Hi everyone,
Ok - I just picked up a DISPLAY MANAGER cart/adapter on eBay. It was manufactured by the Data 20 Corporation in the early '80s. This company made a lot of Commodore expansion devices for the VIC, C64, and +4/264/etc. It allegedly provides 40/80 column functionality to the VIC, along with expanded memory (up to 70K, based on the research I was able to do on-line).
I have my VIC hooked up to a monitor via a 5-pin DIN -> RCA A/V cable. With this cart inserted, when I flip the power on I just get a black screen. I noticed the cart itself has a 5-pin DIN out, so I tried plugging my cable into that. Well, this time when I power it on, I get the normal 1-2 seconds of black screen, followed by what I assume is the computer's display. Only problem is the output looks like a still-frame of a staticy tv-screen. I figure this is because the output from this card now exceeds the capabilities of the monitor. The monitor is basically the equivalent of a TV set, with RCA input for video, 1/8" jack for audio (the cable I have) on the back, and an on-off/volume knob, and contrast knob on the front.
I think this is the problem, I just don't know how to solve it. I realize this is a long-shot, but if anyone has any advice, it would surely be appreciated!
I'm guessing the hi-res output would require an RGB (or is that composite?) monitor - such as a CGA monitor from an early PC. If so - would I need to find a 5-pin DIN -> RGB video cable, and if so does such a beast even exist???
Any ideas anyone? Thanks...
--Timster--
Ok - I just picked up a DISPLAY MANAGER cart/adapter on eBay. It was manufactured by the Data 20 Corporation in the early '80s. This company made a lot of Commodore expansion devices for the VIC, C64, and +4/264/etc. It allegedly provides 40/80 column functionality to the VIC, along with expanded memory (up to 70K, based on the research I was able to do on-line).
I have my VIC hooked up to a monitor via a 5-pin DIN -> RCA A/V cable. With this cart inserted, when I flip the power on I just get a black screen. I noticed the cart itself has a 5-pin DIN out, so I tried plugging my cable into that. Well, this time when I power it on, I get the normal 1-2 seconds of black screen, followed by what I assume is the computer's display. Only problem is the output looks like a still-frame of a staticy tv-screen. I figure this is because the output from this card now exceeds the capabilities of the monitor. The monitor is basically the equivalent of a TV set, with RCA input for video, 1/8" jack for audio (the cable I have) on the back, and an on-off/volume knob, and contrast knob on the front.
I think this is the problem, I just don't know how to solve it. I realize this is a long-shot, but if anyone has any advice, it would surely be appreciated!
I'm guessing the hi-res output would require an RGB (or is that composite?) monitor - such as a CGA monitor from an early PC. If so - would I need to find a 5-pin DIN -> RGB video cable, and if so does such a beast even exist???
Any ideas anyone? Thanks...
--Timster--