Monitor Switch Box
23 messages in this thread
I have a number of video setups: FireCracker, Flicker Fixer, IBM VGA,
standard Amiga. It would be great if I could fix things so switching back
and forth would be easy. What I envision is, say, a four-position switch
box with, I suppose, lots of cables, and the DEB extender board to free the
video slot, thus allowing the FireCracker and the Flicker Fixer to
co-exist. Is this a reasonable scenario, and would Redmond Cable be the
best place to call for the cables and switch box? Also, I live far away
from most computer stores, but visiting Micro Center in Columbus some time
ago and asking about a switch box, I was informed not to buy one as there
would be too much interference. Is this a problem?
Don Weed
Donald,
Unfortunately, monitor switchboxes are a problem. I would not recommend
getting one.
I'm using an A2500 with a flickerFixer and 1950 monitor. I, too, wanted a
swicthbox. I went through two of them from Pre'Spect Technics and neither
worked properly, so I sent them back for a full refund. I then left a
message here and someone suggested Redmond Cable. I ordered a heavy-duty
two-position monitor switchbox from them and two custom cables. It was very
expensive; over $150. Redmond said part of the cost was due to the custom
cables that they made sure were properly shielded and buffered. When I got
the box, it worked very poorly. The FF output actually flickered with
colors such as yellow and purple. The RGB output was all washed out and
very ill-defined. The monitor controls couldn't improve it. I just sent it
back for a refund.
After again inquiring here just last week, the general consensus was that
there is no good monitor switchbox that works with the Amiga, so don't
waste your time looking. I've been looking for over five months and haven't
found one. If there were one, I would have it.
If by some chance, you discover one that does work, please let me know.
I've abandoned hope as of now.
I'm using a $13.00 switch box with no problems at all, even hoky cables
cause no problems. The only difference is I use the FFV, it co-habitates
with a noisy environment much better than the other two cards. FFV also has
no borders with even the $400 multisyncs.
PS. Thanks for the AD1012 lead, All this time I had MIDI/Music section
turned off in Whap! 🙂
Paul,
I'm glad you're getting the AD1012 info now.
I guess the FFV makes the difference. Denny Atkin and others couldn't find
a box to work with the FF either.
Dom Fontana
Dom,
I'm using a switch box on my 3000 — connected to my 1950 and to a HAM-E.
Works flawlessly.
Steve,
Well, that's 2 out of 3 that do work. Someone else is successfully using a
switch box with Flicker Free Video, and you're using one with the CBM
de-interlacer.
Unfortunately, myself and the gentleman who asked the prior question,
can't find a box to work with the flickerFixer.
Also, please keep me posted about your efforts to get Whap! to work with
the AE DataLink 2000 internal modem. After your desk arrives and you're
ready to look into it, let me know. I'm very anxious to use Whap! and can't
do so unless you change the code, or I get another modem.
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
There are hundreds of flickerFixer users using ordinary switchboxes; your
problem lies elsewhere. Please call MicroWay tech support for help with
any problems with the flickerFixer. Peter.
Peter,
I don't think the problem is with the flickerFixer, but with the
switchboxes I've been getting. The FF works perfectly without a switchbox.
Also, even the RGB output didn't work properly with any of the switchboxes.
Furthermore, Denny Atkin and some other users with the FF have reported the
same problem with switch boxes and have given up hope.
The problem may lie with the monitor that's used and I don't see how
Microway can help with that, but I'll give them another call anyway.
Dom Fontana
Dom,
Actually, it sounds to me like you just need to tweak the adjustment on
your flickerFixer–the artifacts you described sounded like what I saw when
my FF was out of adjustment.
The problem I had with a switchcable was a blurred picture.
Denny, Tweaking the FF wouldn't account for the horrible picture I also got
through the RGB port with a switchbox. Also, why would tweaking be
necessary when I get a perfect FF picture without the switchbox?
Dom Fontana
Steve, I will be purchasing a multisync monitor for my A3000 and will be
looking for a switchbox for the HAM-E. Where did you get yours?
Chris,
I got mine from my local dealer — it's called the Computer Multiport Data
Switch -then there's some stylized writing on it that I can't make out —
looks like PMS II.
Steve,
Just for the record, the Computer Multiport Data Switch is the one I got
from Redmond Cable together with 2 custom cables, to hook up my FF and RGB
port to the 1950 monitor. It didn't work so I sent it back.
