retrogeek Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 (edited) I've been debating on connecting my 1040st to the television. I was browsing EBay for alternatives and encountered a few cable 'hacks' for sale: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=022 http://cgi.ebay.com/Atari-ST-Composite-Vid...1QQcmdZViewItem I was wondering if there was a schematic available to create my own. I don't mind spending $15+ for something like this, but if I can purchase the parts cheap at Radio Shack then even better! Edited March 28, 2008 by retrogeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christos Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 What kind of atari do you have? BTW, any relation with this guy? http://www.retrogeekcomputers.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrogeek Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 (edited) What kind of atari do you have? Atari 1040ST BTW, any relation with this guy? http://www.retrogeekcomputers.com/ None whatsoever... but he has a nice website. Edited March 28, 2008 by retrogeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 What kind of atari do you have? Atari 1040ST Is it a 1040STFM or a 1040STF? Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrogeek Posted March 28, 2008 Author Share Posted March 28, 2008 What kind of atari do you have? Atari 1040ST Is it a 1040STFM or a 1040STF? Mitch You can tell I haven't had used an ST in a very long time. Not to sound novice, but I checked the computer and user manual and it only indicates 1040ST. It uses a double-sided, double density 720k disk drive and shipped in 1986 so I assume it’s the 1040STFM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paolo Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Well, it's an "M" if it has an internal TV modulator, that lets you hook the ST to the TV with a standard antenna cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Yeah, like Paolo said, does it have the modulator plug on the back? It's an RCA type connector like on a 2600 jr or 7800. Also on the top next to where it says 1040ST there should be a small F or FM. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christos Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 What kind of atari do you have? Atari 1040ST BTW, any relation with this guy? http://www.retrogeekcomputers.com/ None whatsoever... but he has a nice website. If it has a modulator you can use the A/V cable. If it doesn't, you can't. Chances are you have a 1040STF so you need an RGB capable TV which as far as I know are not really available on your side of the ocean. On the other issue, this guy has been banned from most if not all atari and amiga forums in the web. For good reason I might add... Glad to know you are not him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrogeek Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) Yeah, like Paolo said, does it have the modulator plug on the back? It's an RCA type connector like on a 2600 jr or 7800.Also on the top next to where it says 1040ST there should be a small F or FM. Mitch I checked the system and it doesn't have the RF plug like the 2600. According to the auctions I found on EBay you don't need the built-in RF adapter to use the 1040st on the T.V. Someone created a cable that converts the ST's monitor signal into a composite signal. Here's a picture from the auction: I was wondering if someone knew how to build these (i.e.who has a schematic they could share) so I could build one. (Added description from auction): Brand NEW!!!! Plug N Play! * THE "ONLY" 6 ft Premiun (OXYGEN FREE COPPER/SHIELDED a/v cable) for Atari ST 520st, 140ST, St,STm,Stf * For all ST, OR COMPATIBLE COMPUTERS WITH AN 13 PIN DIN MONITOR PLUG! * Easy plug and play!!! Monitor out to TV or monitor (RCA plug) * Brand NEW....Displays a Perfect Color Picture and sound on your TV! * 6 FT cable! * tHE ONLY ST A/V CABLE!!!!! 24K GOLD PLATED TOO.... * ******1 year guarantee!!! no matter what happens to it!!!!*(who does that?) ****Check out my shipping!!! Look at other's.... (Picture is CLEAR!!! AND..IN FULL BEUATIFUL COLOR and Sound!!!! ***NO MONITOR NEEDED!!!!!! "UN-BELIEVABLE!!!!!" Check out my other items! Must be paid within 5 days. Unless worked out with me first. Internation must contact me before bidding for shipping rates unless calclutated already. NO RISK!!!! *1 year guaranty, just send it back for a NEW one, pay only S/H Be sure to add me to your favorites list! Edited March 29, 2008 by retrogeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 I checked the system and it doesn't have the RF plug like the 2600. According to the auctions I found on EBay you don't need the built-in RF adapter to use the 1040st on the T.V. That is incorrect. As mentioned already if you do not have a 1040STfm with the RF out jack - you can not use this cable. STs without FM modulators do not have composite video available at the monitor jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrogeek Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) On the other issue, this guy has been banned from most if not all atari and amiga forums in the web. For good reason I might add...Glad to know you are not him That's the biggest problem with the internet; no matter what name you choose to use it's probably already in use by a different party somewhere else. If this guy is a real 'toolbag' (excuse the expression) then maybe I should change my username for the sake of argument. Edited March 29, 2008 by retrogeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrogeek Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) I checked the system and it doesn't have the RF plug like the 2600. According to the auctions I found on EBay you don't need the built-in RF adapter to use the 1040st on the T.V. That is incorrect. As mentioned already if you do not have a 1040STfm with the RF out jack - you can not use this cable. STs without FM modulators do not have composite video available at the monitor jack. Ah! Thank you for clarifying! The EBay seller doesn't mention this in his auction. According to his auction it works with every model which obviously isn't the case. Edited March 29, 2008 by retrogeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlazer Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 I checked the system and it doesn't have the RF plug like the 2600. According to the auctions I found on EBay you don't need the built-in RF adapter to use the 1040st on the T.V. That is incorrect. As mentioned already if you do not have a 1040STfm with the RF out jack - you can not use this cable. STs without FM modulators do not have composite video available