XRGB-mini Framemeister

[BuckoA51]

This is the Shmups hardware forum, nothing wrong with a bit of overkill with us lot

Not so much overkill as it is roundabout, dubious, or just doing it the wrong way. You could still have some sort of cabling issue as well that can cause that artifact. I'm reminded of the poor saps that performed RGB bypass mods on Neo Geo AES consoles when all that was needed was this. Sure, you could lift resistors from the R2R on an AES and run it through a 3 channel amp, or you could just cut a few traces!

No definitely not a cable issue, I'm using a properly wired, shielded clean sync cable. I'll get before and after pics when it's done anyway, people can then make up their own minds.

[RGB32E]

No definitely not a cable issue, I'm using a properly wired, shielded clean sync cable.

If you say so! As it's said "break a (VDP) leg!"

Btw, what is the rev of your Genesis 1 console?

[BuckoA51]

It's an early one, with the EXT port.

[keropi]

Just did what viletim recommended for the md1/sms1 rgb cables . For me the best place to fit the 75ohm resistors would be inside the plug that you connect to the console(there is space for them). From what I could see on the mobo the RGB lines are straight connections to the av-socket, so one would need to cut legs or remove the encoder all together to fit the resistors there.
Caps on the other hand fit nicely in the scart plug.

Couldn't see a difference (both consoles were already modded to use c-cync) but having the encoder operating in a lower temperature is a good thing so it's a win in my book

[cyborc]

Hello, I've encountered an issue with my Framemeister + Super Famicom Jr.

There is a buzzing background noise on the sound signal. It might have been there all along but I started hearing it now when I turned the volume up. Is this normal? I.E the Snes sound simply isn't that good?

Buzzing audio with an RGB scart connection is quite normal, especially if you are using a poor quality cable. The best option for the SNES is the S/PDIF digital audio mod. It's not the easiest mod in the world to do, but its so worth it. No buzzing, no humming, just crystal clear audio.

[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.

I just changed the direct route on my NeoGeo (s.n. 240544) from pin 10 to pin 11 on the CXA1145. On a Sony RGB scart capable television this mod works However on the FrameMeister I do not get any picture. Does the signal from pin 11 need amplification? Or is something else needed. FrameMeister sync setting is on auto. Also adding a 220uF capacitor in serial with pin 11 does not help (works on Sony TV but not on FrameMeister)

[Smashbro29]

Hello, I've encountered an issue with my Framemeister + Super Famicom Jr.

There is a buzzing background noise on the sound signal. It might have been there all along but I started hearing it now when I turned the volume up. Is this normal? I.E the Snes sound simply isn't that good?

Buzzing audio with an RGB scart connection is quite normal, especially if you are using a poor quality cable. The best option for the SNES is the S/PDIF digital audio mod. It's not the easiest mod in the world to do, but its so worth it. No buzzing, no humming, just crystal clear audio.

So if you got for custom VGA cables that doesn't happen anymore?

[RGB32E]

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.

I just changed the direct route on my NeoGeo (s.n. 240544) from pin 10 to pin 11 on the CXA1145. On a Sony RGB scart capable television this mod works However on the FrameMeister I do not get any picture. Does the signal from pin 11 need amplification? Or is something else needed. FrameMeister sync setting is on auto. Also adding a 220uF capacitor in serial with pin 11 does not help (works on Sony TV but not on FrameMeister)

CXA1145 pin 11 requires a series capacitor and resistor before it is fed to XRGB-mini pin 3. Double check your wiring and the linked information.

Code: Select all

CXA1145 pin 11 o-----|(---^^^^----o XRGB-mini pin 3, where -|(- is a 220/470uF capacitor (+ to pin 11), and ^^^^ is a 75 ohm resistor.

The best option for the SNES is the S/PDIF digital audio mod. It's not the easiest mod in the world to do, but its so worth it. No buzzing, no humming, just crystal clear audio.

