gscartsw / gscartsw_lite / gcompsw switches support thread

[Nrg]

Extra lite switches will go on sale in two weeks.

Any idea if/when gscartsw 3.4 will be available?

Thanks!

[beast1x5]

Definitely purchasing a Gscart sw lite if available

[superg]

Extra lite switches will go on sale in two weeks.

Any idea if/when gscartsw 3.4 will be available?

Thanks!

So far I get only positive feedback on lite, it looks like everything will be lite from now on

[LDigital]

When is the Next lite pre order? I'll sell my 3.4 if I can get the lite down the road

[lettuce]

Im trying to figure out why i got charge £27.12 for import tax, superg only put the value of the parcel down as $100, so £76.07 in UK money. On the actual sticker it says.....

Custom charges are applied to imports into the EU with a value over £15 for VAT, All items valued over £135 will attract import duty, imported gifts valued over £39 sent between private individuals will also attract VAT.

So i should get VAT applied to 76.07 which is 20% so i should have only been charged £15.21 plus the £8 royal mail slap on top so a total of £23.21.

So have they over charged me or am i missing something here?

[Guspaz]

When is the Next lite pre order? I'll sell my 3.4 if I can get the lite down the road

And on that subject, a poke to superg about that e-mail I sent a few weeks back about Canadian distribution for the next batch

[DirkSwizzler]

Extra lite switches will go on sale in two weeks.

Any idea if/when gscartsw 3.4 will be available?

Thanks!

So far I get only positive feedback on lite, it looks like everything will be lite from now on

Makes sense. I would like to say that I value having one of each. As in I wouldn't dare trade my 3.4 for a second lite, or vice versa. So I hope you make another run of the 3.4 *eventually*. That, or merge my favorite features from both. But I imagine that's unlikely.

For the 3.4
+I value having 1 port that lowers the bar for whether a goofy device is passed on.
+I value the sync separator to VGA output. I don't use it day to day, but it's convenient for trying different configurations quickly.
+I value having the LPF on a switch at my final device in the chain.

For the lite:
+I value the sync regeneration for non-csync inputs.

I don't end up using dual outputs on either very much.

[superg]

When is the Next lite pre order? I'll sell my 3.4 if I can get the lite down the road

And on that subject, a poke to superg about that e-mail I sent a few weeks back about Canadian distribution for the next batch

I totally forgot about that email as it requires longer response, I will respond this week.

[zak]

Im trying to figure out why i got charge £27.12 for import tax, superg only put the value of the parcel down as $100, so £76.07 in UK money. On the actual sticker it says.....

Custom charges are applied to imports into the EU with a value over £15 for VAT, All items valued over £135 will attract import duty, imported gifts valued over £39 sent between private individuals will also attract VAT.

So i should get VAT applied to 76.07 which is 20% so i should have only been charged £15.21 plus the £8 royal mail slap on top so a total of £23.21.

So have they over charged me or am i missing something here?

You also get taxed on the value of postage now. So it will be the declared value + postage cost.

[Triple Lei]

Looking forward to getting a lite myself. AFAIK this is the only reliable SCART splitter out there, which if I'm correct will let me play games with the OSSC while splitting to that crappy SCART-to-HDMI scaler (you all know which one) for capture purposes. Is it really true that cheapo generic scaler handles the 240p/480i transitions seamlessly?

[clintkolodziej]

Makes sense. I would like to say that I value having one of each. As in I wouldn't dare trade my 3.4 for a second lite, or vice versa. So I hope you make another run of the 3.4 *eventually*. That, or merge my favorite features from both. But I imagine that's unlikely.

For the 3.4
+I value having 1 port that lowers the bar for whether a goofy device is passed on.
+I value the sync separator to VGA output. I don't use it day to day, but it's convenient for trying different configurations quickly.
+I value having the LPF on a switch at my final device in the chain.

For the lite:
+I value the sync regeneration for non-csync inputs.

I don't end up using dual outputs on either very much.