at the monitor jack. Ah! Thank you for clarifying! The EBay seller doesn't mention this in his auction. According to his auction it works with every model which obviously isn't the case. I got a cable from ebay and I can verify it only works with ST's with built in RF Modulators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christos Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 The Atari ST doesn't output composite video without a modulator and that is why it won't work. It is however very easy to make such a cable if need to, only needs two solders . The hard part is finding the 13-pin din though some people as always, have some hacks for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsunnyboy Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 On STs without modulators, you can create a COMPOSITE VIDEO signal with the following scheme: This should give you a black & white signal but it is better than no picture at all, probably fully ok to check if an ST is working at all In case you have no COMPOSITE SYNC on pin 2, use the right scheme to create it... I have never tested those, being based in Good Old Europe, I can simply use SCART Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silence The Fallen Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I was wondering about these cables as well. I have a 1040 STE, therefore it has the TV modulator built in. I currently only have a Monochrome monitor so I have the STE hooked up to the TV with a single phono cable carrying auido/video signal. These cables plug into the monitor port and sperate the audio and video signals into two seperate cables. Would one of these cables provide better audio/video than the single phono cable when hooked up to the TV? I am assuming the answer would be yes, because these cables plug into the A/V jack and the phono cable I am using screws into the coax barrel on the back of the TV. I just want to double check, so I don't buy something I won't really benefit from. I am reletively new the the ST scene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlazer Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I was wondering about these cables as well. I have a 1040 STE, therefore it has the TV modulator built in. I currently only have a Monochrome monitor so I have the STE hooked up to the TV with a single phono cable carrying auido/video signal. These cables plug into the monitor port and sperate the audio and video signals into two seperate cables. Would one of these cables provide better audio/video than the single phono cable when hooked up to the TV? I am assuming the answer would be yes, because these cables plug into the A/V jack and the phono cable I am using screws into the coax barrel on the back of the TV. I just want to double check, so I don't buy something I won't really benefit from. I am reletively new the the ST scene. The video is a little better, and it does not suffer from the interference th RF video does. I would get it if you want to output to a Composite TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Rogue Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I checked the system and it doesn't have the RF plug like the 2600. According to the auctions I found on EBay you don't need the built-in RF adapter to use the 1040st on the T.V. That is incorrect. As mentioned already if you do not have a 1040STfm with the RF out jack - you can not use this cable. STs without FM modulators do not have composite video available at the monitor jack. That would be why the one I got from the guy wasn't working then. Had bought that and a bunch of the 5pin ones (for 8-bits) for hooking up stuff at the MGC this past March. The 5-pin ones worked perfect on their respective systems. The ST one didn't, and I tried it on several different models I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrogeek Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 (edited) The seller is trying to convince me otherwise; here is what he wrote: It should work on the Stf. I have only been told once that it did not work on an STfm. Any, yes it gives you a perfect clear COLOR picture. If for any reason it does not work, just send it back. I will refund you your money.thank you, david "i have sold many for stf's, and never had one return." At least he offered a refund. Edit: I appreciate the info guys! Edited April 24, 2008 by retrogeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timofonic Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) The guy over retrogeekcomputers is a known scammer in the Amiga world. Please don't buy to him. His other nickname is Doommaster. Look over Google for a list of his past as thief here Please ban his account and censure that URL or you are contributing the scam to other users. I found this url while looking for Atari stuff, so beware. Other could not know his past could get scammed easily, as his site looks somewhat reliable for most people. Edited September 20, 2008 by timofonic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coze Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 On STs without modulators, you can create a COMPOSITE VIDEO signal with the following scheme: This should give you a black & white signal but it is better than no picture at all, probably fully ok to check if an ST is working at all In case you have no COMPOSITE SYNC on pin 2, use the right scheme to create it... I have never tested those, being based in Good Old Europe, I can simply use SCART hello guys, I'm trying to build a rgb cable for my atari to use with X-RGB. I need to make the composite sync signal. The schematics show two diodes, but the explanation talks of two 4.7 K resistors. Unfortunately my German is not in good shape, can somebody tell me what's the deal with resistors ? also is there any specification for diodes ? any will do ? thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coze Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 any body ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+remowilliams Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 any body ? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coze Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 thanks ! that's cool. so no diodes necessary ? That will save me a ride to akihabara since I have some resistors around. I guess I'll just try and see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coze Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 ok thanks, just did the cable with no diodes, it works a treat thanks ! now to find a way to transfer files ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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