What are Modern Monitor/ Video Adapters for Old Macs?

[jajan547]

I have a Quadra 950, iivi, LCiii, LCiii+, LC475, iisi, and Prototype 6360. Point here is I have an old CRT monitor and because CRT's only last so long and because most sellers don't know how to ship CRT's or they just simply break in shipping, I'd like some modern converters or any monitors that are modern or any adapters that may do this for me. What I'm trying to find in terms of converters is any that work with HDI-45, Component, or DB15 to HDMI. My goal is to A. find a modern LCD monitor that supports these weird Apple video signals and sync settings. And B. to be able to use an adapter or hopefully any made to convert these to said modern HDMI monitor.

A lot to ask but this old girl deserves to get some use:

 

[Trash80toG4]

Good & reasonable HDMI scaler: Extron RGB-HDMI 300(A)

At @Trash80toHP_Mini's request, a thread about the HDMI scaler I found myself using to do vintage Mac stuff on a modern screen. It works, at least for me, really well and I'd recommend it to other folks as well. It is also not *that* expensive. The model is Extron RGB-HDMI 300 or 300 A. I...

68kmla.org

 

[Trash80toG4]

Here's the only shot I have of what I'm pretty sure is a nonstandard VGA/60Hz res:

First run playing with that card, not dialed in. Crappy digicam shot, but gives you the idea. Can position the image anywhere desired on the 1080p field.

Got the SuperMac Spec/8 SI set up almost perfectly before curiosity moved on. That's a non-standard 1152x870, probably at one Apple's (sub-standard) "flicker free" freqs.

 

[jajan547]

They went up a bit but Ill order one and let you know how it turns out

 

[retr01]

I use a Samsung 710N 17" LCD that works well with my IIci. If I had a Q950, I'd use the same monitor for it. CRTs take up precious desk real estate space.

 

[retr01]

Oh, @jajan547! I see that your Q950 has keys. What would happen if you lost the keys?

 

[jajan547]

So the keys work like this, O is for off meaning it disables soft power and the front power switch entirely, I is for manual power on so your typical soft power and power button (basically makes the whole power on and power off situation like a normal Macintosh), The (farthest right) is for the power to stay on and the computer to never power off, it disables keyboard and mouse and is meant for a server environment. Some of the Quadra 950's have different keys so if I lost these I'd have to get the lock keyed by a locksmith or hack the power button, problem is Quadra 950's typically have different or somewhat different keys meaning some will move you to one or two positions but not all three, so it's not as simple as finding a spare set when and if they come up for sale.

 

[retr01]

Ah. Good thing the IIci don't need keys for the power button in the back. Long before the Quadras came along showing off their muscles, the IIci was used in server environments.

 

[jajan547]

Ah. Good thing the IIci don't need keys for the power button in the back. Long before the Quadras came along showing off their muscles, the IIci was used in server environments.

I don't have a iici yet (I cannot emphasize yet enough lol) however, I do have a iici board that's been battery damaged and I've been trying to sort out it's trace damage every now and then when I feel like tinkering with something.

 

[retr01]

The (farthest right) is for the power to stay on and the computer to never power off, it disables keyboard and mouse and is meant for a server environment.

(locks @jajan547 out of the Q950 and sneaks away with the keys)

 

[jajan547]

Extron arrived, got the HDMI variant doesnt like my component to VGA adapter apparently but hey of db15 works I’ll be happy.

 

[retr01]

I have from IIci to my Samsung 17" LCD via DB15 to VGA adapter. Yo @jajan547, if you want HDMI, get the Extron RGB-HDMI 300 A converter. That's what my Apple IIGS is using to my HDMI adapter to VGA to my Samsung 17". It can go to my HDMI 27" monitor, too. Notice the Apple Macintosh video adapter behind? That is how the older Macs can connect as well.

 

[retr01]

Extron arrived, got the HDMI variant doesnt like my component to VGA adapter apparently but hey of db15 works I’ll be happy.

Duh. I didn't realize you were talking about Extron, too. I thought you were talking about the egret chip. Sorry, my bad, @jajan547.

What model is your Extron? Pics?

 

[jajan547]

Same model as yours, want HDMI out of my apple ii plus so I got an AV to VGA adapter, I plan to use mostly Macs (I still need a DB15 TO VGA if anyone has one please PM me let’s work out a trade) here’s what I tried for my Apple ii and it didn’t work:

 

[retr01]

here’s what I tried for my Apple ii and it didn’t work:

The video conversion needs to be on a powered adapter. For example, I have an HDMI to VGA adapter powered by USB. For Apple ][, I suggest the RGB2HDMI adapter solution based on Raspberry Pico.

 

[jajan547]

Yeah figured it was worth a shot, I'll only be using this for my Macs.

 

[jajan547]

So not sure what to do I have everything finally altogether and hooked up but I get no video out what am I doing wrong, I tried on my 950 and on my LCs.

 

[retr01]

Hey @jajan547, if you are going straight to a VGA monitor with that Mac RGB to VGA adapter and it is not picking up the signal, then you will need a different adapter - the one with DIP switches.

 

[jajan547]

So I have a DB-15 to a dub-15 to vga adapter connected to the Extron and hdmi going out, is this the adapter issue?

 

[retr01]

So I have a DB-15 to a dub-15 to vga adapter connected to the Extron and hdmi going out, is this the adapter issue?

Okay. Then, the Apple RGB to VGA adapter connects to the back of the Extron. Then you fire up the Extron, and you need to adjust the settings using the buttons on the front of the Extron so that the VGA monitor can get the correct conversion signal. FRom the Mac to that Apple RGB to VGA adapter should be a Macintosh RGB video cable, not a VGA cable.

For example, on my Apple IIGS:

IIGS > RGB cable > RGB to VGA adapter > Extron