Hi,
Would appreciate your support on the following, as I am new to the NeXT world...
I recently purchased a NeXT Station mono (N1100). The usual story, I guess, that is: no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse... I am well aware the the computer is meant to connect to the megapixel display, and the keyboard/monitor connect there.
But what are my alternatives, if I dont want that clunky CRT monitor (that is also difficult to find in Europe).
1. The Universal Soundcard, as I understand, would allow me to connect a modern display/keyboard/mouse. If I manage to get my hands on one of them.
2. Anything I can do with the NeXT Soundbox (eg. N4004)? Does this work with the mono station, or only the Color/Turbo?
3. Other options?
Would really appreciate being guided to the correct direction, to make this baby come to life again. Thank you!
anyone? please... :-[
This should work if you have a multisync monitor that can handle the 68 Hz VSync frequency of the NeXT.
You need to build sort of a Y-cable that splits the Sub-D 19 port of the NeXT into a 19 pin connection to the soundbox and a monitor connector (e.g. VGA). The problem is finding 19 pin Sub-D connectors, these have not been made for several decades...
I can look up the required pinouts later.
You must have a soundbox or modern replacement. The NUIO has a vga splitter built in. For an original soundbox you will also need a y cable.
Hello 22: I have the Sound cards from Brian $199.95 and a NeXT Monitor Cable $69.95 and this device USB to NeXT for $55? makes it possible to connect USB keyboards to NeXT :) Best Regards Rob Blessinhttps://www.drakware.com/shop/p/nextusb Matt at Drakware says it is coming back in March.
Quote from: Rob Blessin Black Hole on February 06, 2024, 11:02:55 PMHello 22: I have the Sound cards from Brian $199.95 and a NeXT Monitor Cable $69.95 and this device USB to NeXT for $55? makes it possible to connect USB keyboards to NeXT :) Best Regards Rob Blessinhttps://www.drakware.com/shop/p/nextusb Matt at Drakware says it is coming back in March.
thanks Rob, highly appreciated. You should have a Direct Message from me now...
Dear Next members!
Last summer I managed to get a NextStation N1100 with keyboard and mouse. Unfortunately, the monitor had been scrapped.
I'd like to ask forum members for help in building a y cable to connect the keyboard and a regular monitor. I would like to know the assignment of the Dsub19 connector.
Thank You
Best Regards
Thomas
Quote from: tomcpu on October 17, 2024, 12:51:33 PMI would like to know the assignment of the Dsub19 connector.
The pinout can be found in the NetBSD NeXT port FAQ:
https://www.netbsd.org/ports/next68k/faq.html (
https://www.netbsd.org/ports/next68k/faq.html)
The NeXT monitor cable is a very strange DB19 connector. You won't find any of these outside for special order shops.
The cable, as seen from the back of the machine:
10 1
_________________________
\ o o o o o o o o o o /
\ o o o o o o o o o /
---------------------
19 11
1. +12V
2. -12V
3. MON CLK
4. MON DATA OUT
5. MON DATA IN
6. MON PWR SWITCH
7. NC
8. VSYNC
9. HSYNC
10. VIDEO
11. +12V
12. -12V
13. GND
14. GND
15. GND
16. GND
17. GND
18. GND
19. GND
Connecting video, hsync and vsync to a VGA LCD works if the 68 Hz refresh rate of the NeXT is supported. Momentarily connecting pin 6 to ground turns the machine on, but you'll need a sound box (or replacement) to connect a keyboard and mouse. Another problem is finding a DB19 connector that matches the NeXT, but cutting down a 25 pin connector works if you can't find a DB19.
Dear Cuby,
Thank you for your help, but I would like to ask one more question.
The video signal is 68hz frame rate, but what sync does it work with, vga standard, 31,5khz or other? and I assume monochrome? i.e. all three colours are receiving the same video signal?
Other, the keyboard connection, if it's through a monitor, which legs play a role in the allocation?
Thank You
Best Regards
Thomas
Quote from: tomcpu on October 18, 2024, 03:16:36 AMThe video signal is 68hz frame rate, but what sync does it work with, vga standard, 31,5khz or other?
Hm, I can't find the HSync rate. The NeXT displays 832 lines + vertical blanking (perhaps ~100 lines), so the HSync rate should be between ca. 55 and 65 kHz - about the same as XGA or 1152 x 864 VESA modes.
QuoteI assume monochrome? i.e. all three colours are receiving the same video signal?
The signal uses two bits grayscale, soldering R, G and B to the mono signal (use a 150 Ohm resistor between the output and the VGA plug).
QuoteOther, the keyboard connection, if it's through a monitor, which legs play a role in the allocation?
The monitor contains a microcontroller that translates the keyboard/mouse protocol into the NeXT-to-monitor protocol, which also carries sound to the speakers and from the microphone. An alternative, which was used with color NeXTs, is to use a soundbox. These are hard to find nowadays, but there are a number of replacement solutions available (though not cheap). Check the forums here for "soundbox replacement" or similar.
Dear Cuby and Barcher174!
Thanks for your help, everyone. For now I will try to get a video, buy a dsub19 and make the video cable. It will boost the project a lot once I can turn it on and see it give a picture. The keyboard and mouse solution seems complicated to me at the moment.
Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome and all the help. If I make progress I will post the results.
Thank You
Best Regards
Thomas