XRGB-mini Framemeister

[Smashbro29]

I also noticed it lopped off parts of the screen as seen here:

It doesn't look like it's lopped off

Well right off the bat I'd say look at the top above the sphere counter.

On default it's top of counter - some space space - star - some space - the edge

On the profile it's top of counter - some space - half a star

[MMJuno]

I also noticed it lopped off parts of the screen as seen here:

It doesn't look like it's lopped off

Well right off the bat I'd say look at the top above the sphere counter.

On default it's top of counter - some space space - star - some space - the edge

On the profile it's top of counter - some space - half a star

Nevermind me, I shouldn't post when I'm tired.

Saw the width difference, and didn't even notice the top to bottom difference.

Move along... nothing to see here.

[Smashbro29]

It's fine, I don't care about being right I just want this all to work properly.

[CkRtech]

I also noticed these weird transparent waves that are visible on solid colors though I think that's more my issue.

Pretty normal for the xrgb when using the provided power supply, I think.

[FBX]

I also noticed it lopped off parts of the screen as seen here:

It doesn't look like it's lopped off

Well right off the bat I'd say look at the top above the sphere counter.

On default it's top of counter - some space space - star - some space - the edge

On the profile it's top of counter - some space - half a star

This is normal for 5x perfect scale. Here's the math:

5 x 224 = 1120

1120 - 1080 = 40

40 / 5 = 8

So you're going to lose 4 pixels off the top and 4 pixels off the bottom. It's a small price to pay for perfectly scaled pixels that scroll smoothly on the vertical axis.

Also with regard to your x-capture video, it looks like it can't handle capturing overscanned video. Try the 4x and see if that works. I know it leaves thick black borders, but the pixels will at least be uniform. The default sizes other than "SMART_1X" and "SMART_2X" leave vertically misshapen pixels, so that's why I came up with the 4x and 5x profiles.

[FBX]

I also noticed these weird transparent waves that are visible on solid colors though I think that's more my issue.

Pretty normal for the xrgb when using the provided power supply, I think.

It happens in all Framemeisters and has nothing to do with the power supply. It's actually bad coefficients used in the A/D converting process (at least according to Ste Kulov).

[keropi]

^ is this a part one can desolder and replace?

So glad to see a new fw that actually supports profiles now! It was a much needed feature , looking forward to use the profiles knowledgeable people create as I am sure they will be better than mine
720p ones will be very welcomed too

[CkRtech]

It happens in all Framemeisters and has nothing to do with the power supply. It's actually bad coefficients used in the A/D converting process (at least according to Ste Kulov).

Then why does replacing the power supply alleviate the problem?

[FBX]

It happens in all Framemeisters and has nothing to do with the power supply. It's actually bad coefficients used in the A/D converting process (at least according to Ste Kulov).

Then why does replacing the power supply alleviate the problem?

I've personally not seen this be the case. Point me to the actual power supply that solves this problem, and I'll directly test it to confirm (I'm in the USA, so it would need to be compatible).

[Pasky]

It happens in all Framemeisters and has nothing to do with the power supply. It's actually bad coefficients used in the A/D converting process (at least according to Ste Kulov).

Then why does replacing the power supply alleviate the problem?

It doesn't.

[CkRtech]

I think RGB32E would disagree

[FBX]

I think RGB32E would disagree

The best he said was "it can be minimized" and there's no independent confirmation of this, in addition to the fact that people knowledgeable on the subject claim it has nothing to do with the power supply.

[Chocograph]

Friends, complete FM noob reporting in. I would really appreciate if someone could link me a site that sells the european power adapter for the FM.

[Fudoh]

For a few months now all new FM units already include a multi-voltage PSU, so you don't need a replacement.

[Chocograph]

For a few months now all new FM units already include a multi-voltage PSU, so you don't need a replacement.

But the actual plug will be japanese? I'll need the converter then. I ordered the c sync euro scart adapter too. Got a 60hz modded pal snes. Hoping I'll avoid stuttering...

[keropi]

For a few months now all new FM units already include a multi-voltage PSU, so you don't need a replacement.

finally! this should have been the the deal from day-1 tbh...

[RGB32E]

For a few months now all new FM units already include a multi-voltage PSU, so you don't need a replacement.

