Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!dcs4
From: DCS4@psuvm.psu.edu (Dave Shaffer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: VCR as RF modulator report
Message-ID: <91037.132152DCS4@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 6 Feb 91 18:21:52 GMT
Organization: Penn State University
Lines: 28

Based on some suggestions obtained from responses to a question in a
previous post to comp.sys.apple2, I tried using my VCR as a radio
frequency (RF) modulator to connect my color TV as a monitor to my
Apple IIe. It worked fine; here's my report:

I've had the Apple for a couple of years, and I use it primarily as a
convenient home terminal to a mainframe. Equipped with a modem and an
apple monochrome (green) screen, it has worked just fine.

But -- my daughter is seven, and enjoys using the IIe for a variety of
educational computer games. I wondered if any of her programs would
support color, but had no RF modulator to connect the IIe to our color
TV as a test.

The suggestion to use the VCR was a good one -- I patched the video
out from the IIe to the video in port on the VCR; turned the TV, VCR,
and computer on; set the TV to the correct channel and there it was!

I don't intend to keep the temporary patch connected, as the TV and
the IIe are on opposite sides of the living room and will probably
stay that way. But the VCR suggestion did give us the chance to "test
drive" a color monitor. Now that we've seen the results (and if my
daughter has her way!) we'll be looking for a low-cost color monitor
for the IIe. As for me, the color screen handled 40-column text well,
but 80-column was a problem. I'll stick with the Apple monitor.

Thanks to those who made the suggestion. I posted the results as an
informational item for anyone who might be interested.