XRGB-mini Framemeister

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nam9
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by nam9 »

nam9 wrote:JVC X'EYE (NTSC 60Hz RGB Scart): Picture is stable at the top; flashing at the bottom with a steady transition.

Any thoughts?
On the X'EYE is this a sync issue? I first need to check the cable to see if it is wired for CSync or Composite video.
So... A CSync cable from Retro Gaming cables made the issue worse...
Now the entire image is flickering (still better at top than bottom of picture??).

Help??
jamisonia
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by jamisonia »

FBX, if you're looking to get your green N64 RGB Modded, I would install the kit for free.
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FBX
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by FBX »

jamisonia wrote:FBX, if you're looking to get your green N64 RGB Modded, I would install the kit for free.
Hey thanks for the offer! I think I may just keep it for parts though, because the power interface socket has gone bad on it. Games will randomly reset every minute or so, and I found out that was the cause after Googling for some time. It can be helped/improved by jamming a shim in there with the power supply, but it doesn't get rid of the problem completely. I remember pissing off some Nintendo fanboys with the news while they were busy masturbating over the claim that the N64 had NO functionality issues and was indestructible. They first attacked me for not knowing what I was talking about, and then refused to respond further when I posted the link to the thread documenting the issue.
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austin532
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by austin532 »

FBX wrote: I remember pissing off some Nintendo fanboys with the news while they were busy masturbating over the claim that the N64 had NO functionality issues and was indestructible. They first attacked me for not knowing what I was talking about, and then refused to respond further when I posted the link to the thread documenting the issue.
C'mon now, we all know that the Gamecube is the indestructible one, not the N64. Silly fanboys. :roll:
Framemeister 240p scanline settings: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... start=9600
Thamiel
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Thamiel »

FBX wrote:
jamisonia wrote:FBX, if you're looking to get your green N64 RGB Modded, I would install the kit for free.
Hey thanks for the offer! I think I may just keep it for parts though, because the power interface socket has gone bad on it. Games will randomly reset every minute or so, and I found out that was the cause after Googling for some time. It can be helped/improved by jamming a shim in there with the power supply, but it doesn't get rid of the problem completely. I remember pissing off some Nintendo fanboys with the news while they were busy masturbating over the claim that the N64 had NO functionality issues and was indestructible. They first attacked me for not knowing what I was talking about, and then refused to respond further when I posted the link to the thread documenting the issue.
Mine does that, drives me nuts. Might have to try jamming a toothpick in there.
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Xan
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Xan »

Is that due to bad solder joints? Should be an easy enough fix if so, but the real problem with N64s are the analog sticks which are utter garbage and fail inevitably over time. Batteries running dry in games and controller paks also don't exactly help that "indestructible" claim.
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FBX
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by FBX »

Thamiel wrote: Mine does that, drives me nuts. Might have to try jamming a toothpick in there.
Index cards or an old credit card work pretty well. I might take the thing apart and see if I can service it myself.
jamisonia
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by jamisonia »

That sounds like a loose solder joint. If so should be easy to fix.
enigmaxtreme
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by enigmaxtreme »

A concept I've been working on the last few days, Scart labels, I'm thinking of Die Cut Vinyl Decals designed to go on the traditional Scart plug. Would be much better than masking tape and sharpie eh

Image
neorichieb1971
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by neorichieb1971 »

I'll take some of those decals. They look awesome.
This industry has become 2 dimensional as it transcended into a 3D world.
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pyrotek85
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by pyrotek85 »

Those labels look sweet! I love that you have both the Japanese and Western names too. I wouldn't use all of them myself, but I'd still love to get a sheet of the full set.
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RGB32E
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by RGB32E »

The labels look pretty nifty, but wouldn't the middle part be creased along the clamshell hinge as that side isn't completely flat? I suppose you could trim off the hinge to make that side flat though. :mrgreen:
Malin
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Malin »

Great idea with the labels, any chance of one for the Neo Geo?
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pyrotek85
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by pyrotek85 »

Malin wrote:Great idea with the labels, any chance of one for the Neo Geo?
Oh yeah, 3DO would be cool too.
enigmaxtreme
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by enigmaxtreme »

Hey everyone, thanks for the kind words, right now this is merely a concept. I'm still going to need to find a manufacturer as I'm looking for a good sturdy label
RGB32E wrote:The labels look pretty nifty, but wouldn't the middle part be creased along the clamshell hinge as that side isn't completely flat? I suppose you could trim off the hinge to make that side flat though. :mrgreen:
What I will probably do is have the adhesive on the sides and leave the middle clean. Here is a crude mockup using cardboard and sticky tape

Image

Hopefully the final product when made will have a nice glossy finish, I'm think of reaching out to sites like RetroRGB and RetroGamingCables for Distribution
Malin wrote:Great idea with the labels, any chance of one for the Neo Geo?
pyrotek85 wrote:Oh yeah, 3DO would be cool too.
Ask and you shall receive!

