A new alternative for high quality video output on your compact Mac!

Oct 15, 2021
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Hey, gang! If you didn't see the stream last night, here's a quick run down of what was announced:

A new line of scalers - MacPicoVid!

Maybe the most exciting is the "SE-COMBO - MacPicoVid Edition". It's a video scaler AND a ATX PSU breakout for your SE or SE/30 (support coming soon for 128K/512K/Classic/Classic II machines). Inspired by the original SE-COMBO, this new solution greatly reduces the cost of getting high quality video out of your compact Mac computer. Drop in the "SE-COMBO – MacPicoVid Edition" in your CAT MAC project and kiss the expensive video scalers goodbye! This board makes use of the Raspberry Pi Pico and (with permission) guruthree’s “mac-se-video-convertor” codebase clean video output perfect for your VGA display.

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Not building a CAT MAC, but still want the ability to get video out of your machine? Then check out these two options:

This version features removes the ATX PSU option and adds on-board HD15 VGA connector. Just attach a VGA compatible display, 5v from a cell-phone style USB power adapter, VIDEO / VSYNC / HSYNC / GND and you’re ready to test your project machine with ease. Might also be a nice device for those who troubleshoot boards of this era. Leave the heavy CRT and analog board on the shelf, tap the video signal and go!

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I also released a version of the board that features an IDC10 connection and includes a small breakout board and cable. So same as above, but with more flexibility on how to mount things. This board works well with my previously released SE-Passthrough board for those who want to have video output but otherwise leave their original machine intact (sleeper build, perhaps?).

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This has all taken a while to get together, and I'm looking forward to seeing all the fun and exciting ways people use them!

Feedback is always welcome, and thanks!




LINKS:





Learn more about mac-se-video-converter project here:

 

Tom2112

New Tinkerer
Nov 14, 2021
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Thanks for making these devices, Ron!

I'm a bit uncertain of what they do/how they work to slap down the $60 or so for a SE-COMBO/MacPicoVid... is it as simple as plugging in the cable that normally connects the logic board to the analog board to the SE-COMBO/MacPicoVid and then plugging in an ATX powersupply and a VGA monitor? Then you no longer need the analog board, original PSU, or original display?!?
 
Oct 15, 2021
168
216
43
Thanks for making these devices, Ron!

I'm a bit uncertain of what they do/how they work to slap down the $60 or so for a SE-COMBO/MacPicoVid... is it as simple as plugging in the cable that normally connects the logic board to the analog board to the SE-COMBO/MacPicoVid and then plugging in an ATX powersupply and a VGA monitor? Then you no longer need the analog board, original PSU, or original display?!?

It's a device for people that would like to use their SE or SE/30 motherboard in an aftermarket case... or some manner of sleeper build using their old case, but possibly doing an LCD swap.

Here's one such case...

...but the possibilities are endless on what folks can dream up.

I made a video recently talking about things folks can use the adapters for:
 
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