trent823

Q: Where to buy DB-15 to VGA cables?

I own a Quadro 840AV that i would like to use with a newer screen that has VGA ports. I would like to know where to buy a DB-15 to VGA cable from (preferably an online company as I live in Australia and it may need to be shipped)

Quadra 840AV, Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier

Posted on Oct 9, 2011 10:30 PM

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Q: Where to buy DB-15 to VGA cables?

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  • by Jeff,Helpful

    Jeff Jeff Oct 9, 2011 11:19 PM in response to trent823
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    Oct 9, 2011 11:19 PM in response to trent823

    You need an adapter that converts the onboard DB-15 port to accept a VGA plug.  The better ones have a set of DIP switches, allowing for greater compatibility with different computers.  A web search for a Mac-to-VGA adapter should provide you with what you need.  Do you want to connect a standard 4:3 aspect ratio CRT type display to the Quadra?  A widescreen LCD or LED display would not be supported by the Quadra, in terms of their native resolution/refresh rate.

  • by trent823,

    trent823 trent823 Oct 9, 2011 11:38 PM in response to Jeff
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 9, 2011 11:38 PM in response to Jeff

    as DB-15 and VGA-15 have the same pin ratios i would think it would be fairly simple to convert I just need the cable between the two, and i was hoping i could get some links to sites that sell the cable and that are know to be reliable. I know that the Quarda was made for 4:3 ratio montiors so with that in mind i have put aside a LCD 4:3 17" not realizing that i was to need a CRT. I could get a VGA 4:3 ratio CRT but i would perfer to use the LCD, is this possible? Out of interest, do you know what it is that the LCD lacks the the CRT has to be able to use Quadra video output?

  • by Texas Mac Man,

    Texas Mac Man Texas Mac Man Oct 10, 2011 1:54 PM in response to trent823
    Level 8 (46,611 points)
    Oct 10, 2011 1:54 PM in response to trent823

    Look at the adapters on this eBay list.

    http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Monitor+Adapter+DB15+to+VGA+Mac+to+PC+G3+G 4

     

     Cheers, Tom

  • by Jeff,

    Jeff Jeff Oct 12, 2011 11:19 PM in response to trent823
    Level 6 (11,559 points)
    Oct 12, 2011 11:19 PM in response to trent823

    When there was a demand for those Mac-to-VGA adapters, most people had "PC" CRT-type displays with a hard-wired cable (there were exceptions).  Since you want to use an LCD display with its detachable cable, I can understand why you'd prefer to find a cable that will connect to both the Mac and VGA ports.  I don't know where you'd find one.  With the maximum 2 MBs of VRAM installed (1 MB onboard + [4] 256K VRAM SIMMs), you should be able to use the 4:3 aspect ratio LCD display.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Oct 23, 2011 12:12 PM in response to trent823
    Level 9 (60,976 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 23, 2011 12:12 PM in response to trent823

    The assertion that the fundamental signals, Red Green Blue, H-Sync and V-Sync are the same is quite true. BUT...

     

    The Quadra 840AV ( and every Beige Mac) wants to read the ID bits on pins 4, 7, and 10 to determine which genuine Mac display is attached. Those pins all disconnected yields a code for "No display Attached", and you will get no picture.

     

    If you can find an adapter that claims to be a MAC adapter, or one with DIP switches, that will be superior. The Dip switches allow multiple combinations of pins 4, 7 and 10 interconnections (some through diodes in the adapter) to yield many Combinations of ID bits. Since most of these are obsolete, the ones that claim to be a Mac adapter provide the code for the largest Multi-Sync screen and seem to work OK.

  • by DrZach21,

    DrZach21 DrZach21 May 14, 2012 8:27 PM in response to trent823
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2012 8:27 PM in response to trent823

    Here, I found an adapter that may solve your problem. It is purchasable online too.

     

    http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=3441&sku=02902

  • by DrZach21,

    DrZach21 DrZach21 May 14, 2012 8:30 PM in response to DrZach21
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2012 8:30 PM in response to DrZach21

    Sorry, the original link is dead. Here a new one:

     

    http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=3441&sku=02902

  • by DrZach21,

    DrZach21 DrZach21 May 14, 2012 8:35 PM in response to DrZach21
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2012 8:35 PM in response to DrZach21

    Nevermind the www.cablestogo.com links, they don'5 work. I found a working one, finally...

     

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002J1JAE