PAL/NTSC output

Never say never. I will have a TV output (NTSC) as soon as song info makes its way out the serial line. Visuals will not come from the empeg and will probably not be implimented until the second software revision on my system.

As for an in-empeg TV output which I assume wvloon is wishing for, Tony's right, it'll probably not happen. (At least not on the mark 2)

Alex Lear

Probably been said before, but I have my empeg connected to my home theater system. Works
great except that I can't read the empeg's display from across the room. If the display were
duplicated on a PAL/NTSC video port, I could plug it into the receiver and see the menus on
the TV. But I suspect that the space required to put a video chip onto the PCB is too large.

Video chips are rather small these days. It's all the RF shielding that takes up space!

Calvin

I haven't noticed the need for much shielding unless the NTSC signal is modulated to a TV channel. My system is just NTSC (actually RS-170 now) with the option to transmit to a TV tuned to a certain channel across the room.

Alex Lear

In reply to:

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Dionysus, I think we need to start a FAQ for "features that keep getting requested but we know they will never happen". I think this is the third message in a row I've answered which falls into that category.

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hmm.. I think I've counted it four times... We *could* put it in there right under "tips that will probably not work with the next release" :)
-mark


...proud to have owned one of the first Mark I units

If it's a feature that is often requested, why would you consider it to never be implimented. For most people a TV output would only be used at home, so they don't actually have to put the electronics for it in the case. Similar to the tuner that can only be used in the car.

Alex Lear

That's true, they don't.. I don't see it as being something that Empeg would produce though, although I'm sure (and hoping) that one of the other hardware guru's here would:)
-mark

...proud to have owned one of the first Mark I units

It's an FCC thing, I suppose. If it's unshielded and broadcasting, I'm sure the FCC won't be too pleased by hundreds maybe thousands of roaming cars broadcasting faint images all over...

Calvin

I've only spent a little time with FCC regulations but a TV output for the empeg would be very low power and non-modulated. Non-modulated unless you actually wanted a transmitter for it. If it was outside the case a simple sheild would be OK.

Alex Lear

Every tuner I've seen has at least a metal shield around it. At the entry price levels, they're big and clunky and probably won't fit in the empeg unless you lose the possibility of a second drive. (then it would fit, no prob). The more expensive it gets, the smaller, I s'pose.

Calvin

What would go on the empeg is NOT a tuner that brings in a modulated signal!!! We are talking about a simple video output.
I don't really understand why you mention a tuner. This is not for watching TV on the empeg or transmitting, it is for output of song/menu information to a TV screen. The TV would have to have a RCA or compatible connection for video input for use with the empeg, it would NOT use an antenna/cable input.

Alex Lear

What would go on the empeg is NOT a tuner (...)it is for output of song/menu information to a TV

Like the original Apple II, Atari's, Sinclairs and my 1975 16K Exidy Sorcerer used to have: a modulator that converts output for connection to the antenna input of a regular TV. In those old days, these converters were just as big as four cigarettes . . .

Henno
mk2 6 nr 6

Sorry, I meant modulator. And yes, modulators need to be shielded. I looked at one at the local electronics store here in chip form and it comes with a shield about 3 inches wide.

Calvin

I am probably misunderstanding you eternalsun. Are you suggesting a modulator for the empeg?

Alex Lear

Nope, I suggest no such thing.

Calvin