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Rewrite with verified information only — remove fabricated part numbers (CGA 1501486, MDA 1501481, FDD Adapter 1501507, Fixed Disk Adapter 6181682, Model F dimensions/weight), remove placeholder image filenames, replace speculative capacitor designator table with verified minuszerodegrees.net source data (all tantalums marked C7, 10µF/16V), fix 5150 dimensions/weight to 20x16x5.5 inches / 21-28 lbs, fix Model F dimensions/weight to 19x9x1.5in / 7lb4oz / 3.3kg. Per Joshua's feedback: never pub...
 
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{{Infobox computer peripheral
{{Infobox computer peripheral
| name          = IBM 5151 Monochrome Display
| name          = IBM 5151 Personal Computer Display
| image        = [[File:5151 monochrome monitor.jpg|260px]]
| image        = [[File:IBM 5151 5153 5154 monitors.jpg|260px]]
| caption      = The IBM 5151 12-inch green-phosphor monitor, as supplied with the original IBM PC
| caption      = IBM monitors from left to right: 5151 monochrome, 5153 colour CGA, 5154 EGA
| manufacturer  = IBM
| manufacturer  = IBM
| type          = TTL monochrome CRT monitor
| type          = TTL monochrome CRT monitor
| release_date  = August 1981
| release_date  = 1981 (with the original IBM PC)
| discontinued  = ~1987
| price        = US$345 (1981)
| interface    = TTL digital, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]])
| interface    = TTL digital, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]])
| compatible    = [[IBM PC (5150)]], [[IBM PC XT (5160)]], any [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]] / Hercules-compatible system
| compatible    = [[IBM PC (5150)]], [[IBM PC XT (5160)]], any MDA / Hercules-compatible system
| dimensions    = 12" CRT (11.5" viewable diagonal)
| dimensions    = 12" CRT (~11.5" diagonal viewable area)
| weight        = ~9 kg (20 lb)
| model        = 5151
| model        = 5151
}}
}}


The '''IBM 5151''' (officially the '''IBM Personal Computer Display''') is the 12-inch green-phosphor TTL monitor IBM shipped with the original [[IBM PC (5150)]] when it was paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]]. The 5151 displays 80×25 text only — it has no graphics capability — but produces an unusually crisp 720×350-pixel character image because the MDA generates a 9×14 dot character cell instead of the 8×8 cell used by CGA.
The '''IBM 5151''' (the '''IBM Personal Computer Display''') is the 12-inch green-phosphor TTL monitor IBM shipped with the original [[IBM PC (5150)]] when it was paired with the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] (MDA). The 5151 displays 80×25 text only — it has no graphics capability — but produces a 720×350-pixel character image because the MDA generates a 9×14 dot character cell rather than the smaller cell used by the CGA.


== Display Characteristics ==
== Display Characteristics ==


* '''Phosphor:''' P39 (long-persistence green). Reduces flicker but smears on moving content.
* '''Phosphor:''' P39 (long-persistence green); reduces flicker but smears on moving content.
* '''Active resolution:''' 720 × 350 pixels, addressed as 80 × 25 characters of 9 × 14 dots.
* '''Resolution:''' 720 × 350 pixels, addressed as 80 × 25 characters in a 9 × 14 dot cell.
* '''Horizontal scan:''' 18.432 kHz.
* '''Horizontal scan:''' 18.432 kHz.
* '''Vertical scan:''' 50 Hz.
* '''Vertical scan:''' 50 Hz.
* '''Brightness levels:''' three (off / normal / bright), encoded over the TTL video + intensity pair.
* '''Brightness levels:''' three (off / normal / bright), encoded across the TTL video + intensity pair.
* '''Anti-glare:''' etched front glass.
* '''Anti-glare:''' etched front glass.


The 5151 will '''not''' work with [[IBM Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]], because CGA runs at 15.75 kHz horizontal — well below what the 5151's flyback can lock to.
The 5151 will '''not''' work with the [[IBM Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]], because CGA runs at 15.75 kHz horizontal — well below what the 5151's flyback can lock to.


== Input Connector ==
== Input Connector ==


A 9-pin D-shell, with TTL-level signals:
A 9-pin D-shell, TTL-level signals.


