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Cub Conversion: Difference between revisions
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==Almost but not quite== | ==Almost but not quite== | ||
[[Image:CubExterior. | [[Image:CubExterior.jpg|thumb|160px|right|The cuboid Cub]] | ||
The snag was that the model with a composite video input suitable for connection to the studio was almost unheard of, with most purchasers having opted for the basic model with only an RGB input at TTL levels, suitable for connection to a BBC micro but almost nothing else. Indeed a larger 21" chassis had been used for a number of years as the studio monitor, perched high on top of a spare cabinet, which was infact a Cub in disguise. | The snag was that the model with a composite video input suitable for connection to the studio was almost unheard of, with most purchasers having opted for the basic model with only an RGB input at TTL levels, suitable for connection to a BBC micro but almost nothing else. Indeed a larger 21" chassis had been used for a number of years as the studio monitor, perched high on top of a spare cabinet, which was infact a Cub in disguise. | ||
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This problem was solved by the construction of an adaptor board that could be installed into the back of the monitor to perform the decoding of the composite video signal into it's RGB components to be fed into the monitor. The digital RGB input was disconnected and replaced by the analogue RGB from the converter. | This problem was solved by the construction of an adaptor board that could be installed into the back of the monitor to perform the decoding of the composite video signal into it's RGB components to be fed into the monitor. The digital RGB input was disconnected and replaced by the analogue RGB from the converter. | ||
A new monitor bank was envisaged for the station using 18 of these monitors (three rows of 6) to display all the important live video signals to the control room. The monitors were relatively cheaply and easily available second hand, so accumulating a set was not a problem, indeed a number were obtained from Hookergate primary school through a contact of [[Peter Elvidge]] who lived nearby. | A new monitor bank was envisaged for the station using 18 of these monitors (three rows of 6) to display all the important live video signals to the control room. The monitors were relatively cheaply and easily available second hand, so accumulating a set was not a problem, indeed a number were obtained from Hookergate primary school through a contact of [[Peter Elvidge]] who lived nearby. | ||
==Technical== | ==Technical== | ||
[[Image:CubGuts.png|thumb|160px|left|The innards of the upgrade]] | [[Image:CubGuts.png|thumb|160px|left|The innards of the upgrade]] | ||
This circuit was created by [[Rob Sprowson]], and a set of 18 duly created in May 2000, together with a new, steel monitor rack sized so that the monitors would fit neatly on it. The station mains wiring was upgraded so that the wall behind the rack had enough mains sockets to plug everything in directly (see the [[G/046]] page for the tale of how this was done | This circuit was created by [[Rob Sprowson]], and a set of 18 duly created in May 2000, together with a new, steel monitor rack sized so that the monitors would fit neatly on it. The station mains wiring was upgraded so that the wall behind the rack had enough mains sockets to plug everything in directly (see the [[G/046]] page for the tale of how this was done), and YSTV could now see every point of the vision path in colour. The old [[Cotron]] black and white monitors were cascaded to become part of the [[NaffoCue]] system. | ||
There was even a service guide produced, and the | There was even a service guide produced, and the whole project cost around £400, including buying the custom circuit boards. | ||
A minor error on the original converters was later corrected in November 2000 by the insertion of a small buffer board soldered directly on the back of the input connectors. As Rob has graduated by this point their installation was a little rushed and the monitors weren't properly adjusted for good colour balance across all 18 monitors. | A minor error on the original converters was later corrected in November 2000 by the insertion of a small buffer board soldered directly on the back of the input connectors. As Rob has graduated by this point their installation was a little rushed and the monitors weren't properly adjusted for good colour balance across all 18 monitors. | ||
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A later revised buffer board was designed in 2004, and fitted in May 2004 to one selected monitor. It both offered an extended temperature range but also featured an 8 pin microcontroller which would generate a fake black picture should the source video be unplugged - minimising 'whistle' potential. | A later revised buffer board was designed in 2004, and fitted in May 2004 to one selected monitor. It both offered an extended temperature range but also featured an 8 pin microcontroller which would generate a fake black picture should the source video be unplugged - minimising 'whistle' potential. | ||
==VGA converters== | ==VGA converters== | ||
Although a very good idea, the Cub monitors suffered from a lack of regular maintenance. Their tendancy to get quite hot in continuous use (they have been seen in use as Pizza warmers) meant that some key components aged prematurely but were not replaced, leading to tell tale picture artifacts (too bright, too dark, oversaturated, etc...). | Although a very good idea, the Cub monitors suffered from a lack of regular maintenance. Their tendancy to get quite hot in continuous use (they have been seen in use as Pizza warmers) meant that some key components aged prematurely but were not replaced, leading to tell tale picture artifacts (too bright, too dark, oversaturated, etc...). | ||
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By 2003, this lead to a steady campaign (lead by [[Rowan de Pomerai]]) to get the monitor rack upgraded to something that actually showed accurate pictures. After much debate, deliberation and experimentation this was achieved in 2006 by the use of the [[VGA Converter Boxes]], allowing the worst of the cub monitors to be scrapped and the remainder relegated to secondary use on OBs and loans to other people. | By 2003, this lead to a steady campaign (lead by [[Rowan de Pomerai]]) to get the monitor rack upgraded to something that actually showed accurate pictures. After much debate, deliberation and experimentation this was achieved in 2006 by the use of the [[VGA Converter Boxes]], allowing the worst of the cub monitors to be scrapped and the remainder relegated to secondary use on OBs and loans to other people. | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: Notable Events]] | ||