Re: Apple IIe Computer Woes

[rubywand@swbell.net]

CPJnDonnag writes ...
> 
> Recently, we acquired a couple of OLD Apple 11e Computers from our school,
> as they were upgrading.
> The problem is, we didn't get monitors, and were instructed that with the
> right cables, we could hook them up to the kids' TVs.  I went to good old
> Radio Shack and picked up (as instructed by the salesman.....) a couple of
> Electronic TV/Game switches.  The plugs seem to fit in all the right
> places, but that's about it.   Although we can see a very, very fuzzy MECC
> image in the background, it appears to be mostly static, not a computer
> image. ....
>

     A "TV/Game" switch is, usually, intended to switch RF (radio frequency) 
signals. For example, in the "TV" position it connects the TV's antenna input 
to the antenna; in the "Game" position it connects a game machine's or 
computer's CH 3 or CH 4 output to the TV's antenna input (and, you need to set 
the TV Channel selector to CH 3 or CH 4).

     The reason your setup does not work is that the IIe does not output an RF 
signal. It outputs composite video. Composite video is pure video information 
like the kind output by a VCR through the standard 'Yellow' cable. If you 
think you saw any kind of picture, it was, probably, a leak-through image from 
some local TV broadcaster.

     If your TV has a "Video In" plug, that is where you want to plug in the 
IIe's video output. An alternative is to plug the IIe output into a VCR's 
"Video In" and let the VCR take care of interfacing to the TV.

     Getting an "RF Converter" ("TV Converter", etc.) module is another way to 
go. However, you could end up wasting time and money better spent on just 
getting a composite color monitor (like the Amdek Color-1) at a local Apple II 
swap meet or a TV with a Video input. 
        

Rubywand