NTSC SNES vs XRGB-mini Framemeister

[broken harbour]

Hi Everyone!

I’ve been doing a bunch of research on how to get an XRGB-Mini Framemeister and an NTSC Snes to cooperate. I’ve been reading all week and to be honest… I’m now confused as hell, so I’m going to be that new guy on the forum that’s looking for easy answers.

I’ve heard there’s many problems with NTSC Snes’s with the Framemeister, but I’m sort of married to this scaler because it will work well with my other consoles.

What is the best option for making the two get along? I’d like the best picture quality I can get, but can use S-Video if necessary. I currently have the composite A/V hooked into my receiver and it looks like garbage as expected. I have an early generation NTSC snes, non 1-chip. Apparently from what I can figure out, these tend to be problematic with the Framemeister when using Scart.

At least I think they do… I’m confused as hell right now.

I have no problem finding another Snes console if neccesary, but what do I choose in that case? An RGB modded SNES Jr? A region-unlocked SFC running JAP Scart?

Help!

PS - I apologize if this has been covered ad-nauseum, I just couldn't find the straight answer I needed, and reading that 92 page Framemeister thread made my brain hurt.

[Fudoh]

Just get the XRGB first. Get a RGB Scart cable for your SNES and see how it works out. In my experience the cable configuration doesn't matter. You can use a RGB cable which uses composite video for sync or one which uses the real sync output.

There obviously are a few NTSC-US SNES models which can cause troubles on the Framemeister, but before you jump to conclusions, try the one you've got on hand.

[broken harbour]

So the Scart cable I need is for a Japanese SFC? or a PAL Scart cable?

Like I said, I'm so confused right now.

[eightbitminiboss]

So the Scart cable I need is for a Japanese SFC? or a PAL Scart cable?

Like I said, I'm so confused right now.

Either, if you get the Japanese cable for Super Famicom, you can plug it directly into the included adapter cable that came with the XRGB-mini. Otherwise, you would use a Euro SCART to XRGB cable such as this.

[Fudoh]

So the Scart cable I need is for a Japanese SFC? or a PAL Scart cable?

in between. You need a cable for your NTSC machine (which means it uses capacitors in the RGB lines), but you can use either a japanese or european Scart layout.

[broken harbour]

So what would give a better picture?

A Euro Scart into the Scart-to-Framemeister converter that Retro Accessories Sells?

or...

A Japanese Scart Direct into Framemeister using the adapter that comes with it?

I'm guessing the second one would produce a purer signal into the framemeister?

[Fudoh]

completely the same. Same signal, same cables, just different cable configurations.

[broken harbour]

completely the same. Same signal, same cables, just different cable configurations.

So it's literally as simple as buying a Japanese SFC Scart cable to plug into the Framemeister?

Why did I think it was so complicated?

[Fudoh]

You should decide for one format for all your systems. If you mix japanese and european cables, you're likely to damage something at some point.

[broken harbour]

^ Thanks, that's a good point.

At the moment I just want my SNES to work with the Framemeister and my 60 LG Plasma....

Here I'm find out that the NTSC SNES has DC offset so a SFC Scart cable wouldn't work? Or would at least have washed out colors because there aren't resistors in it?
http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthrea ... r-the-snes

These guys are saying I can just use a Gamecube Scart cable as it already has the resistors in it.
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/ar ... 24544.html

Can anyone here confirm? This forum seems to have the most knowledgeable peeps.

Thanks again and sorry for all the noob questions.

[Fudoh]

US and JP SNES/SFC units are the same. European Cube cables again are the same. European SNES cables are different.

[blizzz]

These guys are saying I can just use a Gamecube Scart cable as it already has the resistors in it.
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/ar ... 24544.html

Can anyone here confirm? This forum seems to have the most knowledgeable peeps.

Yes, Gamecube RGB cable will work on NTSC (US & JP) SNES consoles. (and I think on 1CHIP PAL consoles too, not 100% sure on that though)

[Donnesolkolov]

i really recommend this scart cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200887152868?ss ... 1497.l2649

[broken harbour]

i really recommend this scart cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200887152868?ss ... 1497.l2649

Thanks, is the 'raw sync' version generally resolve issues that many have had with Snes + XRGB Mini?

[broken harbour]

i really recommend this scart cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200887152868?ss ... 1497.l2649

Thanks, is the 'raw sync' version generally resolve issues that many have had with Snes + XRGB Mini?

Oops, re-read the 2nd post here, answered my question.

Thanks for your help everyone!

[chronic1]

i really recommend this scart cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200887152868?ss ... 1497.l2649

Thanks, is the 'raw sync' version generally resolve issues that many have had with Snes + XRGB Mini?

