Introduction
A certain subset of the arcade collecting community fell in love with these baby cute CRT monitors, with good reason. They’re actual standard resolution (CGA) tube monitors as used by classic arcade games. Also, they’re cheap! Two for $29 from Timeline, Inc. However, one major hurdle stymied the casual DIY-er: these natively accept TTL sync, not the composite video sync signal passed by most video game consoles and arcade machines. So, a sync separator circuit, like the one in this article, is required.
A few different methods were devised. (Search Samtron at KLOV for the full megillah.) A dude named PrairieDillo came up with the most practical and simple. I came along a few years later, took his design, and simplified the build even further. The result is cheap, thin, and relatively easy to wire.
An updated design
Minor caveats
For a version 1, it’s pretty good, but I would make improvements if doing a 2nd run, which probably won’t ever happen given the small niche this caters to. But those changes would be mainly to make the IC holes larger. As pictured, they’re tiny and only work with high-quality machined pin sockets. Larger would allow cheaper sockets, or no socket at all, which could save a couple bucks. The front right also bumps 2 transistors on the main PCB. I measured it beforehand, but my measurements were slightly off. Probably not even worth mentioning. But bump doesn’t hurt anything. Might make the trimpot form factor more flexible to allow cheaper trimpots. As is, that contrast control does not seem necessary; most people build them without it.
Parts list
| Check it | designation | part | catalog# | price(ea) | quantity | price |
| total: | $9.18 | |||||
| Resistors | ||||||
| metal film | ||||||
| 620R | 1/4w, 620Ω | 271-620-RC | .10 | 1 | .10 | |
| 680k | 1/4w, 680k | CCF07680KJKE36 | .10 | 1 | .10 | |
| trimpots | ||||||
| VR1 | 25k trimmer | 82PR20KLF | .97 | 1 | .97 | |
| Capacitors | ||||||
| ceramic | ||||||
| C1, C2 | .1µF, ceramic, X7R | K104M15X7RF53L2 | .10 | 2 | .20 | |
| Semiconductors | ||||||
| ICs | ||||||
| LM1881 | Video sync separator | LM1881N/NOPB | 3.47 | 1 | 3.47
2022 update: discontinued! |
|
| 74LS04N | Hex inverter | SN74LS04N | .73 | 1 | .73
2022 price: .97 |
|
| Connectors | ||||||
| bottom connector | IDC | HLE-105-02-L-DV-PE | 2.70 | 1 | 2.70 2022 price: 3.28 |
|
| ICsocket1 | 14pin, machined (optional) | 110-47-314-41-001000 | .52 | 1 | .52
2022 price: .96 |
|
| ICsocket2 | 8pin, machined (optional) | 110-47-308-41-001000 | .39 | 1 | .39
2022 price: .65 |
|
So, that’s it. Just about $10 worth of parts will do the trick. Seems easy at first glance, but the wiring harness is the part that will do most people in. But if you have basic electronic skills, then you are no longer most people. Read on as I simplify those instructions as much as possible.
Also, don’t forget a power supply. Something like the Meanwell RD-50A would suffice. Some will opt for a cut-rate “IDE” power supply. But you get what you pay for with those things.
The Harness
Simple instructions
Hook red, green, and blue lines from your arcade PCB to corresponding pins at IC103 on the Samtron PCB. These three pins should be desoldered and lifted; you’ll wire your red, green, and blue video signals directly to these pads
| pin 11 | red |
| pin 6 | green |
| pin 8 | blue |
The harness
More instructions
If your questions are not answered here, you may want to see PrairieDillo’s write up from a larger thread at KLOV.
Note to self: follow-up at the spot where I promised to supply some boards.
Alternate circuit designs
A more sophisticated, alternative circuit is also available
Not all game PCB’s synchronize vertically with this circuit. Most do, but keep in mind it’s not guaranteed to work with every board. This project aims for cheap and easy by using an inexpensive sync separator (<$4) in an 8-DIP package, but one that’s distinctly lacking in a vertical hold control. If you have a specific PCB that won’t sync with this, you can try an alternate circuit using a more expensive ($11) surface mount separator IC: the EL4583C from Renesas. It uses a 20k pot to fine-tune your vertical hold.
Not enough sophistication for you?
More designs from Tim Worthington will pleasure hardcore tinkerers and electrical engineers.
