XRGB-mini Framemeister

[keropi]

Just some info for anyone trying to run PS1 games on a PS2 console of another region , apparently the ps2 messes with the PAL<->NTSC conversions. For example running a NTSC PS1 game on a PAL PS2 results on a 241p/59.40hz screen. That's what the framemeister picks up and it's a ps2 problem. The same happens with a ntsc ps2 running pal ps1 games, not sure what the ps2 outputs though.

SP193 wrote a launcher that patches the ps1 driver , it's an ELF that you run with the ps1 game already inserted, patches the driver in memory and launches the disk: http://ichiba.geocities.jp/ysai187/PS2/PS1VModeNeg.htm

Without it when using a component connection the framemeister displays only a blue screen for 241p/59.40hz screens for me.
SP193's video mode fix causes the PS2 to produce a correct 240p/59.82hz signal that works perfect with component and rgb.

For more info you can check out my thread on assemblergames , I initially thought this was a DMS4/settings issue: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... component-!

[arovane]

Thanks for your answers
I was also wondering what's the best way to output sound, is it good enough to go all the way through the RGB cable, or is it better to output sound in RCA into the mini (or even directly into the tv/hifi/amplifier)? I know by experience that with the Mega cd for ex it is better to output via RCA, and for some cdrom games on the pc engine as well since it's possible to output music and sound separately (a very handy option with some shooters, where the sound fx are way too high compared to the music...)

[BuckoA51]

SP193 wrote a launcher that patches the ps1 driver , it's an ELF that you run with the ps1 game already inserted, patches the driver in memory and launches the disk: http://ichiba.geocities.jp/ysai187/PS2/PS1VModeNeg.htm

That sounds very useful, I take it I can just run it the usual FreeMCBoot way?

[keropi]

^ yep it works in whatever way you have to launch an .ELF ...
one thing needs attention though: the ps1 disc must be already inserted and the ps2 must have recognized it. By using the program it will boot directly on the PS1 logo and it will work, if you get dumped back to the browser the patch will not work

[BuckoA51]

I know this is a dumb question but, how exactly am I supposed to insert the disc and have the PS2 recognise it without it just going off and booting it?

[Fudoh]

I was just asking the same. I would put the .elf file on a memory card and boot it from the MC holding a button while switching the PS2 on (matrix infinity mod). I'm not sure if the PS2 has already checked the disc at this point (?)

[keropi]

^ tried something similar... flashed the elf on DMS4's flash area and hold R2 to automatically boot it on power-ON (similar to matrix's dev.olution mode but instead of the MC you can use a part of the chip's flash memory).
Sadly - at least on my ps2 - it does not work since the disc inserted was not yet initialized by the system...
I have asked SP193 on assemblergames forum to consider putting a screen to wait for a keypress before the elf continues to patch the ps1 driver (thus there is enough time to insert a ps1 disc and wait for it to get initialized) but he has not replied yet... I sure hope he adds this feature...

[Konsolkongen]

I was just asking the same. I would put the .elf file on a memory card and boot it from the MC holding a button while switching the PS2 on (matrix infinity mod). I'm not sure if the PS2 has already checked the disc at this point (?)

Doesn't work Just tried that too. And unfortunately booting it from ELFloader (or what ever it's called) doesn't work either. Not sure if it's caused by FreeMCboot as I've never been able to boot a PS1 games when using it.

[chromium]

I always had display issues playing NTSC PS1 games on my PAL PS2, so I use a PS1 for PS1 games, it plays NTSC and PAL games perfectly.

[airs]

Finally have a mini coming from Solaris. Held off for a long time but I'm to the point where my PVM's size is starting to bug me. In addition to the usual 240p sources with RGB Scart, I'm also planning to hook up 480p sources - GameCube, PS2 and Wii. I already have D-Terminal cables for each. Would that be the ideal way to connect them to the mini?

[chromium]

Finally have a mini coming from Solaris. Held off for a long time but I'm to the point where my PVM's size is starting to bug me. In addition to the usual 240p sources with RGB Scart, I'm also planning to hook up 480p sources - GameCube, PS2 and Wii. I already have D-Terminal cables for each. Would that be the ideal way to connect them to the mini?

