TI-99/4A FAQ: Monitor and TV hookups

How do I hook up my TI to a modern tv/monitor?

The TI-99/4A NTSC model released in the USA and other countries supports a standard 5 pin DIN connector.  Many 8 bit computers of the era all share the same cable, Atari 800, ColecoVision, Coleco Adam, C64 are some examples.

The TI-99/4A PAL model relased in Europe and other PAL countries supports a 7 pin DIN connector.

NTSC: Composite cable

• • • Buy one here: https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Composite-video-cable/p/74389896/category=23804650
    • Make your own: http://mainbyte.com/ti99/hardware/cables/monitor.html
    • WARNING: 12v is on pin 1, do not connect pin1 to your monitor

 

• PAL: Component cable

• 
  • Purchase a cable here: https://www.ti99iuc.it/web/index.php?pageid=172&pagina=FleaMarket&sezione=5
  • Modify your PAL RF Modulator for use with modern TV’s (PAGE IS IN ITALIAN MAY NEED TO USE GOOGLE TRANSLATE)
    • http://www.ti99iuc.it/web/index.php?pageid=119&pagina=mod_proj1&sezione=4&data=Mod_and_Tuneed
  • Build your own cable (see the diagram above)

VGA:  (works on both PAL and NTSC consoles)

• • • F18A VDP replacement from https://dnotq.io/ allows you VGA out from your TI 
      • For those interested in getting a F18A VGA VDP replacement for your TI-99/4a here’s the latest status and updates:  https://dnotq.io/f18a/f18a.html
      • I periodically have these in stock:
    • PICO 9918a replacement from https://www.tindie.com/products/visrealm/pico9918/ also available here at arcadeshopper.com   more info https://github.com/visrealm/pico9918
    • VGA to HDMI adapters have been used to make this work with HDMI only displays. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/234226-hdmi-for-the-ti/ I have these in my store at arcadeshopper.com
    • The audio is still output through the 5pin DIN video port so you will still need a composite cable with at least the audio pins connected to a speaker if you install a F18A you can buy these at arcadeshopper.com

Convert NTSC console to PAL