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Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!emory!gatech!mephisto.gatech.edu!ashwin
From: ashwin@gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.mac.hardware,rec.video
Subject: Computer and monitor for 220V/50Hz
Message-ID: <499@mephisto.edu>
Date: 26 Nov 90 18:12:49 GMT
Sender: news@gatech.edu
Reply-To: ashwin@cc.gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram)
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing
Lines: 33

I'm looking for a personal computer (preferably IBM PC, PC clone, or
Macintosh) and a corresponding monitor which I will be able to use both here
in the US (110V voltage, 60Hz line frequency, NTSC video format) as well as
in India (220V voltage, 50Hz line frequency, PAL video format (same as
Europe)).  I can buy a 220V->110V step down transformer if necessary, but of
course that will not convert the line frequency.

I saw a PC clone for sale which claimed to be "110/220V switchable" (no
mention of line frequency), which the saleman claimed would work fine.  Since
the video card is part of the machine, maybe that would also work.  However,
the salesman was less certain about the different video format and did not
know whether the Goldstar monitor that came with this machine would work with
the different supply (although the computer was switchable, the monitor did
not say it was).  I have not seen any Macintoshes with switchable 110/220V
inputs.

Does anyone know for certain whether these machines would work with a
220V/50Hz supply?  If so, what should I look out for to make sure I get a
configuration that will work?  Will the computer and monitor both work?

If not, can I buy the computer here and then hook up an Indian (or European)
monitor when I get to India?  Will I need a different video card?  Can I hook
it up to a TV set?  What other options do I have?

Any and all advice appreciated, especially from people who have successfully
(or unsuccessfully) tried this themselves.  Please e-mail me directly if you
can, although I will watch the net for replies as well.

Thanks a lot,

Ashwin Ram <ashwin@cc.gatech.edu>
College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0280