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avatar_Bryce

Who's interested in having an S-Video Modulator?

Started by Bryce, 14:53, 24 March 11

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Gryzor, poulette73 and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Devilmarkus

You can of course also capture with a higher resolution.
(I used 640x480 as a good result to get an image without black borders, but you can also capture with 720x576 pixels)
Result:
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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Devilmarkus

Here a photo how I put the modulator into my CPC+:
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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Gryzor

Very nice job, and the picture looks excellent even in Mode 2. IIRC mode 2 was unusable with my scart cable back in the day...

Can you show a pic of how you install it on the inside?

Devilmarkus

Well there's not much to see.
I just attached the modulator to the ground case and soldered a few cables inside.
You can find the video-jack pin description in CPCWiki.
http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Connector:Monitor
I also connected +/- wires to the 5v jack.
Thats all.
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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Bryce

On the S-VHS Wiki page I've also put a description of where to solder the wires for each CPC version internally and externally:  http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/RGB_SVideo#Connecting_to_the_CPC

Bryce.

Gryzor

@Markus: so you just screwed it to the case plastic.  That's what I meant, not the soldering itself. Was the plastic thick enough to support the screws?

Today I went to a few electronics stores looking for brackets or PCB mounts. Amazingly, the only shop where they knew what I was talking about didn't have any for 3mm screws :( I may just fill the thing with silicone in the end!

Bryce

The plastic of the CPC casing should easily support the PCB if it's mounted like Markus has done.

Bryce.

Gryzor

What screw length would you recommend?

Damn! I was also at Praktiker this morning, didn't occur to me to buy some... :(

Bryce

No idea, I haven't tried to install one this way. It has to be M3 though. With an appropriate nut [nb]Nut does not refer to the person installing the device :D[/nb] on the end too.

Bryce.

Gryzor

Yeah, there's only one nut standing above it :D

Devilmarkus

I used the default CPC case screws.
First I made the hole with a wood screw.
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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Bryce

That might not hold for very long. I don't think the plastic is thick enough for self-threading screws, but maybe I'm wrong. I would recommend using screws with a small nuts underneath the CPC.

Bryce.

Devilmarkus

Today I also used hot-melt-glue to attach the modulator better to the plastic case.
I also used it on the S-Video jack to fix it better.
Now the "construct" is very solid!
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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Greg.0

Hi Bryce !

I'm also very interested in getting one !

Thanks.

rub3ñ

is it possible to use the monitor and the s-video signal at the same time? if so i am interested!

Devilmarkus

Well, I still can connect my monitor to my CPC+.
I cannot tell you, if both works simulteanously.
But why not? The video signal is just grabbed. There is no extra power needed. (Just the 5v but they don't come through the monitor signals)
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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HAL6128

Hi Bryce, got mine today. Crazy small it is. 'Going to integrate it at weekend. Thanks for new and cool hardware ideas.
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rub3ñ

Quote from: Devilmarkus on 18:12, 29 April 11
I cannot tell you, if both works simulteanously.

is there a chance, that you test it?

Devilmarkus

Tested it...
On my CTM the image is a bit darker now. But still good adjustable.
When I power on my CTM, also the image on my A/V grabber is darker, but this can also be adjusted well in video-settings.
So both work together.
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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MaV

Quote from: Devilmarkus on 19:47, 29 April 11
Tested it...
On my CTM the image is a bit darker now. But still good adjustable.
When I power on my CTM, also the image on my A/V grabber is darker, but this can also be adjusted well in video-settings.
So both work together.

I don't know, if that's a good idea. Perhaps Bryce can expound on that...
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Devilmarkus

Quote from: MaV on 20:01, 29 April 11
I don't know, if that's a good idea. Perhaps Bryce can expound on that...
Why not? We are working here with VERY low voltages. (~1v max.)
Just that the modulator turns the voltages a bit down (Reason why the CTM image appears a bit darker)
But I am absolutely sure, that it's totally harmless.
(I tested now about 1 hour and no negative result yet)
When you put your ear on a hot stove, you can smell how stupid you are ...

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Gryzor

...yet. Just leave it on overnight :D

But, seriously, what could go wrong?

MaV

Quote from: Devilmarkus on 20:41, 29 April 11
(I tested now about 1 hour and no negative result yet)

I'm not talking about peak voltages or strong currents, quite the contrary.

There's still the possibility that one of the components won't work reliably when either voltage or current is lower than specified for the parts. You noticed that with two monitors the screen appears darker, so a voltage drop occurs. In the worst case your cpc might have outages you won't relate to the changes you did. Instead you might be thinking it's broken, when it's actually not.

It seems to work within specs, so that's ok. And perhaps I'm overly cautious. Still, better wait for a qualified person to give the green light.

MaV
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Cpcmaniaco

  Hi Bryce, yesterday arrived it.     It's very small.     Thanks for new and cool hardware ideas.

sigh

Quote from: Devilmarkus on 16:19, 28 April 11
Here a photo how I put the modulator into my CPC+:

May I ask how you managed to make the hole for the SVideo in 6128? How did you cut the plastic? I've built computers and messed around with fans and processors in my T60p, but I've never done anything like this before.

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