I'd say that would be the only way if you want 480p.

To be honest 480p sources are a bit of a waste of time on the Mini, unless your TV does a really bad job of upscaling 480p.
I tried 480p on mine and I think it even looked even worse than just connecting the component cables directly to my Panasonic VT60.
240p is where this thing shines.

[keropi]

I was just asking the same. I would put the .elf file on a memory card and boot it from the MC holding a button while switching the PS2 on (matrix infinity mod). I'm not sure if the PS2 has already checked the disc at this point (?)

Doesn't work Just tried that too. And unfortunately booting it from ELFloader (or what ever it's called) doesn't work either. Not sure if it's caused by FreeMCboot as I've never been able to boot a PS1 games when using it.

Oh, that's bad to hear... PS1VModeNeg.elf also does not work from DMS4's ToxicOS , it just freezes the PS2 with a black/blank screen.
Currently for me there are 2 solutions for me:
a. run it with R2 pressed on boot from the chip's flash: works but the ps1 disc does not get recognized
b. run ToxicOS, then run uLaunchELF and then PS1VModeNeg , this works perfect but it's a train of programs...

Maybe the chips you are using mess too much with the ps1 driver, try and disable all ps1 related patches , maybe it will work then...?
It might worth a shot posting on assemblerforums thread about such problems, maybe sp193 sees them and fix/suggest solutions.

BTW, the tool also comes with the source, maybe someone else can add the waiting screen or something at some point...

[BuckoA51]

I couldn't get the Modeneg thing to work either, no matter how I launched it.

I always had display issues playing NTSC PS1 games on my PAL PS2, so I use a PS1 for PS1 games, it plays NTSC and PAL games perfectly.

Just a note on most TVs PAL PS1's do NOT display NTSC PS1 games correctly.

[Konsolkongen]

Oh, that's bad to hear... PS1VModeNeg.elf also does not work from DMS4's ToxicOS , it just freezes the PS2 with a black/blank screen.
Currently for me there are 2 solutions for me:
a. run it with R2 pressed on boot from the chip's flash: works but the ps1 disc does not get recognized
b. run ToxicOS, then run uLaunchELF and then PS1VModeNeg , this works perfect but it's a train of programs...

Maybe the chips you are using mess too much with the ps1 driver, try and disable all ps1 related patches , maybe it will work then...?
It might worth a shot posting on assemblerforums thread about such problems, maybe sp193 sees them and fix/suggest solutions.

BTW, the tool also comes with the source, maybe someone else can add the waiting screen or something at some point...

Thank you for your suggestions. Hopefully I'll have time to experiment with this over the weekend. The stuttering caused by playing in 59.4Hz always annoyed me so much that I STILL only own five PS1 games, that I've never even played

My PS2 is a FAT 50004, but I have a slim 77004 that I need to chip for a friend of mine anyway. So I can try it out on both

[ZellSF]

From what I read you do it on unmodchipped consoles with freemcboot:

Start PS2 with freemcboot with original psx disc inserted, start ulaunchelf with disc control enabled (somewhere in the settings), swap disc once disc spins down (obviously by a swap trick, not using the eject button), navigate ulaunchelf to the new cd to detect it and then launch the application.

Or get a modchip that doesn't interfere with whatver the program is doing at all.

Probably very limited use scenarios for that program (but it's probably very nice for those scenarios).

[BuckoA51]

Seems a lot of hassle, I'll just keep an eye out for an NTSC PS1 I think.

[Yamato]

To be honest 480p sources are a bit of a waste of time on the Mini, unless your TV does a really bad job of upscaling 480p.

Same here.

Like I already wrote in mid-March I get the best picture from my YUV 480p systems (Wii, GameCube, Xbox 1) with a direct TV connection (via a cheap Ligawo YUV-to-HDMI transcoder). I have a Sony HX8 television, it handles 480p sources better via HDMI than via Component input.

The Mini's upscaling of YUV 480p sources looks a bit blurry, because the vertical contours seem to be off. This can NOT be tweaked with the integrated scaling settings.