Oops, re-read the 2nd post here, answered my question.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Hello Broken,

Please let us know how it goes. I already have a mini, and would love to pick up a SNES & a cable if your setup works out alright!!!

[eightbitminiboss]

I received my XRGB mini yesterday and hooked up the cable I mentioned before. Works fine with my SNES's raw sync SCART cable.

[broken harbour]

I received my XRGB mini yesterday and hooked up the cable I mentioned before. Works fine with my SNES's raw sync SCART cable.

I bought those 2 cables a few days back, the seller hasn't sent me a confirmation or a shipping notice, or responded to emails, hopefully I don't get screwed...

[eightbitminiboss]

I received my XRGB mini yesterday and hooked up the cable I mentioned before. Works fine with my SNES's raw sync SCART cable.

I bought those 2 cables a few days back, the seller hasn't sent me a confirmation or a shipping notice, or responded to emails, hopefully I don't get screwed...

They're a little slow sometimes, but I've received everything I've bought from them. (e.g. Several SCART cables, Turbo Duo RGB mod kit across several purchases)

[broken harbour]

My XRGB Mini arrived today, cables are still at least a week away, but I guess that means I get to see how it looks using composite. But I can hook up my Wii and Xbox 1 and try it out...

[Donnesolkolov]

I received my XRGB mini yesterday and hooked up the cable I mentioned before. Works fine with my SNES's raw sync SCART cable.

I bought those 2 cables a few days back, the seller hasn't sent me a confirmation or a shipping notice, or responded to emails, hopefully I don't get screwed...

The postal system in the states is a bit slow with oversea transfers.

[broken harbour]

OK so I got everything hooked up yesterday and I did some testing.

SNES: I only have composite at the moment, so it looks like ass, not surprisingly, still waiting for my Scart Cables.
Wii: I used component video into the XRGB Mini, with some fiddling of the H and V Scalers the text looks pretty good. Doesn't look a whole lot different than my previous Wii2HDMI converter I was using.
XBox1: Again used component video, bout the same as the Wii, nice sharpness on text, otherwise it's kind of whatever, but as they both output 480p I expected that.

One thing I can't seem to fix is that no matter what I do, I can't get it to scale fullscreen. There's always black borders around everything, unless I go into the GAME_LB settings but then it zooms in too much and cuts off the picture. I'm probably missing something but for the life of me, can't figure out what it is.

Still Haven't tried:
Genesis
Saturn
PS2

[NWrain]

Have you played with HDMI mode and DVI mode? I have seen youtube videos where that helped. It may also be monitor dependent. My monitor cuts off black borders for 480P, 720P, and 1080P if they have proper timings, and I get borders with PC resolutions.

[broken harbour]

Have you played with HDMI mode and DVI mode? I have seen youtube videos where that helped. It may also be monitor dependent. My monitor cuts off black borders for 480P, 720P, and 1080P if they have proper timings, and I get borders with PC resolutions.

I'm sending it to my receiver via 1080p or 720p output. Sending it via DVI would cut out the sound wouldn't it? Being that DVI doesn't carry audio?

[Fudoh]

DVI mode on the Mini has sound, but different resolutions than the HDMI mode. PC timings more or less.

The black borders you see all sides are normal. Hardly any system does output a full D1 signal (D1 would be 720x480 or 240)... As suggested before, easiest way is to leave the borders the way they're output by the Mini and apply some overscan on the TV set.

[broken harbour]

DVI mode on the Mini has sound, but different resolutions than the HDMI mode. PC timings more or less.

The black borders you see all sides are normal. Hardly any system does output a full D1 signal (D1 would be 720x480 or 240)... As suggested before, easiest way is to leave the borders the way they're output by the Mini and apply some overscan on the TV set.

Smart! Duh, I forgot my TV can even do that, haven't had to delve into the menus on the TV in something like 3 years....

[broken harbour]

*sigh*

Cables finally came in, all I get using them is no picture and a loud buzz on the RGB input. All other inputs work fine on multiple systems.


I'm using this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/160965577885?ssP ... 1439.l2649

plus this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/160962351822?ssP ... 1439.l2649

when I switch to composite it works, just looks terrible, as you'd expect. Also I'm getting this blue line now on the left side edge of the screen, no amount of power cycling or anything seems to fix it.

Is my XRGB busted?

[Fudoh]

Just shift the image a few pixels (in the Mini's menu) and the blue line will be gone.

[broken harbour]

Thanks, I'll try that.

Any idea why I get no picture and the buzzing audio? I've contacted the girl I bought them from, still awaiting a reply.... any ideas in the meantime?

[Greg2600]

Is that a NTSC or PAL SCART cable on the SNES?