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Author Topic: How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB  (Read 5020 times)

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MrBond

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How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« on: April 19, 2003, 01:47:42 pm »
I picked up a monitor today.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3018176572&category=21517
I have a problem though.  Not sure how to interface it to a computer.  It has all sorts of inputs and outputs for video and sound, but the one I think I am going to be using is a 15 pin input marked "RGB input".  Now, it looks exactly like the input that a PC monitor would plug into on the back of a PC.  Do I use some sort of "link" cable that has two "male" heads (think that's what they're called).  And does the fact that is marked RGB matter?  It looks just like VGA connection.
Sorry I don't have a digital camera or a webpage to post pics on.
The monitor is:
NEC PG 2740
The guy said I could use the "BNC 15 pin Input Connector" for my computer.
Their is also an input that resembles an S-vid input.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

~Mrbond
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RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2003, 02:00:36 pm »

It should use a normal HD15 Male to Male (VGA monitor cable).

These can be a small pain to find as monitors usually come with one.  The Male to females are more common.  Shouldn't be too hard though.

There's probably a switch somewhere on there to tell it which input to use as well.

RandyT

MrBond

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2003, 02:04:39 pm »
Like this?
http://www.a2zcables.com/a2zcables.storefront/3ea1894d0a9cdc58271b424d361d068d/Product/View/K3&2D6


Are they available at Radio Shack?


Also, This kind of looks like the back of my monitor:

« Last Edit: April 19, 2003, 02:09:17 pm by MrBond »
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RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2003, 05:44:59 pm »

Are they available at Radio Shack?


If you have the *5* BNC connectors on the back, you can use this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F008%5F000&product%5Fid=950%2D0238

It's expensive though.  Try Ebay.

Or the best bet, if you can use it, is this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F008%5F000&product%5Fid=950%2D0234

Both of these can be had cheaper, but you will have to do a little digging.  And, you might as well because they aren't "in-stores".  If you have a CompUSA or something like that nearby, they would probably carry them.

 
RandyT

MrBond

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RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2003, 06:46:39 pm »

That should be ok, but if you run into problems, it'll be one of two things.  

1) 26ga might be a little thin.

2) Passing the signal through a gender bender might degrade it some.

I'm sure it will work, but the quality and level of shielding on the components will dictate how good it looks or whether interference/crossover will be an issue.

RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2003, 12:00:12 pm »
Thanks for the help RandyT.  I have another question.  In general, which type of connection is "best".  I mean, this monitor I just got has many inputs.  I'm not a monitor expert and I don't know what they all are or which ones are best to use.  It has:

Label                                           Port  
RGB 1: in, and through out         both hd15 pin ports
DIP SW1, DIP SW 2                    (not a port, switches)
GAIN                                       R, G, B round inputs
RGB AUDIO: in and through out   both R, L (L is also MONO)
RGB 2: in, and through out         6 round ports (BNC right?)

VIDEO 1: in, through out             2 round holes holes, also S-vid
                                                    also has AUDIO: in through
VIDEO 2: in, through out             same thing as above

REMOTE: in, through out             each has a small hole and a 9-pin


Also, there are a bunch of toggle switches lables 75 Ohms/High


I figured I go with the hd15 with this cable:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3413076059&category=3668


I also saw this one, but it didn't look as good:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3413166402&category=3704



Which input is best to use?  What is GAIN?  What exactly is BNC?  Is it like composite?  How do I use the REMOTE ports?

« Last Edit: April 20, 2003, 12:06:54 pm by MrBond »
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RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2003, 09:58:58 pm »
Which input is best to use?  What is GAIN?  What exactly is BNC?  Is it like composite?  How do I use the REMOTE ports?

Man, a digital camera pic would make this a lot easier :)

Gain is new to me.  Maybe someone else can talk to this one.

There should only be 5 BNCs.  Unless there is a seperate one for composite sync.  Are they labeled?

If you have one labeled "video" and it's a BNC, then yes, it's composite.

The little toggles (75ohm) are used for termination.  The RGB inputs should be terminated unless the pass-throughs are used as well.  If memory serves me, this means that you will want them set to 75ohm.  If the picture is too dark,  then switch them the other way.  ie. experiment a bit to find the right setting.  Just make sure you have all of them set the same way when you are done.

The "remote" jacks are used to select active inputs and other features with external equipment.  The DB-9 is probably serial, but without knowing the command set, it's probably not much use.


The cable you ordered looks heavy-duty enough.  The gender-changer may be the only weak link, but it'll probably be fine.  As for what is best, I would have to say whatever works.  If there's a problem, you'll pretty much know it right away.  If not, then be happy :).

RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2003, 11:10:44 pm »
Ya, a pic would be best :)  Oh well

Yippie!  I just tried it out with the s-vid port, and MAN does it look SWEEEEEEEEET!!!  I couldn't have asked for a better picture!  I played Marvel vs. Capcom on this thing and it looked so darn cool!  I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision on buying this monitor, but now that I can see it will work perfectly, I'm thrilled!  Now, the desktop was a little blurry/shaky, but who cares, I'm in it for the gaming, and the games looked awesome.

I'm still going to try the hd15 pin port though with that cable on Ebay.  Should make the picture/desktop a little better (probably?)

Should I try the composite thing?  I was reading about OSCAR's input on the other thread:  http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=6743
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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2003, 11:38:45 pm »
Ya, a pic would be best :)  Oh well

Yippie!  I just tried it out with the s-vid port, and MAN does it look SWEEEEEEEEET!!!  I couldn't have asked for a better picture!  I played Marvel vs. Capcom on this thing and it looked so darn cool!  I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision on buying this monitor, but now that I can see it will work perfectly, I'm thrilled!  Now, the desktop was a little blurry/shaky, but who cares, I'm in it for the gaming, and the games looked awesome.

I'm still going to try the hd15 pin port though with that cable on Ebay.  Should make the picture/desktop a little better (probably?)

Should I try the composite thing?  I was reading about OSCAR's input on the other thread:  http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=6743
Dude there is a *HUGE* difference between s-video and VGA.
Of course you should try VGA !  :)
Once you go VGA,you never come back.
I am telling you...good to your eyes and everythang.
I do wanna see how vga looks...post a pic if you can(once you get that M/M cable).

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2003, 12:35:33 am »
Ya, a pic would be best :)  Oh well

Yippie!  I just tried it out with the s-vid port, and MAN does it look SWEEEEEEEEET!!!  I couldn't have asked for a better picture!  I played Marvel vs. Capcom on this thing and it looked so darn cool!  I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision on buying this monitor, but now that I can see it will work perfectly, I'm thrilled!  Now, the desktop was a little blurry/shaky, but who cares, I'm in it for the gaming, and the games looked awesome.

I'm still going to try the hd15 pin port though with that cable on Ebay.  Should make the picture/desktop a little better (probably?)

Should I try the composite thing?  I was reading about OSCAR's input on the other thread:  http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=6743

Ackk!  I was hoping you weren't going to take the "whatever works" comment that way (but you did :) )

I probably should have said "whichever RGB connection works".  Leave S-video to the DVD player and ignore composite altogether unless you have an old console game or VCR you want to hook to it.

Keep to the path of RGB.  Do not stray lest ye return to the land of the TV  :D

RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2003, 04:09:55 am »
Once you go VGA,you never come back.

Well, if you want arcade authenticity you will go back.  I'm thinking of getting rid of my Eygo 19" hybrid for a 15Hz arcade monitor.

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2003, 07:58:15 am »
Once you go VGA,you never come back.

Well, if you want arcade authenticity you will go back.  I'm thinking of getting rid of my Eygo 19" hybrid for a 15Hz arcade monitor.

I agree.  You can't get closer to the real thing than that.

But I think VGA and RGB are being used interchangeably in this thread.  VGA is RGB, but RGB isn't necessarily VGA.  

That particular monitor should do the low-res 15.75khz real arcade modes.  Don't know what Snaaake is using :)

The dot-pitch of the CRT is what ultimately determines the resolution of the image, and these are fairly coarse, so the image should look pretty authentic with an RGB connection.  

The biggest improvement at this point will be the ability to lose the interlacing artifacts and achieve a purer color signal, which the RGB cable will do (hopefully :) ).

RandyT

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2003, 11:06:30 pm »
Wow, I guess I'm in for a pleasant surprise once I hook VGA up!  :D
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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2003, 11:42:08 pm »
Also, This kind of looks like the back of my monitor:



I have 2 of these!(Above) I love them. Is that the one you got MrBond? I think the model is 3rpg or something. You will love it.

J_K_M_A_N

MrBond

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Re:How do I hook my monitor up? Has 15-pin RGB
« Reply #15 on: April 23, 2003, 02:40:30 pm »
Quote
Quote

Is that the one you got MrBond? I think the model is 3rpg or something. You will love it.

J_K_M_A_N

Not quite.  Mine is NEC PG 2740
I'm looking forward to seeing the VGA output on this baby!
...they only live twice!...
(>")>----MAME----<("<)