Any idea what the new AC adapter model number is?

I think RGB32E would disagree

The best he said was "it can be minimized" and there's no independent confirmation of this, in addition to the fact that people knowledgeable on the subject claim it has nothing to do with the power supply.

Yes, using a Matsushita ETU-5K30 power supply with a Corcom 6CFE1 line filter I noticed an improvement over the original stock AC adapter.



You're referring to the team behind those RGB to component cables?!

[CkRtech]

I think RGB32E would disagree

The best he said was "it can be minimized" and there's no independent confirmation of this, in addition to the fact that people knowledgeable on the subject claim it has nothing to do with the power supply.

Sounds like they aren't very knowledgeable if changing the power supply actually does make a difference. There is no reason to simply write off changing the power supply if this is true, and it could be a product of multiple things including the provided OEM power supply.

Of course, it is possible that different types of visual noise is being produced at the xrgb. If this is the case, multiple problems could be the cause. Someone stated just a couple of handful of posts ago that some of the noise they were encountering was minimized with the update to the 2.0 firmware. I would like more details on which noise was minimized/eliminated. I have seen solid color flicker in some situations and actual horizontal line noise in solid colors in others. These appear to be two different issues, but maybe not - maybe their cause comes from the same place.

These issues have been duplicated by multiple people across multiple consoles and multiple cables. So then is it 100% a circuit problem, 100% a software (A/D conversion or otherwise) problem, or a combination?

Quite a bit of irony, too, if the xrgb circuit (hardware) is noise-prone but tweaking the firmware (software) or even user adjustable settings can alleviate it.

[Fudoh]

Any idea what the new AC adapter model number is?

no, sorry. I don't have one. But Grimakis should have one, as mentioned here: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 5#p1092105

[FBX]

You're referring to the team behind those RGB to component cables?!

If you actually talk with the guy, you'd find out he's VERY well educated on electrical engineering. But hey, I guess it's easier to just assume he doesn't know anything and post roll-eyes...

Edit: Nevermind. The power supply is over $200. That's a bit outside my budget right now.

[RGB32E]

You're referring to the team behind those RGB to component cables?!

If you actually talk with the guy, you'd find out he's VERY well educated on electrical engineering. But hey, I guess it's easier to just assume he doesn't know anything and post roll-eyes...

That's a straw man argument there. What proof do you have for your claim? Just name dropping doesn't substantiate anything.

By the way, I had previously looked for the power supply you listed online and it's hard to actually find a place where I can order one. If you can post a link to where one can actually be purchased, I'll snag it and settle this issue once and for all. I've got a couple of SNES games the reveal the noise blatantly. So if it works, I'll be able to tell the difference.

Oh will you now...? I picked up the power supply years ago from a surplus store for $10. They no longer have stock, so you'd have to find one yourself. You can always ask google.

[FBX]

You're referring to the team behind those RGB to component cables?!

If you actually talk with the guy, you'd find out he's VERY well educated on electrical engineering. But hey, I guess it's easier to just assume he doesn't know anything and post roll-eyes...

That's a straw man argument there. What proof do you have your claims?

How is simply you talking to Ste yourself a straw man argument? I'm speaking of my own interaction with him. You're just making an assumption about his knowledge, and I'm telling you my opinion that I highly disagree with you on that based on my own experience with him in correspondence.

[FBX]

Oh will you now...? I picked up the power supply years ago from a surplus store for $10. They no longer have stock, so you'd have to find one yourself. You can always ask google.

See my previous edit. They are outrageously expensive now (at least the online supplier I looked at).


http://www.plcsurplussupply.com/matsush ... ly-n5-5073

[Grimakis]

I'll post PSU info for the new one when I get home.

[FBX]

Here are two excerpts from my correspondence with Ste on the Framemeister noise issue:

Yes, the noise is the flickering as you describe. I can see it quite clearly in Megaman X in the opening stage's purple sky (and in the green menu screen). That was the first game I tried with the XRGB and I thought I drank too much coffee or something because I never saw that type of noise when using the component cable prototype. It kinda threw me off.

Anyway, the noise looked like something that could be caused by poor power supply design, so I rigged up the 5V rail from a Desktop PC supply (usually very clean) to power the XRGB. But, it had no affect on the noise.

