Summary of Video generator with PIC
This article describes repairing a vintage 1990s black and white monitor that requires specific sync and lighting signals rather than composite video. Since the host machine was unavailable, a custom pattern generator was needed. The author utilized a previously designed microPCB featuring a dsPIC30F3011 PIC microcontroller to generate the necessary video signals for testing and setting up the monitor.
Parts used in the Vintage Monitor Repair Project:
- Vintage black and white monitor (circa 1990)
- Pattern TV generator (producing composite video signal)
- dsPIC30F3011 PIC microcontroller
- MicroPCB (custom designed panel)
- GNU public Linux Geda sch and pcb design files
An black and white monitor needs to improve and repair from about 1990-th. The repair of device was not difficult but it caused troubles for the testing and setting of the monitor. We have a pattern TV generator, but this instrument are produce on the composite video signal for monitor. Unfortunately this monitor is demand not compozite signal instead of horizontal sync, vertical sync, and lightning signal. (video signal). Whereas the monitor host machine is not available – in fact I don”t know exactly what kind of equipment, perhaps a kind of mass spectrometer or something -, we need necessary a appropriate video signal source.
I had – in former project – a small microPCB with dsPIC30F3011 PIC. The plans are in GNU public Linux Geda sch and pcb and you can download zip from here, but who does not these programs below the picture on plan. I used this panel for simple pattern generator.
For more detail: Video generator with PIC
- Why was the standard pattern TV generator insufficient?
The instrument produced a composite video signal, but the monitor required separate horizontal sync, vertical sync, and lighting signals. - What specific signals did the monitor demand instead of composite video?
The monitor needed horizontal sync, vertical sync, and lighting signals along with the video signal. - Why was the host machine not available for testing?
The exact type of equipment, possibly a mass spectrometer, was unknown or unavailable. - What component was used to create the custom video signal source?
A small microPCB with a dsPIC30F3011 PIC microcontroller was used. - Where can the design plans for the microPCB be found?
The plans are available as GNU public Linux Geda sch and pcb files in a downloadable zip archive. - What function did the microPCB serve in this project?
It acted as a simple pattern generator to provide the necessary signals for the monitor. - Was the physical repair of the monitor difficult?
No, the repair of the device was not difficult, though testing caused troubles.
