Commodore 1902 and 1902A monitors

[David Nelson]

Hi, many moons ago (early 1990's I think), I picked up a C128D and a 1902 monitor at a computer consignment shop just outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I also got two extra 1571's and a 1581 to go with it, dirt cheap. Ah, those were the days. Look at the prices for these things on Ebay now! Anyway, on to my point. So I have this 1902 monitor, and it has a regular 9-pin RGB connector on the back and RCA type jacks for the 40col video. It has a special looking cable that goes from the 128D's 40col DIN type output and separates into the RCA type for input on the monitor. I always thought it was odd, but hey, it was Commodore.

I recently pieced together a duplicate system (C128D and so forth). At first I was planning to A/B switch the monitor, but then I thought that would be complete hassle as there'd still be two keyboards and two mice. So what the heck, might as well get another monitor. I looked for a 1902 but all I found were 1902A's out there. From the front pictures, it looked the same, and I waited until a good auction came through and picked it up. The monitor has arrived, and it works perfectly in 80 and 40 col modes. So I am happy. But I am completely baffled by it... On the back, it has two DIN type connectors for the RGB and 40 col. It uses a special cable to go from the DIN input to the 9-pin RGB output on the back of the 128D. The 40 col just uses a DIN-to-DIN, similar to what the floppy drives use. I haven't quite remembered what to do about the audio yet, either. The front controls for adjusting the monitor are also quite a bit different than the 1902's.

So my question is... what gives? 1902 and 1902A. Why the A? What happened to the original 1902? And why such a big difference in the way it connects to the computer? That is what really gets me. They are so completely different. I know Commodore switched suppliers alot, is this just another one of those switch-a-roos? If so why not give it a new model number?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this mystery. Everything works fine, so I have no complaints. I'm just curious!
-David

[Blacklord]

Hi David,

The 9 pin cable for the 80 column mode is a bog standard CGA cable - considering the vintage of the monitor these were very common cables at the time & can still be had for next to nothing. At the time I was using the same cable (& monitor) on both my CGA equipped PC & my 128D.

cheers,

Lance

[David Nelson]

The 9 pin cable for the 80 column mode is a bog standard CGA cable - considering the vintage of the monitor these were very common cables at the time & can still be had for next to nothing.

It's been so long, I just don't remember cables looking like that. ha. Well, much research led me to the definitive answer! The 1902A came to be because Commodore changed suppliers. The supplier for the 1902 could not keep up with demand, thus the switch. Plus Commodore began to market an Amiga monitor very similar to the 1902A, from the same manufacturer. Mystery solved. Sort of. Still doesn't explain why the connections are so radically different. Imagine being a Commodore licensed dealer and having to deal with all these different sets of cables to do the same thing. Sheeesh.

-David