On 2018-12-11 1:17 AM, devin davison via cctalk wrote: > The line about being used with an early computer as a display caught my > eye. How would it be used as a display, what kind of graphics capability > would it have? is there an interface for the thing for the pdp 11 or a > modcomp? Those are the old systems i have on hand that i might be able to > interface to it.
A scope is at heart an electrostatic CRT with X and Y deflection (and perhaps Z axis blanking control). Many older systems did have such displays -- the PDP-1 is a well known example (e.g. see Marc and Lyle's CHM demo on YT[1]). Imlac PDS-1 is another. And before _digital_ systems, scopes or X-Y displays were a typical output medium for _analog_ computers. For digital computers, output is point plotting, vector drawing, and/or character generation depending on the sophistication (= cost) of the hardware involved. You'd also need to find or write suitable software :) Yes, there were interface cards for PDP-11, such as AA11 (dual DACs). Several manufacturers including Tektronix and HP made dedicated X-Y displays for computer use. These are smaller than oscilloscopes as relatively little supporting hardware is required for this function. If anyone has budget to experiment with this, I know that Sphere[2] in West Kelowna, BC, has a few X-Y displays still in stock. With some cleverness it's also possible to modify magnetic deflection CRT's for vector use[3]. But I hope the Tek 555's can find a good home, they're beautiful instruments. I suggest posting on the TekScopes mailing list[4]. --Toby [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EWQYAfuMYw [2] http://www.sphere.bc.ca/ [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2O01mNVMN0 , https://www.thedefenderproject.com/other-arcade-games/building-a-vector-monitor-from-a-raster-tv/ [4] https://groups.io/g/TekScopes > > Trying to find a good home for it. I just went through the back room and > found another of a similar design, ill post back with that one too. I was > not even aware i had two of them, quite odd when you can misplace/ miscount > something so large. > > On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 12:57 AM ED SHARPE via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote: > >> so many of these older scopes,are getting scrapped we have a few.. there >> was one made by tek. for example to be sold with TV broadcast gear we >> cherish here...gave a few others too.. but they do take up room....early >> scopes are good to display with early computers... in reality it was needed >> often as early comp. geAR had bad. mtf !.. >> ed#.... get one... save one... >> >> Sent from AOL Mobile Mail >> >> On Monday, December 10, 2018 devin davison via cctalk <lyokob...@gmail.com; >> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: >> More of a computer list I know, but I need to clean out and this needs to >> go soon. Big ol tektronix scope on a cart. Was part of a community >> workshop, i cleared out all their equipment and have not had the time to >> repair it. I was planning to go over it and put it to work at my desk, but >> i decided to get a bigger desk and don't have the space for it. i picked >> up a hp logic analyzer that fits on the desk, and is more than capable for >> working on my pdp 11 and other minicomputer stuff. >> >> open to offers, come pick it up and its yours. >> >> https://i.postimg.cc/NFPC5cDG/scope-555.jpg >> >> located in Melbourne FL >> >> --Devin D. >> >
