Cloning the Gamecube component cable

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maxtherabbit
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by maxtherabbit »

PixelDharma wrote:
thebigcheese wrote:
PixelDharma wrote:I got excited and ordered a Carby v2 yesterday (the build quality and authentic connector won me), but as the dust has settled I realized I might have fucked up going with an HDMI-only solution. I really want to use GBI.

What results can I expect with GBI going directly into my TV over HDMI? Can I use the HDMI inputs on my Framemeister in any meaningful way? Am I really missing out not using an OSSC if I’m serious about GBI?
You will technically get the best results using RGBs over SCART into an OSSC since you can use the HD60 modes (at least, that is my understanding), but you can fiddle with GBI settings to get just the scaling you want and still get really nice results. The main thing is that you'll only get 480p output over HDMI whereas through an OSSC you can go up higher for potentially cleaner scaling (depending on your TV).
Thanks for the quick reply.

Sounds like I might want to consider an Eon MK II paired with a PAL Wii RGB cable.

I’ll see if I’m happy with my Carby first. It is clearly the better build quality of the two devices. Seems like EON might want to consider making a MK III using Insurrection’s connector.
it really depends on your TV man, some of them will do a fantastic job scaling 480p over HDMI - you might be perfectly happy with the carby and GBI

if not, the insurrection YPbPr cable is just around the corner, same connector and build quality and probably about the same price
PixelDharma
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by PixelDharma »

maxtherabbit wrote:
it really depends on your TV man, some of them will do a fantastic job scaling 480p over HDMI - you might be perfectly happy with the carby and GBI

if not, the insurrection YPbPr cable is just around the corner, same connector and build quality and probably about the same price
My TV has always done a good job with 480p. Maybe I’ll just stick with it and see how it goes. Cheers.
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Unseen
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Unseen »

nmalinoski wrote:would the GCVideo hardware be capable of similar output to the DCHDMI--960p or 960p windowboxed to 1080p?
No, the FPGA maxes out at 640 Mbit/s which is equivalent to a 64MHz pixel clock. 1080p needs a 148,5 MHz.
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by PixelDharma »

I decided to contact the seller and switch my order from the Carby to a GCHD mk II. Fact is, analog output + OSSC seems to be the way to go if you are serious about scaling GBI to the absolute best of your display's capabilities.

Why are people recommending using Wii Scart from GCHD mk II rather than Wii Component for this purpose? If anything I would have thought component would be (marginally) ideal because of the internal YCbCr color space.
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by nmalinoski »

PixelDharma wrote:Why are people recommending using Wii Scart from GCHD mk II rather than Wii Component for this purpose? If anything I would have thought component would be (marginally) ideal because of the internal YCbCr color space.
I expect it's because a good chunk of retro gamers have standardized their analogue video setups on RGB SCART, thus the recommendation. If you want/need YPbPr output for your purposes, by all means, get a quality component cable.
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by PixelDharma »

nmalinoski wrote:
PixelDharma wrote:Why are people recommending using Wii Scart from GCHD mk II rather than Wii Component for this purpose? If anything I would have thought component would be (marginally) ideal because of the internal YCbCr color space.
I expect it's because a good chunk of retro gamers have standardized their analogue video setups on RGB SCART, thus the recommendation. If you want/need YPbPr output for your purposes, by all means, get a quality component cable.
Makes sense. My setup mostly revolves around scart as well. Worth considering if there's no real picture quality difference. My component switcher has precious few inputs....
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Arthrimus
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Arthrimus »

Has anybody experienced screen tearing like this on a GCvideo device?
Image

I put together a few of citrus3000psi's GCHDMI 4.1 boards and I'm getting this result on all of them. It only happens in 480p modes, either native 480p or linedoubled 480p. The boards are running firmware version 2.3 because that's the latest version that I can find a BIN file for and I'm having a heck of a time figuring out how to use promgen. Any thoughts?

EDIT: It turns out the issue is being caused by my TCL 55R615 tv. Specifically HDMI input 1. If i change the picture size while the gamecube is running the tearing goes away. If I connect it to HDMI input 2 the problem doesn't manifest at all.
plus ça change,
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The more they stay the same.- RUSH- Circumstances

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Ikaruga11
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Official Nintendo Wii YPbPr Cables or RGB Cables by Retro Ac

Post by Ikaruga11 »

So I want the absolute best picture quality out of my GCHD MK-II GameCube and Wii Dual. The signal will be going to a BVM, preferably an analog signal like YPbPr or RGBS.

