I've used and tested the N64A quite a bit and here are my impressions:vol.2 wrote:if i was going to do one of bortis' designs, is there any opinions about the N64 Advance vs N64RGBV2? seems like Advance also does higher res if i want it to, probably higher quality but more $$? or is there something to consider I'm missing?
pros:
-the most feature rich N64RGB board out at the moment
-has options to output in RGBs, RGsB, RGBHV, and YPbPr
-for 240p games you can line2x/line3x for 480p and "pseudo" 720p output
-for 480i games you can de-interlace for 480p output
-240p/480i games such as Perfect Dark 64 work perfectly if you have both line2x and de-interlaced enable for constant 480p output
-the only way to output 480p/720p directly to your multisync monitor without the need for external devices (works perfectly on my PVM-20L5)
-scanline options
-has the ability to adjust gamma which is great for dark games such as Doom 64
-LPF options if you also install borti's Filter AddOn board (this cannot be used with RGBHV output)
-you can save your settings so you don't have to make adjustments each time you power on your console
-if outputting in RGBHV you can buy a cheap VGA->HDMI converter and play in 480p/720p on your HDTV. The picture looks quite good but there are some cons mentioned below.
cons:
-If using HD Retrovision cables you will not be able to use the line-doubling features unless you: 1. modify the cables to use CSYNC instead of composite sync (use 75ohm CSYNC if you do), 2. isolate the composite video pin and replace it with 75ohm CSYNC from the N64A board. No more composite video with option 2 but I don't see this as such a big deal because who cares about composite video anyway? Making your own component cable is not difficult and IMO the preferred option here.
-the features might be overkill for some. If you're setup is an OSSC->HDTV you're not going to need the N64A's line-doubling and scanline options
-has compatibility issues if installed alongside an UltraHDMI (I'm working on a solution for this with borti's help)
-the most expensive parts of any N64RGB board out at the moment
-the "psuedo" 720p isn't a true 720p signal, obviously. It is unrecognized by my both of my HDTV's via component but works on my PVM-20L5 via compoent, RGBs, and RGsB. It also works great on my LCD monitor. The only way I can get the "pseudo" 720p output to work on either of my HDTV's is by outputting in RGBHV and using a VGA->HDMI converter. Even then, it doesn't fill in the whole screen but I am still pleased with the picture quality.
Here are some pictures:
"pseudo" 720p output via RGBHV on my HDTV using a VGA->HDMI converter (does not fill in the whole screen):
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Doom 64 where I go through some of the N64A features and demonstrate how useful the gamma adjustment is in this game: https://streamable.com/0osca
here I'm testing the N64A and UltraHDMI installed within the same console but you can see the 480p and 720p output on my PVM-20L5: https://streamable.com/pnvnz
I might have forgotten a few things but that should give you an idea