RF Modulator

xanthrou · Post by **xanthrou** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 6:58 pm

Would the RF modulator and the channel 3/4 switch be on X16? If not, for what reason?

Elektron72 · Post by **Elektron72** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:07 pm

I assume most people who buy the X16 will be using the VGA output, while a small handful will use composite. On the other hand, an RF modulator is only necessary for compatibility with older TVs that have no composite input. Considering how few people will use the Commander X16 in this way, combined with limited space in and on the case, I would assume that an RF modulator would be a separately purchased component.

xanthrou · Post by **xanthrou** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:52 pm

44 minutes ago, Elektron72 said:

I assume most people who buy the X16 will be using the VGA output, while a small handful will use composite. On the other hand, an RF modulator is only necessary for compatibility with older TVs that have no composite input. Considering how few people will use the Commander X16 in this way, combined with limited space in and on the case, I would assume that an RF modulator would be a separately purchased component.

I understand.

Though composite is still around, on modern TVs.

Elektron72 · Post by **Elektron72** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 8:06 pm

I do expect the X16 to provide a composite output that could be connected to a TV. An RF modulator would only be necessary if the Commander X16 were to provide an RF output.

Wavicle · Post by **Wavicle** » Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:46 am

4 hours ago, Elektron72 said:

I assume most people who buy the X16 will be using the VGA output, while a small handful will use composite.

Given the price of RGB to composite encoder ICs, I wonder if inclusion of S-Video and composite out is returning the intended value. Not sure what IC is being used on VERA, but a quick scan of Mouser suggests the cheapest reasonable in stock option is the AD723ARUZ which is priced at $5.18/unit in 1000 unit quantities -- slightly more expensive than the FPGA itself. Add the ports and assembly, and that feature by itself might account for $20 (maybe more) of the end user price for VERA. (There is a cable that does the same thing for $2.50 at Monoprice but based on the reviews it sounds like if it works for you, then you got lucky.)

BruceMcF · Post by **BruceMcF** » Sun Mar 21, 2021 6:13 am

10 hours ago, xanthrou said:

I understand.

Though composite is still around, on modern TVs.

If you click on the "FAQ" option in the top bar, and look for the Vera section, you will see it will have NTSC composite out, along with NTSC S Video and RGB ... just not any specification of composite over analog TV bandwidth no longer in use by TVs.

The ratio of available composite display devices in active use to devices that can receive that composite over VHF Channel 3 or 4 today seems like it would be more than 100:1.

xanthrou · Post by **xanthrou** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 12:21 pm

On 3/21/2021 at 8:13 AM, BruceMcF said:

If you click on the "FAQ" option in the top bar, and look for the Vera section, you will see it will have NTSC composite out, along with NTSC S Video and RGB ... just not any specification of composite over analog TV bandwidth no longer in use by TVs.

The ratio of available composite display devices in active use to devices that can receive that composite over VHF Channel 3 or 4 today seems like it would be more than 100:1.

Speaking of NTSC composite, late-1980s-present PAL TVs offer NTSC compatibility.