it went....

I have one that looks almost identical to those and it works fine (just have to jiggle it a little because sometimes the color fades). I have had it for a couple of months and it was worth the $23 I paid for it (including shipping).

vimfuego · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:38 pm Post subject:

I too have a similar one (internals are probably the same).
It looks like crap on a LCD VGA monitor (to be expected), but on an CRT VGA screen it's actually pretty darn good.
I use it for my C64 and Amiga.
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rubikWizard · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:47 pm Post subject:

Wiesel wrote:

The Chameleon cartridge has a VGA output.

Jens

I have now received my Chameleon cartridge and have to say that the VGA output is absolutely superb on all the monitors I have tried it on (19" LCD, 22" LCD Widescreen and 42" Plasma) not to mention all the other features of the Chameleon Very Happy

e5frog · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:45 pm Post subject:

Yes, Chameleon (as I mentioned in my first reply) is probably a good option, but if you're just looking to hook up a VGA-screen to your C64 and not currently interested in other future and current features US$280.50 (€199.90, plus shipping) is perhaps a bit too much. Wink

http://www.vesalia.de/e_chameleon.htm

I have been interested in one of those cheap video to VGA boxes, almost a shame I don't need one. Perhaps I should get one while they're available...

Socratessa · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject:

Just google on video to vga converter.
There is a online shop in the netherlands who sells them for 60 euro.
You have to understand dutch or use google translate.

http://www.popelectronics.nl/v...r-841.html
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legacy2k · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:40 pm Post subject:

I just had a thought...

can you in anyway use a component cable on the commodore 64's normal output?

i know i wont get sound but its not required for what im doing... would it work?!

e5frog · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:52 pm Post subject:

Signal out from the VIC-II chip is luminance and chrominance so that's the best signal you can get from a plain C64. Which is basically S-video when the signal levels are adjusted.

legacy2k · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject:

e5frog wrote:

Signal out from the VIC-II chip is luminance and chrominance so that's the best signal you can get from a plain C64. Which is basically S-video when the signal levels are adjusted.

yea i mean can i use a compnent cable on it

as i have a usb capture device for S video and component so i could use that on my pc which uses the monitor thus getting rid of the need for vga or anything

Wiesel · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:15 pm Post subject:

The request sounded like three-component, meaning YUV, not S-Video. The answer would be "no", as the C64 generates the video signal as two components only, as e5frog already wrote.

Jens

legacy2k · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:12 pm Post subject:

yea i gave it a go, no joy

this is annoying my C64 is headless and i cant get a TV anywhere

Socratessa · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject:

Sorry to say but i am sure that there is a possibility that it works.

http://radagast.bglug.ca/C64_s...video.html

But you have to do some research and sometimes take some risk to get it working. I guess that it what makes someone a c64 die hard Big Smile

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