Commodore 8-bit on VGA
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In February of 2008, I purchased the RTV VEG. This device converts composite video to VGA and also has a TV tuner. The photo below shows my Commodore Plus/4 computer connected to a Samsung 17″ LCD panel through the device. A CMD FD2000, an aftermarket 3.5″ floppy drive, rounds out the setup.
With devices like the RTV VEG, modern LCD video displays can be used with the older computers. The RTV VEG is capable of converting both composite video and separated chroma/luma (S-Video) to VGA. This works for many Commodore computers like the VIC-20, TED series, and C64.
The Commodore 128 also outputs RGBI video, which is not supported by the device. The C128 requires a monitor that can be switched between composite and RGBI such as the 1902 or 1084. Kevin Krausnick has combined the RTV VEG with another converter so that both modes can be used on a VGA monitor at the flick of a toggle switch. This is very clever and I intend to do this as well for my C128.
When switching to 80-column (VDC) mode on the C128, you also have to switch the monitor. On the old monitors, this switch is in the front. On Kevin’s setup, he has a toggle switch on his homebuilt hardware. Years ago, I modified my 1902 monitor by replacing the video mode switch with my own microcontroller to do it automatically. I intend to do something similar again with the goal of having a C128 with an LCD panel that displays both video modes and switches between them automatically.