reccommend a scart splitter or RGB capture solution?

[soviet conscript]

long story short I want to play some games in RGB on my PVM as well as do direct capture.

i'm thinking I need a SCART splitter F to 2x M. I don't see any specific cables like that on eBay though. any suggestions?

I want to have a setup where I can have a RGB signal from say my SNES and split it so one way the signal is going to my PVM where I can play and the other to a capture device. I'll probably have to use a signal converter to convert the RGB going to the capture device to something else first like HDMI or component though.

I guess the simplest solution would be a straight RGB capture device with a pass through but I've never actually seen one for RGB SCART.

[Guspaz]

Most PVMs have outputs, can you not simply capture off the output of the PVM?

[soviet conscript]

Most PVMs have outputs, can you not simply capture off the output of the PVM?

I never even thought of that.......

thanks! do you know off hand if it will output a diffrent format. say I input RGB and output via component or S-video out to the capture device?

[Guspaz]

No, they are simple passthrough, and they operate regardless of if the PVM is turned on or off. Remember that the outputs that are not in use need to be terminated: on some PVMs they feature auto-termination and you don't need to do anything, on some PVMs there is a physical switch next to each output to terminate it, and on some PVMs you need to place physical 75 ohm terminators on each BNC jack. If you don't terminate the outputs, the image on your PVM will be much brighter than normal.

Personally, I run all the outputs of my PVM to my projector that sits closeby, so that I can choose between gaming on my 14" PVM, or 80" projection screen

Of course, the projector doesn't handle 240p properly

[Guspaz]

I'm not an expert on video capture, but I think you have (at least) three basic options:

1) Get a capture device that directly supports RGB, such as the Micomsoft XCAPTURE-1 (~$430 USD), which seems to support pretty much every input, including RGB.

2) Get a cheap RGB to component or HDMI converter and then use a component or HDMI capture device

3) Get a nice RGB-to-HDMI adapter like the Micomsoft XRGB Mini Framemeister (~$430 USD), which handles the upscaling from 240p to 480p/720p/1080p, and use any HDMI capture device.

Option 1 is probably the simplest, since it's all-in-one, but it's rather expensive. Option 2 is the cheapest, and the normal issues with RGB-to-HDMI converters having massive lag doesn't matter because it's for capture and not play, but you need to make sure that whatever is handling the analog signal (be it an RGB-to-HDMI converter, or a component capture device) supports 240p video. Option 3 is the most flexible, because you can use the Framemeister for gaming on an HDTV or monitor in addition to just capturing the upscaled output, but it's an even more expensive option than 1 because you need both the framemeister and an HDMI capture device.

EDIT: Marq's 240p to 480p line doubler would be ideal here, because it can convert the RGB 240p signal to HDMI/DVI 480p with very little lag, for maybe $185 USD, but there is a big waiting list, so it could be months before he ships a second or third batch (the first batch hasn't shipped yet).

[soviet conscript]

thanks for the ideas. cant believe I forgot about the outputs on the PVM.

I think the easiest and cheapest method for me would be to buy a 4 BNC to male SCART cable for outputting the rgb through the pvm's rgb out and then feeding that to a SCART to HDMI or SCART to component adapter and from there to my Elgato capture device.

[Guspaz]

Be warned that Elgato devices are reported to not handle 240p very well. Best case it will capture it and treat it like 480i (applying deinterlacing when it is not required), worst case it will just not work outright:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=50855

[AndehX]

1) Get a capture device that directly supports RGB, such as the Micomsoft XCAPTURE-1 (~$430 USD), which seems to support pretty much every input, including RGB.

2) Get a cheap RGB to component or HDMI converter and then use a component or HDMI capture device

3) Get a nice RGB-to-HDMI adapter like the Micomsoft XRGB Mini Framemeister (~$430 USD), which handles the upscaling from 240p to 480p/720p/1080p, and use any HDMI capture device.

I've done alot of research into this very topic lately, as I wanted to accomplish the same thing. So the points listed above are basically your 3 options.

Option 4, would obviously be, as mentioned above, to use the BNC passthrough from your PVM, into some sort of HDMI converter, and then into your capture device.

If you're looking for the lowest cost solution, then I would go for the PVM passthrough method. Get yourself a BNC to SCART adapter, like this:
https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/mal ... rter-cable
and run the PVM's output to a cheap SCART -> HDMI converter, like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SCART-HDMI-conv ... B0092IAA3I

That should get you the result you are looking for at the lowest cost.

If cost isn't an issue, then go for the method I use, which is to buy the BNC to SCART adapter linked above, and run that into a Framemeister. Obviously, the Framemeister can be use to play 240p games on your 1080p TV, so its the most versatile. You will also get a superior image on your capture device due to the Framemeister doing a much better job than the cheaper SCART to HDMI converter linked above.

As a side note, my PVM doesn't have BNC passthrough connectors, so I had to buy a SCART Distribution Amplifier (~$100) to split the RGB signal from my consoles. A bit of a pain, but sourcing another PVM in my area would have been like looking for a needle in a haystack, so that wasn't an option.

[blizzz]

There's also the PEXHDCAP for 100 bucks that can capture RGBS.

