800 XL RCA Cable question

[8BIT 1337]

Just wondering what's in that box near the end that goes into the computer. A booster or something?

 

I bought a "Coaxial to Female RCA Adaptor" from the AA store and used my 800 XL RCA cable (with that box) to connect my 7800 to my TV. Everything works I just wondered why that box is at the end of the cable.

[Nukey Shay]

Tie me like a hog and call me an idiot...but are you referring to the TV/Game switchbox? Some people just like to have it so they don't need to keep disconnecting cables when they use their stuff.

[8BIT 1337]

heh heh - I'm probably not describing it well enough.

 

I'm talking about the cable that *goes* to the switchbox. My 800 XL RCA cable isn't just a wire - it's got a box of sorts (it's recangular in shape) near where it goes into the 800 XL RCA spot (and it actually says 'To Computer' on it). If I was at home I'd attempt to take a picture but I'm at work. If I think of it tonight I'll see what I can do (I'm not sure we have the digital camera at home - my wife uses it for business).

[Jetboot Jack]

Its for RF shielding, a Toroid ring....

 

sTeVE

[8BIT 1337]

Makes sense.

 

Would it make much of a difference over a regular RCA cable? I have an Intellivision and another extra RCA cable with the sheilding bit on it. Is it worth digging out?

[Nukey Shay]

Erm...isn't that inside the computer? That's where it is on the older 800.

 

 

I thought that he was referring to plugging a demodulator (like the Vic20's) into the monitor port, and feeding the RF wire from that...but that's just overkill.

[8BIT 1337]

This is the XL my dad bought back in the 80s so it's the only one I've known. I know my 400 doesn't have that sheilding bit on it's built in RCA wire. I've got three of these things kicking around (I can't remember for sure if one came with my recent 7800 purchase or not, but the others are definite 8-bit cables).