Image
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pyrotek85
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by pyrotek85 »

Very nice, I'll definitely be interested whenever they're ready.
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FBX
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by FBX »

enigmaxtreme wrote:
Image
Looking good thus far! Perhaps make them a little smaller so there's about 2 or 3 mm of black plastic showing around the edges? It would give it a nice professional look I think.
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Ed Oscuro
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Ed Oscuro »

I think they should indicate the underlying pinout - JP21/RGB21 or SCART.
enigmaxtreme
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by enigmaxtreme »

Ed Oscuro wrote:I think they should indicate the underlying pinout - JP21/RGB21 or SCART.
Isn't it advised to just use one or the other?
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pyrotek85
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by pyrotek85 »

enigmaxtreme wrote:
Ed Oscuro wrote:I think they should indicate the underlying pinout - JP21/RGB21 or SCART.
Isn't it advised to just use one or the other?
That's what I heard too. I gotta replace the one JP21 that I've got once I get a switch for all of them.
Blit
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Blit »

Hi All,

I have recently updated the FrameMeister from firmware 1.11 to 2.0. With the GameCube and Nec PC-FX things are fine as before. But for e.g. the NeoGeo has an issue with randomly dropping the sync which was never the case with the 1.11 firmware. My NeoGeo Scart cable uses C-Sync (pin 7). Any clues and/or similar experiences?

Br,
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RGB32E
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by RGB32E »

enigmaxtreme wrote:
Ed Oscuro wrote:I think they should indicate the underlying pinout - JP21/RGB21 or SCART.
Isn't it advised to just use one or the other?
If cables are built so that only the used pins are present, it's pretty easy to tell the difference. E.g. Pins 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 would not be present on a RGB 21 cable. That's how the SHVC-010 and the SCPH-1050 Official RGB21 cables are constructed, and is what I tend to do when building my own cables.
Blit wrote:Hi All,

I have recently updated the FrameMeister from firmware 1.11 to 2.0. With the GameCube and Nec PC-FX things are fine as before. But for e.g. the NeoGeo has an issue with randomly dropping the sync which was never the case with the 1.11 firmware. My NeoGeo Scart cable uses C-Sync (pin 7). Any clues and/or similar experiences?

Br,
Blit
Changed any sync settings from default? It has been my experience with the AES that you get consistent sync results by modding the system to route CXA1145 pin 11 instead of pin 10 to 8DIN pin 7 output.
TheRetromancer
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by TheRetromancer »

enigmaxtreme wrote:Image
That's a cool idea. I have mine labeled with basic rectangular yellow stickers with text on them. Gotta love diecutters, though.
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Pasky
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Pasky »

I mist be the only guy that just looks at the plug...lol
TheRetromancer
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by TheRetromancer »

Pasky wrote:I mist be the only guy that just looks at the plug...lol
Well, mate, when you've got 11 RGB consoles on one entertainment system, and only one 8-input SCART switch, it can be super helpful to only have to look at the SCART end itself to know which plug you're holding, especially when the wiring is routed to be as unobtrusive as possible. :)
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chojinosaka
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by chojinosaka »

Hi, I have a questions.

I am connecting my Super Famicom via official Japanese RGB Cable to the framemeister and the picture is awsome.
However the screen gets black (the connection breaks off) every couple of minutes. The picture comes back after a second or so but keep loosing the screen for a second while playing is a nightmare.
I have tried different HDMI cables and 2 different screens. The Framemeister Firmware is the latest.

Would be great if somebody could help...
EnragedWhale
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by EnragedWhale »

Just wanted to join in on thanking FBX for his profiles.

I was super happy with the Framemeister before but your profiles have have taken it to another level.

So thanks! :mrgreen:
TheRetromancer
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by TheRetromancer »

chojinosaka wrote:Hi, I have a questions.

I am connecting my Super Famicom via official Japanese RGB Cable to the framemeister and the picture is awsome.
However the screen gets black (the connection breaks off) every couple of minutes. The picture comes back after a second or so but keep loosing the screen for a second while playing is a nightmare.
I have tried different HDMI cables and 2 different screens. The Framemeister Firmware is the latest.

