XRGB-mini Framemeister

[Konsolkongen]

Then they should add proper (thicker) scanlines to Smart_x2 mode, and allow us to change the aspect ratio to 16:9 for the games that need it.

Then we could zoom the image ourselves, finally having some use for the retarded overscan setting on our TVs

EDIT: And while they are at it:

Fix the Low Pass Filter (if it's even possible to do by software).
Add some kind of preset option, where it's easy to store a number of settings (color, sharpness, video mode, aspect ration, zoom, output resolution and so on) to separate memory banks, and be able to select them quickly with the arrow keys.*
Fix the 241p bug that's been around since one of the earlier firmware updates. Not only is it annoying that you have to increase the V_width option correct the scanlines, but the screen is much too bright as well. This only happens with systems that are running in a slightly off refresh-rate. The Neo Geo MVS for example.

*At the very least they should add separate settings for the 240p, 480i and 480p on the RGB input. The component input stores all these individually, so why not the RGB input too?

I call this Konsolkongen-mode2. Even though they never did include the original Konsolkongen-mode in the XRGB-3 firmware, I have a really good feeling about this time

[geekmiki]

Sorry to repost, but my question went kind of unnoticed on the previous page and I still haven't figured out what could be wrong this set up...

Hi,

I'm running into problems again to have my DC working with the Framemeister...
Here's the setup:
DC->DC-VGA cable->Kenzei->SCART cable->Euro SCART to Framemeister adapter->Framemeister

-The VGA cable is a custom made cable with DC to VGA
-The Kenzei is powered with a power adapter
-The Euro SCART to Framemeister adapter is the one from RetroGamingCables without a sync stripper (LM1881)
-Tried two different SCART male-SCART male cables to make sure it was ok

The result is always the same: no picture.

I've tested the setup by plugging the DC with composite to the Kenzei and it works. So something on the VGA part is failing. Tried my custom VGA cable AND with Hanzo, but same result.

Am I missing a setting on the Framemeister, Kenzei or anything else?

Thanks in advance!

[arovane]

Hi, I just received my Hanzo, thank you Beharius it is a great piece of work, much better than my old VGA box.
I know what was wrong with my setup: I was plugging the DC to the mini through an active scart to RGB adapter, hence the fuzzy signal. Switching to a passive one and problems solved... mostly.

The thing is, when I use a Euro DC with this setup (Hanzo + UMSA + passive RGB to mini), and I want to play a jap game, then I use a DCX and very often the mini lose the signal after a couple of minutes.

When I use my Jap Code Veronica DC, then it just output RGB. I still don't understand WHY this model won't output VGA, somebody has a clue how to fix it??

Anyway, I just tried with a multi bios DC, and I think the eprom just fried... Suddenly I've got no picture and no sound. No luck so far.

[Fudoh]

I still don't understand WHY this model won't output VGA, somebody has a clue how to fix it??

bridge the two neccessary output pins directly on the DC mainboard.

[Fudoh]

Hopefully sooner than later if it's even possible to fix. 240p already looks great in 720p so I can imagine how nice it would look in 1080p with proper scanlines.

it wouldn't look any better. If they wanted to fix the scanlines in 1080p mode, they'd have to force the V_SCALER option to 5 at the same time. This would decrease the quality on 1080p output and make it look worse than 720p with V_SCALER set to 6 or 7.

[Pasky]

Anyone know what pins need to be swapped on the JP21 female connector that comes with the XRGB to be compatible with a Nintendo (not the official one) scart cable?

[darcagn]

I still don't understand WHY this model won't output VGA, somebody has a clue how to fix it??

bridge the two neccessary output pins directly on the DC mainboard.

They don't need to be bridged, they both need to be grounded. Pins 6 and 7 floating is composite/s-video mode, pin 6 grounded with pin 7 floating sets RGBS mode, pins 6 and 7 both grounded sets RGBHV (VGA) mode.

[coffeyrt]

My mini stopped outputting sound through HDMI. I tried different inputs (RGB and composite). I checked sound level and that doesn't do anything. Different HDMI cables and different inputs on the tv. Different consoles (two different SNESs and a SNES/NES clone, and RGB modded N64). Does anyone have an idea what's wrong? Man, I think this thing is 2 weeks out of warranty.

[pyrotek85]

My mini stopped outputting sound through HDMI. I tried different inputs (RGB and composite). I checked sound level and that doesn't do anything. Different HDMI cables and different inputs on the tv. Different consoles (two different SNESs and a SNES/NES clone, and RGB modded N64). Does anyone have an idea what's wrong? Man, I think this thing is 2 weeks out of warranty.

Don't know if this would help or not, but if you've already tested the obvious stuff, I'd try re-flashing the firmware.

[coffeyrt]

Don't know if this would help or not, but if you've already tested the obvious stuff, I'd try re-flashing the firmware.

Thanks. That actually worked. It seems there's also a 1.11 version of firmware now. I was on the 1.10. Not sure what the differences are but a quick check through the menus seemed like there were a lot more options.

[pyrotek85]

Don't know if this would help or not, but if you've already tested the obvious stuff, I'd try re-flashing the firmware.

Thanks. That actually worked. It seems there's also a 1.11 version of firmware now. I was on the 1.10. Not sure what the differences are but a quick check through the menus seemed like there were a lot more options.

Cool, glad it worked for you. It sounded like it just needed a 'reset' of sorts, something might have bugged out on it.

[BuckoA51]

I know what was wrong with my setup: I was plugging the DC to the mini through an active scart to RGB adapter, hence the fuzzy signal. Switching to a passive one and problems solved... mostly.

I have no idea what you mean here

[arovane]

I know what was wrong with my setup: I was plugging the DC to the mini through an active scart to RGB adapter, hence the fuzzy signal. Switching to a passive one and problems solved... mostly.

