Finding a screen for your Hydra (If you're new to the Hydra, read this!)
Spork Frog
Posts: 212
(NOTE: This information will be most useful to Hydra users residing in the US, but still may be informative to people in other places as well.)
FINDING A SCREEN FOR YOUR HYDRA
A short guide
A question many people new to the Hydra tend to think and ask is, "What kind of screen should I get for my Hydra?" You're not alone, and there's lots of options out there.
As is fairly well-known, the Hydra has the ability to output two types of video -- VGA and Composite. Most of the developers here tend to use composite due to its slightly looser timing requirements and in general being able to do more in a single frame; one can fit many more instructions in between WAITVID instructions in Composite type video versus NTSC. However, for the sake of a complete guide, I will outline both.
TRADITOINAL TV MONITORS
TV sets are becoming easier and easier to find now as time goes on. After the digital transition that occurred in the US in June 2009, many people are getting rid of some extra TV's in their homes -- be it a TV in the kitchen or bedroom, as they no longer work without a converter box. Thus, many families are simply getting rid of their old TV's, usually donating them to charities or selling them off at garage sales.
Garage sales are probably the better chance you will have for several reasons. First, you are buying straight from the seller, and you can ask them confidently whether the TV is in good working order. Second, the price is usually lower, as it not has been marked up again by a thrift shop or pawn shop. Look around in your area, and keep looking; with enough persistence, you will probably find a TV for a decent price. I got a 10" TV (which fits nicely on my computer desk) in perfectly good working order for just $3. Thrift stores and pawn shops are also another viable option, if you're willing to spend a little more money.
Also an option are LCD screens designed for various portable devices. Many portable DVD players will often take an external input, giving a nice compact screen that's usually decent quality. A search for "portable dvd parts" on eBay will return many results, and most players commonly simply have bad drive mechanics, and the LCD itself still functions fine. There also exist screens that are designed to clip to the exterior of game console systems. Sony-brand screens designed for the PS1 are reportedly some of the best quality, but there are many options out there -- even more if you're willing to do a little hardware hacking.
VGA MONITORS
VGA monitors are certainly the easier of the two to find. Many people are ditching their old tube-based VGA monitors in favor of more space-saving and power efficient LCD monitors. As people replace, the old monitor is generally thrown out. If you have space for a tube-style monitor, then you'll probably be able to find one for free -- There are usually several posts per day in the "free" section of Craigslist advertising for old computer monitors. Otherwise, ask some close friends and family if they have any extra.
LCD-type monitors with VGA input also work fine, but are harder to find for a good price and may not be as compatible with the Hydra -- the signal from the Propeller isn't always 100% up to spec.
If all else fails, go down to your local dump or recycling center and ask if they have any monitors they'd be willing to give or sell to you -- it's to their benefit to not have to recycle them themselves. Be careful with this, though -- you may likely end up with one or more dead monitors before you find one that does the job. Cosmetic condition usually says a lot about the function of the monitor.
Hope this is helpful to the folks here on the forums. Happy programming!
-Phil
FINDING A SCREEN FOR YOUR HYDRA
A short guide
A question many people new to the Hydra tend to think and ask is, "What kind of screen should I get for my Hydra?" You're not alone, and there's lots of options out there.
As is fairly well-known, the Hydra has the ability to output two types of video -- VGA and Composite. Most of the developers here tend to use composite due to its slightly looser timing requirements and in general being able to do more in a single frame; one can fit many more instructions in between WAITVID instructions in Composite type video versus NTSC. However, for the sake of a complete guide, I will outline both.
TRADITOINAL TV MONITORS
TV sets are becoming easier and easier to find now as time goes on. After the digital transition that occurred in the US in June 2009, many people are getting rid of some extra TV's in their homes -- be it a TV in the kitchen or bedroom, as they no longer work without a converter box. Thus, many families are simply getting rid of their old TV's, usually donating them to charities or selling them off at garage sales.
Garage sales are probably the better chance you will have for several reasons. First, you are buying straight from the seller, and you can ask them confidently whether the TV is in good working order. Second, the price is usually lower, as it not has been marked up again by a thrift shop or pawn shop. Look around in your area, and keep looking; with enough persistence, you will probably find a TV for a decent price. I got a 10" TV (which fits nicely on my computer desk) in perfectly good working order for just $3. Thrift stores and pawn shops are also another viable option, if you're willing to spend a little more money.
Also an option are LCD screens designed for various portable devices. Many portable DVD players will often take an external input, giving a nice compact screen that's usually decent quality. A search for "portable dvd parts" on eBay will return many results, and most players commonly simply have bad drive mechanics, and the LCD itself still functions fine. There also exist screens that are designed to clip to the exterior of game console systems. Sony-brand screens designed for the PS1 are reportedly some of the best quality, but there are many options out there -- even more if you're willing to do a little hardware hacking.
VGA MONITORS
VGA monitors are certainly the easier of the two to find. Many people are ditching their old tube-based VGA monitors in favor of more space-saving and power efficient LCD monitors. As people replace, the old monitor is generally thrown out. If you have space for a tube-style monitor, then you'll probably be able to find one for free -- There are usually several posts per day in the "free" section of Craigslist advertising for old computer monitors. Otherwise, ask some close friends and family if they have any extra.
LCD-type monitors with VGA input also work fine, but are harder to find for a good price and may not be as compatible with the Hydra -- the signal from the Propeller isn't always 100% up to spec.
If all else fails, go down to your local dump or recycling center and ask if they have any monitors they'd be willing to give or sell to you -- it's to their benefit to not have to recycle them themselves. Be careful with this, though -- you may likely end up with one or more dead monitors before you find one that does the job. Cosmetic condition usually says a lot about the function of the monitor.
Hope this is helpful to the folks here on the forums. Happy programming!
-Phil