CSY-2100 clone screen issue.

[Einzelherz]

I brought this issue up in the SNES SCART cable thread, but as others mentioned they have the same problem and since I've done more experimenting, I thought I'd start a full thread on it just to get some peoples' opinions.

The issue in question is screen curving, as seen in this image:


A lot of people in the SNES thread said they get that with their CSY clones and sometimes it even disappears after resetting the console a few times. That solution doesn't work for me, though at first boot, my screen will jump between the curve and a perfect 90° angle.

The following list is a compilation of my experimenting and I've been trying to make sense of it.

SNES: Curve present
Genesis: Square (note: the genesis uses boosted raw sync)
SMS: Square (same cable as Gen)
Saturn, most games: Curve
Saturn, VF2 in High res sections: Square
Dreamcast, most games: Square
Dreamcast, 240p mode enabled: Curve
Dreamcast, 240p test suite; 240p: Curve; 480i:Square
PS1 games on PS2 using component (not CSY): Square
Wii forced into 240p on component (best recollection): Square

From what I can tell, it can't be my TV having issues with a 240p signal. My guess was that it was a composite-sync vs. raw-sync thing. I had spoken with Retro_console_accessories about it, but her recollection in testing was that pure sync on the SNES didn't make a difference. When I was able to essentially turn it on/off with the two systems that output higher resolutions it confirmed that as well. Also, on the SNES, I have Seiken Densetsu 3, which uses the SNES high resolution mode (according to the internet, and my understanding of it) but the curve is still present.

Does anyone have any comments or guesses about this mess of poorly constructed and formatted data?

[evil_ash_xero]

I have the same thing happening with my CSY-2100s(and I have a bunch). I just sort of accepted it.

I have this set up going into a CRT, just so you know.

[Einzelherz]

Oh I forgot to mention that. The issue is non existent with my CRT and I checked to see if maybe it was hiding in overscan, but it's the same rows of pixels curving.

Do you have any of the systems mentioned that don't exhibit the issue that you could see if they follow the same pattern as mine?

[evil_ash_xero]

Yeah, I will take a look.

So, you want me to see if the systems you have listed as "square" have curve on my CRT?

[Ed Oscuro]

Which clone is this? The Specialty-AV one? Would be nice to know for reference (I'm thinking of getting one myself, if a reasonably-priced Kramer never shows up).

[Einzelherz]

Yeah, I will take a look.

So, you want me to see if the systems you have listed as "square" have curve on my CRT?

Yeah if it's not too much trouble.

Which clone is this? The Specialty-AV one? Would be nice to know for reference (I'm thinking of getting one myself, if a reasonably-priced Kramer never shows up).

Yes mine is a Specialty-AV, so I'd be curious if some of the other clones or even the originals exhibit the problem.

[evil_ash_xero]

PS1 games on PS2 thru component are square.

Genesis thru CSY is square.

Dreamcast isn't such an easy answer. It doesn't do that curve on the side, like your picture shows. But both sides of the top kind of curve in slightly. It's pretty noticeable on Mars Matrix.

[Fudoh]

your results will always depend on the TV or processor you're using.

I don't need RGBs to YUV conversion very often, but for this reason I switched from an (original) CSY-2100 to a Kramer unit instead. The Kramer's flawless on all TVs and processors.

[Einzelherz]

PS1 games on PS2 thru component are square.

Genesis thru CSY is square.

Dreamcast isn't such an easy answer. It doesn't do that curve on the side, like your picture shows. But both sides of the top kind of curve in slightly. It's pretty noticeable on Mars Matrix.

On the DC I was only able to get a curve when loading SF3:Third Strike in 240p mode.

your results will always depend on the TV or processor you're using.

I don't need RGBs to YUV conversion very often, but for this reason I switched from an (original) CSY-2100 to a Kramer unit instead. The Kramer's flawless on all TVs and processors.

I've mostly learned to live with it, but I still am trying to understand *why* it's happening.

[Einzelherz]

I did some more research, making things more consistent and confusing. I went through a few systems (NES,SNES,SMS,GEN) running their composite video through my green component jack with the tv set to component. The same pattern occurs (non-sega has curling) even without going through the CSY. So clearly, it's my TV that's making the curl, but why doesn't it occur on the Sega systems? Does the Sega 240p stream work differently than other systems?

[bobrocks95]

I bought a Keene SCART to component adapter and noticed a bit of curling on my plasma. I only had cables for my Genesis at the time though- I can test with my SNES to confirm that it's just something with the Genesis if that's helpful to you.

[Einzelherz]

PSone and PS2 slim, as well as Saturn continue the trend found on the scart cables with composite as well. So for my screen curling issue it seems that the issue has to do with the systems, not the converters. It's consistent, but makes no sense to me.

NES, SNES, Saturn, DC = curve with rgb or composite @ 240p
Gen, SMS, PSone, PS2 = square with RGB or composite @ 240p

I did notice that on the NES, the overscan is square but the actual image pixels are curved.