Agreed, each has their value. I think the biggest concern I would have with only having a *lite version is the lack of pass-through [Port 8] for systems with finicky sync, or for RGsB signals. PS2 480p wouldn't be detected on the *lite version since the sync line would be blank. Additionally, I'm not sure if anyone got the Garo or the PC Engine (w/ dbelectronics adapter) working with the *lite (I need to re-read through the last week to check again on that). I personally don't use the multiple outputs at the moment (may in the near future for video capture), but I think whether it is VGA or SCART there are devices that can convert those signals if someone needs a particular format for output to the next device in their chain (pvm/bvm/scaler/etc).

Perhaps on a future revision, especially considering the overwhelmingly positive feedback superg is getting on the *lite model, maybe one or two of those positives from the v3.4 could be added to the *lite. I know adding cost would be a step backwards (and maintaining multiple versions of the hardware is less efficient for manufacturing), but maybe logic to feed a (default) port if no sync or signal is detected on other ports would at least solve the PS2 RGsB issues? I know someone suggested selectable inputs, but my guess would be that would add more cost, with buttons needed for each port, etc. For LPF, I use an OSSC so I can use the LPF on that if needed. A selectable LPF might be a cool addition, but I think most people I've seen are glad that it is gone on the *lite, not sure it would be worth the cost to add if it is a costly addition. I think the change from a built in sync-stripper to the sync-regeneration model on the *lite sounds like an amazing improvement, no reason to go backwards on that.

All-in-all I think going forward with the *lite as the only model seems to make the most sense if there are workarounds for some of the things that the v3.4 helped us with. Congrats to superg for finishing up the first round of *lite orders, enjoy the well earned rest!

[DirkSwizzler]

Makes sense. I would like to say that I value having one of each. As in I wouldn't dare trade my 3.4 for a second lite, or vice versa. So I hope you make another run of the 3.4 *eventually*. That, or merge my favorite features from both. But I imagine that's unlikely.

For the 3.4
+I value having 1 port that lowers the bar for whether a goofy device is passed on.
+I value the sync separator to VGA output. I don't use it day to day, but it's convenient for trying different configurations quickly.
+I value having the LPF on a switch at my final device in the chain.

For the lite:
+I value the sync regeneration for non-csync inputs.

I don't end up using dual outputs on either very much.

Agreed, each has their value. I think the biggest concern I would have with only having a *lite version is the lack of pass-through [Port 8] for systems with finicky sync, or for RGsB signals. PS2 480p wouldn't be detected on the *lite version since the sync line would be blank. Additionally, I'm not sure if anyone got the Garo or the PC Engine (w/ dbelectronics adapter) working with the *lite (I need to re-read through the last week to check again on that). I personally don't use the multiple outputs at the moment (may in the near future for video capture), but I think whether it is VGA or SCART there are devices that can convert those signals if someone needs a particular format for output to the next device in their chain (pvm/bvm/scaler/etc).

Perhaps on a future revision, especially considering the overwhelmingly positive feedback superg is getting on the *lite model, maybe one or two of those positives from the v3.4 could be added to the *lite. I know adding cost would be a step backwards (and maintaining multiple versions of the hardware is less efficient for manufacturing), but maybe logic to feed a (default) port if no sync or signal is detected on other ports would at least solve the PS2 RGsB issues? I know someone suggested selectable inputs, but my guess would be that would add more cost, with buttons needed for each port, etc. For LPF, I use an OSSC so I can use the LPF on that if needed. A selectable LPF might be a cool addition, but I think most people I've seen are glad that it is gone on the *lite, not sure it would be worth the cost to add if it is a costly addition. I think the change from a built in sync-stripper to the sync-regeneration model on the *lite sounds like an amazing improvement, no reason to go backwards on that.

All-in-all I think going forward with the *lite as the only model seems to make the most sense if there are workarounds for some of the things that the v3.4 helped us with. Congrats to superg for finishing up the first round of *lite orders, enjoy the well earned rest!

I forgot to mention that I also value having the ability to leave my devices in a stable hardware configuration where some of them have sync regen and some don't.

