NEC XP37 / Plus / Xtra - What's the difference?

[DejahThoris]

Got offered an XP37 on the cheap but can only seem to find info on the Plus or Xtra models. What difference is there between the base model and the others?

[tacoguy64]

I think they are both pretty much the same with only a couple of minuet differences.
The only one i can think of is that the XP has a higher refresh rate at higher resolutions.
Other than that it seems like they are both the same in pretty much every way that matters.

[DejahThoris]

I think they are both pretty much the same with only a couple of minuet differences.
The only one i can think of is that the XP has a higher refresh rate at higher resolutions.
Other than that it seems like they are both the same in pretty much every way that matters.

Thanks so much!

[ELabit]

Plus and Xtra have on screen display and more adjustments via the remote. The Xtra has component.

[tacoguy64]

Either way he should definitely get the monitor.
And remember to pick up a sync-strike for it.
You will need it to play games on that monitor.

[ELabit]

Either way he should definitely get the monitor.
And remember to pick up a sync-strike for it.
You will need it to play games on that monitor.

Or just get this cable with the LM1881 built into it so you don't have to waste another power socket
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Female-RGB-Euro ... SwPhdU47vv

[DejahThoris]

All excellent information. Thank you guys.

I have a bunch of RGB cables sitting around since I used to own some P/BVM's, but honestly don't know which are SCART and which are JP-21. What's the quickest way to figure out which is which before I buy that SCART -> BNC cable in case it's more economic to buy a JP-21 -> BNC cable based off of what I already have in the house?

[RGB32E]

The quickest way to check RGB21/SCART is to open the 21 pin connector plug shell and see which pins are used. Just about any RGB21 game cable you'll come across will not use even number pins 2-14.

[DejahThoris]

The quickest way to check RGB21/SCART is to open the 21 pin connector plug shell and see which pins are used. Just about any RGB21 game cable you'll come across will not use even number pins 2-14.

Ah, thank you. I've still got cables sitting around for PCE Duo, SFC, and Genesis, but no idea at what point in time they were purchased or which monitors and adapters I bought them for, so it's hard to know, haha. I think after I pick up another PCE and Genesis I will pick one standard, stick with it, and eliminate all the excess cables..

[DejahThoris]

Or just get this cable with the LM1881 built into it so you don't have to waste another power socket
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Female-RGB-Euro ... SwPhdU47vv

Okay. Picked up the monitor and it turns out to actually be an XM37, not an XP.

I intend to use: SFC, Genesis 2 (w/Sega CD and 32X), PC Engine, and possibly GroovyMAME with it. Small small chance at NES/FC down the line.

So am I okay to buy the above cable and then just SCART RGB cables for each of the consoles and I'll be good to go? Or will some of them not benefit from (or be hindered by) the sync stripper in the cable?

The back of the monitor has 5 BNC connectors for each RGB connection. Does the sync stripper alleviate the need for the 5th, or...?

I don't fully understand sync to be quite honest. Just looking to know that everything will work without my having bought extra, useless cables.

I have a VGA -> 5BNC cable for the desktop.

[FinalBaton]

XM37 or XM37 Plus?
Heads up : Someone on here wrote about the XM37(non plus) not being able to sync at 15kHz. don't know if really true :

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=48816

[FinalBaton]

The back of the monitor has 5 BNC connectors for each RGB connection. Does the sync stripper alleviate the need for the 5th, or...?

From what I know, the sync stripper in the cable won't interfer with anything, but maybe someone else can chime in to confirm/deny this

for the 240p consoles you mentionned, the 4 bnc connectors of the cable you mentionned will do the trick. These console output RGBS through SCART, wich is R, G, B and Sync(combined H and V sync, that is), each on one pin of the SCART connector wich is why we only need 4 bnc cables for RGBS.

A 5th bnc cable is only needed for RGBHV, wich is RGB with separate pins for H and V sync
(RGBHV is actually what your PC outputs, but you'll be using a VGA to 5bnc cable for that).


And in case you want a very very basic and easy to understand introduction to sync for 240p consoles, check this :

Spoiler

Those console will all send RGBS through the SCART connector, but depending of your SCART cables and the consoles themselves, the sync pin will receive one of the three following types of data package : composite video as sync, luma as sync or composite sync(AKA clean sync or pure sync or CSYNC).

composite sync contains horizontal(H) and vertical(V) sync only. this is the cleanest sync, no unwanted stuff here

composite video as sync contains more junk in addition to H and Vsync : it also carries the video information

Luma as sync also contains some extra junk, but less than the one above. it carries the luma (luminance) information additionally


When going through the sync stripper though, they will all come out as RGBS with composite sync. This is what we want for the NEC.

