gscartsw / gscartsw_lite / gcompsw switches support thread

[superg]

It usually means that THS7374 amplifier is damaged. Anything new connected recently? What consoles do you use and which cables?

All scart cables are from retro gaming cables UK, I have NES, Sfc Jr with amp, Tim Worthington N64, genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast through Toro. Then Wii, PS2 , GameCube and og Xbox through gcompsw through Garo into gscart.
Male to Male scart all the Sony ones sold be behare bros.

NESRGB and N64 should be fine, Genesis too. Make sure not to use NTSC cable for your PAL Saturn (it will output 9v to sync line). Can't say anything in particular about the other consoles.

[cook99]

Saturn is NTSC J using universal sync on Luma from RGC.
Anything I can test to find point of failure?

[superg]

Saturn is NTSC J using universal sync on Luma from RGC.
Anything I can test to find point of failure?

You will need an oscilloscope for that. On the switch side it's 99% THS7374 IC. If you're not in the US think it would be cheaper for you to find somebody locally and ask to resolder the amplifier, I can give you more details in PM. If you're here in the US you can ship it here and I will fix it (PM me). My point is that you will have to identify the source of the problem or it will die again.

[cook99]

Yeah I'm in Australia, shipping will kill me, will pm you about soldering fix to assess if I can handle. May have to beg to go on list for a Lite if that fails

[RagingAvatar]

I’d like to order one but I use JP21 for everything - would this be okay with the gscartsw_lite?

[nmalinoski]

I’d like to order one but I use JP21 for everything - would this be okay with the gscartsw_lite?

Nope. Connecting JP-21 devices to SCART devices will damage one or both devices (Although, in this case, just the gscartsw would be damaged). You would need JP-21 to SCART adapters for everything.

There used to be a JP-21 variant of the gscartsw, but it was discontinued (lack of demand?). If you really want one, though, all of the documents needed to manufacture the switch are available at the link.

[zak]

@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

Did this work?

[vj88]

Excuse me, when will gscartsw lite be aviable again(more or less)? I'm very interested! Thanks.

I made another order, manufacturer promised delivery before Chinese holidays so I'm scheduling on February.

Thanks, do you know if this works well whit PS1 and csync cable?
https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/SON ... search=ps1

Thanks again!

[superg]

@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

Did this work?

I'm not sure, PC Engine is often problematic. What confirmed working is dbGrafx booster.

[superg]

Excuse me, when will gscartsw lite be aviable again(more or less)? I'm very interested! Thanks.

I made another order, manufacturer promised delivery before Chinese holidays so I'm scheduling on February.

Thanks, do you know if this works well whit PS1 and csync cable?
https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/SON ... search=ps1

Thanks again!

Don't buy anything with sync stripper circuit, gscartsw has integrated one.

[JediBUZ]

Sorry to post this here, but I believe my the gscart & gcomp I ordered are in transit to the wrong address. Can someone please contact me.

[hex12]

I think also there can be a problem with my GCOMPSW. SuperG i sent a PM...

[superg]

I have several people complaining that international order went to domestic destination. I'm aware of the issue:
Chances are that they have some collision in the system. Once package arrives to Chicago distribution center it goes through customs and usually there is no way back. We use totally different tracking system for the US packages, there is no way for international package to go to domestic destination. Let's give it some time. In case of any other undeliverable issue they will return the package.
But when I get a chance I'll stop by at USPS and ask about it.

[zak]

@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

Did this work?

I'm not sure, PC Engine is often problematic. What confirmed working is dbGrafx booster.

So far it seems only Voultar's mod is confirmed working?

Has anyone else had any success with other mods/cables?

My Duo-R has a VERY old resister mod, so it's being sent for an upgrade using this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-RG ... Ciid%253A1

I sent the guy my gscart unit for testing as well. Is there anything to watch out for?

[SavagePencil]

superg, I wanted to thank you for putting up with all the headaches around this and delivering a quality product. I got one of the very first gscartsw's and loved it, but was always wrestling with niggling sync issues due to my early and inexperienced system mods. The new gswscart_lite's sync regeneration has taken care of those. Thank you again!

[ChrisTheMeat]

My 3D printed mounts for both the gcompsw 1.1 and gscartsw 3.4 switches came out pretty well. If anyone wants the STL files, I posted everything on Thingiverse

https://www.thingiverse.com/ChrisTheMeat/designs





Thanks again for the awesome switches, superg!

[Namdor]

thanks for sharing. I am so excited to print these off. I was just thinking to myself I Would like a way to do just this.

[superg]

My 3D printed mounts for both the gcompsw 1.1 and gscartsw 3.4 switches came out pretty well. If anyone wants the STL files, I posted everything on Thingiverse

https://www.thingiverse.com/ChrisTheMeat/designs





Thanks again for the awesome switches, superg!

The mounts look beautiful, thanks for sharing the design!

[zak]

Today I received some good news from gojira54.