Yup, I SPDIF modded my 1CHIP-01 years ago and more recently my SNES mini. I highly recommend the SPDIF mod if you have a high performance sound system. One big thing with using SPDIF output is the lack LPF that is normally applied in the analog audio mixing circuit after the internal DAC stage, so higher frequencies are not rolled off. It's not really worth it for those who just play on TV speakers though. However, if you're noticing buzz on TV speakers, then yes, you need to improve your cabling!

[s8n]

hi again members , like i mentioned i am getting a Framemeister i have a few more questions..............


1. What size Micro SD should i get for saving Profiles on ?


2. Which of these 8 Pin Adapters should i get ?


Micomsoft XRGB Mini Passive adapter for Euro SCART to XRGB Mini 8 pin

or

Micomsoft XRGB Mini powered sync stripper adaptor for SCART to XRGB Mini 8 pin


3. I have Model 2 JPN Saturn's from the link below which should i get ?


http://stores.ebay.com.au/Retro-Accesso ... 34.c0.m322

[Totallytwixed]

Hi all,

I'm having a bit of an issue.

Just had my snes mini, Nes top loader modded for rgb.

Snes works perfectly fine, as does Genesis model 2

The Nes top loader works with component and svideo, but rgb displays no video and reads "no input" but audio comes in crystal clear.

Firmware is updated to 2.00 and I have loaded a variety of profiles, all do the same thing.

Any help??!?...I hope it's an easy fix, but I doubt it is.

Thanks.

[AndehX]

hi again members , like i mentioned i am getting a Framemeister i have a few more questions..............


1. What size Micro SD should i get for saving Profiles on ?


2. Which of these 8 Pin Adapters should i get ?


Micomsoft XRGB Mini Passive adapter for Euro SCART to XRGB Mini 8 pin

or

Micomsoft XRGB Mini powered sync stripper adaptor for SCART to XRGB Mini 8 pin


3. I have Model 2 JPN Saturn's from the link below which should i get ?


http://stores.ebay.com.au/Retro-Accesso ... 34.c0.m322

1. Any size MicroSD card will do. Profiles are very small. I use a old 2GB card I had lying around.

2. Get the sync stripper version, as I couldn't get a picture on my PS2 and Dreamcast using the passive adapter. After adding a sync stripper to the adapter, everything was fine. The Framemeister seems to be very picky about having a clean sync signal.

3. That page doesn't seem to show anything.

[Skavi_]

Thanks, I'll try with new cables before going with a sound mod. If I do choose to mod my Snes, is there a way to connect it to the Framemeister? I would still like to get both audio and video from the hdmi on the Framemeister.

[noko_bombette]

The Nes top loader works with component and svideo, but rgb displays no video and reads "no input" but audio comes in crystal clear.

How do you connect the NES to the Framemeister?
I have the same issue because of having the X-RGB Mini to SCART adapter that includes a sync circuit without external power.

[s8n]

thanks AndehX for clearing things up , in regards to question 3 ' I have Model 2 JPN Saturn's from the link below which should i get ? '


im unsure what Scart cable to get..............



Sega Saturn stereo RGB SCART cable for NTSC model Saturn lead cord
Sega Saturn stereo RGB SCART cable for PAL (European) model Saturn lead cord
Sega Saturn stereo JP-21 cable for XRGB units works on all models lead cord


which one guys ?


chat soon

[AndehX]

The Nes top loader works with component and svideo, but rgb displays no video and reads "no input" but audio comes in crystal clear.

How do you connect the NES to the Framemeister?
I have the same issue because of having the X-RGB Mini to SCART adapter that includes a sync circuit without external power.

If it doesn't have external power, then it should take power from Pin 8 on the top loaders SCART cable (provided Pin 8 is wired)
If Pin 8 isn't wired, then you'll most likely have to buy a SCART cable that has Pin 8 wired, or buy an adapter with external power for the sync stripper.

[FBX]

thanks AndehX for clearing things up , in regards to question 3 ' I have Model 2 JPN Saturn's from the link below which should i get ? '


im unsure what Scart cable to get..............



