As with many game consoles of its time, the ColecoVision only outputs RF and must be modified for any other video output (except for French consoles, see section below). Inside the ColecoVision is a TMS9928 (TMS9929 for PAL and French consoles) VDP, which outputs a form of component video. An LM1889 modulator chip then converts these signals into composite video and a combined audio and video signal for RF. A number of video mods exist for the ColecoVision, ranging from simple composite video mods all the way to VDP replacements which can output VGA, such as the F18a and PICO9918.
French ColecoVision
French ColecoVisions are unique in that they output RGB and do not have RF out. RGB output for the French ColecoVision is provided over a DB15 connector and the cable requires no extra components. For use with TVs that did not have a SCART input, some French consoles came packaged with an external modulator[1] that converted the RGB output to a SECAM RF signal. Early French consoles are based on a standard PAL console outfitted with an RGB encoder daughterboard[2], while later French consoles have a dedicated motherboard revision with this circuitry built into the motherboard itself. In addition, the Expansion Module #1 add-on for playing Atari 2600 games is incompatible as the French ColecoVision does not use the composite video input on the expansion port.