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TRS-80 CoCo 1 "To TV" Cable

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Joel Dare

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Dec 23, 2004, 9:50:52 PM12/23/04
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Hi,

I purchased a TRS-80 Color Computer 1 on eBay. I connected it to a
newish TV with an RCA video cable. This didn't work (I get some
flashing/moving colors, but not the green screen I expected).

Is the unit bad, or do I need a special kind of cable setup?
.
.
Thanks,
Joel

NSM

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Dec 23, 2004, 10:14:57 PM12/23/04
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"Joel Dare" <goo...@joeldare.com> wrote in message
news:1103856652.4...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

A Coco 1 outputs RF on Channel 3 or 4 only. You cannot connect to a video
input connector (RCA jack - usually yellow). Best bet is to get an adaptor
from RCA to Cablevision and use an RCA cable from the dollar store.

N


j.b.

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Dec 23, 2004, 10:41:22 PM12/23/04
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"Joel Dare" <goo...@joeldare.com> wrote in message
news:1103856652.4...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

The coco 1 outputs a channel 3 or 4 RF signal that needs to fed to the
antenna so the tuner can convert it back to video, To display it get a TV
switchbox (try RS or your local game shop) to connect it to your antenna
input on the TV

YMMV


Kelli Halliburton

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Dec 24, 2004, 1:35:41 PM12/24/04
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Apparently he already has the RCA cable.

What is needed is an adapter that accepts a male RCA plug and plugs into
an F-type jack. The push-on F-type connector is much preferred over
the screw-on type for this sort of use, as it can be quickly and easily
removed.

As other people have noted, if you wish to be able to switch between
viewing your CoCo's output and viewing regular broadcasting, you will need
a switchbox. Old switchboxes used 300-ohm twin-lead connections -- the
twin leads that extended from the box were to be connected to the TV's
screw-down junctions, and the twin leads from the antenna connected to the
screw-down junctions on the switchbox itself. The switchbox also featured
an RCA jack that accepted the cord from the CoCo without need for an
adapter.

Newer switchboxes feature 75-ohm F-type connectors, for connecting to
cable TV systems and newer TVs. These newer switchboxes generally still
have an RCA jack to accept the cord from the CoCo, but they are more
suited to today's equipment and do not require the various 75/300-ohm
adapter pieces that the older switchboxes need.

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