So, I recently got this C64 for free, and I've been wanting to test it. However, figuring out how to connect a monitor has led me to various forums with home-made adapters that require soldering, a 5-pin DIN to 4xRCA to...? My monitor has VGA and HDMI, etc, the usual modern inputs. Someone claimed that the voltages are different which will lead to artifacts and to put a resistor somewhere. I found some box thing from China that looks promising but it's around 150 usd.
What would you recommend for this? Is the expensive box my best bet?
I have no TV or anything that can input RF, just a computer monitor.
I think you pretty much understand the issue here. The C64 has composite video output through a DIN-to-RCA adapter and analog television output through an RF converter. There is no option for digital outputs to modern monitors since they did not exist when the C64 was manufactured and they use a completely different set of signals.
Your options are pretty much to:
This is the fun of going retro, no?
Haha yes, I think I'll probably try to find an analog monitor first.