Re: RGB monitor/capture options for the //e with RGB card.

[Egan Ford <datajerk@gmail.com>]

On Aug 23, 9:53 am, Michael J. Mahon <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> Egan Ford <dataj...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Aug 22, 6:09 pm, Michael J. Mahon <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> >> Egan Ford <dataj...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> I've search and found a number of discussions about incompatibilities
> >>> between //e RGB, IIgs, and Mac RGB output with various monitors and
> >>> v.v..  Is there a list of the recommend Apple monitors for use with
> >>> the //e RGB card?  The docs have none listed.  I am looking for an
> >>> Apple RGB monitor that can handle all of the //e RGB capabilities AND
> >>> look like it belongs with the //e.
>
> >> I think you're looking for an AppleColor 100.
> >> It's a digital RGB monitor for the //e.
>
> > Yep.  And after an evening of searching, it appears to be my only
> > option.
>
> Unfortunately, they are hard to find.
>
> >>> 2nd question.  I'd like to capture the RGB output, "crystal clear" if
> >>> possible.  I already have a VGA capture setup, so an RGB to VGA device
> >>> would work.  What are you all using for RGB to VGA?  Will a IIgs or
> >>> Mac solution for RGB to VGA work equally as well with the //e RGB?
>
> >> Many, myself included, use an emulator and host screen capture software.
> >> The results are as good as the RGB emulation of the emulator.
>
> > I do the same with Virtual ][, however there are those times where
> > something cannot be emulated and it would be nice to get the highest
> > quality output.
>
> Several emulators now do quite well even with high-speed synchronized
> page/mode flipping, so most programs' displays are faithfully emulated. If
> you have a program that does not emulate well, the first thing (and the
> cheapest thing) to try is a newer emulator.
>
> If you describe your program(s) and emulator, I'd bet that someone here
> could suggest a solution. Or, perhaps, even a bug-fix for an emulator!

Cards that are not emulated.  E.g. modems, the Applicard, etc...

> > I found some docs on how to convert //e RGB to CGA.  And there are
> > many CGA to VGA devices/boards.  I'll give that a shot.
>
> I think you may find that approach disappointing, for many of the same
> reasons that composite-to-VGA converters disappoint when used with Apple
> II's.

You are probably right, but 1/2 of the fun is figuring that out.  //e
RGB to CGA is digital-to-digital and CGA to VGA actually looks pretty
good.  I may get lucky.  50/50.

BTW, composite-to-VGA is not that bad, it is not a monitor, but it is
very usable and does make OK videos.  Below is an example of a cheap
$25 composite-to-VGA adapter connect to my Mac via a VGA-to-USB device
(captured at 800x600, 1024x768 looked a bit better):

http://xmission.com/~egan/iie_to_comp2vga_to_vgacapture.png

I think if I record at 1024x768, find a way to add fake scan lines,
and publish at 720p it may look convincing.  A project for another
time.