If I might suggest a few changes to the lite that would make it a more appealing product if I didn't already have one:
1. Change the sync regeneration master switch to a dip switch that can turn it on-off per port.
*I'm assuming it'd be fairly simple to logic AND the dip switch values with a binary representation of the forwarded port to determine the boolean state of the feature.
2. If sync regeneration is off. Forward port 8 like the 3.4.
*I think you mentioned that the lite doesn't forward anything that's not recognized because it needs to recognize the sync to perform regen. I assume that if sync regen is not a factor, then forwarding port 8 becomes easy.
3. I'm assuming the lite still uses a THS7374 video amplifier. Should be fairly cheap to add an LPF switch if that's the case.
*And if the dip switch is implemented for sync regen. A dip here would be nice as well.

If those changes were made. The only thing I'd personally miss is the RGBHV VGA output. Which I'm sure I could solve with a Behar Bros product.

[clintkolodziej]

Makes sense. I would like to say that I value having one of each. As in I wouldn't dare trade my 3.4 for a second lite, or vice versa. So I hope you make another run of the 3.4 *eventually*. That, or merge my favorite features from both. But I imagine that's unlikely.

For the 3.4
+I value having 1 port that lowers the bar for whether a goofy device is passed on.
+I value the sync separator to VGA output. I don't use it day to day, but it's convenient for trying different configurations quickly.
+I value having the LPF on a switch at my final device in the chain.

For the lite:
+I value the sync regeneration for non-csync inputs.

I don't end up using dual outputs on either very much.

Agreed, each has their value. I think the biggest concern I would have with only having a *lite version is the lack of pass-through [Port 8] for systems with finicky sync, or for RGsB signals. PS2 480p wouldn't be detected on the *lite version since the sync line would be blank. Additionally, I'm not sure if anyone got the Garo or the PC Engine (w/ dbelectronics adapter) working with the *lite (I need to re-read through the last week to check again on that). I personally don't use the multiple outputs at the moment (may in the near future for video capture), but I think whether it is VGA or SCART there are devices that can convert those signals if someone needs a particular format for output to the next device in their chain (pvm/bvm/scaler/etc).

Perhaps on a future revision, especially considering the overwhelmingly positive feedback superg is getting on the *lite model, maybe one or two of those positives from the v3.4 could be added to the *lite. I know adding cost would be a step backwards (and maintaining multiple versions of the hardware is less efficient for manufacturing), but maybe logic to feed a (default) port if no sync or signal is detected on other ports would at least solve the PS2 RGsB issues? I know someone suggested selectable inputs, but my guess would be that would add more cost, with buttons needed for each port, etc. For LPF, I use an OSSC so I can use the LPF on that if needed. A selectable LPF might be a cool addition, but I think most people I've seen are glad that it is gone on the *lite, not sure it would be worth the cost to add if it is a costly addition. I think the change from a built in sync-stripper to the sync-regeneration model on the *lite sounds like an amazing improvement, no reason to go backwards on that.

All-in-all I think going forward with the *lite as the only model seems to make the most sense if there are workarounds for some of the things that the v3.4 helped us with. Congrats to superg for finishing up the first round of *lite orders, enjoy the well earned rest!

I forgot to mention that I also value having the ability to leave my devices in a stable hardware configuration where some of them have sync regen and some don't.

If I might suggest a few changes to the lite that would make it a more appealing product if I didn't already have one:
1. Change the sync regeneration master switch to a dip switch that can turn it on-off per port.
*I'm assuming it'd be fairly simple to logic AND the dip switch values with a binary representation of the forwarded port to determine the boolean state of the feature.
2. If sync regeneration is off. Forward port 8 like the 3.4.
*I think you mentioned that the lite doesn't forward anything that's not recognized because it needs to recognize the sync to perform regen. I assume that if sync regen is not a factor, then forwarding port 8 becomes easy.
3. I'm assuming the lite still uses a THS7374 video amplifier. Should be fairly cheap to add an LPF switch if that's the case.
*And if the dip switch is implemented for sync regen. A dip here would be nice as well.

If those changes were made. The only thing I'd personally miss is the RGBHV VGA output. Which I'm sure I could solve with a Behar Bros product.

I think those changes sound like a pretty good compromise between the lite and v3.4, which would hopefully make fans of each product happy so we can continue forward with one set of hardware.

