Re: Apple IIgs monitor -> Mac?

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

loudspeakers@islandnet.com wrote:

>supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer) wrote:
>
>>loudspeakers@islandnet.com wrote:
>>
>>>Hi, I just purchased a used Apple IIgs with a 13" RGB monitor.
>>
>>Welcome.  I'm sending you the full specs for the IIGS (see
>>below):
>>
>>>Can this type of monitor work with any MacIntosh desktop
>>>machines?  Their design appears to be a bit different than the
>>>standard Mac monitor. I don't have a Mac handy to test them
>>>with.
>>
>>The monitor won't work without additional hardware.  It
>>uses the same scan frequency as many LCD projectors,
>>which means you need a scan converter such as some of
>>the models from AverKey.  The converter must output
>>RGB as well as the S-video and NTSC signals designed
>>for television.  The RGB output is meant for an LCD
>>projector, but it works equally well with the IIGS.
>
>Hmm. I also have a used Amiga 2000. Sounds like with the right cable I
>could use the IIgs monitor with the Amiga?

Yup, it is functionally identical to the Amiga monitor except
that the IIGS monitor is missing speakers (for years, IIGS
users had to get "limited edition Bose Roomate" speakers
specially painted to match the IIGS to do the built in Ensoniq
32-channel wavetable chip of the IIGS justice).

The picture quality of the IIGS monitor is a little better,
though.  The tube is a super dark Sony model, so that black
appears black and colors are very vibrant.

Here's the pinout for the IIGS monitor so that you can wire
a cable to the Amiga:

Pin #

1          Red video ground
2          Red composite video
3          Composite sync
4          (not used)
5          Green composite video
6          Green video ground
7          (not used)
8          (not used)
9          Blue composite video
10         (not used)
11         (not used)
12         (not used)
13         Blue video ground
14         (not used)
15         (not used)
Shell    Shield ground

>Thanks for the info. I am missing any IIgs system software, but I have
>an adb keyboard, mouse and an external 800K floppy drive. I have
>two Apple IIgs machines + monitors. I was considering selling them,
>but it looks like fun if I can get them one of happening. They both
>have a card in the memory expansion slot.

The early IIGS memory expansion card for the IIGS was limited
to 1MB.  Needless to say (like the case of the Amiga 1000), Apple
sorely underestimated the memory requirements of a GUI based
"graphics and sound" oriented computer.  To run the current OS
and the best IIGS software with grace requires at least 4MB.
http://www.allelec.com/ Alltech Electronics makes the Sirius card.
This card takes 1MB 30 pin SIMMs up to 8MB.  You can buy the
card empty from them, find some old 1MB SIMMs, and bump the
IIGS up to 8MB.  Then let the fun begin!  ;-)

The IIGS scene also had lots of European "demo" writing
groups.  As one who has used an Amiga, you'd feel very much
at home on the IIGS when you boot one of these demo disks.