Using NTSC computers Down Under??

Thread View: net.micro.atari8

2 messages

[T] Back to Threads [V] Tree View [G] Group Articles

2 total messages Started by Warren Long Thu, 27 Mar 1986 16:52

#84

Author: Warren Long
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1986 16:52

47 lines
2182 bytes

<line eater>


I have a friend who is going to Australia for his sabbatical.  He will
be taking a Macintosh with him.  Since the Macintosh has a built-in
monitor, and the power requirements are '120v, 50-60Hz', I assume that
he will be able to use the machine down under, if he uses a transformer.
The Macintosh should work with the 50 cycles.  Am I correct???

Part 2:

He also an Atari 800 which he will also be taking.  The problem is much
trickier:

    Using a TV:

	 -if he takes a standard colour TV, it will not work as a
	  TV cuz the broadcast companies use a different format.
	  PAL, I think, but different from Britain.
	 -it probably won't work as monitor for the computer using
	  the RF output, cuz the TV is designed to work on 60Hz,
	  not at 50Hz.
	 -if he buys an Australian TV it will most defineately not
	  accept the RF signal from the Atari.
         -I assume that if he takes a TV from here, that is capable
	  of using batteries, ie converts the AC to DC before using
	  it in any way, he should have no problems.  The TV however
	  will still be useless as a reciever of TV broadcasts.

    Using a monitor:

	 -if he takes a monitor(eg. green screen) and drives it with
	  the direct video signal, but has to plug it into 50Hz, will
	  it work??
	 -if he buys a monitor in Australia, will it work with the
	  signals that the Atari 800 puts out??
	 -is there an analog to the 'battery-driven' TV for monitors??


I am interested in any and all replies, comments, suggestions,

				 Thank you,


			   Warren Long
			   University of Saskatchewan
			   Canada

Re: Using NTSC computers Down Under??

#85

Author: Michael Fischer
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1986 10:44

16 lines
1385 bytes

,.
I have used North American computers overseas for several years in
varying conditions, with only failure a recent Macintosh power supply,
I assume is Mac's fault.  Otherwise performance was perfect.  I used
C<64, Vic-20, and Apple2+ with assorted NTST and PAL sets and composite
monitors.  NTST sets and monitors work fine, with a faint flicker in
Pakistan, but I think this was due to a 2hz sub-frequency on power
line. With PAL, the picture loses all color, and is rather squat, as
there are 625 scan lines on PAL and 525 on NTST, leaving a large blank
space at top and bottom.  Sound carriers on RF mod. vanish also.
However the B/W picture is sharp, if squat.  I don't know what RGB
would do.

Michael Fischer
Lecturer in Social Anthropology and Computing
seismo!mcvax!ukc!mf1

Thread Navigation

This is a paginated view of messages in the thread with full content displayed inline.

Messages are displayed in chronological order, with the original post highlighted in green.

Use pagination controls to navigate through all messages in large threads.

Back to All Threads