I currently own two pairs of the official Nintendo GameCube Component Cables, but I've learned recently that the GCHD MK-II by EON not only gives better analog picture quality than the official Nintendo GameCube Component Cables, but also allows for digital audio and an HDMI port for lossless sound and streaming. So that rules out the Carby, Insurrection's BNC Component Cables and the official Nintendo GameCube Component Cables.

Now the question is: I can't decide between the official Nintendo Wii Component Cables, which output 480p YPbPr and are considered to be top quality cables for the Wii Dual and GCHD MK-II, or Retro Access's RGB BNC cables for the Wii Dual and GCHD MK-II, which output 480p RGBS.

Image
Image

https://retro-access.com/collections/wi ... udio-cable
https://retro-access.com/collections/wi ... udio-cable

1.) Which cables will give me the absolute picture quality?
2.) Is there any picture quality loss/difference with using RGB cables instead of YPbPr cables for the GCHD MK-II and Wii Dual? (Ex: YCbCr -> YPbPr -> RGBS versus YCbCr -> YPbPr versus YCbCr -> RGBS versus YPbPr -> RGBS versus straight YPbPr?)
3.) Should I wait for the eventual YPbPr Wii/GCHD MK-II cables by RetroGamingCables.uk or HD Retrovision?

Thanks
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andykara2003
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by andykara2003 »

Does the EON really give a better analogue image than the official cable? I was under the impression that GCvideo is about equal to Nintendo’s cable?
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Extrems
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Extrems »

It really does not if you understand the differences and their interactions.
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Ikaruga11 »

andykara2003 wrote:Does the EON really give a better analogue image than the official cable? I was under the impression that GCvideo is about equal to Nintendo’s cable?
Yes. Less noise along contrasting edges and a tad bit sharper.

https://youtu.be/8RBgbA8DhM0?t=17m19s
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andykara2003
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by andykara2003 »

GeneraLight wrote:Yes. Less noise along contrasting edges and a tad bit sharper.
Cheers :) I'm on 480p CRT so no difference according to them.
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maxtherabbit
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by maxtherabbit »

the Retro Access cable is technically better quality than the OEM nintendo Wii cable because RA uses true 75ohm coax

whether you will actually notice a difference is highly suspect
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Ikaruga11 »

maxtherabbit wrote:the Retro Access cable is technically better quality than the OEM nintendo Wii cable because RA uses true 75ohm coax

whether you will actually notice a difference is highly suspect
They are also probably better shielded and use higher quality materials. I'll wait for HD Retrovision YPbPr Wii Cables or get the Retro-Access RGB BNC Wii Cables.

So the RGB from GCHD MK-II is converted straight from YCbCr, instead of YCbCr -> YPbPr -> RGB? Is that also the case with the RGB from the Wii Dual?

Thanks!
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andykara2003
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by andykara2003 »

Haven't been here in a while - have many people here got Wiis with GCvideo installed?
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Einzelherz
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Einzelherz »

Extrems wrote:It really does not if you understand the differences and their interactions.
I don't know, Extrems, a person who actually knows things. GL said so AND he cited a YouTube video.

Check and mate.
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maxtherabbit
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by maxtherabbit »

GeneraLight wrote:
maxtherabbit wrote:the Retro Access cable is technically better quality than the OEM nintendo Wii cable because RA uses true 75ohm coax

whether you will actually notice a difference is highly suspect
They are also probably better shielded and use higher quality materials. I'll wait for HD Retrovision YPbPr Wii Cables or get the Retro-Access RGB BNC Wii Cables.

So the RGB from GCHD MK-II is converted straight from YCbCr, instead of YCbCr -> YPbPr -> RGB? Is that also the case with the RGB from the Wii Dual?

