I suppose the distinction is that in the microcomputer market, at least at the
time of the Apple ][+, the PL259 connector was commonly used on what people
could afford to buy to go with their budget microcomputer. The most common
monitor I remember seeing in use, and often as part of a display in the local
computer store, was the 9" (?) Sanyo "security" monitor that was about the
same height as two of the Apple disk drives, one atop the other. That whole
setup was placed on top of the Apple case and that's how one saw them in the
stores and on the desktop or credenza.
I'd say that it is quite possible that BNC's were in use at the time, though,
not working in the video industry myself, I didn't see that sort of equipment
much, though I did see what was being used in computer labs, etc. What I saw
was the PL259's, which is what was common on the large monitors used in the
classrooms and in security systems that distributed video signal.
If BNC's were in wide use in the video industry, I didn't see it because that
sort of equipment was too costly to show up in the microcomputing environment.
After all, if one had the budget for expensive video gear, one didn't have to
use an Apple computer. It didn't make sense to use a computer costing $1500,
when one could afford a monitor costing $15k. If you had that sort of money,
you'd get a "real" computer.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Davison, Lee" <Lee.Davison_at_merlincommunications.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2002 1:40 PM
Subject: RE: Bell & Howell Apple II update
>
> > Monitors of the time, at least of the NTSC-compatible
> > type, were typically equipped with PL-259 connectors
> > on the rear.
>
> Not true, at least in the video industry.
>
> >By the time consumer video equipment became popular,
> > the PL-259, which was also common in the '70's for other
> > 75-ohm applications e.g. antennas and the like, had been
> > replaced by the 'F' types in video hookups, since those
> > were MUCH cheaper.
>
> The PL-259 was in use primarily for carrying VHF and UHF
> signals, not baseband video.
>
> The PL259/SO259 was originally designed in the 1940's to carry
> the then high resolution 3.5MHz 405 line baseband video signal.
> They remained as the connector of choice, at least in europe, until
> the 70's when the more compact BNC took over. Patch pannels
> were, and are still, mostly Musa as they are easy to (un)plug
> even when packed closely.
>
> As I said, I may be sorry to have chimed in on this nearly
> off-topic conversation, but when I see blanket statements
> being made that are obviously incorrect I have a hard time
> remaining silent.
>
> Ah, ok. 8^)=
>
> Lee.
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----
> This email is intended only for the above named addressee(s). The
> information contained in this email may contain information which is
> confidential. The views expressed in this email are personal to the sender
> and do not in any way reflect the views of the company.
>
> If you have received this email and you are not a named addressee please
> delete it from your system and contact Merlin Communications International
> IT Department on +44 20 7344 5888.
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star Internet. The
> service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive
> anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit:
> http://www.star.net.uk
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
>
Received on Fri Jan 25 2002 - 09:09:23 GMT