How to connect a CPC+ to the CTM 644?

[Devilmarkus]

Who can explain me in a simple way how I can connect a CPC 6128+ to my CTM-644 monitor?

[Bryce]

Haven't tried it, but I would suggest...

Plus Pin          to          CTM pin
4                                  1
5                                  2
2                                  3
8                                  5
1                                  4
3                                  6

If you want sound you'll have to connect a speaker between Pins 8 and 6 for the left channel and 8 and 7 for the right channel.

Bryce.

[Devilmarkus]

Thank you Bryce,
Could you also post a plan for that?
I don't have the + pins. Only the pins for the CTM...

Edit: got them:
Amstrad CPC Monitor port pinout 
  

Pin No.	Signal Name	Description
1	R	Red analogue signal
2	G	Green analogue signal
3	B	Blue analogue signal
4	Sync	RGB switching control
5	GND	Common
6	LUM	Luminance

  This covers the CPC's RGB signal through the 6 pin DIN socket.   Amstrad PLUS Monitor port pinout 
 
 

Pin No.	Signal Name	Description
1	Sync	RGB switching control
2	G	Green analogue signal
3	LUM	Luminance
4	R	Red analogue signal
5	B	Blue analogue signal
6	L	Left audio signal
7	R	Right audio signal
8	GND	Common

Ok, time to solder a bit and find the parts I need

[Devilmarkus]

Thank you, Bryce!
Got it working well!
Look photos here:
http://cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php/topic,638.msg8520.html#msg8520

[xesrjb]

The better way is to conect a monitor from a CPC6128+ with an CPC 6128 as I did!!


xesrjb

[Devilmarkus]

The better way is to conect a monitor from a CPC6128+ with an CPC 6128 as I did!!

Yes when you have a + monitor, no problem then.

But I don't have.

[OCT]

Amstrad PLUS Monitor port pinout 

 

Pin No.	Signal Name	Description
1	Sync	RGB switching control
2	G	Green analogue signal
3	LUM	Luminance
4	R	Red analogue signal
5	B	Blue analogue signal
6	L	Left audio signal
7	R	Right audio signal
8	GND	Common

With a Plus (hopefully) finally on its way to me (late in the game ) it's time to get a SCART cable made.

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/5/50/Plus2SCART_-_RGB.jpg/50/Plus2SCART_-_RGB.jpg...
probably refers to swapped Pins 6 and 8 on the viewed-from-rear (solder side) 8-pin DIN plug if the above image and http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Connector:Monitor#Amstrad_PLUS_Monitor_port_pinout are accurate.

Now I see a difference in how these plugs are shown:
The connector used on the Plus seems to have a center pin, while the one according to the DIN standard is depicted with an off-center middle pin closer to the notch:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Din-Steckertypen.png

So, is any of these the correct plug?

http://www.reichelt.de/Diodenstecker-Mini-Din/MAS-80S/index.html?;ACTION=3;LA=444;GROUP=C165;GROUPID=3240;ARTICLE=11202;START=0;SORT=artnr;OFFSET=16

http://www.reichelt.de/Diodenstecker-Mini-Din/MAS-80SN/index.html?;ACTION=3;LA=444;GROUP=C165;GROUPID=3240;ARTICLE=11203;START=0;SORT=artnr;OFFSET=16

http://www.reichelt.de/Diodenstecker-Mini-Din/DIO-80SN-SMS/index.html?;ACTION=3;LA=444;GROUP=C165;GROUPID=3240;ARTICLE=46267;START=0;SORT=artnr;OFFSET=16

From whatever little is visible in the Bürklin catalogue's small-print, I'd venture a guess the Plus plug is part number 70 F 612 (not shown on-line) according to DIN 45326 S8 (pin 8 at axial center with pins 4 through 7 at 90° angles to each other, i.e. 45° between adjacent pins (?).

Other sources, also for particularly sturdy plugs ready-made (molded) with an cable, are of course very welcome as well - as is any indication of an RGB(+stereo)-to-DVI/HDMI converter that someone has to have started making these days.

[Bryce]

The correct part you need is called MAS 80SN in the Reichelt catalogue. But I wouldn't recommend the SCART cable you've included here, because it's way too complicated and needs batteries. Use this version http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/TV_SCART_cable#Alternative_RGB_Wiring (obviously with the Plus connector and pinout) and you'll get a better picture without needing batteries, and add the Capacitor if you're connecting to an LCD or Plasma TV.