[ELabit]

Okay. Picked up the monitor and it turns out to actually be an XM37, not an XP.

I intend to use: SFC, Genesis 2 (w/Sega CD and 32X), PC Engine, and possibly GroovyMAME with it. Small small chance at NES/FC down the line.

So am I okay to buy the above cable and then just SCART RGB cables for each of the consoles and I'll be good to go? Or will some of them not benefit from (or be hindered by) the sync stripper in the cable?

The back of the monitor has 5 BNC connectors for each RGB connection. Does the sync stripper alleviate the need for the 5th, or...?

I don't fully understand sync to be quite honest. Just looking to know that everything will work without my having bought extra, useless cables.

I have a VGA -> 5BNC cable for the desktop.

Ok so the reason you need that breakout cable with the LM1881 is because the monitor only syncs to Composite Sync. Most consoles use Composite Video Sync (think the yellow cable on some rca jacks) for sync. The sync stripper removes the composite video and makes it just composite sync. The BNC input is RGB 2 which is what you want to use for consoles so you can free up RGB 1 for VGA input for your mame set up. The VGA mode on these monitors is absolutely fantastic. Both RGB inputs will autosync low and high res. You could use either for mame or consoles but it's just easier this way to keep the BNC stuff for your consoles and the VGA plug for mame. If you bought that sync strike you'd be hogging the VGA plug for consoles.
The only problem you might encounter is if you want to use a scart switcher with that set up because some of them don't pass the voltage through Pin 8 of the scart plugs which you need to power the LM1881 in the scart to BNC cable.
If you have any questions you can PM me, I have a XM37 as well along with XM29's and my local friends all have them too so I'm pretty experienced with this monitor.
Also if you dont have one, get the remote. It's model # RD-346E and a sound bar or better speaker set up for it. The internal speakers kind of suck. Other than that, congrats on getting one of the most badass gaming monitors ever made!

[DejahThoris]

Also if you dont have one, get the remote. It's model # RD-346E and a sound bar or better speaker set up for it. The internal speakers kind of suck. Other than that, congrats on getting one of the most badass gaming monitors ever made!

Again thank you both for helping me! It turns out I have a Plus model. I was told XP37 before buying it, get there and read the tag on the back and it says XM37. Get home and notice the front bezel says "Plus" on it. So hurrah!

I actually have the remote as well! Will have to look into speakers for it. I'll order up that cable and the EuroSCART ones I don't have. Will let everyone know how it turns out once I have something working on hand.

[FinalBaton]

Since you mentionned it's a Plus model, here's another tip that can come in handy :

each of the 2 connectors on RGB 1 (same for and RGB 2) can be used as inputs, as long as they're not used at the same time.
Although the second input on RGB 1 has a MAC BD15 connector and will require a VGA adapter(wich I haven't found yet).
So theorically you have 4 rgb inputs on the monitor.

I personnally have my PC plugged in RGB1's vga port at all times
And all the other consoles plugged into a set of bnc of the RGB2 input. I use the other set of bnc of RGB2 to send the signal to my capture card.

The Dreamcast can be plugged in the VGA port of RGB1, but the best setup IMO is to get the TORO vga box and use it's SCART output, that way your Dreamcast can be plugged in on the same set of bnc from RGB2 as all the other consoles.

Congrats on a kickass all-in-one RGB monitor!

[DejahThoris]

And all the other consoles plugged into a set of bnc of the RGB2 input. I use the other set of bnc of RGB2 to send the signal to my capture card.

Congrats on a kickass all-in-one RGB monitor!

Wait wait wait, so I can use one of the RGB2 sets as an output for a capture card?! I may need your furthered assistance...

I'm pretty excited, to be honest. Been a long time looking for a monitor that could do everything.

[FinalBaton]

yes RGB inputs have pass-through capability, so for example plug a console on a set of bnc on RGB2, and then connect the other set of bnc to your capture card

[DejahThoris]

yes RGB inputs have pass-through capability, so for example plug a console on a set of bnc on RGB2, and then connect the other set of bnc to your capture card

I guess it's time to invest in a decent capture card then.

