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Upscalers, CRTs, PVMs & RGB: Retro gaming done right!

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Get a cheap PS1 or PS2 for starters. PS3 only does PS1 software emulation with added lag and they're incorrectly presented at 480i.

Going by your TV's manual, get a Playstation S-video cable.

PS3 should be outputting 480p or upscaled to 1080p (with more lag) depending on settings. The added latency isn't really that big a deal in most games, unless you're trying to play a time sensitive platformer or a fighting game.
 
Get a cheap PS1 or PS2 for starters. PS3 only does PS1 software emulation with added lag and they're incorrectly presented at 480i.

Going by your TV's manual, get a Playstation S-video cable.
Thanks for the advice, but getting a PS1 or PS2, then getting a disc copy of MGS1 (I'm playing the digital copy from the Legacy Collection) is more effort than I think I'm willing to put forth right now.

Given the equipment that I do have, the PS3 (slim), my Sony Trinitron (composite), and my Sony KDL48R470B (HDMI), I would think that at least playing on the Trinitron with Composite would be the better experience? Maybe I'm asking in the wrong thread, perhaps my standards just aren't on the same level as what this thread is about.
 

Mega

Banned
^Thought it was a disc copy in which case a $20 PS1 would've been a good option. Can you play on a TV or monitor with HDMI?

PS3 should be outputting 480p or upscaled to 1080p (with more lag) depending on settings. The added latency isn't really that big a deal in most games, unless you're trying to play a time sensitive platformer or a fighting game.

I see. I think the CRT itself still limits his options to 15khz/480i.
 
Got my Framemeister in but none of my scart cables have arrived yet so I'm teasing myself with composite/s-video upscaled. I think I can live with Nin64 svideo, but nes composite isn't going to do it, going to have to mod.
 

Tarin02543

Member
Hello guys

My PVM has the following inputs:

SDI
HDMI
Composite BNC

I want the best RGB picture, but I don't have the money (yet) for a XRGB mini. Scart to SDI exists, but costs 250 £.

Are there affordable scalers that transcode RGB Scart to HDMI in good quality?

thanks in advance
 

Peltz

Member
Hello guys

My PVM has the following inputs:

SDI
HDMI
Composite BNC

I want the best RGB picture, but I don't have the money (yet) for a XRGB mini. Scart to SDI exists, but costs 250 £.

Are there affordable scalers that transcode RGB Scart to HDMI in good quality?

thanks in advance
What model PVM?

And the answer is not what you want to hear. Decent RGB to HDMI costs a few hundred bucks.
 

Mupod

Member
I keep coming back to this thread over and over but the wall of confusing stuff in the OP always stops me cold. I've decided that I really want to hook my Genesis (Model 1) up via RGB to my (NTSC) Trinitron but I'm not sure what *exactly* I need.

I'm assuming I need something like this, but there's also a bunch of cheaper cables from Hong Kong sellers out there.

But the OP also mentions a 'SCART-to-YUV transcoder'. I'm seeing stuff like this and like this. And then there's this thing. I'm not sure what I need, here.
 

ToD_

Member
My BVM-20f1U died on me last week. It turns on, but the overload light is on immediately, and the monitor shows alternating colors. It starts white, then goes red and green, if I remember correctly. I tried unplugging everything, and even taking out the expansion boards. There doesn't seem to be much I can do. If anyone has any ideas how to resolve this, however, please do let me know!

Re: BVMs being the "best," I now think they're sometimes too much of a good thing. The scanlines can simply be too thick in certain parts of certain games. I think a good example is Dr. Grant climbing across a rope in Jurassic Park (Genesis). At times he looks like an abstract collection of short spaced-out lines instead of a solid figure of a man. Then there's the sky in games like Sonic 2 and Gunstar Heroes looking dim/faded and less defined clouds in comparison to my other monitors -- because there are thick dark lines streaking across it. It doesn't always work and sort of underscores that these monitors weren't made for 240p games and vice-versa.

