GARO - Universal Component Video Transcoder with Scanliner

[juji82]

sorry again for the shitty quality, I am doing something else in the meantime

It seems there is no problem on my side

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

I ordered a component cable for the original Xbox from China but it's going to take a while to get here. I could also test my PS3 with component if that makes a difference. The resolutions I'm using with my PS2 are 240p, 480i and 480p. I can't see any scanlines with any of them, no matter what settings I use with the switches.

[Gunstar]

Just received the 9v psu, the scanlines still don' work properly. I'll Check with the Xbox later as that was with the Wii.

There's super faint scanlines but they're not spaced out correctly and they flicker. I also get weird strobing when the scanline is set to off and the switch is set to odd (iirc). Definitely looks wrong compared to my Hanzo.

[BuckoA51]

Just experienced a random picture drop out while using the Xbox

[Shuco13]

Please somebody make a comparison between D->Terminal-Framemeister and Garo->Framemeister based on sharpness using a capture device.

[Gunstar]

Just experienced a random picture drop out while using the Xbox

Random sounds like it wasn't caused by a bright white screen? Let me know what game it was and what happened and I'll see if I can reproduce it.

[beharius]

For the flickering scanlines issue, you may need to change the Hsync polarity jumper on the board to position 2-3. This is positive polarity,position 1-2 is negative polarity. On some resolutions and displays, it may require this adjustment.

Scanlines are little softer than the DC Hanzo/Toro, because they have a different design and video output. I used 100mf capacitors, changing them to a lower value may increase the intensity. This is just for compatibility.

[BuckoA51]

Random sounds like it wasn't caused by a bright white screen? Let me know what game it was and what happened and I'll see if I can reproduce it.

No was just in the middle of playing Soul Calibur 2 @720p with SCART out to the OSSC. My cable in this instance was junk though, basically something I found lying around, so I'll try a better component cable tonight.

[jdawg131]

I was thinking of picking up a Garo to get around using the D-Terminal connection on the XRGB Mini. Here is my current setup:

PS2 and Wii (US) > 2x1 Component video switch > Component cable to D-Terminal adapter > XRGB Mini

Since the Garo is a 1:1 transcoder, I should be able to add it after the video switch and keep 480p. Correct? The setup would look like this:

PS2 and Wii (US) > 2x1 Component video switch > Garo > SCART to JP21 cable > Selecty21 JP21 switch (soon to be gscartsw 8x1 JP21 switch) > XRGB Mini

I currently have a Toro connected using a SCART to JP21 cable without issue, so I assume that it should also work for the Garo.

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

For the flickering scanlines issue, you may need to change the Hsync polarity jumper on the board to position 2-3. This is positive polarity,position 1-2 is negative polarity. On some resolutions and displays, it may require this adjustment.

I gave it a try at both 480i and 480p but it didn't help.

[beharius]

It should work like that setup.

I was thinking of picking up a Garo to get around using the D-Terminal connection on the XRGB Mini. Here is my current setup:

PS2 and Wii (US) > 2x1 Component video switch > Component cable to D-Terminal adapter > XRGB Mini

Since the Garo is a 1:1 transcoder, I should be able to add it after the video switch and keep 480p. Correct? The setup would look like this:

PS2 and Wii (US) > 2x1 Component video switch > Garo > SCART to JP21 cable > Selecty21 JP21 switch (soon to be gscartsw 8x1 JP21 switch) > XRGB Mini

I currently have a Toro connected using a SCART to JP21 cable without issue, so I assume that it should also work for the Garo.

[Gunstar]

For the flickering scanlines issue, you may need to change the Hsync polarity jumper on the board to position 2-3. This is positive polarity,position 1-2 is negative polarity. On some resolutions and displays, it may require this adjustment.

I gave it a try at both 480i and 480p but it didn't help.

Changed synch polarity and it didn't work, I only get super faint and strangely displayed scanlines with H set to 2-3 and V set to 1-2 otherwise nothing. Tested with Wii and XBox at 480p.




You can barely see the scanlines on the GARO.

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

Yeah, I tried another monitor with the jumpers at default and I got reeeally faint scanlines.

I also noticed the faint pink lines on my plasma. They're more distinct at 480i than at 480p.

To me the lack of scanlines isn't a big deal on my setup. I'm so happy with the Garo that I'm going to sell all my upscaling equipment...

