Composite video monitor suggestions - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MrBungle · 30th Jul 2017, 4:52 pm

I have a computer based project in mind which requires a composite video monitor. Can someone please recommend a relatively reliable / common / repairable unit which has composite PAL input. Preferably something relatively small around the 8/10" size. Preferably BNC/RCA jack rather than SCART if possible. Monochrome or colour is not important as the source will be monochrome only.

(this is related to the build your own spectrum analyser thread which has escalated now I have hold of some ADCs, a Z80 and a massive box of TTL bits!)

OldTechFan96 · 30th Jul 2017, 5:11 pm

With my Apple IIe I use a JVC TM-A10E. It is a 10'' monitor with BNC video in/out and RCA audio in/out. I've also used it with some older game consoles.

I bought it for £25.00 a year or so ago. I would take a photograph but my SD card is falling to bits.

TonyDuell · 30th Jul 2017, 5:37 pm

If you can stick something smaller, then for monochrome I'd try to find one of those 5" portable TVs (you know, Maplin used to sell them). They have a composite video input phono socket on the back. I use one on my bench for testing home computers with a composite output. Apart from the line output transformer, I think all parts inside are standard, I managed to track down data on the ICs.

For colour, I love the Sony PVM-9044QM. It's small, lightweight and accepts just about any TV rate signal (PAL, NTSC, SECAM, RGB, YUV at least). There is a service manual available, but it is very complicated. And total overkill for what you are doing.

I think being 'repairable' rules out any LCD-based monitor.

MrBungle · 30th Jul 2017, 5:49 pm

The Sony is just about spot on and there's one on ebay at the moment. Thanks for the suggestion - appreciated.

The 5" portables are an option but I'd like something a little more fun when I think about it

turretslug · 30th Jul 2017, 7:04 pm

Also keep an eye out for Ikegami TM10- series (various additional suffixes for era and options)- tough, reliable, no-nonsense 10" colour monitors used in droves in the broadcast etc. world. Flexible inputs and facilities but pretty straightforward (i.e. without Sony "curiousness"!). Many users will have displaced them for flat-panel multi-view set-ups some time back, but there are sure to be some still to be found in the usual places.

Lloyd 1985 · 30th Jul 2017, 7:17 pm

Another thumbs up for the little Sony's! I have one here, a PVM-9020ME, excellent picture quality, think it only cost me 20 quid a few years ago. There are higher resolutions ones out there, look for ones with the 'HR Trinitron' or 'super fine pitch' logo, top left. If it's required to display text it should do it well, as the focus is pretty good on them.

If you wanted a 9" monochrome monitor, I've got a little Panasonic one I picked up from a car boot a few years ago, tube is a bit burnt, but otherwise it functions well!

If you fancy a challenge, you could build your own LCD monitor! I built one using an old HP netbook LCD, and one of those Chinese LCD driver boards available on ebay. It has composite, HDMI, and VGA, even a built in TV tuner, unfortunately analogue only. I made the case from aluminium sheet, and borrowed a sheet metal guillotine and bender/folder from work to fold the ali into a box. The longest and most difficult bit was cutting out the hole for the screen, and filing it all straight. I covered it in vinyl wrap for cars, in a nice carbon fibre effect. I built it to go with my DSLR, looks quite good with it!

Regards,
Lloyd

30th Jul 2017, 4:52 pm	#1
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Composite video monitor suggestions I have a computer based project in mind which requires a composite video monitor. Can someone please recommend a relatively reliable / common / repairable unit which has composite PAL input. Preferably something relatively small around the 8/10" size. Preferably BNC/RCA jack rather than SCART if possible. Monochrome or colour is not important as the source will be monochrome only. (this is related to the build your own spectrum analyser thread which has escalated now I have hold of some ADCs, a Z80 and a massive box of TTL bits!)

30th Jul 2017, 5:11 pm	#2
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,178	Re: Composite video monitor suggestions With my Apple IIe I use a JVC TM-A10E. It is a 10'' monitor with BNC video in/out and RCA audio in/out. I've also used it with some older game consoles. I bought it for £25.00 a year or so ago. I would take a photograph but my SD card is falling to bits.

30th Jul 2017, 5:37 pm	#3
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Composite video monitor suggestions If you can stick something smaller, then for monochrome I'd try to find one of those 5" portable TVs (you know, Maplin used to sell them). They have a composite video input phono socket on the back. I use one on my bench for testing home computers with a composite output. Apart from the line output transformer, I think all parts inside are standard, I managed to track down data on the ICs. For colour, I love the Sony PVM-9044QM. It's small, lightweight and accepts just about any TV rate signal (PAL, NTSC, SECAM, RGB, YUV at least). There is a service manual available, but it is very complicated. And total overkill for what you are doing. I think being 'repairable' rules out any LCD-based monitor.

30th Jul 2017, 5:49 pm	#4
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Composite video monitor suggestions The Sony is just about spot on and there's one on ebay at the moment. Thanks for the suggestion - appreciated. The 5" portables are an option but I'd like something a little more fun when I think about it

30th Jul 2017, 7:04 pm	#5
turretslug Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 4,395	Re: Composite video monitor suggestions Also keep an eye out for Ikegami TM10- series (various additional suffixes for era and options)- tough, reliable, no-nonsense 10" colour monitors used in droves in the broadcast etc. world. Flexible inputs and facilities but pretty straightforward (i.e. without Sony "curiousness"!). Many users will have displaced them for flat-panel multi-view set-ups some time back, but there are sure to be some still to be found in the usual places.

30th Jul 2017, 7:17 pm	#6
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Composite video monitor suggestions Another thumbs up for the little Sony's! I have one here, a PVM-9020ME, excellent picture quality, think it only cost me 20 quid a few years ago. There are higher resolutions ones out there, look for ones with the 'HR Trinitron' or 'super fine pitch' logo, top left. If it's required to display text it should do it well, as the focus is pretty good on them. If you wanted a 9" monochrome monitor, I've got a little Panasonic one I picked up from a car boot a few years ago, tube is a bit burnt, but otherwise it functions well! If you fancy a challenge, you could build your own LCD monitor! I built one using an old HP netbook LCD, and one of those Chinese LCD driver boards available on ebay. It has composite, HDMI, and VGA, even a built in TV tuner, unfortunately analogue only. I made the case from aluminium sheet, and borrowed a sheet metal guillotine and bender/folder from work to fold the ali into a box. The longest and most difficult bit was cutting out the hole for the screen, and filing it all straight. I covered it in vinyl wrap for cars, in a nice carbon fibre effect. I built it to go with my DSLR, looks quite good with it! Regards, Lloyd Attached Thumbnails