Two types of Dreamcast RGB

[antron]

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two types of RGB signals that the DC can output?

http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:dreamcastav

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Does anyone know what the difference is between the two types of RGB signals that the DC can output?

http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:dreamcastav

Yes, the Dreamcast can output in both Japanese RGB & European SCART -- both use the same 21-pin styled plug connector but with different pinouts. I've got a pair of Japanese RGB 21-pin for my DC & PS2 consoles for use with the XRGB-2 upscan convertor setup.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[neorichieb1971]

I think the link is referring to RGB vs VGA!


The difference between RGB and VGA is approx double the resolution. So if you buy a VGA box ($15) for your Dreamcast and connect it to your PC monitor you will see your games like never before.

Not all games are compatible, but most are.


Older TV's were never able to display resolutions as high as VGA monitors, RGB is about as good as it gets on TV's, and thats only if you live in Europe.

[nZero]

I think the link is referring to RGB vs VGA!

The select pins are 6 and 7. Ground either one for two kinds of 15kHz RGB, ground both for VGA.

[Dave_K.]

The select pins are 6 and 7. Ground either one for two kinds of 15kHz RGB, ground both for VGA.

I've never herd of this before, and I'm faily certain this was not on gamesx before they switched to a wiki. EURO Scart and JAP RGB use the same DC pins, just rewire to the scart end differently.

[SAM]

Really.

I thought SCART and Japanese 21-pins RGB cable just connected to different pins of the DC AV out jack.

Yes, I know that if you short certain pins of the DC AV out jack, would make the system output VGA.

[neorichieb1971]

Japanese RGB and SCART, from the consoles perspective is exactly the same signal. So the console will output from the exact same pins. Its only the 21 pin side which is re-arranged (for some strange reason).

I think its stupid the pins are re-arranged personally, there is no logic to it.

[antron]

yeah,
if the goal was to make any scart cable usable on any tv, you would still need different cables to make the proper selection on pins 6 and 7! (unless the cable had dip switches)

[matt]

The select pins are 6 and 7. Ground either one for two kinds of 15kHz RGB, ground both for VGA.

I've never herd of this before, and I'm faily certain this was not on gamesx before they switched to a wiki. EURO Scart and JAP RGB use the same DC pins, just rewire to the scart end differently.

Not sure exactly what the page is referring to, but might probably not Euro vs JAP scart.

The mode select pins are tricky on the DC. Normally, pin 6 is grounded on DC RGB cables, and both pins 6 and 7 on VGA boxes. But, there are a few games that don't run at 15khz in this configuration (eg Skies of Arcadia) but can be tricked into working by switching off pin 7 after the game boots. They may be referring to something along these lines.

[antron]

So having a cable with a toggle switch does have an advantage.

I have been reluctant to order a scart cable to mod because I fear that pins 6 and 7 will be inaccessible (in molded plastic).

Any recommended brands?

[matt]

VGA boxes have both pins 6 and 7 accessible, but you only get H and V sync this way - no composite sync.

The only perfect way to manipulate both RGB selection pins is to install switches into the console. There are only a few games that require this, however so it may not be worth it.

[antron]

VGA boxes have both pins 6 and 7 accessible, but you only get H and V sync this way - no composite sync.

are you saying that pin 10 is not accessible in the VGA box? or does the composite sync turn off in VGA mode?

i think you can run H and V through an xor gate to get composite sync.
or the quick and dirty way: twist them together.

[matt]

Because VGA monitors don't use composite sync, it's generally not connected in VGA boxes.

I haven't had much luck joining the DC's H & V sync lines (but I also haven't tried very hard). Maybe your monitor will like it a little better than mine.