I have no idea what you mean here

Plugging the Dreamcast to the mini using a EuroSCART to XRGB Mini with built in Sync Stripper (LM1881N) will alter the VGA signal greatly. At least that's what happened with my setup - DC + HANZO + UMSA.

Using a EuroSCART adapter without sync stripper and it works like a charm.

I'm using the sync stripper one with systems that deliver weak RGB signals, like the Megadrive/Mega cd/Multimega for ex, or if you're using a scart auto switcher the sync stripper will help as well getting a clean signal through the mini.

Thankfully I have both cables, but it took me some time before I could understand where the problem came from with the Dreamcast. only downside now, is I have to switch between the 2 Scart adapter everytime I want to use the DC, and I'm afraid it will alter the Mini RGB plug as time goes by... cause it doesn't look very solid at all.

[blizzz]

Just a quick post on the importance of good cables. I received two custom-made cables today that have proper shielding.


Old (PAL Gamecube) cable on top and the new cable on the bottom. It's a pretty big difference.

Here are the full pictures: old, new

[airs]

Old cable was DOL-013? Was it wired to use CSYNC?

[blizzz]

Ah sorry, I should have specified that. The old cable is a bigben cable that I bought when Super Mario Sunshine came out.

[Xan]

How does mini upscaling stack up against a PS3 for PS1 games? Are there any comparisons?

[ApolloBoy]

Just a quick post on the importance of good cables. I received two custom-made cables today that have proper shielding.


Old (PAL Gamecube) cable on top and the new cable on the bottom. It's a pretty big difference.

Here are the full pictures: old, new

That has more to do with the fact that your old cable used composite video for sync while the new ones most likely use composite sync.

[Thomago]

That has more to do with the fact that your old cable used composite video for sync while the new ones most likely use composite sync

Yep. This is exactly the difference between using a Nintendo DOL-013 Gabmecube RGB cable and using this cable together with a sync stripper.

[blizzz]

That has more to do with the fact that your old cable used composite video for sync while the new ones most likely use composite sync.

I haven't checked it, but the modder says that he uses composite video for the cable. I'm also not using any kind of sync stripping / cleaning, just a simple passive adapter.

[Elrinth]

hey guys. if I connect my pc via hdmi mini convertor -> hdmi cable over and into framemeister. the pc doesn't seem to detect the framemeister. is this to supposed to work somehow?
I tried setting HDMI2 direct on the framemeister to on, but it didn't make any difference.

[lettuce]

Just a quick post on the importance of good cables. I received two custom-made cables today that have proper shielding.


Old (PAL Gamecube) cable on top and the new cable on the bottom. It's a pretty big difference.

Here are the full pictures: old, new

Here a better way to compare screen shots.....

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/78134

Seems to have cured the cross hatch effect, but other than that theres not a whole lot of difference.

Was the 3rd party cable a RAW Sync cable?

[pyrotek85]

hey guys. if I connect my pc via hdmi mini convertor -> hdmi cable over and into framemeister. the pc doesn't seem to detect the framemeister. is this to supposed to work somehow?
I tried setting HDMI2 direct on the framemeister to on, but it didn't make any difference.

You probably do want the passthrough setting set to ON, but it should work either way. Stupid question, but you have the PC running into the input and not the output right? And do have other devices with HDMI out to test with?

[coffeyrt]

How does mini upscaling stack up against a PS3 for PS1 games? Are there any comparisons?

I did not like the ps2 upscaling ps1 directly to tv. It looks much better through the mini. I would guess it's similar with the ps3 but I don't have one to compare.

[blizzz]

Here a better way to compare screen shots.....

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/78134

Seems to have cured the cross hatch effect, but other than that theres not a whole lot of difference.

Was the 3rd party cable a RAW Sync cable?

I was too lazy to capture the same frame, that's why I didn't use screenshotcomparison.com.

Both cables are completely standard with composite video as sync. The only real difference between the cables is the shielding. And the only difference in video quality is that the video noise is gone. I just posted it to show that shielding can make a (small) difference. And you don't need a 50€+ original RGB cable from eBay. A good cable from someone who knows what he's doing will give the same benefit for a couple of Euros.

[arovane]

Hey, I was just wondering, is there any good reason to plug a X360 to the mini, except freeing a HDMI slot?

[Fudoh]

Scanline overlay for games likes Deathsmiles.

[arovane]

Good point

[Xan]

How does mini upscaling stack up against a PS3 for PS1 games? Are there any comparisons?

I did not like the ps2 upscaling ps1 directly to tv. It looks much better through the mini. I would guess it's similar with the ps3 but I don't have one to compare.

It's not an entirely valid comparison anyway because the emulator the PS3 uses seems off in terms of output, but every time I see PS1 footage from that I think it looks horribly jagged and pixelated compared to running on a CRT.

I'm sure a mini using scanlines is better, but it's hard for me to assess whether I would like it enough to warrant a buy. Footage like this somehow doesn't come off as nice as a 14" BVM to me...

[marqs]

How does mini upscaling stack up against a PS3 for PS1 games? Are there any comparisons?

I did not like the ps2 upscaling ps1 directly to tv. It looks much better through the mini. I would guess it's similar with the ps3 but I don't have one to compare.

It's not an entirely valid comparison anyway because the emulator the PS3 uses seems off in terms of output, but every time I see PS1 footage from that I think it looks horribly jagged and pixelated compared to running on a CRT.

I'm sure a mini using scanlines is better, but it's hard for me to assess whether I would like it enough to warrant a buy. Footage like this somehow doesn't come off as nice as a 14" BVM to me...

PS1/2 emulation on PS3 is not very appealing for most games due to horrible input lag. I've also noticed tearing with some ps2 titles, which I doubt is shown on a real PS2.