Capture card for use with NEC XM29 Plus

[dannnnn]

Hi, sorry for the newbie question but I'm inexperienced with technical aspects such as this.

I run all of my retro consoles (SFC, PS1 etc.) on an NEC XM29 Plus through RGB scart. I connect the RGB scart cable into an adapter (I apologise, I've forgotten the name of the adapter, it's been so many years since I bought it), then a VGA cable from the adapter into the NEC XM29 Plus. It looks like this: https://imgur.com/mOcVULb

Now what I'm looking for is a capture card which will allow me to play these games in the same way on my CRT monitor while connecting a capture card to my PC to record and stream. However, I'm having difficulty finding a capture card which offers RGB scart compatibility (possibly made even more complicated by own setup) and being new to this I wouldn't know a good choice from a bad one anyway.

Any help would be very much appreciated, thank you for your time.

[Fudoh]

However, I'm having difficulty finding a capture card which offers RGB scart compatibility

Datapath E1(S) with the matching adapter or breakout cable. This would allow you to record in original resolution.

OR you use any kind of upscaler (e.g. an OSSC) and then record the upscaled image through a HDMI recording device. This version saves you a lot of work if your intention was to upscale your captured material for further processing anyway.

[energizerfellow‌]

However, I'm having difficulty finding a capture card which offers RGB scart compatibility

Datapath E1(S) with the matching adapter or breakout cable. This would allow you to record in original resolution.

The Magewell AIO and DVI cards can capture analog RGBS 240p at full RGB/YUV444 color bandwidth over the DVI port without the need of a sync stripper. The Datapath cards still need a sync stripper.

Just keep in mind you'll need an amplified splitter for the capture card, like the one that's built into the gscartsw or Sinybow SB-5525 SCART switches.

[dannnnn]

I found this proposed setup and I think it looks suitable:

https://imgur.com/65UYZXJ

You guys are the experts, do you see anything wrong with that? Should I beware of buying a cheap scart splitter or will any do? Presumably any capture device will do when using an HDMI splitter, such as an Elgato HD60 S for example.

Once again sorry for my lack of knowledge and I appreciate the prompt and helpful responses.

[energizerfellow‌]

I found this proposed setup and I think it looks suitable:

https://imgur.com/65UYZXJ

You guys are the experts, do you see anything wrong with that? Should I beware of buying a cheap scart splitter or will any do? Presumably any capture device will do when using an HDMI splitter, such as an Elgato HD60 S for example.

This is doable, but splitting that analog signal will require some kind of powered splitter amp to avoid signal issues (the usual SCART switches that get recommended have a built-in amplified dual-channel output splitter). While basically any HDMI splitter should work fine (small ones usually use the +5 Vdc pin from HDMI for power), do you really need one if you're playing off the analog CRT?

On the capture side, the $200 AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra and $270 Live Gamer 4K are the cheapest capture cards out there that can capture RGB without chroma subsampling (none of the current Elgato/Startech/Micomsoft, aka Yuan, cards can do this).

[FinalBaton]

I don't think you should limit yourself to cards that have a SCART socket. I think if a card accepts RGB 15kHz, even if it's some other connection like DE-15 or DVI-I, you shouldn't rule it out. After all, an adapter for SCART to something else is easily obtained

For example, many people have a SyncStrike lying around, which converts SCART to DE-15. And there are cheap SCART to DE-15 cables out there. And also the cards that have a DVI input generally comme with a DE-15 to DVI-I adapter in the box.

[Classicgamer]

He already has an adapter that goes from his scart lead to either BNC or DB15 if he is using it with an XM29. The cheapest, best and least limiting option from there is a VGA splitter with a compatible capture card (with db15 or BNC in) as Fudoh said.

Or, another option is to spend $15 on an Extron RGB interface off ebay and use the buffered local out DB15 port to feed the capture card. Anyone using an RGB monitor should have an Extron interface anyway IMO. It will take care of any RGBS / RGBHV / RGsB related issues with the capture card or monitor. It solves a lot of issues with retro gaming compatibility.

[dannnnn]

He already has an adapter that goes from his scart lead to either BNC or DB15 if he is using it with an XM29. The cheapest, best and least limiting option from there is a VGA splitter with a compatible capture card (with db15 or BNC in) as Fudoh said.

Thanks for all the advice from everybody but this is what I'm most looking to go with with since it seems the most convenient for someone less tech savvy such as myself. I don't suppose anybody could recommend me a good quality VGA splitter? Quality is more of a concern than budget. Then presumably something like this would do the job ?

*Edit - Here's a VGA splitter which looks sufficient to me but I would like a second opinion from you more knowledgeable folks.

[energizerfellow‌]

Problem with SCART sources and capture cards is that the source's sync likely isn't "clean", depending on the source, and will need a sync stripper to feed the capture card with the clean c-sync it needs. This is a large part of why the OSSC and the Gscartsw's sync stripper functionality are so popular.

On the capture side you also have to consider that current drivers from Startech/Micomsoft/Elgato, aka OEM/ODM from Yuan, no longer handle 240p properly, if that's what you plan on capturing. Another reason why the OSSC and Retrotink-2X are so popular.

Near as I can tell, Magewell cards are the only capture cards on the market that can take straight analog 240p SCART, "dirty" sync-on-composite and all, and capture it natively without a sync stripper.

[dannnnn]

So in layman's terms, I split the scart(s) using the Gscartsw and connect it to the OSSC, from where I connect an HDMI cable into my capture card and all should be good? Will that setup overcome the capture card issues you mentioned? And is there a particular capture card you would recommend for my particular setup (regardless of price)?

I'm very sorry to continually ask such rudimentary questions regarding this matter since you all seem to know so much but while I've always wanted my retro consoles to look (and play) well, streaming is totally new to me and I suppose my setup doesn't exactly make things simple either. I really appreciate the help you guys are offering me.

[energizerfellow‌]

So in layman's terms, I split the scart(s) using the Gscartsw and connect it to the OSSC, from where I connect an HDMI cable into my capture card and all should be good?

Pretty much, yep, with one of the switch's outputs going to the CRT and the other to the OSSC.

Will that setup overcome the capture card issues you mentioned?

Yes.

And is there a particular capture card you would recommend for my particular setup (regardless of price)?

When it comes to dealing with the oddball video sync rates and full-range RGB color of vintage consoles, I'm partial to Avermedia and Magewell. I generally recommend PCIe capture cards, but I realize that's not an option for people stuck on laptops. Cheapest options from them that can do true RGB color over USB are the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra and Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 (watch for look-alike clones of this Magewell model and get from a reputable retailer like B&H or Adorama).

I'm very sorry to continually ask such rudimentary questions regarding this matter since you all seem to know so much but while I've always wanted my retro consoles to look (and play) well, streaming is totally new to me and I suppose my setup doesn't exactly make things simple either. I really appreciate the help you guys are offering me.

No problem.

[dannnnn]

Perfect. Thank you.

[NightSprinter]

Bear in mind, since you own the same monitor I have, you don't exactly need an RGB splitter. You can use a SCART to 4xBNC adapter into the display's RGB2 input, and then just only hook up RGBHs/Cs from a 5xBNC to VGA cable to the card via VGA to DVI adapter. You'd just have to flip a switch for RGB2 to make sure the signal gets amplified enough for the card to accept.