Bryce.

[OCT]

The correct part you need is called MAS 80SN in the Reichelt catalogue.

Thanks for the swift reply, I'll try and get one of these (not with an axially centered middle pin then?) and make a cable much like for the "old-gen" CPCs.
I do have a CPCAI modulator (not that they were ever easy to calibrate, without a scope at least, using the dreaded MC1377 without delay line) which I'll also retrofit with an 8-pin plug to try and use for the time being.
Getting the CPC on HDMI (even more so as it goes wireless these days) would of course make cabling much easier in this... future - hopefully someone will build circuitry at Chinese pricing soon.

[Bryce]

The centre pin on the plus isn't exactly in the centre, it's slightly lower than centre, but it's definitely not as low as the one in the diagram you posted, maybe the diagram is just badly drawn? Either way, I have the MAS 80SN here, which I ordered from  Reichelt and it's definitely the right one.

Converting the CPCs RGB to HDMI would be a nightmare, until they come up with a fancy all-in-one RGB to HDMI IC (highly unlikely), if you can get your hands on an AD724, the converter that charlie presented gives a way better picture than the old MC1377. I've built one too and it's really good.

Bryce.

[OCT]

Thanks again! BTW, as I couldn't seem to find it on the Wiki, other than for the GX4000 at http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Plus#Included_in_Delivery:
What precisely is the power specification (voltage range, max. Ampères, plug pinout - same as on former models?) for a CPC6128 plus?
As per http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad_CM14_Colour_Monitor doesn't require dual voltage due to the disk drive like the old CPC 664/6128s did, or does it - and will it require the full 2.4 A that the monitor may have provided?

[Bryce]

No, quite a bit more. Because the drive and all the logic runs off the 5V supply, the plus pulls about 3.2 Amps, the original has 12V for the drive, so the 5V was speced at only 1.5Amps. If you have any amount of expansions attached, you could be peaking around 4.5Amps, so I'd recommend something around 5Amps to be safe.

The voltage range isn't great, anything under 4.7V is going to cause instability problems, anything above 5.5V will damage some of the ICs.

The polarity for the 5V is the same as the classic CPC, Plus in the centre, Ground on the outer ring.
The classic 12V plug is reversed, with plus outside.

The output of the CM14 is the constant current spec, it probably could supply around 3Amps permanently (with a little heating) and peak up to 4Amps.

Bryce.

[OCT]

The correct part you need is called MAS 80SN in the Reichelt catalogue.

For the record (or Wiki, that is), I attach a very detailed close-up photo of the CPC+ video socket (one apparently "mistreated" by a former owner trying to insert another type of plug).

MAS 80SN (with the middle pin somewhat off-center; unlike other non-circular, U-shaped or "horseshoe" DIN 8 connectors where three of the pins line up) is a Belden (f/k/a Hirschmann) connector according to http://www.e-catalog.beldensolutions.com/link/57078-24228-24383-24384-24385-24387-34796/en/conf/1-0:

All across Europe, e.g. Conrad.com should have these as item#737267 at  €2.

[Bryce]

Or 35 cents from Reichelt

Bryce.

[OCT]

Or 35 cents from Reichelt

Sure (guess I pointed to them myself earlier on), but without sales outlets all over the place.
That's not to say that Reichelt shouldn't introduce an "Amazon Prime" kind of annual flat-fee shipping though...

[OCT]

At any rate, MAS 80SN is the right plug - for anyone needing this in the future of this quarter-century past, here's the overlay to show how the connectors match:

[Bryce]

How long do I have to stare at that picture before I start halucinating?

Bryce.

[VincentGR]

Haven't tried it, but I would suggest...

Plus Pin          to          CTM pin
4                                  1
5                                  2
2                                  3
8                                  5
1                                  4
3                                  6

If you want sound you'll have to connect a speaker between Pins 8 and 6 for the left channel and 8 and 7 for the right channel.

Bryce.

Necromancer mode enabled:


Why not 2 to 2?

[Bryce]

No idea, a long time ago, but most likely just a mistake.

Bryce.