Would be great if somebody could help...
For whatever reason, the X-RGB Mini is losing the sync signal. This could be because of a bad cable, though I'm really thinking there is a problem with your console. The NTSC official RGB cables use Composite Video as Sync; try running composite video into the Mini and see if you still get video flickering issues.

Also, does this video flickering happen at regular intervals, or does it happen only during certain things, ie, does it happen when the screen turns white, like during the death of a MegaMan X Boss or something?
"Thanks for the nice reply. I do offer to do work without hot glue too if people prefer it that way." - Drakon
Skavi_
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Skavi_ »

FBX wrote:
Tomdominer wrote:Hey FBX,

Is there a guide to creating these profiles? I guess you need the exact output from the console / game and then use the scale values to enlarge them the right amount of times to get some sort of multiple of 1080p? The problem is that I find the XRGB "zoom / scale" menus totally counter intuitive. Also, it takes so long to actually see the picture that zooming by hand takes FOREVER.

I was hoping to try my hand at creating a profile for "Saturn High-Ten Bomberman", which in ten player mode goes into some sort of progressive widescreen signal. Also, creating some saturn profiles in general would be good!

Any pointers on how to calculate what all the settings should be would be greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately it is very tedious, but Artemio's 240p Test Suit on the Genesis for example was a huge help in showing me where I needed to align the picture to the graphics:

1. In using the Visual_Set functions to align the masking, I used Artemio's grid test patterns for 320 and 256, which show the edge of the active graphics in red. Pressing the C-button lights up the overscan area, and this let me know how close I was getting to completely blocking it out. This part was even more tedious because the Framemeister has to blank and repost the video after each adjustment of the H & V Widths and well as the H & V Positions. So it took an hour or so of fine-tuning these settings to a perfect border mask.

2. Once I got the Visual_Set functions perfectly set to the edges of the Genesis graphics, then I had to experiment with different combinations of Zoom_Size and Zoom_Overscan until the scaling was perfect. For that, Artemio's vertically scrolling grid let me know when I nailed the perfect 4x. Now thankfully the Framemeister updates these adjustments on-the-fly, but because the combinations required to nail integer-perfect scaling are pot luck, it becomes much like trying to crack a combination lock. You just keep trying different combinations until that scrolling grid shows zero scaling artifacts, and that's when you know you nailed it. Further confirmation of 4x-perfect scaling can be done by turning Zoom off and checking Smart_2x. If the picture takes up the same vertical space as Smart_2x, you know you're at 4x 240p. For this, I used pieces of tape on my TV screen that marked the exact vertical borders of Smart_2x, and those tape markers acted as guide posts when I would try to dial in the Zoom settings.

3. Lastly comes aspect correction. For both square pixels and TV, I would use a tape measure and write down in inches the vertical size of the 4x image. Then I would use simple math to determine how many inches wide the image should be based on that vertical measurement. Then I would adjust Zoom-Width until the horizontal was at the correct aspect ratio. For 5x, I would multiply the 4x measurements by 1.25 and adjust Zoom-Width accordingly.

Anyway, the main thing to remember when wanting to do integer-perfect scaling 1080p profiles is to check vertical scroll either in a test rom or in a game that features it. It should be liquid smooth if properly scaled.
I am thinking about buying a Framemeister for SNES and wanted to understand your profiles. My understanding is that the 4x uses 896 pixels of height and the 5x uses 1120 pixels of height (effectively cutting of 40 pixels on a 1080p display resulting in 8 lost pixels from SNES). This is all good and I love the fact that both options are scaled with integers which results in every SNES pixel corresponding to exactly 4 or 5 pixels on the 1080p display.

However I don't understand how this can result in integer perfect scaling for the width? The 896 pixels of height would require 1194,667 pixels of width for a 4/3 aspect ratio while the 1120 pixels of height would require 1493,333 pixels of width, none of which can be perfectly scaled by multiplying 256 with an integer.

Is there some step here I don't fully understand? Maybe the perfect integer scaling only applies to the vertical?

If you've got the time I would love if you could explain more in detail about the width.
Jaymes Keller
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Re: XRGB-mini Framemeister (now available !)

Post by Jaymes Keller »

Hi all, seeing as this seems to be Framemeister central, I'll throw something in myself.

With Firmware 2.00A, it seems to have some trouble with the PS3, only under the conditions of:

-Using HDMI
-Attempting to use 1080p

I get flickering and static, which drops to a "No Input" message. Now, if I use 1080i, it works fine. I know, it's pointless, seeing as most games function on 720p, but I would like all of my 7th gen stuff to be on the same page, if that makes sense.
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