TORO - Advanced Video Box for the Dreamcast!

[beharius]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48137857@N06/15197107381/


TORO - ADVANCED 3in1 VIDEO BOX FOR THE DREAMCAST


From the designer of HANZO & KURO VGA boxes, HERE COMES A NEW CHAMPION!

MULTI VIDEO SYNC SYSTEM : Both CSYNC and H&V SYNC modes supported
Scart connector can output RGBS (CSYNC) (Euro Scart)
VGA connector can output RGBS or RGBHV (selectable via switch button)

AUTO SYNC COMBINER FOR THE UPSCALERS AND MONITORS
Now you can use your Dreamcast with the XRGB Mini without any additional sync combiner devices!

SCANLINER FUNCTION
You can add scanlines and choose even/odd scanlines !

15KHZ / 31KHZ MODE SELECTION SWITCH
Both RGB and VGA modes supported for full compatibility! XRGB can be fed with 15/31khz through Scart...

RCA JACKS FOR STEREO AUDIO
Clearest possible...



TO BE LAUNCHED SOON...

[CkRtech]

Wow. This would definitely save me the time of building the breakout box to shove RGBs (15khz/31khz) to the xrgb. What's your price point, beharius?

Also - The image won't work unless you are signed into Assembler. I am currently signed in, but a lot of people here may not have an account.

[beharius]

OK, thanks, I am fixing it...

[CkRtech]

No problem.

VGA connector can output RGBS or RGBHV (selectable via switch button)

Are you outputting CSync over VGA via Pin 13 (H-Sync) when CSync is selected?

XRGB can be fed with 15/31khz through Scart...

I am using a VGA switch to feed the xRGB. Do you also output composite sync over the VGA connector when in VGA (31Khz) mode + CSync mode? You mentioned through SCART, but wow...if it also output 15/31 CSync over VGA, I wouldn't even have to make a cable.

[airs]

Any way you can orient the SCART output connector to go the other way (same direction as the VGA output)? Does this have any advantages over a separate Kenzei + Hanzo setup?

[beharius]

Yes, it outputs CSYNC through VGA pin 13 instead of HSYNC when the pushbutton inside is ON

It uses the same Kenzei technology however there is no RCA output, so no Scart to RCA passthrough.
No scanlines width select feature.
Hanzo + Kenzei combination is more complicated.
Toro is in the same size as Kenzei.

Scart to VGA (only in RGBS, CSYNC) passthrough can be used I haven't tested it.

This is the final PCB, maybe in the future revision scart's place can be changed.


Soon to be launched on Beharbros.com, limited edition unlike Hanzo...

No problem.

VGA connector can output RGBS or RGBHV (selectable via switch button)

Are you outputting CSync over VGA via Pin 13 (H-Sync) when CSync is selected?

XRGB can be fed with 15/31khz through Scart...

I am using a VGA switch to feed the xRGB. Do you also output composite sync over the VGA connector when in VGA (31Khz) mode + CSync mode? You mentioned through SCART, but wow...if it also output 15/31 CSync over VGA, I wouldn't even have to make a cable.

[badwhite40]

Wow,,waiting news

[broken harbour]

Can't wait.

I'll be all over this.

[Triple Lei]

Will these ever have a volume knob? I have two VGA boxes and the volume on one of them (Naki) is way too high. My other one (Madness Gameware) does have a volume knob, and I have to keep it set somewhere in the middle. I even tried putting glue on the knob so that I don't ever move it.

I'll need to adjust the volume at the source (the box itself) and not on my TV or in editing because I'll still get distortion otherwise.

That's really the only thing keeping me from getting these awesome new Dreamcast VGA boxes...

[spaceape]

I own the Hanzo and Kenzei. Is there any advantages in getting this other than a more simple design? Im wondering if the simple design works better because with the Hanzo & Kenzei there would be a VGA cable between the two units.. Not so with the Toro.

For example, would the scart output of the Toro be the same as with the Kensei?

[beharius]

It works in the same manner. It doesn't have the RCA outputs and scanline width selection feature.
Like you said this is a combo unit, so no more extra cables. It has a mini push button to select the type of VGA sync output, H&V SYNCs or CSYNC. This way a custom VGA to mini din cable can be used with the XRGB Mini incase scart ones difficult to find or make.

It doesn't have a volume knob, it outputs like every other cable, it's not about VGA cables only, RCA or Scart cables do the same. All our boxes have hi quality cables and connectors to give the best possible audio/video output.
Distortion can be caused if the audio pins touching to the metal shield(ground).

It will be released over this weekend...

[spaceape]

Thanks. Looks like a cool piece of kit.

[beharius]

Now available @ beharbros.com

[badwhite40]

One ordered!

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

I'm interested, but.. does the Kuro offer RGBHV? If so, is it still available?

[HydrogLox]

If so, is it still available?

At this point the "Buy Now" button is still enabled - so my guess is "Yes" http://www.beharbros.com/#!kuro/c1dcu
Counter-example: Kenzei http://www.beharbros.com/#!kenzei/cvhd - "OUT OF STOCK" and no "Buy Now" button.

I'm interested, but.. does the Kuro offer RGBHV?

The Kuro is purely RGBHV. You would typically need a tri-sync/multi-sync monitor to directly utilize the 15kHz mode, though there is still the game dependent 240p vs. 480i issue. The switch simply gives you access to either the 15kHz or 31kHz RGB mode. In most cases the 15kHz mode is only used for the VGA trick to force non-VGA games into VGA mode.