Anyone have suggestions on decent cables in the USA? I've always purchased from retrogamingcables.co.uk, but don't really want to wait this time, haha.

[bobrocks95]

I guess it's time to invest in a decent capture card then.

Anyone have suggestions on decent cables in the USA? I've always purchased from retrogamingcables.co.uk, but don't really want to wait this time, haha.

If you're talking SCART cables for consoles I would recommend retro_console_accessories on ebay. There's a large thread on here somewhere you might be able to dig up with other recommendations.

[DejahThoris]

I guess it's time to invest in a decent capture card then.

Anyone have suggestions on decent cables in the USA? I've always purchased from retrogamingcables.co.uk, but don't really want to wait this time, haha.

If you're talking SCART cables for consoles I would recommend retro_console_accessories on ebay. There's a large thread on here somewhere you might be able to dig up with other recommendations.

One down, then. They had a Genesis cable, but no SFC.

[bobrocks95]

One down, then. They had a Genesis cable, but no SFC.

I actually contacted her early last week to place a custom order for DSub-15 cables and she said she was out of SNES plugs for the time being- figured they had been restocked since my order went through, though of course I haven't received the cables yet...

If your goal was saving time might as well go with retrogamingcables for the SNES cord if nobody else chimes in.

[DejahThoris]

One down, then. They had a Genesis cable, but no SFC.

I actually contacted her early last week to place a custom order for DSub-15 cables and she said she was out of SNES plugs for the time being- figured they had been restocked since my order went through, though of course I haven't received the cables yet...

If your goal was saving time might as well go with retrogamingcables for the SNES cord if nobody else chimes in.

It turned out that I can't find *any* SCART cables in my house. So I wanted to get something here relatively soon so I don't have to stare sadly at the monitor for weeks on end, lol. Snagged the Genesis one from that lady on eBay, the above-linked breakout cable from eBay, SNES from retrogamingcables, and I ordered a DoujinDance RGB modded PCE Duo (strangely enough cheaper than most non-modded ones already in the USA) and that comes with a JP-21 wired cable. Is it easy to rewire the JP-21 to EuroSCART?

I guess I'll be playing whatever shows up first, first.

[tacoguy64]

She randomly takes some down and puts them back up later. I would just wait it out. I have been really satisfied with her quality.
Top notch cable maker.
You could try your luck with other sellers if you don't want to wait?

[mvsfan]

she made me a custom HD15 to Scart cable so i could use my existing scart cables with the gbs-8200 and my pexhdcap capture card.

Works great and shipping is always fast.

It also seems like the price is around what it would cost if i made them myself too.

multi conductor cable is expensive.

[DejahThoris]

Thank you guys. Ordered a few other odds and ends from her and asked if she can make me a JP-21 -> SCART adapter as well since I have no idea the pinout for my PCE.

Now just to find buy a capture card and figure out which revision Saturn I have so I can order the proper cable and 98% of my console gaming needs shall be met!

[DejahThoris]

Is there only one audio in for both RGB inputs? Or am I missing something? I got my MAME PC hooked up with GroovyMAME and crt_emudriver and it works great. Got the breakout cable for the consoles and was going to hook it up, but I don't see another audio input for RGB.

Actually, it would appear that mine doesn't make any sound at all... Hopefully it's just blown speakers and an easy fix...

[FinalBaton]

Yes only one set of inputs/throughput for both RGB channels.

Get some decent speakers and a nice integrated amp/receiver, you'll have plenty of audio inputs on that, plus you'll get an audio passthrough for all inputs in the form of a 'TAPE OUT' connection (if not then you can buy an audio splitter for pretty cheap).
It's so worth it to have great sound for your retro games, it enhances the experience a lot.

The NEC's internal speakers are very 'meh'. They sound thin.
But in case you wanna use them : have you flipped the 'SPEAKER' switch on the back to ' internal'?

[DejahThoris]

But in case you wanna use them : have you flipped the 'SPEAKER' switch on the back to ' internal'?

*hides face in palms* I, uhhh, yes.... They work now...

[DejahThoris]

Cables are slowly pouring in!

Saturn looks GORGEOUS in RGB.

My PCE Duo on the other hand, won't sync. It's a doujindance system going JP-21 -> retro game cables' JP-21 to SCART adapter -> SCART to BNC breakout from the first reply. I've tried connecting and re-connecting the cables, but no dice.