Thanks!
yes to all the above
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Syntax
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Syntax »

Is there an ETA for firmware 2.5? I have a few Wii and GC I've been holding off modding untill its released to avoid reopening/flashing.
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Unseen »

Syntax wrote:Is there an ETA for firmware 2.5?
My original target was April 1st, but due to personal circumstances this looks exceedingly unlikely, so the current target is "when it's done".
fernan1234
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by fernan1234 »

Is this firmware the same used on the WiiDual kits? What's the firmware that's already flashed on the WiiDual boards that were sold a while ago? I have one pending install.
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Arthrimus
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Arthrimus »

Today I installed one of Citrus3000psi's GCHDMI boards in my Wii. I know this is not an officially supported install, but I'm having an issue that I hope someone can offer me some advice on. I traced out the pinout from the Gamecube digital port QSB to figure out how to wire the board to the AVE-RLV. This board is based on the Shuriken V3 so I flashed the Wii version of the Shuriken V3 firmware. This is what my install looks like.
Image

The problem I'm having is that I get these shimmering pixel artifacts on screen.
Image

I assumed that it might be interference in the digital lines going to my mod, but I'm not sure. The strange thing is that I get these artifacts on analog output also. I'm not sure if this problem was there before the mod was installed because I haven't actually played on this Wii in at least 5 years. Is it even possible for the mod to affect the analog output or is it more likely a problem with the GPU in my Wii? Any opinions would be appreciated.
plus ça change,
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coderkind
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by coderkind »

I get those strange artifact "dots" on my unmodified PAL Nintendo Wii; always wondered what they were (and hoped an eventual Wii Dual mod would sort them).
fernan1234
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by fernan1234 »

On what kind of TV or monitor are you seeing those artifacts? If that happens on unmodded Wiis too, Nintendo probably assumed, if they were even aware of it, that they're not noticeable on CRTs or LCDs produced in the early 2000s. Our screens are too good now :lol:
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by hurda »

Reminds me of screenshots of Wiis with dying GPUs.
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maxtherabbit
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by maxtherabbit »

Arthrimus wrote:Today I installed one of Citrus3000psi's GCHDMI boards in my Wii. I know this is not an officially supported install, but I'm having an issue that I hope someone can offer me some advice on. I traced out the pinout from the Gamecube digital port QSB to figure out how to wire the board to the AVE-RLV. This board is based on the Shuriken V3 so I flashed the Wii version of the Shuriken V3 firmware. This is what my install looks like.
Image

The problem I'm having is that I get these shimmering pixel artifacts on screen.
Image

I assumed that it might be interference in the digital lines going to my mod, but I'm not sure. The strange thing is that I get these artifacts on analog output also. I'm not sure if this problem was there before the mod was installed because I haven't actually played on this Wii in at least 5 years. Is it even possible for the mod to affect the analog output or is it more likely a problem with the GPU in my Wii? Any opinions would be appreciated.
The mod could definitely be adding the interference on the analog output, since you're tapping into the digital signals on the input side of the DAC/encoder.

Could be interference or that they are being loaded down too much, either way it could sour the milk so to speak.
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Arthrimus
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Arthrimus »

I have determined that the problem is a failing GPU in my Wii. I removed the mod and transfered it to another Wii and it's working perfectly now. The original Wii still has the artifacts without the mod installed.
plus ça change,
plus c'est la même chose,
The more that things change,
The more they stay the same.- RUSH- Circumstances

I install and sell mods at arthrimus.com | SNES RGB Bypass+Dejitter available now! | Watch me live stream my work on YouTube
Ikaruga11
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Ikaruga11 »

Did you have WiiConnect24 activated before it was shut down in 2012? Leaving WiiConnect24 on has been known to cause Wiis to overheat and damage the GPU, causing the video artifacts.
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Lawfer
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Lawfer »

GeneraLight wrote:Did you have WiiConnect24 activated before it was shut down in 2012? Leaving WiiConnect24 on has been known to cause Wiis to overheat and damage the GPU, causing the video artifacts.
What the heck, I never knew that, thanks mentioning it, here is how to disable WiiConnect24:

https://en-americas-support.nintendo.co ... iconnect24

Unseen wrote:
Syntax wrote:Is there an ETA for firmware 2.5?
My original target was April 1st, but due to personal circumstances this looks exceedingly unlikely, so the current target is "when it's done".
Thanks, do you have any idea on the change(s) that 2.5 will be bringing?
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Extrems
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Extrems »

As of Swiss r642, 960i is back, functional, and compatible with GCVideo-DVI.

ImageImage
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Re: Cloning the Gamecube component cable

Post by Unseen »

Lawfer wrote:Thanks, do you have any idea on the change(s) that 2.5 will be bringing?
One of the original plans was to autodetect Smash based on a checksum of the title screen and turn on a special a high-latency mode when it is detected. I'm not sure if that feature will fit though.
Extrems wrote:As of Swiss r642, 960i is back
Aaargh, that breaks so many assumptions in my code...
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