I'm thinking about buying a TV pattern generator on you know where, but I wanted to know if there is any particular one I should get.

Here is one I'm looking at right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160487718689&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I know that this model is made for direct signal injection, but couldn't I get an adapter so I can use it with RCA & coax jacks?

I just need a pattern generator for calibration purposes and quick receiver testing. So I'm open for suggestions...

I have a B&K NTSC generator and love it! When it comes home on friday I can post the model unless Nick sees this and he can chime in. It's the easiest and best one to use that I have found. It has a function that allows you to make the full screen whatever color and is great for purity (red screen of course:D) It also injects an audio signal, has color bars that are the same as the tv stations use, great greyscale doodads and a great crosshatch generator. These can be hooked up with coax, composite video and direct inject. I picked it up with the book at Goodwill for the sum of $2.99:D

I'm not familiar with that particular model, but it looks like it does the basics. If I read the labels correctly, you can get either video or RF output from that jack on the right.

A slightly fancier generator like my Leader (below) will have a few more functions, but for basic work you might not care about those.

The current bid is the price of a fancy coffee. I'd say go for it.

Phil Nelson

http://antiqueradio.org/art/RCACTC-11PatternGenerator.jpg

I have a B&K NTSC generator and love it! When it comes home on friday I can post the model unless Nick sees this and he can chime in.

I think it's a 12xx, but I don't have it in front of me. I ordered my own gen on Ebay for a ten spot, so I should be able to drop yours off on Friday. :thmbsp:

---

Mark, that B&K unit sounds pretty perfect....what's the model number? I'm at a point where I need to pick up some good test gear for the tv hobby. Seems to be a wealth of it on eBay...

B&K of that vintage = quality product.

I made my own pattern generator years ago - it doesn't do color bars, but is sufficient for convergence.

http://www.edn.com/archives/1998/120398/pdfs/25di.pdf
(page 3 has the schematic) It has a few errors in the original schematic I have from the actual magazine, but they've corrected them on the online schematic.

For any color stuff, I'd borrow my Dad'a VA62.


Cheers,

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I decided to go ahead and bid on the pattern generator, I would have liked to get a more professional one tho (like the ones you guys suggested), but I'm only looking to spend about $10.

I have a Philips PM5515 which appears to appears to output computer generated patterns rather than trying to fudge it with analog circuits.

That is one cool pattern generator, seems like you could do almost anything with it...

Mark, that B&K unit sounds pretty perfect....what's the model number? I'm at a point where I need to pick up some good test gear for the tv hobby. Seems to be a wealth of it on eBay...

When it comes home I'll post a pic of it if I can get my back up computer to load the pictures, it's a dinosaur:D I'll post the model too....

EDIT: I found a pic on one of my old threads, here it is with color bars. It's a model 1251.
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii90/zenithfan1/100_4921.jpg

That's not your room, it's too clean!

By the way, this website allows you to make a DVD with loads of different test patterns:

http://techpreservation.dyndns.org/dvddl/testdisc.htm

One caveat: depending on the drive used to create the DVD, it may or may not play on any given DVD player. Mine plays on one of the four players in this house, not counting the drive used to create it.

I still use my pattern generator a lot, but the DVD comes in handy every once in a while.

Phil Nelson