retrotechlab.com – All Things retro

So after recently referbishing my old Commodore Amiga 500 and relising that the image produced on my LCD TV from the Amigas output was not particulary clear. I decided to investigate why. I’ve always remembered the Amiga to have a very clear tv image. But the last time I used an amiga was many years before LCD tvs were even available. There are ways to improve the look of older machines on newer TVs with the likes of scan doubles etc. But after days of reading blogs and forums and looking at youtube videos, I concluded that the cheapest and most authentic way of using my amiga would be to resort to a CRT or Cathode Ray Tube monitor. The monitor that was very popular when sold as new and still the most popular in the retro computer communty is the Philips CM8833-ii. So whats the best all round CRT Screen for Retro Gaming, vintage consoles and computers? Without a doubt the best and most versatile CRT Screen/Monitor is the Philips CM8833-ii. A crystal clear image from an analogue RGB or composite input with built in speakers. It has a Horizontal scan rate of 15.625 KHz and a vertical scan rate of 47-62.5 Hz with a pixel resolution of 640 x 256. Continue reading to discover why; The CM 8833/11 is a versatile multipurpose 14-inch colour monitor that offers excellent colour graphics performance for a wide range of home and personal computers, including Atari ST and Commodore Amiga. This model has built-in stereo loudspeakers, and can be used as a video monitor with a VCR, camcorder or TV tuner. The CM 8833/11 can also be used as a CGA colour monitor with IBM PC compatible computers. Resolution 640 dots (horizontal) x 285 lines (vertical)Versatile colour monitor for IBM PC compatibles and computers with analog video outputTTL-digital and RGB-analog computer input signalsCVBS input for video signalsStereo sound with earphone socketDark glass screenHigh-resolution video monitor, also suitable for use with VCR, camcorder, TV tuner or laptop computerText switch for optimum text display What Kind of Picture Quality Does a Philips CM8833-ii Have? You will see a massive improvement in picture quality from using a CRT TV with RF or Composite video to using this monitores RGB input. Commodore 64 Image on a Philips CM8833-ii Atari ST Image on a Philips CM8833-ii Is the Philips 8833 mk2 much better than the mk1? Where to find rgb cable for Phillips CM8833-II Technical SpecificationsCRT14 inch/36 cm, 90°Tube typeSlotted dark glass, 46% light transmissionCRT pitch0.42 mmCabinet colour Input signals:BeigeRGB-analog9-pin D-shell connectorRGBI-TTL9-pin D-shell connectorFast blankingPin 6 of 9-pin D-shell connectorCVBSCinch connector with automatic VCR switchAudio (stereo) channels No. of colours:Cinch connectors for left and rightRGB-analogAllRGBI-TTL16CVBSAllBandwidth at -3 dB> 6.5 MHzHorizontal resolution640 dotsVertical resolution285 linesLine frequency15.6 kHzFrame frequency50/60 HzNo. of characters12000 What Connections and Controls does the Philips CM8833-ii have on the Back? The rear of the case contains: 3 Pin Power InletHorizantal Size Control for Ajusting the width of the imageVertical SizeVertical ShiftAnalogue/TTL SwitchRGB Input (9 pin D-type)Composite VideoAudio in Philips CM8833-ii Rear Connections and Controls What Computers will the Philips CM8833-ii work with? There are many vintage computers compatable with this monitor. Basically any computer with a composite or RGB output. Some of the compatable systems Commodore 64Commodore 128Commodore 16ZX Spectrum 128Commodore Amiga 500Commodore Amiga 500 PlusCommodore Amiga 600Commodore Amiga 1200Commodore Amiga 1000Commodore Amiga 1500Commodore Amiga 2000Commodore Amiga 3000Commodore Amiga 4000Atari 520STFAtari 520 STFMAtari 520 STEAtari 1040 STFMAtari 1040 STE What Consoles with the Philips CM8833-ii work with? Nearly all old games consoles with an RGB or Composite output will work with this monitor. Sega Master SystemSega GenesisSega MegadriveSega SaturnSega DreamcastNintendo Entertainment SystemNintendo FamicomNintendo 64Nintendo GamecubeNintendo WiiAtari 2600 Where can I Buy one? The best place to get one in good condition is still Ebay, click the following link to look on EBAY: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Philips+CM8833&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=Philips+CM8833-ii

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