Just a bit of history first showing how
Most home computers of the day used
The Amiga 1200 does have a RF modulator
The A500 uses an A520 plugged into the
If a modernish style flatscreen works as a TV
I wouldn't suggest using the UHF/RF modulator
The T220HD is the one connected using a
ScuzzBlog: Diaries December 2023
Entry 18th December 2023: Post 1: Amiga Monitor - Samsung SyncMaster - SONY Trinitron.
Amiga Monitor - Samsung SyncMaster - SONY Trinitron.
When looking for modern solutions for Amiga monitors my first
comment is think small, think CRT, think 'old skool'. If you want
the original experience then I guess it's a 14 inch or a TV. I
would not go TV and stick to the original range of Commodore
monitors or get a Philips or MicroVitec.
That aside what tips can I give for finding a good relatively
modern solution that is still available second hand.
Do remember that the USA uses NTSC and Europe UK uses the PAL
system so buy your gear accordingly. Always check. Plus voltages
do matter.
A little history now. From the beginning of the home computer
era most computers were designed to simply plug into a TV. This
involves UHF RF Analogue style connectors. My first ZX81 had a
TV connector and so too the Amiga. This is an important fact
because a lot of relatively modern TV monitors have the RF UHF
analogue connectors. The Amiga struggles with modern PC based
monitors cus it syncs down to 15.7khz scan frequency. However
what I found is if a TV monitor can deal with analogue TV then
it is most likely to support the Amiga scan frequency off say a
SCART connector.
Like I say 14" is best and the first suggestion is the Trinitron
CRT KV-14M1U. This little baby has the SCART, analogue RF at
the back and video and audio jacks at the front. I bought the TV
to use with my PlayStation and it survived the whole of my PS1
and PS2 era. And she got hammered. Also used the TV with a DVD
saving video to my PC with a Belkin plug in video grabber.
The Trinitron currently has my Einstein and Amiga 500 with the
Viper attached.
In respect of flat screens Samsung produced a range of TV monitors
that have a plethora of connectors out the back including DVi, PC,
SCART, Composite, HDMI and analogue. There is also a panel to the
side of the monitor for extra HDMI. I have had mine set up with
the PC attached, DVi and HDMI for both XBOX and PS3/4. They also
will play your older consoles though don't expect high definition
graphics.
The Samsung range is the SyncMaster T220HD, T240HD and P2770HD.
Remember that you connect via a 23 pin RGB female to the back of
the RGB port on the Amiga and then use a SCART with the Samsung.
The same applies for the Trinitron.
For 'old skool', Commodore made a vast array of monitors and which
are all suitable for the Amiga. They generally are in the 108x
range though there were more with the 1942 for example. Just
remember that they tend to have differing connectors. Many had
the speakers in the monitor.
My first Amiga monitor was a Microvitec 1438 which I still use.
I have four Microvitecs set up. I also use the Philips CM8833-II
on one of my A500s which is truly fantastic. Remember if you want
to support all the display scan sizes on an Amiga you will need
a 'multiscan' monitor like the Microvitec. For instance if you try
to vies a lot of JPG images on a 108x series or the Philips its
not gonna happen. That is why I got the MicroVitec 'multiscan'. It
is not important to games.
One word of caution and that is the failure rate of old monitors.
It is very high. I have a mountain of dead monitors. They tend to
start to whistle and then just pop black screen. I did use to have
a guy that fixed monitors but he gave up. So having someone close
that can fix monitors is really useful.
Amiga Monitor - Samsung SyncMaster - SONY Trinitron.
computers like the Amiga were born of a
TV based home computer culture.
an RF connector plugged into the Arial.
though I wouldn't suggest using it.
RGB port to provide RF connectors to a TV.
Better to use an RGB to SCART direct if you can.
and has an analogue arial connector it may just
support the Amiga as does the Samsung. Use a
RGB to SCART for the best connection.
with the Antenna/arial.
SCART in the image below.
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Last updated 18th December 2023
Chandraise Kingdom
Keep the Faith
scuzzscink 2023