<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
* '''Pins 1, 2:''' Ground
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:60%; text-align:center;"
* '''Pin 7:''' Video
|+'''IBM 5151 input pinout (DB-9 female)'''
* '''Pin 8:''' Horizontal sync
! Pin !! Signal
* '''Pin 9:''' Vertical sync
|-
| 1, 2 || Ground
|-
| 3-6 || (unused, reserved)
|-
| 7 || Video (TTL)
|-
| 8 || Horizontal sync
|-
| 9 || Vertical sync
|}


The 5151 derives its three brightness levels from the combination of the Video and Intensity lines on the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]].
The 5151 derives its three brightness levels from the combination of the Video and Intensity lines on the [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]].
Line 52: Line 38:
== Common Faults ==
== Common Faults ==


* '''Yoke ringing / squeal''' — the flyback transformer or the deflection yoke develops a high-pitched whine after decades of use. Reflow the flyback joints.
* '''Yoke or flyback whine''' — reflow flyback transformer joints.
* '''Dim or shrunken raster''' — replace the analog board electrolytics, particularly on the high-voltage rail.
* '''Dim or shrunken raster''' — service the analog board electrolytics.
* '''Flickering brightness''' — the Video / Intensity TTL inputs are oxidised at the DB-9; clean with DeoxIT.
* '''Flickering brightness''' — clean the DB-9 input contacts.
* '''No display, audible flyback''' — open filament on the CRT (rare) or failed video amplifier transistor.
* '''No display, audible flyback''' — failed video amplifier transistor, or open filament on the CRT.


== CRT Safety ==
== CRT Safety ==


The 5151's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening — see [[CRT Discharge Procedure]].
The 5151's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening — see [[CRT Discharge Procedure]].
== References ==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_5151 IBM 5151 — Wikipedia].
* IBM, ''[https://minuszerodegrees.net/oa/OA%20-%20IBM%20Monochrome%20Display%20(5151).pdf IBM Monochrome Display (5151)]'' service documentation.


== Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==


* [[IBM PC (5150)]] — the system the 5151 was originally sold with
* [[IBM PC (5150)]] — the system the 5151 was sold with
* [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] — the adapter card that drives the 5151
* [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter]] — the adapter card that drives the 5151
* [[IBM 5153]] — the CGA-compatible colour equivalent
* [[IBM 5153]] — the colour equivalent
* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]
* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]


[[Category:IBM]]
[[Category:IBM]]

Latest revision as of 10:25, 21 May 2026

IBM 5151 Personal Computer Display
IBM monitors from left to right: 5151 monochrome, 5153 colour CGA, 5154 EGA
Manufacturer IBM
Type TTL monochrome CRT monitor
Release date 1981 (with the original IBM PC)
Interface TTL digital, 9-pin D-shell (paired with the IBM Monochrome Display Adapter)
Compatible IBM PC (5150), IBM PC XT (5160), any MDA / Hercules-compatible system
Dimensions 12" CRT (~11.5" diagonal viewable area)
Model 5151

The IBM 5151 (the IBM Personal Computer Display) is the 12-inch green-phosphor TTL monitor IBM shipped with the original IBM PC (5150) when it was paired with the IBM Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA). The 5151 displays 80×25 text only — it has no graphics capability — but produces a 720×350-pixel character image because the MDA generates a 9×14 dot character cell rather than the smaller cell used by the CGA.

Display Characteristics

[edit | edit source]
  • Phosphor: P39 (long-persistence green); reduces flicker but smears on moving content.
  • Resolution: 720 × 350 pixels, addressed as 80 × 25 characters in a 9 × 14 dot cell.
  • Horizontal scan: 18.432 kHz.
  • Vertical scan: 50 Hz.
  • Brightness levels: three (off / normal / bright), encoded across the TTL video + intensity pair.
  • Anti-glare: etched front glass.

The 5151 will not work with the CGA, because CGA runs at 15.75 kHz horizontal — well below what the 5151's flyback can lock to.

Input Connector

[edit | edit source]

A 9-pin D-shell, TTL-level signals.

  • Pins 1, 2: Ground
  • Pin 7: Video
  • Pin 8: Horizontal sync
  • Pin 9: Vertical sync

The 5151 derives its three brightness levels from the combination of the Video and Intensity lines on the MDA.

Common Faults

[edit | edit source]
  • Yoke or flyback whine — reflow flyback transformer joints.
  • Dim or shrunken raster — service the analog board electrolytics.
  • Flickering brightness — clean the DB-9 input contacts.
  • No display, audible flyback — failed video amplifier transistor, or open filament on the CRT.

CRT Safety

[edit | edit source]

The 5151's CRT retains a lethal anode charge. Discharge before opening — see CRT Discharge Procedure.

References

[edit | edit source]
[edit | edit source]
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