TORO - Advanced Video Box for the Dreamcast!

[HydrogLox]

I feel a bit silly asking - but you did slide the RGB switch (7) into the 31kHz position before booting the game, right?

Toro DC VGA Box Manual

[CkRtech]

#10 Video sync output is on RGBS.
#7 RGB/VGA switch is on VGA.

Using VGA cable for output.

[HydrogLox]

I get 480p*** though the XRGB-Mini - but I used the 21-pin connector so I haven't had to engage #10 and regular VGA works fine as well through the DE-15 connector.

I suppose you are using some kind of custom DE-15 to Mini-DIN-8 cable?

If you are stuck in 480i then it is possible that pin 6 of the Dreamcast AV connector isn't being grounded. So there could be a problem with the socket to connector connectivity, the connector itself, the cable itself, the cable header, the header pin solder points or the mode selector switch.

***Confirmed with the XRGB-Mini "Special->Status" Menu. I'm saying this because in my case 31kHz through XRGB-Mini only looked marginally better than 15kHz (Trizeal) - nowhere near the pure VGA picture. It may have something to do with my cabling (shotty male-to-male SCART + SCART to Mini-DIN-8 adapter with "Syncboost"). Things might improve if I had a high quality DE-15 to Mini-DIN-8 cable between the Toro and the XRGB-Mini.

[CkRtech]

I am running a vga cable to a switch and then a vga to 8 pin mini din to the Framemeister.

[beharius]

have you tried the other position of the switch? Because on the PCB it's written wrong. RGB/VGA should be VGA/RGB. Also pin 6 could be bend, needs to be aligned, if it touches to the metal, it should be in VGA mode all the time, it needs to be lifted a little perhaps if pushed down.

[CkRtech]

have you tried the other position of the switch? Because on the PCB it's written wrong. RGB/VGA should be VGA/RGB.

Finally got a chance to try it again. That was it. Thanks!

[broken harbour]

Ok so I'm using this via scart to my Framemeister. The 480i/480p switch... which position is 480p? Left position?

And for games that don't support 480p, can I just flip the switch to 480i, start game, and switch to 480p to force it?

[HydrogLox]

The 480i/480p switch... which position is 480p? Left position?

Yes.
The issue is that the PCB silkscreen info is swapped.
So #7 towards the Dreamcast AV cable side is 15kHz (240p/480i) - #7 towards the DE-15 VGA socket side is 31kHz (480p).

In general with problems like this try all possible positions/combinations and verify what the XRGB-Mini is getting with the "Special->Status" XRGB-Mini menu - and figure it out from there.

And for games that don't support 480p, can I just flip the switch to 480i, start game, and switch to 480p to force it?

Dreamcast VGA trick tutorial
Timing is critical. During the Sega Dreamcast logo bootup screen (presumably during the mode check) the switch has to be in the 15kHz position and shortly thereafter the switch has to be switched to the 31kHz position (presumably before the game mode select).

That being said some games simply don't work in 31kHz mode - others just barely. I'd rather play Gunbird 2 in the 15kHz mode than put up with it in the 31kHz mode.

In 15kHz mode some games may give you the option of selecting 240p/480i through an in-game menu but that seems to be the exception.

Apparently there is the rare game that doesn't support either 15kHz or 31kHz - only standard (composite and S-Video 480i). http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 71#p926271

[Windfish]

I am new to the Dreamcast, and I am thinking about buying this VGA box from my setup. Just so I understand: I have to switch the box to different resolution settings depending on the game?

[HydrogLox]

In a manner of speaking yes. However you have to take into consideration that when the Dreamcast was in stores 480i was the only option for most people.

• All games supported 480i over a composite or S-Video cable (Standard Mode).
• Most games supported the SCART cable (15kHz RGB Mode) - the resolution is either 240p or 480i depending on the game. In SF3 240p can be selected during game bootup instead of 480i.
• Many games supported the VGA cable (31kHz VGA Mode) - the resolution was 480p. Some games that don't support the 31kHz mode outright can be forced into it by the Dreamcast VGA trick - sometimes with reasonable results.
• Standard "VGA boxes" let you switch between "standard" and "31kHz" mode. Beharius supplies VGA boxes which switch between "15KHz" and "31kHz" mode - primarily for use in 31kHz mode with or without the trick. Typically only Multisync monitors would support the 15kHz mode over the DE-15 VGA connector (for 240p). So for the odd game you would still use a composite or S-Video Dreamcast cable.

The Toro is only necessary if you need the 21-pin connector for SCART (which usually doesn't support 31kHz) or 31kHz C-Sync for the XRGB-Mini. Otherwise the Hanzo or Kuro will do.