The Toro adds RGBS capability (and includes a scanliner).
http://www.beharbros.com/#!toro/cfom
The Sega Dreamcast generates a C-Sync for the 15kHz mode but not for the 31kHz mode. So the Toro includes extra circuitry to produce the C-Sync in 31kHz mode which can then be used by the XRGB Mini and 31kHz capable SCART displays.

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

Thanks for the informative answer. Sounds like the Kuro is enough for my needs.

[broken harbour]

Ordered.

Now I just need to buy a Dreamcast....

[Lightforce]

Glad I waited to pull the trigger on the Kuro. An excellent looking device. Purchased!

[beharius]

Yeah, Kuro is available...

Thanks Hydroglox for the explanation.

[Lawfer]

The Sega Dreamcast generates a C-Sync for the 15kHz mode but not for the 31kHz mode. So the Toro includes extra circuitry to produce the C-Sync in 31kHz mode which can then be used by the XRGB Mini and 31kHz capable SCART displays.

So in 15khz switched mode, can the Kuro be connected to a display device with RGBS (since you said that the Dreamcast generate C-Sync in 15khz mode)?

Say for example, I have a broadcast monitor and I want these doujin German games to display in their native AES/MVS resolution (240p), could I use a VGA to RGBS cable to hook 4 BNC on my broadcast monitor with just the Kuro?

So basically, if I use the Kuro for 240p or 480i gaming, I dont have the need to convert RGBHV to RGBS anymore (unlike 31khz which is absolutely necessary), right?

[HydrogLox]

So in 15khz switched mode, can the Kuro be connected to a display device with RGBS (since you said that the Dreamcast generate C-Sync in 15khz mode)?

As stated above the Kuro will only output an RGBHV signal in both 31KHz and 15kHz mode. The Dreamcast generates a C-Sync signal in 15kHz mode BUT that isn't wired in the Kuro. If you need RGBS get the Toro as it can supply either RGBHV or RGBS in both 15 kHz and 31kHz mode (the Dreamcast does not generate a C-Sync signal in 31kHz mode).

VGA to RGBS cable to hook 4 BNC on my broadcast monitor

That cable can only work if it has a sync combiner circuit. So if the cable doesn't have a separate power supply it's going to get its power from the signal (possibly degrading it) or simply wire the H and V cables together (AFAIK the sync combiner isolates each sync driver circuit from the others signal).
Alternately you could connect an Arcade forge UMSA, a BBS Kenzei, or your own sync combiner after the Kuro - all these solutions require their own power supply. The Toro uses the Dreamcast's own power to supply the Toro's internal sync combiner circuit.

RGBS cable to hook 4 BNC on my broadcast monitor

Does your broadcast monitor accept 480p, 480i and 240p on those (same) inputs? In some cases the 480p (RGBHV) signal is supported on one input while 480i/240p (RGBS) is supported on an entirely different input. In that case you are going to need a setup like this.

If 480p/480i/240p RGBS is supported on those same BNC inputs then you should use a Toro and a SCART-to-BNC/RCA cable (retrogamingcables) - leave the Toro permanently in C-Sync mode and switch it to 15kHz mode when you want 240p/480i (the Dreamcast game decides which, some rare ones offer you a choice on an in-game menu).

[beharius]

Thanks again for the explanation, I need to correct something.
New Kuro and Hanzo can power these sync combiners (UMSA, Kenzei...) by themselves, they have the pin 9 wired for 5v needed for these devices.

[Lawfer]

Question, the Toro support Euro-scart, but can it work with a japanese Dreamcast hooked to a European TV by the Toro scart output? Or you need a PAL Dreamcast for that?

[HydrogLox]

The Dreamcast AV connector is universal across all models. So it's safe to use the Toro on a japanese Dreamcast - and the Toro always outputs (Euro) SCART.

Technically a Dreamcast RGB SCART AV cable would be used for European televisions - for japanese RGB21 equipment a cable would use the same 21 pin connector but it should not be considered to be a "SCART cable" because of the different pin-out. The SCART vs RGB21 happens in the AV cable - not the Dreamcast console.

[Lawfer]

The SCART vs RGB21 happens in the AV cable - not the Dreamcast console.

But dont some consoles have different pinouts depending on the console region?

[HydrogLox]

In the case of the Sega Dreamcast - no.

I also use non-japanese AV cables on Japanese models of the Saturn, PS1, PS2, and Xbox 360.

[Lawfer]

In the case of the Sega Dreamcast - no.

Yes I understand that, you already said so earlier. I was asking about other consoles (Dreamcast not being included in the question when referring to "other consoles".)

I also use non-japanese AV cables on Japanese models of the Saturn, PS1, PS2, and Xbox 360.

Okay, but dont some other console have diverging pinouts depending on the console region?

[beatsgo]

In the case of the Sega Dreamcast - no.

Yes I understand that, you already said so earlier. I was asking about other consoles (Dreamcast not being included in the question when referring to "other consoles".)

I also use non-japanese AV cables on Japanese models of the Saturn, PS1, PS2, and Xbox 360.

Okay, but dont some other console have diverging pinouts depending on the console region?

Yes and no. All consoles within a series and certain revision will share the same pins and same type of a/v port. The difference is functionality of the pinouts which is dependent on what type of console, what region (SNES is a great example), and what terminated pins determines what's being outputted through the port

[CkRtech]

Hey all -

My TORO just arrived today (thanks, beharius!). Have any of you other guys been using it?

I have it going through a VGA switch in RGBS mode and outputting to the framemeister from there. The last thing I did was throw in a VGA compatible game (Space Channel 5), but it booted in 480i mode. Only tried it once before I had to jet.

I really haven't had much time to mess with it and am back at work.

Share your thoughts if you got one.