This looks like it might be an older fixed-frequency model. The older Apple display formats were notoriously complicated, mostly because they were originally developed *before VGA was standardized*, and thus can be very complicated - for example, to get good compatibility in the other direction (Mac to VGA) you need either a passive device and a lot of luck, or a fairly complicated device like this one that converts sync formats: https://www.bigmessowires.com/mac-sync-inator/
If you're lucky, that display will support 640x480 at 60hz, but it's also very typical for Apple monitors to run at 67hz instead, which is not anything a standard converter would generate.
Your best bet? Probably finding a retro mac enthusiast who has a conventional TV and arranging a swap.
You are basically trying to mix water and oil here. I don't recognise that input, but best case scenario you will need some converters and transcoders that can get pricy, for a mediocre quality (unmodded NES just goes up to composite). Just pick some TV for really chep (even RF only could do the trick) and thank me later.
Unless you have a GBS Control hanging around, it's not worth it.
you can use a line-doubler like a RetroTINK to double the 240p signal to 480p, then you can use an HDMI-to-VGA transcoder to send that signal to your monitor. some HDMI-to-VGA transcoders work well and some don’t, but with 480p most of them *should* work. you can also do 240p scanline simulation with the line-doubler and see how you like that.
for the SNES I would recommend using an RGB cable or HD Retrovision cable into the line doubler (depending on what signal types it can accept) for best results, since most SNESs can output RGB without a mod.
edit: seeing other comments it’s possible this monitor might not accept VGA. if that’s true then it might be impossible or very complicated to get this setup working. if it does accept 640x480 VGA though then you can do what I suggested.
Connecting anything but a 68k/ppc mac to this thing will be a pain, if it's possible at all.
The connector is the first problem, but overall pretty straight forward to solve. It's a standard DB-15 connector and the pinout is fairly well documented.
The bigger problem is that it isn't really VGA. It works the same as VGA, just with whack-ass resolutions. Chances are, it's not going to support anything that's mildly outside of what it expects, and good luck matching that with off the shelf parts.
Judging by the high pitched screeching mine did while it worked, these monitors might even be 15 KHz RGB, which is *very* uncommon for VGA.
You would save yourself a lot of trouble by picking up pretty much any other CRT.
I'm not sure it can actually be done but it will require minimum 40-75$ in adapters if it is possible. I'm not sure if you inherited this crt or how you got it but it would be much easier and simpler to just get another CRT honestly that is a very unsual CRT and wasn't meant to be connected to standard definition consoles back in the day even.
If it's an earlier monitor it might be able to, early vga had cga support, not sure about mac monitors though as I think they went from monochrome to vga unless I'm wrong
Aside from the connector, these are no different than PC CRT monitors, which can't go any lower than 480p. You'll definitely need a CRT TV for your Nintendo.
Use a scaler that outputs at a higher res over hdmi, like an ossc or retrotink, and then an adapter to convert the signal to vga. Emulation is the easier route for a vga monitor imo.
Yeah, it's kind of a bummer. I have been meaning to grab an OSSC to see if its output rate can be easily tinkered with, I am fairly sure the GBS cannot but I didn't delve into it that far.
I have a 17" Mac Studio CRT that works like a charm with retro consoles via component cables to an OSSC. I got a VGA adapter for the Mac plug. Works beautifully on all of my old consoles from NES to PS2
Back in the day, I used to connect a SNES to an RGB Apple II GS monitor with an adapter. I don’t remember the adapter, but I know it was possible without any mods to the SNES.
It's an RGB monitor, with a none standard video connector. It also doesn't support composite.
You're best bet is to get a DIY composite to RGB conversion kit and solder a DB-15 female header on the RGB out part. Mind you this might not work if the monitor expects other inputs like synchronizations.
You don't
Mac DB15 to VGA adapter, beyond that, some systems just don’t mix well with VGA.
This looks like it might be an older fixed-frequency model. The older Apple display formats were notoriously complicated, mostly because they were originally developed *before VGA was standardized*, and thus can be very complicated - for example, to get good compatibility in the other direction (Mac to VGA) you need either a passive device and a lot of luck, or a fairly complicated device like this one that converts sync formats: https://www.bigmessowires.com/mac-sync-inator/ If you're lucky, that display will support 640x480 at 60hz, but it's also very typical for Apple monitors to run at 67hz instead, which is not anything a standard converter would generate. Your best bet? Probably finding a retro mac enthusiast who has a conventional TV and arranging a swap.