[jdawg131]

Please somebody make a comparison between D->Terminal-Framemeister and Garo->Framemeister based on sharpness using a capture device.

I'm definitely interested in seeing some comparisons as well. I have no issues picking up a Garo, but I'd like to know if there's a noticeable improvement. The one advantage of the XRGB Mini's D-Terminal connection is that its profiles can store different settings based on the resolutions. Very handy for both the PS2 and Wii.

[BuckoA51]

So I went up in the loft and dug out some proper component cables (rather than a bunch of audio cables all different lengths) this has cured the picture dropouts on the Xbox, Hurrah!

I changed to a different component cable for the Wii, but that just moved the purple/pink tinting onto different screens:-

IMG_1187 by videogameperfection, on Flickr

For me, Wii + GARO + Framemeister is just a no go it seems.

[juji82]

Probably some sort of wii compatibility? Mine is a Black pal version.

[BuckoA51]

I really don't know, I've seen other transcoders do this too, the Garo is definitely the best of the bunch, but my Wii still seems to vex it. It's odd that it only happens when using the SCART output too.

The Wii is a PAL launch model.

[D]

Only to clarify:
Xbox & Ps2 already output VGA natively.
Gamecube, you'll need a component cable first, then hack that cable
Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the wii could output vga somehow
Before people start converting signals they should do a serious google search first.

[Guspaz]

Only to clarify:
Xbox & Ps2 already output VGA natively.

The xbox does not support VGA without a specific model running custom firmware and custom cables), and the PS2 does not support traditional VGA (480p RGBHV) without a combination of softmodding and external sync converters.

Gamecube, you'll need a component cable first, then hack that cable

The component cable costs $200 and is very rare. Modding it for VGA is a dumb idea. It's much cheaper to have your GameCube modded for HDMI.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the wii could output vga somehow

The NTSC Wii doesn't even support RGB, while the PAL Wii only does 480i RGB.

Before people start converting signals they should do a serious google search first.

This statement is a tad ironic, don't you think?

[juji82]

lol

[beharius]

Here is my Stock (unmodified) PAL WII with 480p and 480i settings, scart & vga outputs work fine for me. Both audio/video cables are plugged to the GARO. For 480i both jumpers are set to 1-2(-) for scanlines or 2-3 (+) without scanlines.

On Panasonic plasma (TH42PWD7)
https://flic.kr/p/KqKcEU
https://flic.kr/p/KWmNEf
https://flic.kr/p/KWmNXj
https://flic.kr/p/KqKbWE
https://flic.kr/p/KWmPsh
https://flic.kr/p/LnGgjV
https://flic.kr/p/LjNoe3

On Philips lcd monitor(150s)
https://flic.kr/p/KrdV8P
https://flic.kr/p/LnUwVa
https://flic.kr/p/LdA8iN
https://flic.kr/p/LdA8Jh

[BuckoA51]

The only mod my Wii's got is a softmod.

I don't know what else to try?

[beharius]

Unknown mysteries of the big N.
Is your cable an official one or third party? Mine is third party, probably lack of proper shielding, it has very little pinky buzz on the image.

[BuckoA51]

One is first party one third.. I think...

[Gunstar]

My Wii is a Black Pal console which has been soft modded, my component cable is an official Nintendo one, I've also tried a 3rd party cable and get the pink lines via VGA. (This is only when the Extron 203 is in the Chain, and doesn't matter if peak and boost are set to zero) Strange thing is there's none of that going on with the Xbox. Same thing happens with the Mayflash options which I believe are using the same transcoder chip.

[beharius]

I think Wi's component output is problematic. I just tried a JS Technology Yuv Vga converter, and the image is shaky and there are more visible pinky noise on the screen.

[LEGENOARYNINLIA]

I get the pink lines with my PS2 with a third party component cable hooked straight to the Garo. But I only notice them if I really look. During gameplay they don't stand out.

[beharius]

Wii+Garo on Pioneer PDP 402 480p & 480i works fine.
https://flic.kr/p/L1Bd4C

[tacoboy42]

so i've got the Garo last week and when i first powered it on it worked great. today nothing no video or audio. tested cables and console with different set ups. as well as different power adapters, so its definitely the garo. anyone else have this issue?

[masqdgamer]

so i've had the Garo a few weeks and when i first powered it on it worked great. today nothing no video or audio. tested cables and console with different set ups. as well as different power adapters, so its definitely the garo. anyone else have this issue?

waiting for mine to arrive.