On Sun, May 19, 2024 at 06:59:50AM -0500, Will Cooke via cctalk wrote: > I have a couple of 70s/80s "home" computers (e.g. Radio Shack Color Computer) > that are intended to connect to a TV set. They don't have easily available > composite video, even internally, only modulated RF output. Currently I have > an old CRT TV that I use with them, but for various reasons that isn't > practical long-term. > > Does anyone know of a small TV tuner that tunes old analog TV channels (US > NTSC) and outputs composite or VGA or HDMI signals? I've looked around a bit > but haven't found anything. It's relatively easy to build one, but I would > prefer a pre-built solution. And I'm sure others have run into this same > problem.
Nothing small. I've had tuner boxes in the past that were as large as a VCR. I also have used a VCR to do the function you are asking about. Surely an ancient used VCR would be the absolute cheapest solution. NTSC Tuner boxes are a niche item, and exist, but are _expensive_. The same with video demodulators, they exist, but are very pricey. The retro-home computer community has come through alot with hardware to get something more modern for video output on these old computers. Ie. https://coco3.org/ mentions several FPGA projects to plug into the computer to get modern video out. I'm eyeing a https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/a2fpga-multicard/ for my Apple ][ The main problem with the hobiest hardware, is that they only do small batches, and have to get enough orders together to make it worthwhile to do another run. So you may have to wait a very long time. Sometimes you can find these used on eBay (for outrageous prices, but such is the nature). But as you've seen, alot of these are open-hardware, so people can do it themselves with enough traction behind it. Print-to-order PCBs are super cheap. Electronics parts can be expensive, but thats what makes these small hobbiest boards expensive, that they don't get to order the big chips in batches of 10,000 to get a good price.