I never thought of the dip switch idea before, with my v3.4 I always tried to have proper csync before hitting the switch on all devices (devices that need it have a LM1881 sync separator in the scart head) so I didn't have unneeded sync stripping on devices that don't need it. Having the dip switch would allow per-port configuration on sync regeneration only for devices that need it, and those that already have clean csync or cables with integrated LM1881's can have their corresponding switch turned off. Sync regen would have been awesome to have when I first started the hobby, but now I already have a bunch of cables with sync strippers integrated, I don't really want to have to replace them all to avoid double sync-stripping if the stripper is enabled on the gscartsw. I do know that superg said sync regeneration is super fast, so maybe there isn't as much of a worry to leave it on all the time, like there was with the integrated sync stripper on the v3.4, but keeping a dip switch option would remove that processing if it isn't needed to ensure the fastest signal path.

[DirkSwizzler]

I do know that superg said sync regeneration is super fast, so maybe there isn't as much of a worry to leave it on all the time, like there was with the integrated sync stripper on the v3.4, but keeping a dip switch option would remove that processing if it isn't needed to ensure the fastest signal path.

I'm less concerned about the speed and more concerned about unnecessary manipulation of a signal in the most general sense. If I've already achieved functional CSYNC, why mess with it more?

On the topic of speed. I think I do see my display shift by a pixel or so when toggling the regen switch. But it doesn't bother me enough to toggle the switch when switching devices.

[lettuce]

Im trying to figure out why i got charge £27.12 for import tax, superg only put the value of the parcel down as $100, so £76.07 in UK money. On the actual sticker it says.....

Custom charges are applied to imports into the EU with a value over £15 for VAT, All items valued over £135 will attract import duty, imported gifts valued over £39 sent between private individuals will also attract VAT.

So i should get VAT applied to 76.07 which is 20% so i should have only been charged £15.21 plus the £8 royal mail slap on top so a total of £23.21.

So have they over charged me or am i missing something here?

You also get taxed on the value of postage now. So it will be the declared value + postage cost.

Oh right really, makes you wonder what they'll try next. Guess that explains the price then

[coderkind]

@superg; I've a PC Engine Duo currently being RGB modded with a 7374 based amp from borti4938 (https://github.com/borti4938).

The mod currently using the original composite as sync apparently, but has similar sync options to Voultar's (ttl sync, 75 ohm sync, etc). Can you confirm if the gscartsw_lite will likely play nicely with the sync coming from the composite video output of the Duo, or might require the tweaking as suggested above (ttl, 75 ohm sync, etc)?

Asking so I don't have to arrange for it to be delivered, then discover the gscartsw_lite might not work with it, then have to send it away for additional work. I appreciate you might have to make an educated guess on this if unfamiliar with Borti's stuff.

Thanks for your help

I can't confirm until I try it myself (which I haven't yet) and I'm snowed under completing the pre-orders.
On the other hand I won't be able to try all sorts of mods because there are many, so "officially" it's still "mods are not supported".

Ok, fair enough (and thanks). I got my PC Engine Duo back yesterday from being RGB modded and while it did exhibit a wavy picture through the gscartsw_lite it also does it via direct connection to a flatscreen via OSSC (so it's not a gscartsw_lite issue). It's ok direct into a Sony BVM. Video here (if anyone's in a position to try and deduce what's happening here: https://youtu.be/H55Ok0oQ0P0).

I've got to try and work out now if that's usual for a PC Engine Duo, or if I need to try and get a different RGB mod done (that'll hopefully also play nice with the gscartsw_lite).

Anyone have any recommendations (modders) that have worked fine through their gscartsw_lite's (if I need it altered in a different way)? UK/Europe preferred, but prepared to ship it wherever.

[hippie131]

Hello All,

I have a 1chip SNES modded with a SNES RGB Bypass Board Vers. 4.1a by borti4938 (https://oshpark.com/profiles/borti4938). When I hook it up with the gscartsw lite to my framemeister the picture is garbled when CS (I mean the switch on the switch) is enabled on the switch. When it's set to off I get no picture at all. I took apart the SNES I verified that csync is indeed wired to the board properly and my csync cable works fine with the SNES directly to the framemeister and also when connected through a shinybow sb-5525. Not sure what I should do. I'm hoping I can just modify my scart cable. Any ideas?