I was actually playing around with those same settings (color and A/D settings) quite a bit when I was trying to calibrate the Framemeister's component video input. The whole endeavor took around 4 hours. At about hour 2, I was starting to get suspicious because I was unable to converge on optimal settings. That's when I took the Framemeister apart to look at its guts. It uses an ADV7441A video decoder from Analog Devices. After looking at the available technical info for the part, it's very likely that Micromsoft didn't program the correct coefficients for the colorspace conversion block. That would explain why I couldn't arrive at a perfect setting.

[RGB32E]

Here are two excerpts from my correspondence with Ste on the Framemeister noise issue:

There we go! Thanks! Yes, not all power supplies are the same, so YMMV. It will be interesting to see if the video decoder program needs to be updated or not in a future FW release. However, it looks like he was only referring to the component input on the mini.

I'll post PSU info for the new one when I get home.

Thanks!

[Smashbro29]

This is normal for 5x perfect scale. Here's the math:

5 x 224 = 1120

1120 - 1080 = 40

40 / 5 = 8

So you're going to lose 4 pixels off the top and 4 pixels off the bottom. It's a small price to pay for perfectly scaled pixels that scroll smoothly on the vertical axis.

Also with regard to your x-capture video, it looks like it can't handle capturing overscanned video. Try the 4x and see if that works. I know it leaves thick black borders, but the pixels will at least be uniform. The default sizes other than "SMART_1X" and "SMART_2X" leave vertically misshapen pixels, so that's why I came up with the 4x and 5x profiles.

There's nothing that shows every pixel while still maximizing the space? I'd want to see it all but still use 1080p scanlines properly. I'm not very good at math, so I'm sorry if that's a stupid question.

On the video I try both the 5x and the 4x. It's default then 4x then 5x.

[Grimakis]

This is normal for 5x perfect scale. Here's the math:

5 x 224 = 1120

1120 - 1080 = 40

40 / 5 = 8

So you're going to lose 4 pixels off the top and 4 pixels off the bottom. It's a small price to pay for perfectly scaled pixels that scroll smoothly on the vertical axis.

Also with regard to your x-capture video, it looks like it can't handle capturing overscanned video. Try the 4x and see if that works. I know it leaves thick black borders, but the pixels will at least be uniform. The default sizes other than "SMART_1X" and "SMART_2X" leave vertically misshapen pixels, so that's why I came up with the 4x and 5x profiles.

There's nothing that shows every pixel while still maximizing the space? I'd want to see it all but still use 1080p scanlines properly. I'm not very good at math, so I'm sorry if that's a stupid question.

On the video I try both the 5x and the 4x. It's default then 4x then 5x.

Unfortunately not. In order to scale from 240p to 1080p it means that some pixels will be taller than others. This results in uneven scanlines.

[Chocograph]

Pretty excited to hook mine up when I get it. I have a 720p TV, pal modded 60hz snes, official french RGB modded n64, xenoGC and ps2 and 3. The only thing I'm worried about is if I get the kind of microstuttering from my pal consoles. How easy is it to upgrade the firmware?

[FBX]

This is normal for 5x perfect scale. Here's the math:

5 x 224 = 1120

1120 - 1080 = 40

40 / 5 = 8

So you're going to lose 4 pixels off the top and 4 pixels off the bottom. It's a small price to pay for perfectly scaled pixels that scroll smoothly on the vertical axis.

Also with regard to your x-capture video, it looks like it can't handle capturing overscanned video. Try the 4x and see if that works. I know it leaves thick black borders, but the pixels will at least be uniform. The default sizes other than "SMART_1X" and "SMART_2X" leave vertically misshapen pixels, so that's why I came up with the 4x and 5x profiles.

There's nothing that shows every pixel while still maximizing the space? I'd want to see it all but still use 1080p scanlines properly. I'm not very good at math, so I'm sorry if that's a stupid question.

On the video I try both the 5x and the 4x. It's default then 4x then 5x.

Unfortunately not. In order to scale from 240p to 1080p it means that some pixels will be taller than others. This results in uneven scanlines.

Exactly, and it also causes artifacts in vertical scrolling. The only way to have the image fit the screen and have everything be uniform would be some sort of bilinear interpolation, but you lose a lot of the sharpness of the picture.