Apple IIGS VGA Adapter: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:09, 20 April 2018

The Apple IIGS VGA Adapter was created by Manila Gear in June 2016. It allows use of the Apple IIgs on VGA monitors that support 15kHz.

Project Status: Complete. In production. Actively sold by Manila Gear and ReActiveMicro.

Support: Post on the Discussion page (link above) or email ReActiveMicro Support.

Sales: Visit the ReActiveMicro Store.

History

The Apple IIGS VGA Adapter was created by Jon Christopher Co and John Valdezco of Manila Gear in June of 2016.

John had been using the Gonbes GBS-8800 frequency upscaler board with a VGA monitor on his newly acquired Apple IIGS. John wasn't happy with the video output and the clutter associated with having an extra board and power supply for the Gonbes board. So John and Jon set about finding a simpler, better video solution! The result of their research efforts was the VGA Adapter.

Overview

Obtaining high quality video output from the Apple IIGS is complicated by the DB15 connection, composite only sync and high pixel clock rate.

The Apple IIGS outputs analogue RGB video with composite sync on pin 3 at 15kHz horizontal scan. This adapter plugs directly into the IIGS DB-15F video out and outputs a 15kHz RGBHV signal over HD15/VGA. The VGA signal is generated by accurately extracting the video timing information (sync) and stabilising the colour information.

The adapter is capable of stable output of all video modes supported by the Apple IIGS including 640x200 SHR (Super High Res) with proprietary 16.36 MHz dot clock. The connecting monitor needs to be primarily compatible with 15kHz horizontal and can be a CRT or LCD screen. The Samsung SyncMaster 710N is well regarded as a good value LCD monitor that is compatible with the Apple IIGS VGA adapter.

Different Versions of the Apple IIGS VGA Adapter

The second revision is the version currently sold by ReActiveMicro of the Apple IIGS VGA Adapter. Shown on the left is version one and on the right is the final, second revision.

Apple IIGS VGA Adapters through the years:
The first production version. Green PCB.
The second production version. White PCB.

Documentation, Files, and Software

The Most Current Manual
Current VGA Adapter Manual - v1.0

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 == Different Versions of the Apple IIGS VGA Adapter ==
-The second revision is the version currently sold by ReActiveMicro of the Apple IIGS VGA Adapter.  Shown on the left is version one and on the right the final, second revision.
+The second revision is the version currently sold by ReActiveMicro of the Apple IIGS VGA Adapter.  Shown on the left is version one and on the right is the final, second revision.
 <gallery class="center" widths=300px caption="Apple IIGS VGA Adapters through the years:">