I definitely agree with this. The BVM is almost too good at times, especially when viewed up close. It's sometimes hard to see the artistic intent because, like you said, a lot of things start to look like an abstract collection of short spaced-out lines.

My BVM had great geometry, though, and I love how easy it is to adjust that. It's just a very solid monitor.
 

Peltz

Member
My BVM-20f1U died on me last week. It turns on, but the overload light is on immediately, and the monitor shows alternating colors. It starts white, then goes red and green, if I remember correctly. I tried unplugging everything, and even taking out the expansion boards. There doesn't seem to be much I can do. If anyone has any ideas how to resolve this, however, please do let me know!



I definitely agree with this. The BVM is almost too good at times, especially when viewed up close. It's sometimes hard to see the artistic intent because, like you said, a lot of things start to look like an abstract collection of short spaced-out lines.

My BVM had great geometry, though, and I love how easy it is to adjust that. It's just a very solid monitor.

Agreed on BVMs bring a bit too sharp to use as a "main" monitor. I've seen a lot of different CRTs over the past year and discovered that anywhere from 400 to 750 lines is probably the sweet spot.

Personally, I use a PVM that is 600 lines but find that it's still quite a bit sharper than most arcade monitors.

Seeing pixel art on those less shap displays in the arcades in lossless RGB quality is often even more pleasing to my eyes than anything I see at home on my broadcast monitor. The 240p scan line effect is subtle and lets the artwork really shine.
 

Mega

Banned
If your TV has component, you need a Genesis 1 RGB cable and one of those RGB to YUV boxes -- not the cheap little adapter you linked since that does no signal conversion. Get the RGB cable from that ebay seller, not a cheap garbage one.

If you're plugging that scart cable into a converter box (which then has no audio output to feed into your TV or speakers), you may want to consider the version of that cable without the the audio plug and instead get a separate one male to two male stereo cable. Or I guess you could get the cable you had in mind for future versatility and still get the separate audio cable for your setup.

My BVM-20f1U died on me last week. It turns on, but the overload light is on immediately, and the monitor shows alternating colors. It starts white, then goes red and green, if I remember correctly. I tried unplugging everything, and even taking out the expansion boards. There doesn't seem to be much I can do. If anyone has any ideas how to resolve this, however, please do let me know!

No idea how to fix that, probably needs new parts and the expertise of one of those long-gone Sony repair techs, but curious: how many hours did it have?

Regarding CRT aesthetics, I think 500 lines is right. I tried to get my hands on a 20N6U on ebay but the seller won't ship it out. It's a newish 20" monitor and only has 500 lines which must create an astounding and distinct image from the 800+ line monitors. It must look amazing. I have a tiny 300-line PVM and the picture is so different from the usual very sharp stuff, but very warm and pleasing. I need to see that on a bigger high-quality set. Still' I've come around to the 20F1U after some PC Engine gameplay. Crossposting from the scanline thread:

SR94TJmh.jpg
 

televator

Member
Yo. Can anyone here walk me through how to add extra scanline/CRT filters to Epsxe? Do I download them from the NTSC library? Someone talk to me like I'm 5, please.
 

ToD_

Member
No idea how to fix that, probably needs new parts and the expertise of one of those long-gone Sony repair techs, but curious: how many hours did it have?

I don't remember exactly, and unfortunately it's impossible to check now, but I think it was like 60,000. It's was a fairly new model, being manufactured in 2004.

Regarding CRT aesthetics, I think 500 lines is right. I tried to get my hands on a 20N6U on ebay but the seller won't ship it out. It's a newish 20" monitor and only has 500 lines which must create an astounding and distinct image from the 800+ line monitors. It must look amazing. I have a tiny 300-line PVM and the picture is so different from the usual very sharp stuff, but very warm and pleasing. I need to see that on a bigger high-quality set. Still' I've come around to the 20F1U after some PC Engine gameplay. Crossposting from the scanline thread:

I feel the 20F1U looks most pleasant with games with simpler/larger graphics. Small details would get separated by the scanlines so much that my brain would not piece it together anymore and I would lose the sense of coherency. Of course, sitting back a little farther would rectify this. Funny enough, removing my glasses worked as well.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a technician willing/able to repair my monitor, and I don't know how much it would cost me. Tinkering with CRTs is not something I like doing, so I'll probably end up searching for a new monitor. This time I'll likely go for something with fewer lines.
 

goldenpp72

Member
I had a question to you guys, i've recently been trying to find a solution for all the scart cables in my setup, since the assembler thing is taking so long to release I was thinking of alternatives. I've seen a few on eBay but I don't know if they would present issues or if they even use the euro pins I need since that's all my cables are. Would anyone be able to help?

Here are links to some products i've looked at.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Way-Scart...322700?hash=item5d5fa0a78c:g:OQ4AAOSwv-NWX~e6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181950121803?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I need to be able to daisy chain 3 together, so anyone who can help me would be greatly appreciated. I've spent almost a year trying to get everything right and it's just a mess right now.
 

Peagles

Member
I don't know if those particular ones are the same, but the ones I've tried like that worry me because they seem to pump voltage through the consoles even when they aren't switched on. I don't use them because of that. The one time I did my Saturn looked like it was on even when it wasn't plugged in at the wall.., spooky...
 

goldenpp72

Member
I don't know if those particular ones are the same, but the ones I've tried like that worry me because they seem to pump voltage through the consoles even when they aren't switched on. I don't use them because of that. The one time I did my Saturn looked like it was on even when it wasn't plugged in at the wall.., spooky...

I'd love to hear more about this, though in my setup I disable all the electronics to the outlets when i'm done in the area, not sure if that would help though..
 

baphomet

Member
I had a question to you guys, i've recently been trying to find a solution for all the scart cables in my setup, since the assembler thing is taking so long to release I was thinking of alternatives. I've seen a few on eBay but I don't know if they would present issues or if they even use the euro pins I need since that's all my cables are. Would anyone be able to help?

Here are links to some products i've looked at.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Way-Scart...322700?hash=item5d5fa0a78c:g:OQ4AAOSwv-NWX~e6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181950121803?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I need to be able to daisy chain 3 together, so anyone who can help me would be greatly appreciated. I've spent almost a year trying to get everything right and it's just a mess right now.

None of those will actually work. Your best bet is a hama clone that had actual switch buttons. Those you linked will degrade the signal more and more as you plug things in. And this isn't a slight degradation. It'll be solid black before you fill 1 up. Not to mention, as peagles said, the will run voltage into the other scart cables causing systems not plugged in to the wall to power on. Needless to say, that's not good.
 

goldenpp72

Member
What does this mean?

I have all my systems hooked up via multiple surge protectors that are then plugged into a single wireless outlet adapter I can switch on and off. Since all my stuff is in the basement I didn't want it to be drawing power all the time when I don't use it a ton, so I figured that was the most elegant solution.

Also disappointing to hear those won't work, so I guess the ones still being worked on through assembler are still the best options :( Just taking forever to come out..
 

Peagles

Member
I have all my systems hooked up via multiple surge protectors that are then plugged into a single wireless outlet adapter I can switch on and off. Since all my stuff is in the basement I didn't want it to be drawing power all the time when I don't use it a ton, so I figured that was the most elegant solution.

Also disappointing to hear those won't work, so I guess the ones still being worked on through assembler are still the best options :( Just taking forever to come out..

Okay, just wanted to make sure. I still wouldn't use them even with that setup.

Where do you live? I've picked up a bunch of old and good quality SCART switches on local auction sites here and access to anything here is scarce at the best of times.
 
The assembler switch is supposedly coming out around Feb, so not too long now.

I'm still waiting on the toro box for dreamcast and rgb cables for master system and snes but I'm close to getting things finalized. Can't wait until that switch comes out. Love the framemeister.

svxuPHR.jpg
 
The assembler switch is supposedly coming out around Feb, so not too long now.

