MGL Odyssey VGA Second Screen

[Bill Phillips]

I have an Odyssey EFIS in my RV-8A and I'm tying to get a second monitor screen in the back to slave off the forward screen. Anybody know if there is a menu site that has to be activated or engaged to get the VGA to output? I spoke with Matt at MGL a couple weeks ago about this an he indicted it would work without a problem, but he is unavailable for a couple weeks. Somehow it never works out as simple as it should. I tested the LCD monitor and it works, but cannot get anything out of the EFIS VGA. I purchased a VGA to RCA adapter from Parts-express and they are a good bunch of folks. I'd appreciate any help and Merry Christmas from Georgia, Bill RV-8A, N288WP, 33 hrs-Phase 1

[Bill Phillips]

that has an MGL and second screen that can help?Best to all Bill

[Bill Phillips]

surely one of the 134 folks that show here as viewers have a MGL system with a second screen. Please respond with how to get the VGA to output so I can finish the plane tomorrow, makng the rear monitor work and flying the last 6.7 hours off and the Bluebird is DONE. Best regards, Bill

[odens_14]

Originally Posted by Bill Phillips

surely one of the 134 folks that show here as viewers have a MGL system with a second screen. Please respond with how to get the VGA to output so I can finish the plane tomorrow, makng the rear monitor work and flying the last 6.7 hours off and the Bluebird is DONE. Best regards, Bill

Do you have a link to the converter you used? You need to have an actual converter in this case not an adapter. you will know if its a converter because a converter will need its own power source. This can be confusing because some computer video cards actually send an RCA signal through the VGA connector only requiring and adapter which looks like it should work but wont (like this one, which i bought first but doesn't workVGA to RCA adapter. Unfortunately, MGLs EFIS does not have any RCA signal so you need an active converter.

Here is the converter I used, using the EFIS usb port to power the converter seems to work ok. I have this connected to a Car dvd system and it definitely works. VGA to RCA Converter

[Bill Phillips]

I just ordered the converter from the site you provided When it comes in and I get it installed I'll contact MGL so they can properly advise their customers, Best regards, Bill

[RV-4]

Hi Bill
A friend of mine did exactly that in his RV-4. He installed a small screen in the back and now has all the info from the front screen duplicated in the back.

I will send him an e-mail and as soon as I get an answer how he did it, I will post the reply here.

Bruno
rv4@videotron.ca

[FlyingArcher]

Bill,

Here is the list of connected pins on the VGA connector

VGA Out connected pins

Pin 1 RED Red video
Pin 2 GREEN Green video
Pin 3 BLUE Blue video
Pin 4
Pin 5 GND Ground (HSync)
Pin 6 RED_RTN Red return
Pin 7 GREEN_RTN Green return
Pin 8 BLUE_RTN Blue return
Pin 9
Pin 10 GND Ground (VSync, DDC)
Pin 11
Pin 12
Pin 13 HSync Horizontal sync
Pin 14 VSync Vertical sync
Pin 15

You might want to search the MGL Users Forum for other info, a number of builders use a second screen.

[GrayHawk]

I believe the video inputs & outputs on the Odyssey G2 are active all the time. The video inputs are CVBS (composite video) on a 9-pin D-sub connector and are used in the various screens or custom designed screens on the EFIS, such as a 'taxi' cam.

The video output is computer standard VGA resolution (640x480) on a VGA connector (pin out given in a previous post). The easiest way to use this is to connect it via a VGA cable to a progressive scanned monitor that accepts VGA input and has a VGA connector.

Connection to any other type of monitor, such as one that accepts only CVBS on an RCA type plug will require conversion. And even then, the monitor needs to be able to sync to the scan rates being output. Not sure how the interlaced scan versus progressive scan is handled. Your monitor may or not work, will need testing to verify.

To check the Odyssey output, just take any VGA computer monitor & connect it up to the Odyssey using a VGA cable.

[Bill Phillips]

hook it up and test in the morning. I have only 3.5 hours left to fly off Phase 1 to be a "real" airplane. Can't wait to take my girls flying!. Best to you, Bill

[Bill Phillips]

up to my Odyssey and LCD Monitor. It worked fine for a few moments then the EFIS screen began to role and the rear monitor went to test pattern. I had a computer savey friend look at the wiring and confirmed the connections. What was weird was that even after I disconnected the converter from the VGA cable and the USB power connection the EFIS screen still rolled? I shut off the EFIS, and master, rebooted and it still rolled. When I disconnected the VGA 15 pin connector from the rear of the EFIS the rolling stopped. The weirdest part was the other end was not connected to anything! I sure need some smart guy help. Another computer guy I explained it to said the rolling was a symptom of a reduction in internal power in the EFIS screen and that the converter may need a source other than the EFIS. That still would not explain the roll stopping when the VGA cable was disconnected. Help if you can and thanks, Bill Phillips