Since others had used this switch box successfully, what else in my system
could have caused it not to work properly?
By the way, I faxed a message to John Stephen, the author of the AE Fax
software. He might be contacting you to see if he can change the device
driver of the DataLink 2000 modem, to get it to work with Whap! I hope you
don't mind that I mentioned your name.
Dom Fontana
Dom,
I've got 2 Multiports — one for the monitor/ham-e one for the serial port
(9600 modem/ClickFax). Both work flawlessly.
Ok on Stephen — he can contact me here directly or thru internet or, if
needed, I'll give you my phone number to pass onto him.
Thanks Steve. I'll get in touch with Redmond Cable on Monday. BTW – I ended
up ordering a Sony 1302 from an area Amiga dealer ($575 for CRT plus VGA
cable and shipping). That after days of shuffling through Computer Shopper,
only to find that the kind of multisync *I* require is not a very common
animal; It seems most monitors begin scanning at 30KHz. I think we should
start asking our Amiga-zines to start publishing reviews and evaluations of
CRTs.
"I think we should start asking our Amiga-zines to start publishing reviews
and evaluations of CRTs."
Chris:
I believe that AmigaWorld is working on just such an articel right now. If
you have any input you'd like to share, be sure to drop them a line.
Michael
….from the north coast
Thanks for the tip.
Christopher,
Hi. I believe you're going to order a monitor switchbox from Redmond
Cable. I wish you luck and I hope it works. Many of the users here have had
luck with the Redmond box. However, I also ordered the box from Redmond,
and I guess I was one of the few people it didn't work for, so I sent it
back.
Could you please leave a message here after you get it to advise if it
worked for you.
Thanks.
Dom Fontana
Sure.. I've got the Sony 1302 now, but in addition to the VDE-VGA cable, my
dealer also threw in a 23-pin RGB to VGA 15-pin cable, so I will probably
ONLY order the switchbox.. sans any cables. How many pins did the
connectors on your switchbox have?
Christopher,
They were all 15-pin connectors. I got special cables from Redmond since I
had been having so much trouble. The cables were buffered and shielded. One
was a 23 pin to 15 pin for the RGB port. One was a 9 pin to 15 pin for the
flickerFixer. The 1950 monitor cable plugged right into the box without an
adaptor. As I mentioned, I got unacceptable output from both the FF and RGB
ports, so I sent it back.
Dom Fontana
WOW! You have had BAD LUCK! Now I have had NO such similar problem. For
several years now (about 5) I have always had 2 Amigas on my desk and only
one monitor. Originally I had 2 1000s, my machine and the BBS machine. I
used a simple A-B switch box, it cost maybe $25. Then I got a 2000 with a
Flicker Fixer so that machine had 2 outputs. I went to my computer store
and bought a 4 position switch box. Both boxes just had a bunch of DB-25
connectors on their backs and I just plugged in the proper cables and went
on my way. There a a simple 25 conductor $5-10 cable from the box to the
DiamondScan and all the cables that WOULD have plugged into the monitor,
coming from the compter, just plugged into the box. No muss, no fuss and
NEVER a problem (well… actually, just about the time I was going to the 4
position box, one of the switches on the 2 position got a bit flakey). I
guess my cheapie boxes were never told they were supposed to be difficult
:-)…. Just lucky I guess, twice….
– via Whap!
J.,
I have had a tremendous amount of bad luck LATELY. I got my first Amiga in
1988 and never had any problems until a few months ago. I have always taken
care of the computer and peripherals, placing them on a computer hutch, all
with dustcovers, and all plugged into the
MasterPiece Plus surge and spike protector. I recently had the latest 6.2
motherboard installed free by a CBM service center. The point is that I've
doing nothing wrong and my equipment is in good shape. For some unknown
reason I've just been having problems with various peripherals, that have
worked for other users.
The only different part of the equation concerning the switch box is
you're using a DiamondScan monitor and I'm using the CBM 1950 monitor.
Maybe it's the monitor that's causing the trouble.
I don't know if you're lucky or I'm just unlucky.
Regards,
Dom Fontana
Wow! I didn't expect such a bad prospect for solving this problem. I see
there are other replies on this thread, so I hope someone knows a solution
for both of us. Thanks for the warning!
Don Weed