This is my first post so... hello everebody!
I have a quite old PC with a VGA video card (it should be an Athlon @ about 1,5Ghz, at now it doesn't has a power supply so I don't know exacly) - I got it for free to run some PC progs. I'd like very much buying for it an Apple Studio Display 17" CRT with ADC (the one with clear case). I've found one at a good price. So I have two questions.
1) Can I use it on a PC?
2) I've seen in other posts thath you suggest changing the original ADC cable with a VGA and a USB cable or however passing the analog VGA signal to ADC analog cables. Are VGA and analog ADC signals the same? Did someone try doing this?
I think I can find a power supply.
Thanx. 
AFAIK there is no way to covert the CRT displays from ADC as they are not compatible with the DVI-ADC converters that are available.
TOM
But are they compatible with those VGA adapters that are selling for $300.00? Of course, spending that much an adapter defats the point of purchasing most displays.
Wouldn't it work with a more powerful power supply?
We've kind of been through this before:
http://www.applefritter.com/node/4008
The long and the short of it is that those DVI to ADC boxes, even the expensive ones, don't support the CRT ADC Studio Display. Those converters were designed for and work fine with the LCD ADC monitors, but the CRT one was a special beast that has different power requirements.
I've seen thath node, however I don't want to use an adapter, I've thought of passing the analog signal from VGA to DVI. I've seen some people telling about this in thath node but nobody wrote the result. So my doubt was if analog VGA signals and analog DVI signals were the same, that was the same doubt of an other Mr. Pink at the end of that discussion. I hope you can help me.
The problem you're going to run into is not how you convert the video signal, but how you power the monitor. ADC monitors combine power, video and USB into one cable. The only way to use those monitors with a computer that doesn't support ADC is to use one of those adapters...and the problem is that those adapters only support the LCD Studio Displays, not the CRT one. If you have sufficient knowledge of how monitor internals work, you can conceivably hack the monitor to have seperate power, USB and video inputs, but that would be a lot of work for a not-that-great monitor.
The analog video pins on the ADC connector provide the same functions as do those on a 'standard' HD-15 VGA connector, just in a different form-factor. You have the ADC pinout I assume . . .
I still say the best solution for this 'problem' is to add additional separate VGA and power input ports to the display. Might not even have to chop off the ADC cable.
BTW, do these displays actually need attachment via USB? If no, that'd save some effort.
dan k
Yes, I've got the ADC pinout. Maybe I can also pass the analog signal, USB data and power line to the ADC connector - perhaps with a female connector... do you know where I can find one without spending much money (I thought of taking it from an old video card)? I think that opening the case to add VGA, USB and power cable would be more complex.
However I would use it mainly on a PC, not on a Mac, do you think it will work same? Do you think there will be problems with control options? Someone told me that there are problems with range of colours that it isn't the same on Macs and PCs.
I hope to find a suitable power supply.
Please could u tell me something about using it on a PC. Is it possible? are there problems? (I've written everithing in the previous post). I'd like buying it but I've this doubt.
Thanx
Unless you know how to use a scope and have a fair bit
of electronics knowhow I'd say give it a miss.
I'ts possible to do it but you would need to have the mac the
monitor comes with for tracing the signal levels with the scope
otherwise your just guessing.
Also some interface circuits might have to be used
You people would do well to search threads before you post...
PLEASE READ THE LAST POST IN THIS THREAD: http://www.applefritter.com/node/4008
Even if you do get the 17" CRT ADC Studio Display working with an adapter, it's limited resolution capabilities will make it largely useless on the PC and most modern Macs. Chalk another one up to "smart" Apple engineering.
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