I'm still waiting on the toro box for dreamcast and rgb cables for master system and snes but I'm close to getting things finalized. Can't wait until that switch comes out. Love the framemeister.

svxuPHR.jpg

Look fantastic. Nice and clean. What's up with the 16:9 size of the image on your TV? Is it zoomed in at all? It doesn't looked stretched to my eye.
 
Look fantastic. Nice and clean. What's up with the 16:9 size of the image on your TV? Is it zoomed in at all? It doesn't looked stretched to my eye.
I believe I had it set on Firebrands 5x setting which crops a few pixels from the top and bottom. I am still trying to figure everything out with the framemeister.
 

Peltz

Member
The assembler switch is supposedly coming out around Feb, so not too long now.

I'm still waiting on the toro box for dreamcast and rgb cables for master system and snes but I'm close to getting things finalized. Can't wait until that switch comes out. Love the framemeister.

svxuPHR.jpg
Looks great... But do you have any speakers?

I feel like you invested so much in such s great setup but without some decent bookshelf speakers... Idk man.

You could definitely make it work in there without ruining the clean look.
 
Looks great... But do you have any speakers?

I feel like you invested so much in such s great setup but without some decent bookshelf speakers... Idk man.

You could definitely make it work in there without ruining the clean look.
I have a whole stereo setup planned. They'll look great I just gotta do a bit at a time. Just bought a new pc and bought all this stuff.
 
I believe I had it set on Firebrands 5x setting which crops a few pixels from the top and bottom. I am still trying to figure everything out with the framemeister.

Cool. I'll have to look into that setting when I get mine. Looks great - seemingly very little cropped from the screen image.
 

catabarez

Member
I can't wait to get that SCART switch. I have all the SCART cables I need for my retro consoles now that I got the Toro and getting that 3 in 1 sega genesis power adapter means I have a spare power supply for the switch.
 
I can't wait to get that SCART switch. I have all the SCART cables I need for my retro consoles now that I got the Toro and getting that 3 in 1 sega genesis power adapter means I have a spare power supply for the switch.
Oh yeah I got that 3 in 1 power adapter too. That thing is a godsend. He has a nes/snes one too but I'm not sure I'm going to need it.
 

Kawika

Member
I wish there was a gif for this thread whenever someone gets a XRGB-Mini (sort of like the Vita thread when someone buys a Vita or memory card). Anyway, so I got a XRGB-MINI and I'm pretty excited. I've only been able to test my Wii and PS2 since I'm waiting for my scart to jp-21 adapter to come in.

That said, does anyone have a profile or config they can recommend for the Wii in widescreen. Even better if you have scanlines parameters too. Is there a place that has downloadable profiles for each console? I found one but it didn't cover any of the 480p via component.

Also has anyone tried putting their Wii U in 480p mode via HDMI and run any of the Wii games like Mario Galaxy 2?
 

Galdelico

Member
His shop is down until after new years but here is the link. http://retrogamecave.com/#/shop/4577155957/trio-m2-usa-power-supply/9666357

Thanks! I wasn't even aware such things existed. :D
Is this thing - http://en.retrogamesupply.com/colle...all-in-one-for-sega-megadrive-genesis-mega-cd - a comparable solution? Being in France, it would be a more convenient solution to me.

I'm not a tech savvy, but it makes me wonder how it wouldn't even need a stepdown converter (as I'm using a Japanese MD2 + MCD2).
 

Peltz

Member
I wish there was a gif for this thread whenever someone gets a XRGB-Mini (sort of like the Vita thread when someone buys a Vita or memory card). Anyway, so I got a XRGB-MINI and I'm pretty excited. I've only been able to test my Wii and PS2 since I'm waiting for my scart to jp-21 adapter to come in.

That said, does anyone have a profile or config they can recommend for the Wii in widescreen. Even better if you have scanlines parameters too. Is there a place that has downloadable profiles for each console? I found one but it didn't cover any of the 480p via component.