Sega Saturn stereo RGB SCART cable for NTSC model Saturn lead cord
Sega Saturn stereo RGB SCART cable for PAL (European) model Saturn lead cord
Sega Saturn stereo JP-21 cable for XRGB units works on all models lead cord


which one guys ?


chat soon

Typically Japan consoles follow the same output standard as NTSC. In fact, I believe theirs is 'NTSC-J' which has to do with black levels if I recall correctly. Since you're already getting a SCART adapter for the Framemeister, I'd think the first one in your list is the appropriate cable to get. However, the adapter that comes with the Framemeister is meant for JP21 cables, so you'd use the 3rd one in your list for that adapter.

[lettuce]

While 1080p is great an all i just cant come around to the super sharp and thin scanlines you get in this res, 720p looks so much better with scanlines!. Is there no way to get 1080p res but make the scanlines look like they do when in 720p?

[FBX]

While 1080p is great an all i just cant come around to the super sharp and thin scanlines you get in this res, 720p looks so much better with scanlines!. Is there no way to get 1080p res but make the scanlines look like they do when in 720p?

The closest compromise is to use 4x integer-scaled profiles. The image will have black borders on the top and bottom, but the scanlines will look better.

In the end, it comes down to the sharpness factor. You get about a 15% sharper image when doing native 1080p output to a 1080p display versus 720p output. If you like sharp pixels with your scanlines, using the 4x profiles is the way to go. If you don't mind the less sharp pixels, then 720p is your huckleberry. There also may possibly be some extra lag depending on how your display handles upscaling the 720p image to 1080p, so that's another thing to watch out for.

[s8n]

thanks FBX for the info much appreciated

[austin532]

While 1080p is great an all i just cant come around to the super sharp and thin scanlines you get in this res, 720p looks so much better with scanlines!. Is there no way to get 1080p res but make the scanlines look like they do when in 720p?

The closest compromise is to use 4x integer-scaled profiles. The image will have black borders on the top and bottom, but the scanlines will look better.

In the end, it comes down to the sharpness factor. You get about a 15% sharper image when doing native 1080p output to a 1080p display versus 720p output. If you like sharp pixels with your scanlines, using the 4x profiles is the way to go. If you don't mind the less sharp pixels, then 720p is your huckleberry. There also may possibly be some extra lag depending on how your display handles upscaling the 720p image to 1080p, so that's another thing to watch out for.

It's impossible to get perfect CRT scanlines as of now but who knows what the future brings. The default of 80 and is 100 looks good but is way too light. After hours of testing multiple games on multiple systems I finally found a number which is pretty close to my CRT. 40 INT and 86 INT SMOOTH. I am also using FBX's 1080p 4x settings and it looks fantastic combined with scanlines.

[Kilokahn]

Maybe you guys can help me with my (somewhat) Framemeister issue...

I have an Atari 2600 light sixer with an s-video mod.

Here is the S-Video mod I did in early 2014:
http://electronicsentimentalities.com/A ... 0Mods.html

Now from the Framemeister XRGB-Mini to my TV it looks good, it doesn't flicker very well at all on my newer TV but it's consistent video so I can see all the elements.

The capture card I use, however, isn't seeing it so well however. I have a Startech USB3HDCAP and the sync is a bit off. The Startech claims it is doing exactly 60fps, so does this mean that the Atari isn't exactly doing 60fps?

Here is a snippet of video from last night to show you the issue:
http://www.twitch.tv/kilokahntv/v/25624895

I also should mention that static image games, such as Stampede and Dodge 'Em work quite well. Anything that flickers is a crapshoot. Here is the whole video from last night, the Atari 2600 video starts around the 16 minute mark:
http://www.twitch.tv/kilokahntv/v/25487300

Any suggestions would be great!

