Connecting a VIC-20 to a modern LCD monitor (part two)

Part two explores different options using the composite (AV) connection.

A composite connection requires one RCA type plug that carries the video and one or two RCA plugs for the audio. The yellow plug typically carries the video and the red and white plugs carry the left and right stereo audio. It actually doesn't make a difference which plugs you use for the signal, as long as they are connected properly between devices.

A composite hookup to the VIC-20 requires a new video cable for this. I purchased a cable from www.retrocomputershack.com. They have a storefront on eBay as well.

 If you have a five pin DIN video connector and some RCA plugs, the pinout diagram in the VIC-20 manual will help guide you to making your own.

The Vizio model VA22L HDTV is a great display to connect a composite video cable. Recessed on the side are three RCA jacks for video and audio.

A direct connection from computer to display makes this a hassle free solution... and the image result is great. It's also nice to have the sound coming through the TV's speakers as well.

Connecting to a VGA computer monitor requires converting the composite output to a VGA output. This is where a lot of misinformation begins when searching for an easy solution in connecting a VIC-20 to a modern display. Most posts or how-to videos will show the generic Video Converter Video to VGA device. These will cost between 20 to 25$ USD and seem like the best solution.

I haven't been able to get a good conversion. It's possible that I have an inferior product, but after doing research I found others had the same results.

The image is unacceptable. Two obvious problems:
 the RGB color band at the top of the screen and there is an extreme image offset.

Another solution is to convert the composite video to HDMI. This can be done for less cost than the VGA converter if you have a monitor that supports HDMI.

The result is better, but barely acceptable (note that these images are in wide screen due to the fact that I wasn't able to compress the image to it's original aspect ratio on this monitor).

After more research, I found that there are more expensive alternatives that hardcore gamers tend to utilize.  The RetroTink 2x-classic has overwelming positive reviews and costs around 90$ USD.

 The RetroTink  has mini HDMI output, so it also needs an HDMI to VGA output converter to use on VGA only monitors. This makes a messy link of devices, but seems to make no difference in quality. I purchased a recommended device, due to some reports of device incompatibility with the RetroTink.

The results are great and much better than the Video to VGA and HDMI converters I tried earlier. Though there is an odd dark green band on the left side and overall a less focused and vibrant look than the direct composite hookup.

I tried the RetroTink on six other VGA monitors, essentially getting the same results EXCEPT for the odd dark green band. This appears to be only a problem on the Vizio HDTV.

Overall, I think the direct connection to the Vizio HDTV is the best solution for a composite connection. There is no need for additional devices and I personally think the image has the best resolution. The colors are vibrant and the pixels seem to be better focused.

For VGA hookup, the RetroTink wins by far. Maybe with some monitor adjustments, the RetroTink will match the direct composite video hookup on the Vizio.



S-Video Modification

There is another solution which actually modifies the VIC-20 motherboard to add S-video output. This would lead to a better picture than a composite (AV) connection. Unfortunately, the modification would be troublesome to reverse since two of the board's tracings would have to be cut, two components removed and two others added. This would make the original RF and composite connections obsolete.

I personally fine the composite connection to my Vizio or composite connection utilizing the RetroTink to be worth utilizing, making the additional work of adding S-video not worth the effort. I also don't like making a permanent change to my VIC-20. I'd rather keep it in its original form.



A Complete Commodore System

As a footnote, I connected the VIC-20 to a Commodore 1802 color monitor. The image and sound is great. For a true retro experience, this is absolutely the best way to go (the waves and glare on the screen that you see in these pictures are not what you see in person) .

Connecting a VIC-20 to a modern LCD monitor (part one)

Over the course of the next several blogs, I'll be exploring different means of utilizing a modern LCD display utilizing different technologies that will connect with a VIC-20. Beginning with the least desirable, and hopefully ending with the best solution.

This survey begins with the RF modulator. 

