Commodore 1702 Video Monitor

This monitor was made to be coupled to the venerable Commodore 64 home computer.  While you could connect your C64 to your home TV (a function coming back to mainstream computers only relatively recently), you realize a better display hooking up to the 1702. 

The monitor produces a really high quality NTSC or PAL display, and I still use them to hook up video equipment.  It only has mono audio (of course all computers were mono then), and sports front and rear video inputs; one with separate Luma and Chroma inputs for S-video (after you solder the appropriate cable of course).  I also like that the monitor's neutral-ish colors (isn't as dated as a mid 80's TV should be), and the squarish shape means that you can stack 'em (which is good since they're pretty easy to find for about $2 at the thrift... um, I have quite a few).

Not only do I admire the high quality and longevity of this display, but it's also a reminder of a time when a single company could providing everything that you needed for your computing experience... and make it affordable to boot.

Comments

[Phill]

That was my nintendo monitor!

[JayP]

My dad bought me an 1802 monitor for my 128- and I'd used it as a second TV using a VCR as a tuner, played my Playstation on it.

I got it out of the attic to plug in my C64-DTV. I guess 5 years in the attic ate it up... and it make all kinds of noise, smoke and stench. :(

[Mike Heinz]

I think my mom still has one of those in her closet - until my dad died in '98 they were using my old C=64 to track his fuel taxes (truck driving is complicated...)

[gerald]

I used the _other_ C64 monitor of choice, the Amdek Color 1, all the way into grad-school in 94. It made an excellent TV monitor - it had much higher resolution than TV sets of the same vintage.
-gerald

This monitor was also sold as the Magnavox RGB-80. I actually found one of these at the thrift store new in the box for $5 a few years back.

By far the sharpest composite video picture I've ever seen on a monitor.

[bohus blahut]

The relationship must have continued as Magnavox made a lot of Amiga monitors as well. Toshiba made some models of Amiga branded displays too. Great image quality on those monitors as well as several inputs and outputs, and stereo!

1702 still wins on stackability. :)

[guust]

magnavox = philips
they make the best crt displays

[mario]

hi. i AM STILL USING THE COMMODORE 1702. IT IS STILL GOING STRONG AFTER 21 YEARS OF SERVICE!!
AFTER USING IT WITH MY SPECTRUM 128K, NOW I AM USING IT WITH MY SATELLITE RECEIVER !!
THE THINK I DONT HAVE IS A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF THE COMMODORE 1702.
THANKS

MARIO.

[blakespot]

I found a source for premade S-Video to separate chroma, luma on two RCA plugs. (Not easily found!)

http://www.bytecellar.com/archives/000091.php

[Unkle John]

My old man is still using this monitor hooked up to a VCR so he can record shows he missing while watching shows he missed on tape. Did that make sense?