diff --git a/eleventy.config.js b/eleventy.config.js index 782f47f..8a5522a 100644 --- a/eleventy.config.js +++ b/eleventy.config.js @@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ module.exports = function (eleventyConfig) { eleventyConfig.addPassthroughCopy("retro/eiffel/*.jpg"); eleventyConfig.addPassthroughCopy("retro/stpsu/*.jpg"); eleventyConfig.addPassthroughCopy("retro/acsi2stm/*.jpg"); + eleventyConfig.addPassthroughCopy("retro/atari-vga/*.jpg"); // Root-level shared assets eleventyConfig.addPassthroughCopy({ "shared/base.css": "shared-base.css" }); diff --git a/retro/atari-mega-st-fleet/index.njk b/retro/atari-mega-st-fleet/index.njk index f7077b7..ba2f954 100644 --- a/retro/atari-mega-st-fleet/index.njk +++ b/retro/atari-mega-st-fleet/index.njk @@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ parent: "/retro/"
  • An Eiffel Pico USB adapter, bought and configured but not yet installed, so I haven't decided which machine it will go into.
  • A new SidecarTridge Multi-device Revision 3, bought as an upgrade over the Revision 0 in use on the "Low" machine, still uninstalled until I decide where to put it.
  • An ACSI2STM adapter, bought but not yet in use anywhere, an alternative ACSI hard-disk emulator to the UltraSatan.
  • +
  • An ST2VGA Enhanced adapter, an active RGB-to-VGA adapter bought as a spare, not currently in use.
  • Fun fact: two of the "problem" machines turned out to have nothing wrong with the boards at all, a badly soldered CPU socket and a leftover blitter patch bridge were the actual culprits. Moral of the story: check your solder joints twice before blaming the silicon.

    diff --git a/retro/atari-vga/index.njk b/retro/atari-vga/index.njk new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8aa002f --- /dev/null +++ b/retro/atari-vga/index.njk @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +--- +title: "Atari to VGA: Getting the ST Onto a Modern Monitor" +section: "retro" +tags: "retro" +description: "How I connect the Atari Mega ST machines to modern VGA monitors, with three different RGB-to-VGA adapters." +layout: base.njk +parent: "/retro/" +--- +

    Atari to VGA: Getting the ST Onto a Modern Monitor

    +
    + +

    To get the Atari ST onto a modern monitor, I use RGB-to-VGA adapters. I have three of them: a passive MCSWITCH adapter on the "Low" machine, a self-built adapter on the "High" machine, and a newer active ST2VGA Enhanced that isn't in use yet.

    + +

    The MCSWITCH (Low machine)

    +

    The Mega ST 4 "Low" uses an MCSWITCH adapter (ATARI Monochrome & Color VGA Adapter) by Olivier Gossuin. It shows all three ST resolutions on a suitable VGA monitor, with a switch for mono and color, an A/V connector, and volume buttons. It's documented on albersdoerfer.de.

    + +

    The self-built adapter (High machine)

    +

    The Mega ST 4 "High" uses a self-built adapter. I followed the guide at pest.atari.org to build a simple RGB-to-VGA adapter for the Atari monitor port.

    + +

    The ST2VGA Enhanced (not yet in use)

    +

    I also bought a new active ST2VGA Enhanced from SidecarTridge, but it isn't in use yet. Unlike the passive adapters, the Enhanced adds an active amplifier and filter stage for early or noisy Atari machines, and carries its own +5V supply over micro-USB. It's designed for machines with weak video output, visible "jailbars", or picky LCD inputs that fail to lock to the signal.

    + +

    A note on monitors

    +

    Passive RGB-to-VGA adapters output the Atari's native timings, so color modes (ST Low and ST Medium) need a monitor that can lock to a 15 kHz horizontal sync signal. See my monitor compatibility page for which modern panels actually work. Mono mode (ST High) works on any standard VGA display.

    + +

    Gallery

    +The MCSWITCH VGA adapter connected to the Atari +

    The MCSWITCH adapter on the Mega ST 4 "Low" machine.

    + +

    Sources

    + +
    \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/retro/atari-vga/stvga-low.jpg b/retro/atari-vga/stvga-low.jpg new file mode 100755 index 0000000..b13a273 Binary files /dev/null and b/retro/atari-vga/stvga-low.jpg differ diff --git a/retro/index.njk b/retro/index.njk index 69f432c..909986c 100644 --- a/retro/index.njk +++ b/retro/index.njk @@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ sections: - title: "💽 ACSI2STM" summary: "An open-source ACSI to SD card hard drive emulator for the Atari ST. Bought, not yet in use." href: "/retro/acsi2stm/" + - title: "📺 Atari to VGA" + summary: "Getting the Mega ST onto modern VGA monitors with three RGB-to-VGA adapters: MCSWITCH, a self-build and an ST2VGA Enhanced." + href: "/retro/atari-vga/" - heading: "Amiga Corner" cards: - title: "⚔️ Vampire, A600GS or MiSTer"