So with these systems I only use the Mini for "scanline-titles" (games originally rendered in 240p) from certain classic compilations (like Capcom Classics Collection, SNK Arcade Classics etc.) and those rare 480i titles (Trauma Center 2nd Opinion). Therefore, I installed a Shinybow component switch with 2 outputs on my setup (with one output going to the YUV-HDMI-transcoder and the other one going into the Mini).

This is the best solution I can think of.

BUT - for some reason the 480p scaling on the front RGB input is very suitable. I use it for my Dreamcast with a custom VGA to RGBs adapter cable.

Hope this helps.

[pyrotek85]

To be honest 480p sources are a bit of a waste of time on the Mini, unless your TV does a really bad job of upscaling 480p.

Or if you're like me and aren't using a TV at all, but a computer monitor that doesn't have component inputs, only VGA/DVI/HDMI. In my situation the little box is a life saver

[IrishNinja]

huh...i have my GC via component to the XRGB and it looks great by me, guess i could try other options.

still getting weird effects with vertical scrolling with scanlines are heavy, especially over white backgrounds/etc but also around the main character...sucks, cause it's a bit jarring. i tend to turn scanlines off because taking them down enough to not see it much barely leaves them visible. I'm playing at 720p (as i'm told 1080p breaks them) but might try other resolutions to see what happens, someone on here said it might be my plasma's internal scaler but i've turned off all the post-processing stuff i can so i'm trying to narrow down what i can on the mini itself, any other suggestions are welcome!

[airs]

Just hooked up my mini and it looks FANTASTIC with the SNES. Haven't tried any other consoles yet but so far it has totally surpassed my expectations.

[keropi]

heh, I tried today a PAL fat PS1 , it outputs a 241p/59.27hz signal for NTSC stuff... it's even worse than the PS2 unless there is a mod for full ntsc compatibility...

[kel]

heh, I tried today a PAL fat PS1 , it outputs a 241p/59.27hz signal for NTSC stuff... it's even worse than the PS2 unless there is a mod for full ntsc compatibility...

The PS1 is a little more difficult. You need to replace the clock IC and crystal. Probably easier to just find a cheap NTSC PS1 to be honest.

[BuckoA51]

heh, I tried today a PAL fat PS1 , it outputs a 241p/59.27hz signal for NTSC stuff... it's even worse than the PS2 unless there is a mod for full ntsc compatibility...

Yep that's documented on the Wiki. Anyone tried an NTSC machine running PAL software?

Just hooked up my mini and it looks FANTASTIC with the SNES.

I'd advise against sitting it on top of a speaker though.

[Konsolkongen]

I like that orange HDMI to DVI adapter. For some reason I wish mine looked like that... :/

[airs]

Just hooked up my mini and it looks FANTASTIC with the SNES.

I'd advise against sitting it on top of a speaker though.

Can you explain why?

[BuckoA51]

Common sense should be enough for you to figure out why putting a little plastic games console on top of a big electro-magnetic box that's designed to vibrate air wouldn't really be a good idea. While you're enjoying the sounds of your SNES rattling as your speaker vibrates maybe that eureka moment will hit you

[airs]

Common sense, oh okay! I use rubber isolation feet on the bottom of my snes. The speakers are shielded (not that it would matter to a snes) and I don't turn them up much.

[Ed Oscuro]

Good to see common sense is alive and well

[dark1x]

So I managed to obtain an official Gamecube RGB cable (DOL-013) in an attempt to resolve the picture quality problems I've experienced with other cables. Unfortunately I only get a black screen and the XRGB stops accepting any remote input until I power off the Gamecube.

If I run an adapter in the middle I can pull an image from the composite line (which looks awful) but in RGB mode I see nothing.

The Gamecube just isn't possible to use. It's a PAL system, obviously, as the NTSC Cube doesn't support RGB natively. Yet, the PAL system cannot support s-video so I'm trying to find some way to use the system.

[EmperorZelos]

Good to see common sense is alive and well

WHAT!? SINCE WHEN!? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!? AAAHHHHHH! *runs away into horizon like a mad man*