[soviet conscript]

1) Get a capture device that directly supports RGB, such as the Micomsoft XCAPTURE-1 (~$430 USD), which seems to support pretty much every input, including RGB.

2) Get a cheap RGB to component or HDMI converter and then use a component or HDMI capture device

3) Get a nice RGB-to-HDMI adapter like the Micomsoft XRGB Mini Framemeister (~$430 USD), which handles the upscaling from 240p to 480p/720p/1080p, and use any HDMI capture device.

I've done alot of research into this very topic lately, as I wanted to accomplish the same thing. So the points listed above are basically your 3 options.

Option 4, would obviously be, as mentioned above, to use the BNC passthrough from your PVM, into some sort of HDMI converter, and then into your capture device.

If you're looking for the lowest cost solution, then I would go for the PVM passthrough method. Get yourself a BNC to SCART adapter, like this:
https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/mal ... rter-cable
and run the PVM's output to a cheap SCART -> HDMI converter, like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SCART-HDMI-conv ... B0092IAA3I

That should get you the result you are looking for at the lowest cost.

If cost isn't an issue, then go for the method I use, which is to buy the BNC to SCART adapter linked above, and run that into a Framemeister. Obviously, the Framemeister can be use to play 240p games on your 1080p TV, so its the most versatile. You will also get a superior image on your capture device due to the Framemeister doing a much better job than the cheaper SCART to HDMI converter linked above.

As a side note, my PVM doesn't have BNC passthrough connectors, so I had to buy a SCART Distribution Amplifier (~$100) to split the RGB signal from my consoles. A bit of a pain, but sourcing another PVM in my area would have been like looking for a needle in a haystack, so that wasn't an option.

I'll probably go with the cheap option. the screen capturing is a lesser priority to playing the games in RGB so if the image gets converted to 480i or whatever that's fine. still better then pointing a camera at the monitor I suppose.

thanks for the links. I was having issues finding a BNC to Male SCART cable. there is one for about $15 more on eBay that includes a sync stripper. that worth the extra money?

maybe going with a RGB to HDMI converter will avoid the issue with the Elgato since the image will be 720P?

There's also the PEXHDCAP for 100 bucks that can capture RGBS.

Don't those hover more around the $200 mark?

[blizzz]

Looks like the price has shot up recently, probably because of their 1080p60 version. Amazon.co.uk still sells them for £95 (~$140).

[AndehX]

thanks for the links. I was having issues finding a BNC to Male SCART cable. there is one for about $15 more on eBay that includes a sync stripper. that worth the extra money?

I wouldn't bother with a sync stripper, the difference it makes on a CRT monitor is negligable at best. I personally see no difference, and if im honest, I only have the sync stripper because my Dreamcast and PS2 will not display on my Framemeister without it.

maybe going with a RGB to HDMI converter will avoid the issue with the Elgato since the image will be 720P?

Yeah, that would definitely be the case. Which could be a good idea.

[ELabit]

I've built a couple of cables for my friends twitch set up and the most recent one seems to provide the best pics. It's a scart female to male cable that I also wired up a cable in the female head to his Framemeister RGB input which then goes to his capture device. He tried using the BNC outputs but I guess it dimmed the pic a bit and there was some times interference. The cable I made also makes it easier to change what screen you are using. I can send pics if you want to see the cable I made

[soviet conscript]

I've built a couple of cables for my friends twitch set up and the most recent one seems to provide the best pics. It's a scart female to male cable that I also wired up a cable in the female head to his Framemeister RGB input which then goes to his capture device. He tried using the BNC outputs but I guess it dimmed the pic a bit and there was some times interference. The cable I made also makes it easier to change what screen you are using. I can send pics if you want to see the cable I made

I don't have a Framemeister or anything like that. honestly I would probably prefer my PVM or a CRT to playing my retro games via a framemeister onto a modern TV. nothing wrong with doing that its just not my style.

In my situation with using my PVM I don't think I have much choice but to use a BNC to SCART > SCART to HDMI converter. for me the capturing is secondary to playing my games lag free in RGB. Though if I ever find one of those PEXHDCAP cards for a decent price I may pick it up.

that said I'm sure there are people that would be interested in that cable.

[mvsfan]

I also have a Pexhdcap. it works great.

I reccomend using the RGB input on it though not component.

a female scart to vga cable will accomplish that.

I bought mine used on ebay.

[AndehX]

I also have a Pexhdcap. it works great.

I reccomend using the RGB input on it though not component.

a female scart to vga cable will accomplish that.

I bought mine used on ebay.

Under its specifications, the lowest it claims to support is 480i. Does it work with 240p sources also?

[blizzz]

Yes, it can capture 240p. Unlike many other devices it actually lets you record in 720x240 instead of 720x480.

[mvsfan]

Startech doesnt advertize 240p but the card is basically a cheap version of the micomsoft card it uses the same chips.

They should advertize that.

[soviet conscript]

Is the PEXHDCAP card the one people seem to use to capture VGA and DOS games and stuff?

[Guspaz]

I suspect that most people are just doing screen recordings of DOSBox or some other virtualizer/emulator for that.