Old computer monitor for security camera?

[K9KJM]

The world seems to be awash in old CRT computer monitors now that everyone has gone to the LCD types.

Has anyone used an old CRT type computer monitor as a security camera monitor? (Composite video output)

Both B&W and color..........

[N9LCD]

I haven't but I see one problem right off the bat. A monitor needs drivers that are resident in the computer. How will you adjust the "size" of the image on the monitor without drivers?

Also, you'll have a problem splitting the composite signal out of a security camera into all the signals that go into a computer monitor. My "hollow state" monitor has a 25-pin plug. You'll need the definition of what's on each pin in those plugs, signal and level.

And you may encounter different signal levels between the composite output from the camera and the monitor input. You can attenuate it down, but what if you have to amplify a signal?

JERRY

N9LCD

[AB8SG]

I hate to answer a question with a question. How are you planning to drive the monitor? Most old monitors don't provide for direct input of composite video.

[KC2RPP]

It sounds like a good idea...ill suggest it to my BOCES teacher when i go back to school in September.

[WA9SVD]

It depends upon the monitor. OLD monitors, such as the Apple//e or Apple/// monitors, and some of the old mono green or amber screen monitors were NTSC compatible, and usable with a VCR, TV Tuner, video camera, etc. that has a composite video output. (99.44% of those devices would have video out on a single RCA jack.) Otherwise, you would need to use a computer with a video capture card compatible with your camera output signal to display your camera output on a CGA, EGA, VGA, or higher monitor screen.

[AG3Y]

A couple of years ago, a friend and I had maybe 20 or so of these green and amber screen monitors in like-new condition. We took them to a hamfest, and couldn't GIVE them away !

There are junkyards across the country that are piled high with TV sets, Computer monitors, and old survelliance systems. What an environmental disaster! It is going to be a very short time when the technology goes to all flat-screen where you will see even more of the old CRT based systems appearing at your local junkyard!



Too bad ! ! ! 73, Jim

[K7UNZ]

Some old monitors never die!

My two old Commodore color monitors are still in active service, even as I type.

I use one as a monitor for my VHS/DVD recording set-up, and the other for a couple of security (B&W) video cameras.

Jim/k7unz

P.S. #They both outlived their associated computers....hi!

[K9KJM]

Yeah, I remember the old Commodore monitors........
Thats why I asked the question about the more modern ones, Rather than trying to "reinvent the wheel" myself with the newer ones. #
It looks like off to the dump with the RGB type computer monitors # #

[WD4CHP]

I use an old monitor with an old vcr for the extra tv set that isn't used very much.

[KC7YPJ]

just remember to tear any monitor your sending to the dump apart and pillage the torroids out of it, some of them even have assorted transformers and high current diodes and the like that are quite usefull in homebrew projects.