Duo successfully modded with his RGB amp. Tested and working nicely through my gscart - needed clean sync - LM1881 stripper (also added 470ohm resistor just in case for OSSC and framemeister).

Pics below:

https://imgur.com/a/LvFdZ

Any guys in UK/Europe should definitely consider using his service. He's quick, cheap and also includes a hardcore 2m scart cable in his mod price.

Very happy and lucky to have found him

You can contact him here:

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=16032

Highly recommended.

[axlblazeadam]

Has anyone else had any success with other mods/cables?

My Duo-R has a VERY old resister mod, so it's being sent for an upgrade using this:

The bad Doujindance mod does work with my "original" gscartsw too (i don't have the gscartsw lite)

[zak]

Has anyone else had any success with other mods/cables?

My Duo-R has a VERY old resister mod, so it's being sent for an upgrade using this:

The bad Doujindance mod does work with my "original" gscartsw too (i don't have the gscartsw lite)

That guy shouldn't be allowed near any console. I'm surprised he still uses that black goop!

[nmalinoski]

Has anyone else had any success with other mods/cables?

My Duo-R has a VERY old resister mod, so it's being sent for an upgrade using this:

The bad Doujindance mod does work with my "original" gscartsw too (i don't have the gscartsw lite)

That guy shouldn't be allowed near any console. I'm surprised he still uses that black goop!

He doesn't. There was a bunch of backlash last year; he took the criticism and improved his techniques. It was covered in the RetroRGB podcasts.

[Syntax]

Do the scart outputs have independent sync regeneration/cleaning?
I need to run csync via one output and composite video for sync via the other.

[mj23kb08]

My gcompsw came in on Saturday! I tested it as thoroughly and it appears everything is in proper working order. I'm very satisfied. Great job superG!

Now that I've got the gushing out of the way, I have a question. I'm using the gcompsw for my old but not super old systems (PS2, Wii, Gamecube) that are hooked up to my 40" LCD. I also have some significantly older systems (NES, SNES, Genesis, Saturn, PS1) that are all hooked up to a CRT using either s-video or composite. My CRT does have a set of component inputs though, so my original gameplan was to get HD Retrovision component cables and adapters, buy another gcompsw, and hook them all up that way. Hpwever, a couple of nights ago I had an idea. Why not go the SCART route with cables, buy a gscart lite, and see about acquiring an RGB SCART to component adapter to output from the gscart to the TV?

With that being said, is there actually a premium quality SCART to component adapter out there that would work well with the gscart lite? I'd certainly hae to buy high quality SCART cabless, a high quality switch, and then mess up the picture because of a crappy adapter.

On that note, superG, have you considered the possibility of constructing a gscart switch that includes a component output at some point?

[superg]

Do the scart outputs have independent sync regeneration/cleaning?
I need to run csync via one output and composite video for sync via the other.

No, it's not independent, it affects both outputs.

[superg]

With that being said, is there actually a premium quality SCART to component adapter out there that would work well with the gscart lite? I'd certainly hae to buy high quality SCART cabless, a high quality switch, and then mess up the picture because of a crappy adapter.

On that note, superG, have you considered the possibility of constructing a gscart switch that includes a component output at some point?

Or maybe SCART output for gcompsw?
I guess never say never but currently no plans for such functionality.

[gordon-creAtive]

Why not go the SCART route with cables, buy a gscart lite, and see about acquiring an RGB SCART to component adapter to output from the gscart to the TV?

Now that is a really good idea. I'd like to implement a slight alteration of this setup where I'm using a (probably selfmade) adapter that outputs (without conversion) SCART to Component + Composite. However I wonder if the gcompsw switches on csync and sync on luma? That would be perfect.

[mj23kb08]

Now that is a really good idea. I'd like to implement a slight alteration of this setup where I'm using a (probably selfmade) adapter that outputs (without conversion) SCART to Component + Composite.

That sounds like a cool idea. I personally don't have the skills to make my own adapter though. Do you happen to already know of a high quality one that somebody makes? I'd really hate to invest money in a gscart lite and then kill the picture quality with a garbage adapter.

[nmalinoski]

Now that is a really good idea. I'd like to implement a slight alteration of this setup where I'm using a (probably selfmade) adapter that outputs (without conversion) SCART to Component + Composite.

That sounds like a cool idea. I personally don't have the skills to make my own adapter though. Do you happen to already know of a high quality one that somebody makes? I'd really hate to invest money in a gscart lite and then kill the picture quality with a garbage adapter.

Neither of these has composite-out, but I believe the Retrotek SCBV1P3 has probably the best reputation, followed by Shinybow's offering.

[mj23kb08]

Neither of these has composite-out, but I believe the Retrotek SCBV1P3 has probably the best reputation, followed by Shinybow's offering.

I just read some really good reviews about the Shinybow SB-2840, which is the second one you mentioned. I haven't seen much about the first one you mentioned, the Retrotek SCBV1P3, other than one very short reviews somewhere here on the shmups forums. Since you say it has such a great reputation, even more so than the Shinybow product, can you direct me to a place that has quite a few reviews of it?