demodulator

["Alexander the Great jr." <kanaris@bode.usc.edu>]

> So, what I need to change the RF signal to go into a camcorder as a 

> composite signal is a DEMODULATOR. Radio Shack, for some reason, sells RF 

> modulators, but not Demodulators. I've been calling electronics stores 

> and no one has a clue about these. They are standard in most VCRs, but I 

> was thinking of a small portable box into which I could plug the RF PXL 

> signal; which would then go into a camcorder for high quality recording. 

> 

> Does anyone know anyplace to get a demodulator?? I know this was 

> discussed before, but there must be someplace to get one. I suppose it 

> may be possible to get some broken VCR and remove the back plate and make 

> your own, but what a pain. Anyone have ideas??

> 



A "demodulator" is not enough to convert RF to baseband (RCA).

A so called "demodulator" like this consists of a tuner, plus IF,

plus demodulator. I would call it a "TV receiver"

In other words it is a TV minus the tube.



You will NOT find a standalone tuner OR a standalone demodulator

because it is useless by itself. You can find one inside every TV

and every VCR. 



You can buy a tuner as a replacement part from the service department

of any major TV&VCR manufacturer. Chances are, it will be a voltage

controlled tuner, so you cannot just turn a knob to tune it. 

But this is not the only problem...

You will ALSO need to buy the IF and the demodulator. The problem is

that the IF and the demodulator is usually on the "motherboard"

of the TV or the VCR so you cannot just buy the parts. You must

buy the whole motherboard. 



If you want to convert the PXL output to baseband, I recommend you open

the toy and tap into the signal before it goes into the modulator.



Otherwise, find an old VCR that you don't need anymore and carry it

around as a "demodulator". You cannot remove just the tuner from it,

YOU NEED THE WHOLE RECEIVER.







    <<alex kanaris>>  



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Alexander Kanaris                           ___   ___     kanaris@bode.usc.edu

Electrical Engineering --- Systems   /  /  /__   /      kanaris@thales.usc.edu

University of  Southern California  /__/  ___/  /__     kanaris@girtab.usc.edu

Los Angeles, California 90089-2562                  kanaris@alumni.caltech.edu

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