Zenith Data Systems - ZVM Series Video Monitors

[+MrFish]

I just ran into a couple of these on Ebay. I thought the logo looked strikingly similar to the old 8-bit, brown carts -- at least in style and color. The monitor case itself seems a better fit for an XL, but I'm sure it'd look nice next to a 400 or 800 as well.

 

Is anybody using one of these with their 8-bit setup? These are monochrome; I guess the 122 is amber and the 123 is green. They also make some color monitors, like the 135. I just started looking into them; I'm interested to see what other models were available that might be a good match for Atari systems too.

 

    

 

    

 

 

[+slx]

Nice looking, a plus for the carrying handle, would require some separate speaker setup, though. 
 

I wonder what the 40/80 character switch does. 

[gilsaluki]

Thanks for posting this.  I have this monitor in the attic.  I used to use it with the XEP-80.  It is a great monitor and easy on the eyes.  I need to bring it down and use it again.  I remember in the heyday when these sold for as little as $50 new.  Those were the dayz... 

[+MrFish]

On 5/5/2020 at 12:07 AM, slx said:

Nice looking, a plus for the carrying handle, would require some separate speaker setup, though. 

I don't find lack of a speaker a problem for any monitor. Most monitors have pretty mediocre speakers on them anyway.

 

I usually have my Atari tied into audio with the rest of my PC equipment (Windows PC & Macintosh) -- via a small mixing board -- which is fed into a decent set of Boston Acoustics. But, I honestly use headphones 99% of the time anyway. 

  

On 5/5/2020 at 12:07 AM, slx said:

I wonder what the 40/80 character switch does. 

I guess a video mode switch.

 

I know they sold these with an IBM compatible they produced too.

 

[+MrFish]

6 hours ago, gilsaluki said:

Thanks for posting this.  I have this monitor in the attic.  I used to use it with the XEP-80.  It is a great monitor and easy on the eyes.  I need to bring it down and use it again.  I remember in the heyday when these sold for as little as $50 new.  Those were the dayz... 

That's exactly what I had in mind for it (XEP-80).

 

[gilsaluki]

18 hours ago, MrFish said:

That's exactly what I had in mind for it (XEP-80).

 

I am motivated to get mine out of the attic now.  The Atariwriter 80 is a pretty solid WP.  It follows the same format at the previous versions of AW and AW+.  On an amber (or green) screen it is very nice.  Also wouldn't mind doing some database and spreadsheet functions with it.  Games in monochrome are kinda unique.

 

[+slx]

On 5/6/2020 at 9:45 PM, MrFish said:

I don't find lack of a speaker a problem for any monitor. Most monitors have pretty mediocre speakers on them anyway.

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Probably true. Bought a not too cheap lcd monitor for my son recently and he still uses the built-in speakers of his laptop as they sound better. I just hate the desktop clutter of extra speakers and their cabling and as I am not a music listening person I never have a stereo in my study to hook up to.  As I have to wear headphones at work I‘d rather avoid them at home...

[Sugarland]

No but those look great. Likely designed for many many hours of use and clear viewing. They look like great monitors!  Amber all the way.