Noob tech question

[Lance Boyle]

What would be the most reliable, cheap, input-lag-free adapter solution for using my CRT television as a computer monitor, for MAME purposes?

Sorry if this question is confusingly worded. I Googled around a bit but nothing I found related to the critical issue of input lag.

[JGcontraman]

You couldn't find anything on eBay? Well I remember shopping at radioshack the other day and got an excellent gamepad for 10 bucks. Check that place out. Bestbuy, staples, PC richard and son, and compusa are also worth a good look around. Stuff is on sale every now and then especially.

[Ex-Cyber]

For something like this, you really need to mention what inputs your TV has.

[Lance Boyle]

For something like this, you really need to mention what inputs your TV has.

Whoops.

It only has an antenna input, as it's fairly old.

[gct]

Oh my goodness. Firstly I would recommend going to the flea markets or pawn shops and getting a new CRT, something with S-video inputs at least. I dare say antenna would look even worse than whatever monitor you are using on your computer.

Once you have a more decent CRT then you just need a video card with TV-out. My old Nvidia 9600GT could do S-video and component, and I think some models below that could as well.

[Pixel_Outlaw]

There is a bit of a problem with quality here.

First, that kind of connection can be done.

ASSUMING YOUR COMPUTER uses VGA video output. If not ignore ALL the following.

Before I go into that there is something that you should know. Computers these days usually run in higher resolutions than older CRT televisions. Because of this, the picture will be very very blurry and the text - almost unreadable. This is because older CRT televisions only have 480 lines of resolution. Most Windows computers run A MINIMUM of 480 lines of resolution in 640x480 mode if even that (some new computers only support 800x600 and up!).

IF you are willing to accept unreadable text and distorted colors you can purchase a converter box on ebay. They take a VGA signal and output analog. I have one that outputs composite video (the yellow RCA cable) and also S-Video (4 pin black plug). Now let me say that MAME games look OKish and text is readable (because they are low resolution being stretched to play on the computer).

There will be some quality loss but this is an OK solution. DO NOT expect to use the older CRT television for anything like word processing.

My little converter does not output to the screw on cable like you need (RF connector) but it shows a proof of concept.
Understand that the connector type you are looking to convert to is the worst quality signal type for the lowest quality signal.
There is a work around however. Some old VCRs have what is called an RF modulator inside them. If you have a vcr with one of those you can use my adapter pictured below, connect it to the VCR, then output that to the RF connector on the TV via the RF modulator inside the VCR.

If you can get a converter for cheap you might give it a try. Just don't expect the screen to be a crystal sharp picture.
Think more along the lines of Atari 2600 color bleeding.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 7910bfc3f1

Keep in mind that your final signal will look like something on the left of this picture...
http://retrothing.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8 ... 970c-800wi

Let me give you one last piece of advice.
You will see many cables from China on eBay that claim to do what you want BUT they will not work.
The conversion actually requires a computer chip, so you are looking for a converter BOX rather than just a simple cable.

Some graphics cards will also do what you want but it can be confusing to get the right one. Some only ourput parts of the computer screen which is undesirable if you want to output MAME.

Here is a converter box for cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-TV-VGA-PC- ... 765wt_1137

Now you have to convert that video type to RF through an RF modulator. For an RF modulator, you can either purchase an RF Modulator or use an old VCR that has one built in.

Then you connect the output of that to the proper connector (RF has a few different types but you probably have the screw on or twin lead).

Hope that helps. If you have further questions I will help. I got a bit long winded there.

[Leader Bee]

Sorry, another nooby question but WHY would anyone want to use a CRT when they have a perfectly good computer monitor already?

[Obiwanshinobi]

Sorry, another nooby question but WHY would anyone want to use a CRT when they have a perfectly good computer monitor already?

Low resolutions look bad on LCDs and input lag is greater. That being said, what you need for your PC as a truly universal display is a CRT PC monitor. What you need for your sub-HD consoles is a CRT TV with a component or SCART (RGB) input (and of course proper cables for everything). I don't know about any hassle-free method of reducing the lot down to just one cathode ray tube. I say get yourself a pair of CRTs while ther're still around. The gaming is going to be screwed up in this department for a little bit longer (no worthy descendant of CRT is to be seen anywhere near marketplace; the LCD production lines must be milked good before they are put to rest).

[ZOM]

Soft 15kHz and a CRT with S-Video input is all you need; the perfect solution, as long as your videocard is supported by Soft 15kHz.

The other way would be to hunt down a downconverter like the Extron Emotia family and similar, but I really recommend to try out the above solution first, since there's less tech-involvment/less prerequisites like special cabling and the like.