Also has anyone tried putting their Wii U in 480p mode via HDMI and run any of the Wii games like Mario Galaxy 2?
Yes I tried SMG in 480p on Wii U via the XRGB mini. (I used component though). I couldn't really come up with a configuration that I liked.

I prefer the overly sharp, but mostly lagless upscale that the Wii U provides when output to 1080p. I also prefer the scaling my HDTV does from 480p. The mini is in a distant third place as far as 480p source material is concerned.
 

entremet

Member
Looks great... But do you have any speakers?

I feel like you invested so much in such s great setup but without some decent bookshelf speakers... Idk man.

You could definitely make it work in there without ruining the clean look.

I know you live an apartment, Peltz. As do I. Do you have bookshelf setup? I've been thinking about upgrading, but headphones fit me better for apartment life.
 

Peltz

Member
I know you live an apartment, Peltz. As do I. Do you have bookshelf setup? I've been thinking about upgrading, but headphones fit me better for apartment life.

Yes, I rock a very very competent 2.0 setup.

In my old house, I had a 5.1 setup that I thought I would miss when moving into an apartment. But if you get good enough speakers, you'll get amazing sound even from pure 2.0 stereo.

When I moved, I consulted the sage minds of AVS Forums who picked out these for me along with a great Denon receiver.


http://www.infinityspeakers.com/boo...speakers&dwvar_PRIMUS 163_color=Black#start=1

They deliver super clean sound with the best possible bass you could ask for from bookshelf speakers. I listen to jazz on these babies and still hear all of the subtleties that I look for while not skimping on "presence" that decent audio should deliver. They fill the room cleanly without ever sounding "loud", unbalanced, or distorted. Double bass details (a very subtle, yet important instrument in jazz) can be heard rather cleanly as well. And even though they could go very loudly, you don't have to turn it up to high volume to get some seriously satisfying presence from them. I keep my receiver set to negative 15 db and never turn the up past negative 10. They go up to positive 20 for reference but I'm sure I'd lose an ear once I reach 0.0db.

(My advice is to always buy speakers that go way louder than you ever need to set them so that you can play them softly without any sort of distortion while still getting very clean sound. Speakers always sound more balanced when played at under 50% of their max volume).

I was really shocked to hear just how fulfilling the sound from these two little things were. And they are really decent for retro games.

The problem with every high end headphone I've heard in comparison is the lack of presence. When you turn your head, they turn with you. You also cannot feel the sound anywhere else on your body because it's isolated to your ears. There's no illusion of being genuinely immersed in sound from head to toe. So I always find speakers to be superior.

For the record, I think I'm as much of a sound snob as I am a IQ snob, but good sound costs way more and impacts your wallet way harder if you're not careful. Sound is a way deeper rabbit hole than the RGB hole we've all fallen into.
 
Got the rest of my cables in today, everything works but there is something wrong with my master system. The pause/reset buttons don't work on the console and it only displays video through RF. Also the B button on the controller doesn't work, really weird. I haven't had the thing on in a long so I had no clue, bummer. There's no way a wrong scart cable could screw it up is there? I don't want to screw another one up.
 
Hey guys,

Considering buying a small 14" PVM. Found one on eBay in decent condition. Here's a picture of the back:
It's a Sony PVM-14L1. I mainly want it to hook up my original Wii to play retro games via emulation along with a GameCube with Gameboy Player to play GB games. Perhaps a SNES and N64 in future.

Are the connections on the back okay for this? Total noob to this kind of stuff, so just want to check beforehand.

If anyone has this model and can comment, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Hey guys,

Considering buying a small 14" PVM. Found one on eBay in decent condition. Here's a picture of the back:It's a Sony PVM-14L1. I mainly want it to hook up my original Wii to play retro games via emulation along with a GameCube with Gameboy Player to play GB games. Perhaps a SNES and N64 in future.

Are the connections on the back okay for this? Total noob to this kind of stuff, so just want to check beforehand.

If anyone has this model and can comment, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Looks clean, and has a recent enough date for a PVM. Bad news is that it doesn't take RGB so not worth getting sadly.
 
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