Dreamcast + Sony W6 42" LCD Optimum setup?

[EnragedWhale]

Hi guys, first topic so please be gentle

I've serched for an answer to this high and low but haven't found anything conclusive.

I'm looking for the ideal way to display my PAL dreamcast on a Sony w6 series LCD that does not have a VGA input. I want scanlines for 2D content only. I have a XRGB mini for my 240p/288p stuff.

I was thinking of going DC>Hanzo>Kenzei>XRGB Mini>TV (via HDMI)

I believe this will allow me to simply switch the Hanzo to 15khz for VGA incompatible titles.

Is there any disadvanatge to displaying 480p games like this compared to using an VGA>component transcoder other than the 20ms of lag the mini introduces?

If I used a transcoder for VGA compatible titles then I'd simply use RGB scart through the mini for incompatible titles.

Basically my long winded post boils down to transcoder or XRGB mini for VGA titles?

Thanks!

[darcagn]

I'd recommend just going XRGB-mini for the whole chain, using Hanzo and Kenzei.

If you're good with soldering, though you can build yourself something that's a less complicated to set up using this schematic I made.

VGA or RGB mode (for compatibility) is selected with the switch on the SCART connector. The third cable in the last pic is for S/PDIF digital audio mod.







But if you don't want to bother with all that then the Hanzo/Kenzei combo will get you the same outcome.

[EnragedWhale]

Thanks darcagn, your schematic certainly looks a lot more elegant and cost effective than the Hanzo + Kenzei setup, but I fear it is probably beyond my capabilities. I will however take a closer look after work and maybe I'll be brave enough to attempt it.

Thanks once again

[darcagn]

No problem! If you do decide to build it and need some help, don't hesitate to post on here, I'll be able to help you along the way.

[Fudoh]

I would prefer the picture through a transcoder, BUT scanlines + transcoding are very complicated to accomplish, so the Mini is certainly the easier way.

[EnragedWhale]

I would prefer the picture through a transcoder, BUT scanlines + transcoding are very complicated to accomplish, so the Mini is certainly the easier way.

Does the using the Hanzo's scanline generator cause difficulties transcoding the picture?

Can I expect worse image quality through the mini compared to transcoding?

Thanks for your input

[Fudoh]

Does the using the Hanzo's scanline generator cause difficulties transcoding the picture?

I haven't tried, but all other scanline devices cause massive problems.

Can I expect worse image quality through the mini compared to transcoding?

Your TV has excellent results when fed good 480p component signals, so the Mini can only come close.

[EnragedWhale]

So my optimum setup would be transcoded component for VGA games when I don't want scanlines and through the mini when I do or for 15khz content

This is getting complicated!

[Xyga]

Does the using the Hanzo's scanline generator cause difficulties transcoding the picture?

I haven't tried, but all other scanline devices cause massive problems.

That's strange I haven't noticed anything in particular using an SLG3000+AA, but I have yet to explore the many possibilities.

[Fudoh]

That's good to know. Then the AA is a particular good choice for use with a SLG3000.

[Xyga]

Well I'm not 100% sure, but here's what I have tested with no issues so far:

MD/PS1 > XRGB-2 > SLG3000 > AA > W6
MD/PS1 > XRGB-3 > AA > W6
MD/PS1 > UP 1280 > SLG3000 > AA > W6
MD/PS1 > Dune F > SLG3000 > AA > W6
DC > DC-VGA-BOX > AA > W6

Won't be home until next week so I cannot try other setups right now.

[SGGG2]

I've gone HDMI > HDfury1 VGA > SLG3000
And Component > XSelect VGA > SLG3000
Without any issues.

[Fudoh]

Of course you can transcode BEFORE the SLG3000. I ran into problems putting a RGBHV to YUV transcoder BEHIND the SLG3000. Polarity issues. Scanlines suddenly disappearing or not showing at all.

[EnragedWhale]

Is this the Audio Authority transcoder you guys are talking about?

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/400442404009?nav=SEARCH

[bobrocks95]

I believe so, but I've seen that particular transcoder for less than half that price.

[Xyga]

Mine is the older model 9A60 (without the 'A' at the end).

I'll look into this again next week, try more stuff with the SLG+AA combination and see if I can find anything wrong.

[Fudoh]

I'll look into this again next week, try more stuff with the SLG+AA combination and see if I can find anything wrong.

on the Kramer transcoder I have to use a really odd dip switch combination on the SLG3000 to get any results. MiniSLG didn't show any scanlines at all. If you want to try something, try if you need to change the dips compared to a straight VGA - SLG - VGA connection.

[Xyga]

Yup will try fiddling with the dip switches as well, then post my observations here.

[SGGG2]

Of course you can transcode BEFORE the SLG3000. I ran into problems putting a RGBHV to YUV transcoder BEHIND the SLG3000. Polarity issues. Scanlines suddenly disappearing or not showing at all.

Ya, that's what I thought, but then I read Xyga's image chain wrong in my head...

[EnragedWhale]

Thank you for the advice and effort being put into here guys, its really appreciated.

I'm on the hunt for VGA>componet transcoder shipped to the UK if anybody has an ideas or recommendations? The only thing I've found is the AA on ebay that I posted above. Whilst I'm happy to spend the going rate for quality components the price + shipping seems excessive. I'd also have pay duty on top of that.

Thanks again

[Fudoh]

It's sad to see how rare affordable transcoders have become. One of the "board technicians" like Crafty, Beharius or Bencao should have a go at it. It's can't be very hard to build a quality transcoder for ED signals. And I really see the demand rising with more and more TV sets not offering VGA any longer.

http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/interfac ... coder.html

[EnragedWhale]

Ok guys so I've picked up an AA 6A60a transcoder, but I have a problem.

The picture flicks on and off constantly at intervals of about 1 second. Any ideas?

Thanks for your continued help.

[Xyga]

You mean 9A60A ?

Have you tried fiddling with the potentiometer inside ? (you have to open it)

Turn it clock and counterclockwise until you get a completely stable picture.

[EnragedWhale]

You mean 9A60A ?

Have you tried fiddling with the potentiometer inside ? (you have to open it)

Turn it clock and counterclockwise until you get a completely stable picture.

You sir are a genius! It's now working perfectly looks fantastic