No vector monitors available ? Simply build one yourself !

[Level42]

I've posted this is my SW thread, but I thought this was amazing enough for the monitor section:

http://www.jrok.com/xfer/xystuff/


This means that you serously need some patience. Not only for the winding, but even more so for getting the convergence right......but it's still amazingly simple.........

He uses the Amplifone deflection board just for the deflection. HV and RGB amplification is done through the original monitor PCB. Very clever, rules out any HV problems

The only thing is that this CRT is rather low-res (as he mentions). I wonder if it would be possible to use a PC monitor CRT (20") ? That would give some REALLY sharp lined vectors

It also proves that it is possible enough to do a new run of vectors....

[telengard]

That is awesome!!       

I really would like to build a vector cabinet but have been hesitant due to the availability and price of vector monitors.  Although this looks like some work (nothing I'm against) it is a great idea.  I'll be waiting to see how it looks on an PC monitor.  I assume you could drive the monitor w/ Zektor just as you could with a real vector monitor?

~telengard

[Level42]

As the Zektor can drive about anything as long as it's analogue (about all vector monitors apart Cinematronics) and even oscilloscopes and Vextrex, I see no reason why it wouldn't....

That was actualy my first thought for an application of such a project.

The biggest issue is that we'd still need a deflection PCB. And they're pretty rare.

However, I see no reason why we couldn't reproduce a simple PCB like the Amplifone deflection PCB. It's just a LOT of work.....

[Level42]

There is one problem that I thought about yesterday with this "design". I wonder how he (if at all) managed the spot-killing. Since vector monitors are so intensely bright, there is a safety build into the deflection board (at least on the Amplifone) that if the beam would stop moving for any reason, it will immediately disable the beams. This is called the spot-killer.

If that disabling wouldn't happen, you would get a bad burned spot in the center of the screen very quickly.

I wonder if he thought about this. It should be possible to interface the signal to the RGB amps on the normal monitor PCB.

Alternatively, you could decide to never let this vector run without you watching it (but what if the doorbell rings, or you're getting a drink, plenty of time to kill the CRT)....

[ahofle]

That is so frickin unbelievable.