[superg]

Hello All,

I have a 1chip SNES modded with a SNES RGB Bypass Board Vers. 4.1a by borti4938 (https://oshpark.com/profiles/borti4938). When I hook it up with the gscartsw lite to my framemeister the picture is garbled when CS (I mean the switch on the switch) is enabled on the switch. When it's set to off I get no picture at all. I took apart the SNES I verified that csync is indeed wired to the board properly and my csync cable works fine with the SNES directly to the framemeister and also when connected through a shinybow sb-5525. Not sure what I should do. I'm hoping I can just modify my scart cable. Any ideas?

Do you have CSYNC resistor in your cable?
Can you try sync from composite?

[hippie131]

Hello All,

I have a 1chip SNES modded with a SNES RGB Bypass Board Vers. 4.1a by borti4938 (https://oshpark.com/profiles/borti4938). When I hook it up with the gscartsw lite to my framemeister the picture is garbled when CS (I mean the switch on the switch) is enabled on the switch. When it's set to off I get no picture at all. I took apart the SNES I verified that csync is indeed wired to the board properly and my csync cable works fine with the SNES directly to the framemeister and also when connected through a shinybow sb-5525. Not sure what I should do. I'm hoping I can just modify my scart cable. Any ideas?

Do you have CSYNC resistor in your cable?
Can you try sync from composite?

It looks like there is a resistor in the cable. I got it from retro_console_accessories. Think I should remove it? I'd try sync from composite but I don't have a cable that would do that.

[superg]

Hello All,

I have a 1chip SNES modded with a SNES RGB Bypass Board Vers. 4.1a by borti4938 (https://oshpark.com/profiles/borti4938). When I hook it up with the gscartsw lite to my framemeister the picture is garbled when CS (I mean the switch on the switch) is enabled on the switch. When it's set to off I get no picture at all. I took apart the SNES I verified that csync is indeed wired to the board properly and my csync cable works fine with the SNES directly to the framemeister and also when connected through a shinybow sb-5525. Not sure what I should do. I'm hoping I can just modify my scart cable. Any ideas?

Do you have CSYNC resistor in your cable?
Can you try sync from composite?

It looks like there is a resistor in the cable. I got it from retro_console_accessories. Think I should remove it? I'd try sync from composite but I don't have a cable that would do that.

No, don't remove the resistor. You may get a better luck with composite sync.

[hippie131]

Do you have CSYNC resistor in your cable?
Can you try sync from composite?

It looks like there is a resistor in the cable. I got it from retro_console_accessories. Think I should remove it? I'd try sync from composite but I don't have a cable that would do that.

No, don't remove the resistor. You may get a better luck with composite sync.

Just took apart the wire. There was some heat shrink on it which is why I thought there was a resistor but turns out there isn't one. It's a dual layered wire with the outer wire going to pin 17 and the inner wire going to pin 20...so confused. No resistor though. I may have gotten the coaxial version of this cable.

[schnuth]

My gscart lite came in today and I spent the evening setting it up and testing it out. It works fantastic, and sure beats the pants off the manual Bandridge switches I've been using. Thanks a lot superg!

[FBX]

Just took apart the wire. There was some heat shrink on it which is why I thought there was a resistor but turns out there isn't one. It's a dual layered wire with the outer wire going to pin 17 and the inner wire going to pin 20...so confused. No resistor though. I may have gotten the coaxial version of this cable.

Pin #17 is video ground and Pin #20 is Video input, which is correctly used for csync. If you got this cable for the SNES, it will have the resistor on the csync line in the console end of the cable, and there's no use trying to mess with that because she fills the inside of that end with 2-part epoxy and then glues the thing together.

I've got a spare SNES mini with that same borti board, so I will check it from my end to see if it might be a compatibility issue. I'll double-check it to make sure and report back.

[hippie131]

Just took apart the wire. There was some heat shrink on it which is why I thought there was a resistor but turns out there isn't one. It's a dual layered wire with the outer wire going to pin 17 and the inner wire going to pin 20...so confused. No resistor though. I may have gotten the coaxial version of this cable.

Pin #17 is video ground and Pin #20 is Video input, which is correctly used for csync. If you got this cable for the SNES, it will have the resistor on the csync line in the console end of the cable, and there's no use trying to mess with that because she fills the inside of that end with 2-part epoxy and then glues the thing together.

