Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

The place for all discussion on gaming hardware
Post Reply
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Official website: http://www.micomsoft.co.jp/sc-500n1.htm

The main feature of this card is the ability to capture 15KHz RGB signals
when used with the X-SYNC1 (sync H/V splitter). It can capture (concurrently!)
component video, HDMI (without HDCP), DVI (without HDCP), and analog VGA.

Testing notes:

- Switch on the bottom set to OFF.
- USB power cycle needed sometimes for video detection.
- 220uF capacitors on the RGB lines.

Image
Strikers 1945
Result: OK

Image
Strikers 1945 II
Result: OK

Image
Strikers 1999
Result: OK

Image
Cyvern (Kaneko SuperNova)
Result: OK

Image
Darius Gaiden (Taito F3)
Result: OK

Image
Fire Shark (Same! Same! Same!)
Result: OK
Note: 57.6 Hz

Image
G-Darius Ver. 2 (Taito FX-1B)
Result: OK

Image
Battle Garegga (Toaplan base?)
Result: OK (Minor screen cutoff at bottom)

Image
Gradius IV (Hornet)
Result: OK (Screen cutoff at left)
Note: 24 KHz, 58 Hz

Image
Raiden (Main Set)
Result: OK

Image
Raiden (Alternative Hardware)
Result: OK
Note: Sync signal rather finicky, works on XRGB-2 in PCB mode

Image
Raiden II
Result: OK (Minor screen cutoff at bottom)
Note: 55.5 Hz, works on XRGB-2+ but not XRGB-2

Image
Raiden DX
Result: OK (Minor screen cutoff at bottom)
Note: 55.5 Hz, works on XRGB-2+ but not XRGB-2

Image
Raycrisis (Taito G-NET)
Result: OK

Image
Recca (RGB modded NES)
Result: OK (Jailbars inherent in NES RGB mod)

Image
Vasara 2 (SSV)
Result: OK

Image
Viper Phase 1 (Seibu SPI)
Result: OK (Note 54hz)

Image
Viper Phase 1 NV (Seibu SPI)
Result: OK (Note 54hz)

Image
Blazing Star (Neo Geo MVS)
Result: OK

Micomsoft is actively developing the driver so currently
unsupported boards may be fixed in the future.
Last edited by alamone on Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:13 am, edited 9 times in total.
User avatar
akumajo
Posts: 542
Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:37 am

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by akumajo »

Great, so you pre ordered it ?
Could you post a video capture ?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13015
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Fudoh »

the screens sure look nice. Which codecs are supported during live capture ? Is the recording framerate locked to the actual signal (as shown on the top of each screenshot) ?
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Yes, it was sold out for a while but recently came back in stock.

I have not tested video capture yet, but it supports uncompressed and compressed capture,
and the card is accessible as a Directshow capture device, so it should be accessible from
most any software you want to use. For example, it works fine using AmaRecTV.

After I complete a DIN8 -> RGB21 cable for monitor passthrough,
I plan on doing some capture and streaming tests.
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

So a X-SYNC1 is always needed if you want to connect 15khz RGB?

Can you test some IREM PCB's also... older than M92 hardware. And also Taito F2 PCB's are very troublesome for my current capturecard.
The SC-500N1 seems very interesting :)
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

If you have your own sync splitter (composite sync to H and V separate sync),
then you could conceivably use that instead of the XSYNC-1.
The capture card expects separate sync on the analog RGB input
(via DVI-I port, using a DVI to VGA converter).

Unfortunately I don't have any Irem or F2 PCBs to test.
However there is an ongoing PCB compatibility list being maintained by
an employee of Micomsoft (as a Google Docs spreadsheet).
A couple of Taito F2 boards are listed as compatible (Cameltry and Metal Black).
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Capture testing:
To test, I used Viper Phase 1, which runs at 54 hz.
The built in software Video Keeper captures at the native framerate of 54hz.
However, it is not very flexible and I'm only able to select two presets:

"High quality" preset:
H264 at 743 Kbps, 720x576

"Low quality" preset:
H264 at 3636 Kbps, 360x288

Audio is captured 48KHz, 16 bit, stereo PCM (uncompressed).
File output is in AVI format.

In VirtualDub and AmaRecTV, a signal only shows up if I select
720x576 PAL at 50hz. Thus, it does not capture at native framerate.
I tried entering manually 54hz and 60hz, but it would not lock onto the signal.

