SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab

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Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: nextchef on October 03, 2006, 05:49:46 PM
Does anyone see any problem with doing this?  I know that the multilink adapter box is good at translating vga signals, but do you think it will work.  I have the proper 13w3 adapter to attach to the monitor cable to make it VGA, but I do not want to damage my SGI flatpanel in the process.

Thanks,

Chef
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: brams on October 04, 2006, 12:06:49 AM
I don't think you'd damage it, but does that monitor support SOG?.  You might need to make a sync seperator using a Nat Semi LM1881 IC.
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: nextchef on October 04, 2006, 08:19:30 AM
I am not sure.  This page on SGI.com says that "There is no support for the Sun timing mode in the MultiLink adapter box".  Does Sun do composite sync or SOG.

http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/multilink/faq.html

Chef
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: brams on October 04, 2006, 08:46:49 AM
Quote from: "nextchef"I am not sure.  This page on SGI.com says that "There is no support for the Sun timing mode in the MultiLink adapter box".  Does Sun do composite sync or SOG.

http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/multilink/faq.html

Chef

Sun does seperate sync I think, it may also so c-sync (which is the two signals combined and the same thing that's combined with green on the NeXT)

Not sure but I think some Sun graphics adaptors (Creator 3d) might also have SOG.  You usually find that if a monitor requires seperate sync, the job can be done by attaching c sync from the video out to h sync on the monitor, at best it'll ignore the v sync that in there at worst it just won't work, the best bet is make an LM1881 adaptor, it's easy if you can solder and costs about 4 bucks.
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: kenjay on October 04, 2006, 10:45:53 AM
I have tried this set-up on Dimensions and Color Slabs and it does NOT work.
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: nextchef on October 04, 2006, 01:52:07 PM
Quote from: "kenjay"I have tried this set-up on Dimensions and Color Slabs and it does NOT work.

Thanks for the clarification.  I was hoping someone else had tried this.

Chef
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: brams on October 04, 2006, 02:01:51 PM
I think if you consider the fact that in essence the multi link is virtually an SVGA monitor (without a screen, which is what the 1600SW does) in itself which does not support SOG, then it become apparent that if you made up a SOG seperator circuit, that logically if that adaptor worked on a normal SVGA monitor that does not support SOG, then it should also work with the multi link, as long as the resolutions/timing are supported by the 1600SW.

For the sake of 4 bucks, it's at least worth having a go.  Can you solder?
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: nextchef on October 04, 2006, 02:06:09 PM
Quote from: "brams"I think if you consider the fact that in essence the multi link is virtually an SVGA monitor (without a screen, which is what the 1600SW does) in itself which does not support SOG, then it become apparent that if you made up a SOG seperator circuit, that logically if that adaptor worked on a normal SVGA monitor that does not support SOG, then it should also work with the multi link, as long as the resolutions/timing are supported by the 1600SW.

For the sake of 4 bucks, it's at least worth having a go.  Can you solder?

Depends on how neat it has to be.  I have replaced ends on cables, or made simple "circuits" with wire and 9v batteries to put LED lamps in bottles, but that is about it.

Chef
Title: SGI 1600sw + multilink on a NeXT Color slab
Post by: brams on October 04, 2006, 02:24:43 PM
Quote from: "nextchef"
Quote from: "brams"I think if you consider the fact that in essence the multi link is virtually an SVGA monitor (without a screen, which is what the 1600SW does) in itself which does not support SOG, then it become apparent that if you made up a SOG seperator circuit, that logically if that adaptor worked on a normal SVGA monitor that does not support SOG, then it should also work with the multi link, as long as the resolutions/timing are supported by the 1600SW.

For the sake of 4 bucks, it's at least worth having a go.  Can you solder?

Depends on how neat it has to be.  I have replaced ends on cables, or made simple "circuits" with wire and 9v batteries to put LED lamps in bottles, but that is about it.

Chef

Well I used a Belkin SVGA extender, cut the end off I didn't need and then soldered a 13w3 on the the RGB wires, the LM1881 is so small it fits in the shell.  I had to run a Molex Y cable out one of the holes at the back with ground & 5v to power the IC.  I used female and male phono jack so I can unplug if I want.  Works great with the horrible beige CTX monitor I borrowed from work.  Does not work with the POS Viewsonic VP171-b I have, god damn thing, what pisses me off is that somebody else on the old forum had a VP171b working on a slab.  Sure the damn thing works on my cube but I can't remember as I have a Viewsonic at home in UK as well.

There is a thread I started the tells you how I made it.  Took about an hour, using the docs of Nat Semi's website.  You need a couple of caps and a couple of resistors as well.

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