[enigmaxtreme]

Does anyone else have this issue with a PAL version of Perfect Dark on a RGB modded N64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j7Kcrb ... e=youtu.be

[AndehX]

Is there a quicker way to switch profiles? Instead of having to navigate all the way to DATA and the LOAD. Isn't there like a button on the remote that just brings up the list of profiles that you can select?

[Hamburglar]

I am still trying to figure out why my 1CHIP-01 SNES works fine over RGB on the Framemeister but my 1CHIP-02 doesn't.

Is there anywhere I can download old English firmwares to determine if it was something with the 2.x update?

[Fudoh]

Is there anywhere I can download old English firmwares to determine if it was something with the 2.x update?

all FW versions are available on Micomsoft's download page.

[AndehX]

I am still trying to figure out why my 1CHIP-01 SNES works fine over RGB on the Framemeister but my 1CHIP-02 doesn't.

Is there anywhere I can download old English firmwares to determine if it was something with the 2.x update?

Probably a sync issue? Im sure some SNES consoles don't output a clean csync signal....

[Skavi_]

Hello, I've encountered an issue with my Framemeister + Super Famicom Jr.

There is a buzzing background noise on the sound signal. It might have been there all along but I started hearing it now when I turned the volume up. Is this normal? I.E the Snes sound simply isn't that good?

Buzzing audio with an RGB scart connection is quite normal, especially if you are using a poor quality cable. The best option for the SNES is the S/PDIF digital audio mod. It's not the easiest mod in the world to do, but its so worth it. No buzzing, no humming, just crystal clear audio.

An update on this. I received my cable from retro_console_accessories today and there is no buzzing at all, even if I increase the volume to levels far beyond what is comfortable listening to.

An additional thing I've been wondering: My Framemeister works perfectly fine with my SFC Jr without sync wired (meaning I use composite video as sync if I understand things correctly).
Would I see any improvement in picture quality if I wired up the raw sync (is that what it's called?) and bought a scart cable with sync wired?
Basically I'm wondering if using raw sync will improve my quality or if sync is just a "works or doesn't work" kind of thing with the Framemeister? Having a hard time phrasing the question in a good way but I hope you guys will understand.

[Hamburglar]

Is there anywhere I can download old English firmwares to determine if it was something with the 2.x update?

all FW versions are available on Micomsoft's download page.

Thanks!

Is there anywhere I can download old English firmwares to determine if it was something with the 2.x update?

Probably a sync issue? Im sure some SNES consoles don't output a clean csync signal....[/quote]

1CHIP-03 definitely does not have sync wired up. It is unknown if 1CHIP-02 does or does not.

[Gered]

1CHIP-03 definitely does not have sync wired up. It is unknown if 1CHIP-02 does or does not.

I thought it was pretty well known? Or is there some inconsistency between 1CHIP-02 models where some do and some don't? Anyway, my unmodded SNES is a 1CHIP-02 and works perfectly with CSYNC cables (tested with a Framemeister, one of those cheapo SCART-to-HDMI boxes, and also with BNC cables hooked up to a PVM).

[TheShadowRunner]

An additional thing I've been wondering: My Framemeister works perfectly fine with my SFC Jr without sync wired (meaning I use composite video as sync if I understand things correctly).
Would I see any improvement in picture quality if I wired up the raw sync (is that what it's called?) and bought a scart cable with sync wired?
Basically I'm wondering if using raw sync will improve my quality or if sync is just a "works or doesn't work" kind of thing with the Framemeister? Having a hard time phrasing the question in a good way but I hope you guys will understand.

From my testing I couldn't see any difference between using composite video sync versus CSYNC for the Super Famicom on the Mini.
I don't believe it's a work or doesn't work thing though, as demonstrated by how composite video sync versus luma sync makes a difference for Playstation (checkerboard pattern). But in the case of SFC, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, no difference whatsoever.

I thought it was pretty well known? Or is there some inconsistency between 1CHIP-02 models where some do and some don't?

Yes it seems some 1CHIP-2 have CSYNC connected and some don't as reported by some users here.