[Fudoh]

the resolution was either 240p or 480i depending on the game, sometime selectable within a game menu.

can you name one ? The only one I can think of is SF3, but here you can't choose it in the menu, but you have to hold a certain button combination during boot-up.

[HydrogLox]

Sorry for the inaccuracy- will correct.

[mobyone]

Hello,

I got mine two weeks ago and it's working like a charm.
I have to spend some time on XRGB mini configuration but I prefer the rendering of scanlines via the toro for the moment.

I'm able to get both resolutions via the toro switch.

The shipping was fast and the support really good.

Thanks for your work beharius !

One opened question: Is it worthwhile spending money in a good scart cable since It's not a direct connection between the dreamcast and the XRGB ?

Paul.

[beharius]

Thanks, enjoy it...
Without seeing its wiring inside I can't recommend one by its price. Anything shielded with thicker wires can make a difference. There are very poorly made ones to beware of.

[Stevens]

Wow. Take my money.

I've been playing on a VGA cable for the last year and a half and was waffling on an SLG3000, but the Hanzo is a much better deal.

Order placed. I had it shipped to my mother's in North Massapequa

[Windfish]

Since this product is sold out and does not seem to be coming back anytime soon (I emailed the company, and they said they don't know if it'll come back), is the best alternative for a Dreamcast -> Framemeister connection via SCART the Hanzo?

[HydrogLox]

The Kuro will also work if you don't need the scanliner. Alternately you can modify an existing VGA box to give you the 15kHz signal.

To connect the signal to the XRGB-Mini you still need a combined sync - ArcadeForge UMSA or DIY.

[Windfish]

Hmm, it seems that these options can only pass 480i via the SCART cable, though. Gonna have to keep researching.

[beharius]

We solved the scart connector issue, new version of the TORO will be released soon. We are starting to take preorders later today.

[HydrogLox]

Hmm, it seems that these options can only pass 480i via the SCART cable, though.

These "options" simply pass on the signal given to them by the Dreamcast console i.e. 15kHz 240p/480i or 31kHz 480p. The UMSA does work with 31kHz.

We solved the scart connector issue.

I felt that your scanliner cable was hinting at a flexible solution - leave the RCA stereo audio jacks for audio breakout but drop the PCB mounted DE-15 and 21-pin RGB sockets and replace them with a single PCB header. Then offer a variety of cable options to connect to that PCB header, for example:

• Cable with DE-15 male connector (e.g. for VGA display hookup)
• Cable with 21-pin RGB male connector (e.g. for SCART display or SCART switch)
• Cable with Mini-DIN-8 male connector (for XRGB-Mini)
• Cable with video BNC male connectors and audio RCA male connectors.
• Bare cable (audio and power wiring incl.) for those with even more obscure needs.

[beharius]

I thought of using an 8pin mini din jack instead, then found this old stockist. His stock is amazing, very rare components. Also building cables will take more time too. Probably this will be the last run with a Scart.

I have some Kenzei pcbs left, which can be used with the XRGB (for Csync)
I will update the site for accepting the Kenzei orders.

[Stevens]

Package has arrived at mom's!! I'll have to wait till after the holiday to get my hands on it though. Can't wait!

[beharius]

You will love it. Merry Xmas.

Review by Adam Koralik:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HuTYgAyUhTE

[Stevens]

You will love it. Merry Xmas.

Review by Adam Koralik:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HuTYgAyUhTE

Thank you sir. That review isn't making the wait any easier

[beharius]

MERRY XMAS to all!
BON NOEL a tous!

[eightbitminiboss]

Is there something I need to do to brighten up the image? It seems overly dark compared to my other systems and previous VGA box. Maybe my SCART cable?

Edit: Nevermind, re-read the manual and somehow missed the luminosity feature...

[beharius]

Yes, even odd switch can change it to normal.

[Gaz9000]

Anyone having trouble getting any picture from their Toro? I have a black screen, it's as if it doesn't recognise there is anything connected

I have it connected via VGA cable, I do however get sound through the audio jacks

I've tried the switch on the box with no luck

[604_degrees]

I'm currently hooking DC up to my plasma using Kuro VGA box and it works fine!

But what if I'll use Toro to output all games through SCART which then will split towards Sony PVM and Framemeister, will it work? I didn't get PVM yet but I think of rebuilding my setup in case if I'll grab one and put it as my secondary tate-always display.

[Fudoh]

works, but of course you'll have to output all games in 15khz to be displayed on the PVM, while you want them to output in 31khz for use on the Mini.