The Commodore VIC-20 was primarily successful because it was an affordable machine. When I purchased mine in 1983, it was $99.00 USD ($100 is $394.94 today). It had dropped from $299.00 since its introduction in 1981.  If I wasn't able to connect the VIC-20 to a TV, I wouldn't have been able to afford it. At this time, an Amdek Color-I Monitor would have cost $329 USD ( $866.23 in today's dollars).

Today, our displays are primarily digital and few HD TVs, if any, have TV modulation support and a coaxial (F-type) RF connector. Before our broadcast system converted to digital, some companies manufactured HDTVs with both  analog and digital tuners and various connections to support VGA, HDMI and other inputs, providing multiple uses for the display.

I have a Vizio model VA22L HDTV that I purchased new back in 2009 for just this reason. I needed a TV and a large computer display in one unit. This particular model has inputs for HDMI, VGA, component, composite (AV) and, of course the coaxial (F-type) RF connector.

All of the necessary parts/cables that were supplied with the original VIC-20 are used to connect the system:

The VIC-20 is connected to it's RF modulator. From there, the RF modulator is connected to a switching box. This allows for a choice between the antenna or computer (labeled game) and also provides a connection to the coaxial (F-type) RF connector that's on the back of all analog TVs. And in this case, also on the back of the Vizio and labeled DTV/TV.

The following are the results:

The image is acceptable. As good as an old tube TV, as far as I remember. Possibly even better.



Another solution is to use any of the various TV cards or devices that were manufactured to add TV broadcast reception to your computer or monitor. I have an AverMedia TVbox 5 that works independently, without a PC. It adds a TV tuner to any VGA monitor.

To make this connection, the VIC-20 modulator with its switching box is connected to the Antenna In coaxial port of the AverMedia device. A VGA cable is connected out to whatever VGA display you have. This particular setup will give you much more flexibility in choosing a display.

 The output is acceptable, but not as good as the RF connection to the Vizio monitor. The color seems desaturated and the text on the startup screen is not as solid



Part two will survey the various means of using the composite connection.

Commodore VIC-20

In 1981 the Commodore Vic-20 was released at the price of $299.00 USD ($845.27 in today's dollars). Even though, it was hailed as the first affordable color computer during its time, it was still too costly and out of my means to purchase. It was in 1983  when it's price dropped to $99.00 USD ($260.66 in today's dollars), I was able to afford a purchase at my university's bookstore.

It became the first computer I owned and really quite a big investment for me at that time. Fortunately, I was able to buy an inexpensive used data cassette drive from a fellow co-worker, making my new system a useful tool to continue learning BASIC and actually create some interesting graphics for print. I was even able to go as far as creating some video art for a performance with a local industrial music band.

I don't have my original VIC-20, but I did purchase one on eBay several years ago for about $70 dollars. It came with it's box and packing material, manual and a few game cassettes and cartridge.

NAME  VIC 20
MANUFACTURER  Commodore
TYPE  Home Computer
ORIGIN  U.S.A.
YEAR  May 1981
END OF PRODUCTION  January 1985
BUILT IN LANGUAGE  CBM Basic V2
KEYBOARD  Full-stroke keyboard, 4 function keys, 66 keys
CPU  Commodore Semiconductor Group 6502A
SPEED  1.0227 Mhz
CO-PROCESSOR  VIC-I (6560) for sound and graphics.
RAM  5 KB (3583 bytes free), expandable up to 32 KB
VRAM  Screen memory shared with regular RAM
ROM  16 KB
TEXT MODES  23 rows x 22 columns
GRAPHIC MODES  184 x 176
COLORS  8 character colors, 16 background/border colors
SOUND  3 voices / 3 octaves
SIZE / WEIGHT  40.3 x 20.4 x 7.2 cm / 1,8 Kg
I/O PORTS  1 joystick port, 1 user port, 1 serial port, 1 cartrige port, Composite video output, tape interface
POWER SUPPLY  External power supply unit, 18 Watts

Future posts will explore various methods of connecting the VIC-20 to a modern LCD monitor as well as the original Commodore CRT monitor.