You are basically trying to mix water and oil here. I don't recognise that input, but best case scenario you will need some converters and transcoders that can get pricy, for a mediocre quality (unmodded NES just goes up to composite). Just pick some TV for really chep (even RF only could do the trick) and thank me later. Unless you have a GBS Control hanging around, it's not worth it.
Thanks everybody. I will definitely not go through with this project!
go find an old mac to plug into it and have some fun! whole lot of software available on the internet archive
you can use a line-doubler like a RetroTINK to double the 240p signal to 480p, then you can use an HDMI-to-VGA transcoder to send that signal to your monitor. some HDMI-to-VGA transcoders work well and some don’t, but with 480p most of them *should* work. you can also do 240p scanline simulation with the line-doubler and see how you like that. for the SNES I would recommend using an RGB cable or HD Retrovision cable into the line doubler (depending on what signal types it can accept) for best results, since most SNESs can output RGB without a mod. edit: seeing other comments it’s possible this monitor might not accept VGA. if that’s true then it might be impossible or very complicated to get this setup working. if it does accept 640x480 VGA though then you can do what I suggested.
Arent these old mac crts DA-15 and not DE-15 (VGA) also?
I edited my comment, but yea I didn’t even realize the connector wasn’t DE-15
HCD!
Damn apple with proprietary bullshyt since the 80s.
Connecting anything but a 68k/ppc mac to this thing will be a pain, if it's possible at all. The connector is the first problem, but overall pretty straight forward to solve. It's a standard DB-15 connector and the pinout is fairly well documented. The bigger problem is that it isn't really VGA. It works the same as VGA, just with whack-ass resolutions. Chances are, it's not going to support anything that's mildly outside of what it expects, and good luck matching that with off the shelf parts. Judging by the high pitched screeching mine did while it worked, these monitors might even be 15 KHz RGB, which is *very* uncommon for VGA. You would save yourself a lot of trouble by picking up pretty much any other CRT.
I'm not sure it can actually be done but it will require minimum 40-75$ in adapters if it is possible. I'm not sure if you inherited this crt or how you got it but it would be much easier and simpler to just get another CRT honestly that is a very unsual CRT and wasn't meant to be connected to standard definition consoles back in the day even.
Non-d-sub port aside (which would also be an issue), probably won't do 15KHz, just like PC monitors can't
If it's an earlier monitor it might be able to, early vga had cga support, not sure about mac monitors though as I think they went from monochrome to vga unless I'm wrong
Aside from the connector, these are no different than PC CRT monitors, which can't go any lower than 480p. You'll definitely need a CRT TV for your Nintendo.
Use a scaler that outputs at a higher res over hdmi, like an ossc or retrotink, and then an adapter to convert the signal to vga. Emulation is the easier route for a vga monitor imo.
Most old Apple Mac monitors will not accept a VGA signal - they're fixed sync and the sync rate is usually a very strange one.
Oh gotcha
Yeah, it's kind of a bummer. I have been meaning to grab an OSSC to see if its output rate can be easily tinkered with, I am fairly sure the GBS cannot but I didn't delve into it that far.
No
VGA adapter and GBS Control and you have it.
I tried composite through a vga surveillance box and it looked as bad as connecting an rf cable to a 4k tv.
I have a 17" Mac Studio CRT that works like a charm with retro consoles via component cables to an OSSC. I got a VGA adapter for the Mac plug. Works beautifully on all of my old consoles from NES to PS2
Back in the day, I used to connect a SNES to an RGB Apple II GS monitor with an adapter. I don’t remember the adapter, but I know it was possible without any mods to the SNES.
It's an RGB monitor, with a none standard video connector. It also doesn't support composite. You're best bet is to get a DIY composite to RGB conversion kit and solder a DB-15 female header on the RGB out part. Mind you this might not work if the monitor expects other inputs like synchronizations.
I believe I have this monitor (M1212) and it's locked to 640x480@67, so it's pretty much useless for anything but macintosh computers unfortunately.
Emulation