8-pin DIN to VGA

[altekomps]

I have an old Epson QX-16 that has an 8-pin DIN port for its monitor output. The cord that came with it has 8 pins on one end and a 7-pin plug on the other.

The monitor that came with it burned and is now worthless, so I was hoping there might exist an adapter that has an 8-pin DIN plug on one end and a VGA plug on the other so I can use it with any monitor.

If that doesn't exist, would it be possible for me to cut and splice the cable to adapt it to VGA myself? If so, could someone be so kind as to link me some instruction on that? I am not an electrical engineer but I would do anything to get this thing working.

Thanks,
-altekomps

 

[getochkn]

Doubt it. It's a Epson specific output from that computer for that monitor. It will output a monochromatic signal which the VGA won't know how to deal with. I'm sure you could make a converter with enough time and understanding of electronics and stuff, but short of an EE degree, good luck.

 

[hang-the-9]

Maybe this one? http://www.softwareoldies.com/product.php?product=CCM or http://www.softwareoldies.com/product.php?product=COWD

VGA is analog, that 8 pin connector may be able to be matched pin for pin t a VGA output. You can buy a cable and VGA end piece to wire up. You can easily find the VGA pin out http://www.teletechsvc.net/pinouts/img/vga15_pinout.gif and even how to make a component to vga cable http://myhometheater.homestead.com/files/vga-component.jpg

So if that 8 pin connector diagram can be found, you should be able to make your own cable by following the two diagrams for the connectors and matching them up.

Maybe check here http://www.electronicplus.com/content/ProductPage.asp?maincat=cc&subcat=cma

 

[altekomps]

Maybe this one? http://www.softwareoldies.com/product.php?product=CCM or http://www.softwareoldies.com/product.php?product=COWD

VGA is analog, that 8 pin connector may be able to be matched pin for pin t a VGA output. You can buy a cable and VGA end piece to wire up. You can easily find the VGA pin out http://www.teletechsvc.net/pinouts/img/vga15_pinout.gif and even how to make a component to vga cable http://myhometheater.homestead.com/files/vga-component.jpg

So if that 8 pin connector diagram can be found, you should be able to make your own cable by following the two diagrams for the connectors and matching them up.

Maybe check here http://www.electronicplus.com/content/ProductPage.asp?maincat=cc&subcat=cma

That looks good. If I get that first cable you showed, and one of these: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/vga-9-pin-to-15-pin

That should do it, shouldn't it?

It's not like it's a huge loss of money if it doesn't anyway. I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for your advice, I'll let you know if it works when I get these parts.

-altekomps

 

[hang-the-9]

May do the trick, be fun to try at least 🙂

 

[altekomps]

May do the trick, be fun to try at least 🙂

I got the cable, still waiting on the coupler. The pins on the cable's DIN connector are rather thinner than those on the QX-16's original monitor cable. Actually, they narrow down at the end, like a cone. But before the tips, maybe they're the same width, I'm not certain. Do you think it will work? Or better: Do you think trying it will cause damage?

-altekomps

 

[hang-the-9]

I doubt it will cause damage unless there are power leads there, if it's just a signal mixup, nothing should happen. I've actually had a car stereo that ended up with the wrong wiring harness I used (place I bought it from sent me the wrong part), the power leads were going into the audio inputs, nothing bad happened to the radio even after I tried to run it that way.

 

[altekomps]

Well, it didn't work. When I started up the Epson, nothing happened. It was like there was no signal going in. The little standby light (which is amber on standby) didn't even change to green.

The only thing I can think of, other than "it just won't freaking work," is that the DIP switch panel was not set for CGA, but I can't find anywhere what the DIP switch setting for a CGA video signal is on an Epson QX-16 (imagine that).

I'm kind of at a loss here. 🙁

-altekomps

 

[Bfitzhugh]

I have an old Epson QX-16 that has an 8-pin DIN port for its monitor output. The cord that came with it has 8 pins on one end and a 7-pin plug on the other.

The monitor that came with it burned and is now worthless, so I was hoping there might exist an adapter that has an 8-pin DIN plug on one end and a VGA plug on the other so I can use it with any monitor.

If that doesn't exist, would it be possible for me to cut and splice the cable to adapt it to VGA myself? If so, could someone be so kind as to link me some instruction on that? I am not an electrical engineer but I would do anything to get this thing working.

Thanks,
-altekomps

 

[Bfitzhugh]

The QX-16 supports cga and monochrome ttl only.
Dip switch 1 must be down (on) to run valdocs
2,3,4 not used at present time
5,6,7' Specify the ms-dos video mode
8 always up
Ibm color cga 1, 7 down
Ibm mono 1,7,8 down
All on mono monitor

Bob Fitzhugh