A Review of the Video Turtle
for IIgs RGB Monitor Users

I've made special arrangements with Tex Comp Ltd. to do this exclusive product test and review of the Video Turtle with the IIgs. You'll also find this review in the October issue of A2.2000, the only Apple II monthly freeware disk-0-zine.

A new product, the VideoTurtle from Turtle Enterprises, is now
available for IIgs users. This product converts your IIgs RGB output signal (known as TV RGB), into S-Video signals. Replacing the need for an older TV RGB Monitor, such as
those used by the IIgs.

The Video Turtle pictured above has one input and one output cable interface connector.
The Input RGB cable going to the Video Turtle converter box (the beige cable in the picture above) connects to your IIgs RGB output (female) 15 pin socket - with the larger metal end (a 15 pin male) socket/interface connector -secured with two small standard screws. The small beige socket/interface connector (a 7 pin male) connects to the left side of the Video Turtle Converter Box (as pictured above) in the RGB INPUT socket - also secured with two small standard screws.

The black interface cable ( pictured above) is a 4 pin male to male S-Video output/input
interface connector that connects from the right side in the S-VIDEO OUT socket of the Video Turtle Converter Box and to your TV units, S-Video input socket connection. Connecting your IIgs to your TV unit - supporting S-Video - for IIgs RGB to S-Video conversion and display is just this simple.

The Video Turtle is powered by a Chaparral AC Adaptor - class 2 Transformer. Make sure your IIgs computer, the Video Turtle and your TV are turned off (no power) when making all of the connections.

I used a standard IIgs ROM 01 - connected to the Video Turtle - as outlined above then connected the Video Turtle S-Video cable to a Sony Trinitron 27 inch TV/Monitor with S-Video input.

My simple and to-the-point review of the results follow.

I received a Video Turtle for testing and review - with my IIgs and S-Video TV system last week. I have before of me now...the NEW version for the IIgs with a custom interface cable to connect it directly from the IIgs RGB output to the Video Turtle - with another standard S-Video output interface cable to connect to the input of the S-video socket of the Sony Trinitron 27 inch TV/Monitor with S-Video input. I've already tested it out and the graphics are very sharp, very clear and (IMHO) much more presentable than any SVGA monitor using even the SS card with the IIgs, when compared for crispness and clarity.

Of course it can't display the other graphic formats like gif and jpeg in all their original multiples of millions of color shades and hues with the multiple palletted colors like the SS card abilities from the IIgs can. But, the RGB native display in either 640 or 320 mode using the Video Turtle conversion to S-Video with display on the Sony Trinitron 27 inch TV/Monitor with S-Video input - from either 4, 16, 256 or 3200 color - displays very nicely from the IIgs and it's exceptionally clear, non-dithered and crisp in text and graphics, like nothing I've ever seen before from the IIgs RGB output, even when comparing it with the video output from an SS card in a IIgs to a SVGA monitors display. It's almost like viewing a real RAW binary image on a RISC CPU machine in quality and clarity or aptly it's rather like viewing an image from a Digital TV system. I'm spoiled with it and won't be using my IIgs RBG monitor with my IIgs - now that I have the Video Turtle to view my IIgs from my Sony Trinitron 27 inch TV/Monitor with S-Video input.

The Video Turtle is $149.95 and can be ordered from the main supplier.

Here's the ordering information:

Tex Comp Ltd.
425 E. Arrow Hwy #732
Glendora, CA 91740

Tel. #'s...
Order: 1-800-846-3474
Main Info and General Tech. Support: 1-818-339-8924
Tech Support Hotline: 1-818-967-3341
Hours for contact follow.
Monday thru Friday - (AM to 11:30AM) and Monday thru Saturday (1:30PM to 4:30PM) Pacific Time.

Video Turtle Information Sheet
from
Turtle Enterprises


ANY SYSTEM, that outputs TV RGB, can use the VideoTurtle.
Some of the many are - The Apple IIgs
as well as;
Sega Genesis/32X/CD-ROM
Amiga
Atari ST
Neo Geo

MSX II/MSX II+
Adam
Commodore 128
TV RGB Monitors (for uses other than computer/video games)
Video Arcade Games, ones that output RGB.
IBM CGA

The VideoTurtle is a video-convertor product. It converts RGB known as TV
RGB, 15.7 KHz, into S-Video, for use with any TV that supports S-Video input.

S-Video is a leap above standard television. With two channels of video
information, and wider bandwidth, S-Video enables enhanced displays on
equiped TV's.

Unlike standard TV, which has one channel and limited bandwidth, S-Video
allows full use of the TV's scan lines. Standard TV splits the scan lines
between odd and then even lines.

Because of the larger amount of scan lines, greater detail is possible,
than with standard TV. And, a much bigger channel for pure color
information. Crisp and clear graphics, and radical display of colors
becomes available with S-Video.

The DSS system highly reccomends using S-Video TV's, as the optimum
display for home use. With the advantages listed above, it's hard to see
why not!

VideoTurtle takes advantage of the S-Video TV standard. Because S-Video
TV's often have many more scan lines of resolution than the TV RGB
monitors, clarity equal to or better than the older monitors is
available! Topped off with the fact that the TV RGB monitors are no longer made.

VideoTurtle allows the RGB user to still maintain high-quality video,
while using the inexpensive S-Video TV's as a total replacement!

Plus, the TV itself, is just that, without the need for a tuner or
extra device, your computer/videogame display can change into a
standard TV, with remote control!

So many systems output and can use TV RGB. Up until now, the only way to
properly view that RGB, was the TV RGB monitors. With the monitors
gradually dying off, the option has been used TV RGB monitors or a standard
TV itself!

Not much of a choice is it?

Video Turtle, from Turtle Enterprises, gives you a better choice, and
in many cases, even better than the old monitor! By taking the output from
your home computer/video games system, attaching a cable to the Video Turtle,
and an S-Video cable to the S-Video TV, you are ready to go! Plug and Play!

Some systems come with TV RGB but with distinctions, and VideoTurtle can handle
that with mere jumper changes! All in all, no software drivers to load, or
certain video modes to use, to utilize the VideoTurtle!
Price: $149.00 (US)
The Video Turtle for the IIgs with the proper RGB interface cable connector is now available!

Tex Comp Ltd. (based in Glendora, CA) is the authorized distributer of the Video Turtle.
Their tool free phone number (for orders only) is: 1 - 800 - 846-3474.
For technical help, call: Turtle Enterprises (818) 967-3341.
Shipping time is NOW.
Email: videoturtle@hotmail.com

All graphics, logos, brand and product names 'used' are the trademarks and/or registered trademarks, property and copyrighted material of their respective holders.