Sample Video:
http://alamone.net/temp/sc500/20110827145553.avi
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Some results with Extron SC-210 Sync Processor:
Image

There are six dip switches. DIP6 is "LCD Sync processing".
It's the only setting that seems to affect the picture.

Battle Garegga with Dip6 Open:
Image
Bottom shows up correctly, but top is distorted and missing pixels

Battle Garegga with Dip6 Closed:
Image
Top shows up correctly, but bottom is missing pixels
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

Do you ever get a "shaking" picture?
shinjig
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:16 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by shinjig »

I just imported this capture card. I'm able to capture fine from my PS2 and PS3 in RGB mode. But I'm having trouble getting my arcade boards to show up.

I'm using this http://www.arcadeshock.com/items/pro-ha ... detail.htm

To get a scart out. However it didn't come with the 8 din pcb mount so I had to order that and solder that on myself.

I also had to wire up the 8 din scart connector myself which goes to a prewired 21pin micomsoft scart connector (it was ordered on ebay and labeled as a SMS/MD1 8 din to micomsoft scart connector).

I've opened up the 21 pin connector and all the approriate pins seem to be soldered correctly.

On games like SFEX2P or Fighting Layer I get a green light, but just a black picture. On my CPS2 titles or SSF2T or my UMK3 boards I don't get the green light and still get a black screen in videokeeper.

How'd you wire up supergun/cabinet to get a picture from your arcade boards?
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

I don't have any problems with screen shaking ever
since I set the bottom switch on the XSYNC-1 to Off (default).

I'm using a self built supergun to play arcade PCBs.
The RGB lines are fed through 150 ohm (I think) resistors
to a 9 pin DSUB, which is then connected to a 9 pin DSUB
to RGB21 cable that goes to the XSYNC-1.
From the XSYNC-1, a DIN8 to RGB21 passthru cable
goes to an XRGB2, which then goes to a CRT monitor.

Try the following if nothing shows up in Video Keeper:

1. Power cycle (disconnect and reconnect) the USB connector on the X-SYNC1.
2. Toggle the ON/OFF switch on the bottom of the X-SYNC1.
Supposedly, the "ON" setting is recommended for arcade PCBs
and the "OFF" setting is recommended for consoles, but it may
not always be the case. Also, some boards that don't show up
properly (e.g. too bright) may be fixed if you toggle ON->OFF
after bootup.

The PCB compatibility list is linked from this page:
http://www.micomsoft.co.jp/sc-500n1_special.htm
CPS2 boards (Progear and Gigawing) have been confirmed to work correctly.
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

i must buy one of those and the X-SYNC1... seems to be the most compatible af all capture devices that has RGB support.
shinjig
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:16 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by shinjig »

That was why I decided to buy one.

I was testing the connections on the scart connector to the jamma interface and I was only getting good connections from the audio, sync and ground pins. So thats probably why I didn't get any picture but video keeper would recognize the sync. So I'll scrap the scart capture device and wire my own connection in the cabling that'll go to the scart connector. So that'll probably fix my problem.
User avatar
Shou
Posts: 443
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:12 am
Location: Central Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Shou »

alamone: I saw some of your posts and conversations on Twitter but have a couple of qs for you.

1) What spec machine are you using for vid capture? I'd like to make a barebones system just for this unit that I can easily plug into my various setups. I was told that it needs an i7 minimum to cap.

2) Is there any noticable signal degradation with the pass thru? I'm a bit concerned with degradation on my setup as I'm already using an 8 to 1 RGB distribution box w/ VGA style connectors that'll have to be converterd to 21P RGB to plug into the XSYNC and then back to the monitor.

3) For vid capture, is there a built in utility for sound mixing with the capture audio and a mic?

4) Is the pass thru only 21P RGB?
become history
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

1) Core i7-2600k. May be overkill.

2) I don't notice any degradation from the pass-through.
I'm pretty sensitive to ghosting but I didn't notice any of that.
Looks the same as if I hooked it up directly to my XRGB-2.

3) Video Keeper only captures the audio of the 21 pin RGB input.
If you want to mix audio w/ a microphone, you'll need to use some other solution.
You can for example use AmaRecTV or VirtualDub and select "Stereo Mix" as the
audio source, or use an external mixer and feed it into Line In.

