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.
The C64 can output composite video natively (with the yellow, red, white cables). You could buy or build yourself such a cable and then use an composite to hdmi converter box to use your modern monitor. Although I do not know if cheap ones will work with the signal, you have to do some more research on that.
Judging from various forums it seems like people have had very different results with various converters, it seems like the safest bet is to find an old TV instead, maybe also the cheapest.