I've got a spare SNES mini with that same borti board, so I will check it from my end to see if it might be a compatibility issue. I'll double-check it to make sure and report back.

Thanks for the help everyone. Much appreciated. I got a workaround for myself for now. I plugged a madcatz scart switch into the framemeister then the SNES into that then the gscartsw into the madcatz switch. Also looks like my RGB modded TurboDuo doesn't work with the gscartsw either so that's in the madcatz switch too. Still happy with the gscartsw though, it's a sweet switch. Might look into finding a modder who can have a look at these consoles to see if they can bring them into the proper spec.

[FBX]

Thanks for the help everyone. Much appreciated. I got a workaround for myself for now. I plugged a madcatz scart switch into the framemeister then the SNES into that then the gscartsw into the madcatz switch. Also looks like my RGB modded TurboDuo doesn't work with the gscartsw either so that's in the madcatz switch too. Still happy with the gscartsw though, it's a sweet switch. Might look into finding a modder who can have a look at these consoles to see if they can bring them into the proper spec.

So it turns out what I have is a prototype of Borti's SNES mini bypass board, and the LPF on the 7374 chip has been disabled. Using r_c_a's csync RGB cable worked perfectly fine into the gscartsw-lite, both with CS tuned on and turned off.

Sorry I couldn't help on this one.

[superg]

Just took apart the wire. There was some heat shrink on it which is why I thought there was a resistor but turns out there isn't one. It's a dual layered wire with the outer wire going to pin 17 and the inner wire going to pin 20...so confused. No resistor though. I may have gotten the coaxial version of this cable.

This is individually shielded wires, one is ground the other one is signal.
There still can be resistor in console connector, Guspaz pointed that out here. You can use multimeter to identify what cable you have and whether there is a resistor on sync line.

[FBX]

You can use multimeter to identify what cable you have and whether there is a resistor on sync line.

It's really hard to test the pins of those China-made multi-av SNES sockets. You have to rig up needle-like probes and hope you can test the pin without touching the other pins that are right next to and opposite from it.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

RCA puts the resistor in the console plug end, not the SCART hood. Up until recently she wasn't putting a 330-450 ohm resistor in the SNES Csync cable as people would often use it with a NES RGB kit which should have attenuated Csync. I had to send mine back after testing it as it didn't have it and to upgrade it to pro coaxial shielding.

Only reason she did this was to have compatibility between a stock SNES and mods that use the nintendo connector with attenuated 75 ohms Csync at the source iirc. RCA probably made the cables this way to lessen the amount of returns she gets. Atleast this is the gist of what I interpreted from her emails.

She now has two separate listings now: one with a 330 ohm resistor for NTSC Model 1 SNES and one for RGB installs. In any case this is one of the caveats of the scart standard and why people need to be aware of what mod is installed on their system.

If you wanna know how to test to see if the proper stuff is in your cables, this video by retrorgb is pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3sE3uk5kPU&

Like FBX stated above, it is very hard to test Nintendo multi-outs due to the close proximity of stuff. With this in mind, your SNES scart cable probably doesn't have a resistor on the csync line. When I pm'd RCA she only recently started putting a resistor in the Csync line unless you specifically requested it.

[jwo825]

My Gscart Lite came in today and I just got done putting it through the paces. I gotta say I'm pretty impressed, Superg. I'm running all my consoles through retrogamingcables.com cables to the gscart lite and out to the PVM-20L5. Everything works like a champ. No tuning needed. NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, Jaguar and the Intellivision. Just gotta get the Turbo Duo modded and figure out the PS2 setup I want and I'm set. Very satisfied customer here!

[FBX]

She now has two separate listings now: one with a 330 ohm resistor for NTSC Model 1 SNES and one for RGB installs. In any case this is one of the caveats of the scart standard and why people need to be aware of what mod is installed on their system.

We found out from Tim that he already attenuates the csync line on the NESRGB board itself. However, I asked around and was told that it won't do any harm to use the attenuated SNES RGB cable (especially since it works fine in practice). It's over-voltage that you need to worry about, like in the case of the Sega Genesis.