Re: C-Vue LCD questions

[Paul Schultz <pschultz@med.wayne.edu>]

On 20 Apr 1997, Mitchell Spector wrote:

>     I finally got my C-Vue repaired, and for the first time, have had a
> chance to see it in use! (in fact I'm using it now to post this message).
> Since this is the only one I've ever seen though, I do have a few
> questions:
> 
> - Is it normal for there to be random garbage on the first few top,
>   bottom and side lines? (those not used by Apple screen). I noticed
>   if I turn the power on/off rapdily a few times it clears up more or
>   less completely.

Yep, I have a C-vue also. It is known to leave these 'droppings' on the
perimeter.

> 
> - Is it normal to see slight ghosting near lit-up pixels (it's fairly
>   subtle).

I've never noticed this but I'll take a look next time I use my set-up.

> - Should the screen be inversed when displaying graphics? (I noticed
>   it when trying out MouseDesk, the menu-bar is filled in with black
>   and so are is the backgrounds of opened windows. Black and white
>   are swapped).

Hmmm. I have used the Apple II Desktop program (i.e., MouseDesk) and
don't recall this happening. I do know that Quark's Catalyst (another
MouseDesk type program) inverts the window colors for a RAM disk
window. I don't recall if MouseDesk/A2D does this as well. Again, I'll
take a look.
 
> - Should the top of the display to get slightly warm? (I assume this
>   is normal since there's a heat-sink attached to the analog board
>   inside).

Don't know. Never felt the top of the display.

>     My only complaint (and perhaps what makes the above almost moot)
> is it is very difficult to see the display. Not being back-lite makes
> it require a strong light source behind you and even then it can be
> difficult to see (too bad, since what I can see is very pleasing!).
> It's also neat to be using an Apple II and not hearing that familar
> 15 kHz squeal that old CRT's make (it is dead silent, no fan either).
> I'm fond of the combination of the Apple IIc Plus and LCD, all I need
> to carry around (besides the notebook-sized CPU) is a 3-prong plug
> and the LCD display. It may not be an Apple I or Mark Twain, but it's
> almost as cool considering how few people own this particular setup. :)
> 
Yeah, not being backlit makes using this set-up very trying. You almost
need to bring a small clamp on lamp with you to ensure that you have
a strong light behind you.

I also have the IIc Plus and C-Vue combo. It all fits nicely into a
shoulder bag for easy carrying. I have a 1 meg board in it and use
Appleworks 5.1. Once you get the hang of lighting the screen it can
be a very usable system. I also agree that there are probably very
few people with this set-up. (probably as many as those who have a
Mark Twain :-) ). I did own an Apple LCD display for about 2 weeks
a few years back. It was much better constructed than the C-Vue (it
was built like a tank!) but the C-Vue definitely has the better 
display (hard to believe isn't it!)

I'll try to fire up my system and take a look at some of the things
you've mentioned.

Paul.

pschultz@med.wayne.edu
Paul Schultz