Re: Apple IIe to a TV?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

mlsmithjr @pobox.com (Mark Smith) writes ...
> 
> I just purchased a IIe w/o monitor and was under the impression you
> could hook it to a TV via an RF modulator.  Well, I tried it and
> no luck.  Was I wrong?  Do I need a special modulator?  I guess I'll
> just get a cheap green monitor....
>

     Not merely a green monitor, but a _cheap_ green monitor!

     The usual problems users have with connecting to a TV via an RF
modulator are ...

 1. The "RF modulator" is not an RF modulator. Some shops mess up and
hand you a TV-Game Switch instead. One way to tell is the price. For
example, a Radio Shack TV-Game Switch may cost a few dollars; their RF
Modulator sells for around $30.


 2. The RF modulator output is connected to the wrong place. A typical
RF modulator intended for computer display connects to the TV's VHF
Antenna Input. (You will not get much of a display if the RF modulator
is connected to the UHF Input.)

Since you also want to be able to watch TV, you need some way to switch
between the computer + RF modulator signal and your TV Antenna. The RF
Modulator box may have a place to connect the TV antenna and a switch to
choose.

If your RF modulator just has an input for the computer and an output,
you will need a TV-Game Switch. The RF modulator's output leads usually
go to the TV-Game Switch "Game" (or "Computer") input. The TV-Game
Switch has another input ("Ant" or "TV Antenna") for the TV antenna. The
output end of the TV-Game Switch is connected to the TV's VHF Antenna
Input.

The RF modulator should be set to CH3 or CH4 depending upon which gives
the better display.


 3. The TV is not set for CH3 or CH4 and/or not correctly tuned. Lots of
TV's can be set to the correct channel number but show a rotten display
until the tuning is adjusted. Some old knob-type TV's need to have the
channel switch jiggled to get a good display.


     A good color TV connected via an RF modulator makes a decent
monitor for hi-res and color double-hires games and lots of other
software. As has already been mentioned, it's not much good for
80-column displays. Due to AC voltage which may be present on the TV
chassis "ground", it is best to avoid any audio or other connection to
the TV.



Rubywand