4) Pass through cable is not included. The DIN8 passthrough pinout is here:
http://www.micomsoft.co.jp/sc-500n1_spec.htm
I made my own DIN8 -> RGB21 cable according to the above pinout.
Apparently, this pin-out is the same as MSX. However, no audio is wired in the DIN8.
Audio is provided by 2 RCAs and also by stereo mini-jack on the XSYNC-1.
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Added Raiden II to the testing (Result: OK)
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Micomsoft announced a new revision, SC-510N1.
Functionality is all the same except for compatibility with 1080p60 capture.
Looks like it is now PCI Express x4 for the increased bandwidth required.
I'll probably stick with my SC-500N1 as I mostly capture using the analog RGB anyway.

http://www.micomsoft.co.jp/ceatec2011.htm

They also will be demoing the XRGB-mini and what looks like a USB 2.0 hardware capture device.
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Added G-Darius Ver. 2 (Result: OK)
dieKatze88
Posts: 613
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:27 am

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by dieKatze88 »

Sweet. This happens when I have no money, but I'll find a way to get the cash to get 1080p60 capture.
KBZ
Posts: 1256
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:47 am

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by KBZ »

I'd like to see some tests with Dreamcast VGA at 480p

also, is there an english page to buy from?
=/
shinjig
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:16 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by shinjig »

I've gotten 480p60 out of the PS2 to work fine as well as the PS3 as long as its hooked directly to the vga port in back. Going through the xsync I still have problems. But I'm getting a picture now. Also my power supply decided to get a short and started sending out +5v along the GND lines so that might have messed up the xysnc. It definitely blew something on my arcade monitor. Still deciding what to do with that.
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Added: Raiden (Result: OK)
alamone
Posts: 719
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:32 pm

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by alamone »

Added: Raiden (Main Set) - OK
Added: Raiden DX - OK
Added: Fire Shark - OK
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

I have now bought a SC-500N1... first test was Tetris Plus 2 arcade PCB (Jaleco Megasystem 32)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5YaFUOBXtg

Let's see if i have time to try some more difficult PCB's soon (like IREM M-62).
dieKatze88
Posts: 613
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:27 am

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by dieKatze88 »

This thing comes up as VFW? I can capture with say, Virtualdub?
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

I have uploaded some more of my tests to youtube.

Riding Fight, Taito F3, it did loose sync a couple of times and the picture could be very shaky and sometimes it was perfect? i need to check this out more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f2XuhDBgdE

Bonanza Bros. Sega System 24, it is 24khz and it was not a problem for SC-500N1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yr-O5s44GI
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

I tried AmaRecTV also as i wanted a more flexible recording program.. or at least having the option to record sound from another source than the SC-500N1 input and also to record at 4:3 aspect ratio (wich videokeeper does not).

But AmaRecTV had problem with 24khz (Bonanza Bros) or maybe there is a setup setting i missed? The recording become very stuttering, i also did a recording with no sound and then the vidoe was smooth but very slow?
Here is two test recordings with AmaRecTV showing the results of Bonanza Bros:
http://arcade.ym2149.com/files/sc500n1/ ... eotest.zip
dieKatze88
Posts: 613
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:27 am

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by dieKatze88 »

Stefan_L wrote:I tried AmaRecTV also as i wanted a more flexible recording program.. or at least having the option to record sound from another source than the SC-500N1 input and also to record at 4:3 aspect ratio (wich videokeeper does not).

But AmaRecTV had problem with 24khz (Bonanza Bros) or maybe there is a setup setting i missed? The recording become very stuttering, i also did a recording with no sound and then the vidoe was smooth but very slow?
Here is two test recordings with AmaRecTV showing the results of Bonanza Bros:
http://arcade.ym2149.com/files/sc500n1/ ... eotest.zip
Have you tried Virtualdub? I think it does aspect correction.

I KNOW it lets you select a different audio capture device, because my AverHD has crap audio capture, so I use line in off my sound card.

You can also use whatever codecs you want with Vdub.
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

Yes i tried Virtualdub also but it does also have speed problem but not in the same way as AmaRecTV.
http://arcade.ym2149.com/files/sc500n1/ ... ualdub.avi
User avatar
Stefan_L
Posts: 270
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:29 pm
Location: Sweden
Contact:

Re: Micomsoft SC-500N1 RGB Capture Card

Post by Stefan_L »

As i mentioned that IREM M-62 games are problematic earlier so have i done some tests.
M-62 hardware games has two resolutions... a lowres at 256x256 and a more hires at 384x256.
It is only the lowres games iget a picture for.. for example Kung Fu Master and Youjyuden. the hires games refuse to show up (sync?) like Lode Runner and Spelunker.

Even if i get a picture from the lowres games so are they cropped of 16pixels as SC-500N1 only support 240p and M-62 is 256p (see pic)

Image
Post Reply