Author Topic: Monitor for staging yard/layout cameras  (Read 701 times)

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Cajonpassfan

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Monitor for staging yard/layout cameras
« on: November 05, 2020, 02:39:28 PM »
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I have a cheapie small B&W monitor and two cheapie B&W cameras to keep track of well, tracks, in my hidden staging yard. I think I paid $99 for all three years ago at Fry’s, and it does what it needs to do.
Recently, my 17” PC monitor became available for other use, and I have a (dumb) question: can it be used without a computer simply as a dumb TV monitor? It’s NCE LCD 1765, and there’s nothing I can find on NCE’s website to answer my question. I don’t care about color, as I prefer B$W in an unscenicked staging yard, but the large screen appeals to me, especially if the screen could be split.
With all the talent here, perhaps someone can advise me?
Thank you,
Otto K.

nickelplate759

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Re: Monitor for staging yard/layout cameras
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2020, 03:27:13 PM »
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That monitor takes VGA input.    As long your source has VGA output it should work.   Note that VGA is an analog format. If your device cannot output VGA then it won't work without some kind of adapter.
George
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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

peteski

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Re: Monitor for staging yard/layout cameras
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2020, 06:33:54 PM »
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There are inexpensive video converters on eBay which will take a standard analog composite video output, and convert it into a VGA signal.  I use that converter with my train camera, so it can display the image on a standard computer monitor.
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C855B

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Re: Monitor for staging yard/layout cameras
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2020, 11:57:10 AM »
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What Pete said. Those cameras undoubtedly output an old analog standard, 1V P-P NTSC, with a BNC connector. I've been using equipment with that arrangement since [...mumble mumble...] 1970. Adapters for a single camera to a VGA/SVGA monitor are a dime a dozen (tho' most shown on eBay seem to ship from China  :(  ).

Your problem is wanting to do split screen. That's going to take some purpose-built electronics in the middle. Nothing jumped out in my searches as cheap or easy. There are/were some purpose-built security monitors that did that, but probably not worth the coin. I suspect your solution is going to be a switch, with VGA switches easier and cheaper than BNC switches, if only due to supply/demand quantities.
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Cajonpassfan

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Re: Monitor for staging yard/layout cameras
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2020, 06:56:01 PM »
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Thanks Mike, Pete, George, all good info.
A split screen would be nice, but not necessary, and a selector switch would allow multiple camera locations.
The existing setup is actually not bad...the monitor small size makes it unobtrusive and it’s tucked under a valance In the corner where tracks go through a wall separating the layout from the staging yard (see pic below). And it has A, B, or A+B camera settings, the latter flipping back and forth along an adjustable interval. So it all kind of works for now, and I think I’ll save the color monitor for the lounge...
Thanks again,
Otto
« Last Edit: November 08, 2020, 07:00:34 PM by Cajonpassfan »