What's this video connector? (COSMAC VIP) \ VOGONS

What's this video connector? (COSMAC VIP)

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First post, by maximus

Posted on 2016-05-10, 04:30

maximus Offline

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A work colleague recently gave me an RCA COSMAC VIP. With a release date of 1977, it's now officially the oldest computer in my collection. It appears to be in working order, and I'm excited to see what it can do 😀

Before I can get started, though, I need to connect it to a TV. The machine has a video out cable, but the connector is one I've never seen before:

Strange that an RCA computer should have a non-RCA video connector...

What little documentation I've found online says absolutely nothing about this connector. It does talk about connecting the machine to an RF modulator, so I'm hoping a simple adapter will allow it to connect to a TV's RCA input with no fuss. Unfortunately, I have no idea what this archaic connector is called.

Anyone seen one of these before?

Last edited by maximus on 2016-11-26, 19:58. Edited 1 time in total.

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Reply 1 of 5, by HighTreason

Posted on 2016-05-10, 04:43

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The closest I can find seem to link back to it being some BNC variant Belden came up with. I found this by "Google Search for Image" and adding keywords. Cannot find that exact same connector, they make some weird stuff.

It might end up being a solder job where you just have to replace the connector, but I guess, don't give up yet.

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Reply 2 of 5, by maximus

Posted on 2016-05-10, 05:08

maximus Offline

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I initially misidentified it as BNC, but the adapter I ordered doesn't fit at all. The COSMAC VIP's connector is 17mm in diameter, much larger than standard BNC.

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Reply 3 of 5, by h-a-l-9000

Posted on 2016-05-10, 13:57

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Maybe this? (check the dimensions)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UHF_connector

1+1=10

Reply 4 of 5, by Jo22

Posted on 2016-05-10, 14:37

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Yes, I think so. I don't know for sure, but it really looks like a connector from the amateur radio scene.
It's appearance is similar to that of the plug for SO-239 socket (PL 259 or UHF connector), I think.
They were quite popular back then and are still used for antennas and such.

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Reply 5 of 5, by Logistics

Posted on 2016-05-11, 01:22

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Looks more like a speed-o-meter cable than a video cable. 😁

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