Produced by JVC for Commodore, the Commodore 1702 CRT monitor is the perfect match for retro computers such as the Commodore 64, the VIC-20, the C128, the C16, the C116 and the Plus/4. I was finally able to add it to my collection thanks to an unexpected gift from Vittorio, who gave me a perfectly functioning specimen.
As soon as I received the monitor, I performed a series of interventions to restore it to its original splendor.
I completely disassembled it, thoroughly cleaned the plastic chassis, deoxidized all potentiometers and replaced the power cable, which was damaged.
The end result was amazing: the monitor looks almost new!
Technical characteristics of the Commodore 1702
The Commodore 1702, produced from 1983 onwards, is a 13-inch diagonal color CRT monitor in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Designed primarily for Commodore computers, it could also be used with other video sources thanks to its composite (front RCA connectors) and S-Video (separate luminance and chrominance – LCA, rear RCA connectors) inputs.
Main Specifications:
- Screen: 13 inch
- Cathode ray tube: Toshiba 370KRB22
- Native resolution: 240p, 480i
- Vertical Scan Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz
- Supported TV System: PAL and NTSC
- Picture format: 4:3
- Video inputs: CVBS composite video RCA + front audio, Luma/Chroma RCA (S-Video) + rear audio
- Audio: Mono, with built-in speaker
- Power supply: 220 Vac / 240 Vac (with rear selector), 50 Hz, 70 W
- Dimensions: 360 x 365 x 345 mm
- Weight: approx. 8.5 kg
- Degaussing: automatic on power on
Video connections and compatibility
The Commodore 1702 is equipped with two sets of video inputs, one front and one rear.
Front Input: RCA (composite video and mono audio) connectors, useful for connecting devices that have a composite video output, such as the Commodore Vic20, camcorders and VCRs.
The front audio/video inputs are visible in this photo, at the bottom right. The photo portrays the monitor... before cleaning!
Rear input: Dual RCA connectors for separate video signal (Luma and Chroma) and RCA connector for mono audio.
This dual connection option, selectable via a rear switch, offers great versatility and superior image quality when using the Luma/Chroma signal. For maximum quality with the Commodore 64 or C128, we recommend using the LCA (Luminance Chroma Audio) cable, which uses the computer's 8-pole DIN output.
I had written a article to connect Commodore computers to monitors via S-Video inputs.
As regards the Commodore Vic-20, the situation is different: this computer uses a 5-pin DIN connector, which only supports composite video. In this case, the connection must be made via the monitor's front RCA inputs.
Relatively to Commodore 128, this monitor is not ideal for displaying text with more than 40 columns, which is why the C128 in 80 column mode requires a different monitor or a RGBi to VGA adapter.
Papers
Per chi possiede un Commodore 1702 e desidera approfondire le sue caratteristiche o eseguire interventi di manutenzione, ecco due risorse utili. Relativamente al service manual, fa riferimento al modello alimentato a 120 Vca 60 Hz, non quello europeo a 220/240 Vca 50 Hz.
1. Commodore 1702 User Manual
2. Service Manual Commodore 1702
Date of entry into the collection: 11/03/2025