HD15/DE15/VGA-style cables: why doesn't anyone make 'em?

[kitty666cats]

https://www.ultimarc.com/console-adapte ... r-adaptor/

^ there are these Ultimarc PS1/PS2/PS3 cables with LM1881s built into 'em, I think it would be really cool if people made similar cables for Genesis, SNES and Saturn (if wired properly, would not even need LM1881s).

I've been meaning to make some like this on my own, I want to get this cheapo passive switcher for my game consoles:

https://www.amazon.com/4-Port-Switch-Sw ... ics&sr=1-8


(can be found cheaper on other sites)

I know Retro Access can make these cables for a ridic amount of money, I just find it odd that nobody else has decided to make a go of these. Lots of people out there who rock Extron RGB interfaces, GBScontrol is getting very popular, etc. Obviously there's always gonna be the problem of kids thinking you can use said cables to plug their consoles into 31+ kHz monitors and magically have them work... but still!

Was there every a site/seller who would make these on the regular, years back? Or has this always been a pretty niche DIY operation that hobbyists do? I'm gonna stock up on some screw terminal hoods soon and make a fun project out of it, but I'd love to see someone out there who makes these on the regular

[maxtherabbit]

I am making them

genesis
NTSC nintendo
NTSC saturn
dremacast

It's not a cable per se, it's a dongle that plugs into the console AV port with about a 6" pigtail and breaks out to DE-15 and 3.5mm stereo audio

[SCARTicus]

I have been wanting these since forever. Retro-Access used to make one for the SNES that was not insultingly expensive. I have one and it works great on my SNES and modded n64. That is the only DE15 gaming cable that I have ever found at an acceptable price, and of course they no longer offer it. I bought a NeoGeo DE15 from them, but it was super expensive and didn't work with my CD console...

SCART is such trash, and it forces us to use second-rate (or prohibitively expensive) hardware just to have a decent experience. I have a couple of SyncStrikes, but I would much rather leave the giant connector out entirely.

Max, what you talk about are what I consider ideal. Are you making these for yourself or will they be available to purchase? I had the idea once to chop the SCART heads off of my cables and wire them up to DE15 connectors, but I wasn't able to make that work for some reason that I still don't understand.

[fernan1234]

Now I feel lucky that I was able to get in last year while Retro Access was still doing custom cables, so that I could replace all the SHART cables with HD15 connectors for use with Extron VGA switches, etc.

It's unfortunate they've stopped, though hopefully it's just due to their upcoming (or past?) location change, and they'll start offering them again soon. They were probably the only reliable cable maker that could set the path for more people to be free from SCART in this hobby.

[matt]

I have this setup for most of my consoles (using an MXV 84 switcher). They are simple to make and usually not expensive. The advantage of using a short pigtail on the console side is that VGA cables are easy to find in a variety of lengths and are usually both well shielded and affordable.

[SCARTicus]

I have this setup for most of my consoles (using an MXV 84 switcher). They are simple to make and usually not expensive. The advantage of using a short pigtail on the console side is that VGA cables are easy to find in a variety of lengths and are usually both well shielded and affordable.

I screwed it up. I would appreciate detailed instructions if you are willing.

[matt]

I have this setup for most of my consoles (using an MXV 84 switcher). They are simple to make and usually not expensive. The advantage of using a short pigtail on the console side is that VGA cables are easy to find in a variety of lengths and are usually both well shielded and affordable.

I screwed it up. I would appreciate detailed instructions if you are willing.

It's pretty simple, you just have to match the pinouts. Pins 1,2, and 3 are for RGB, sync is on pin 13, and ground is on pins 5, 6,7,8, and 10.

The catch is that most SCART cables are wired with composite video for sync, which a lot of devices with DE-15 connectors won't accept. So simply cutting the end off a SCART cables doesn't always work. If you're using a ready made SCART cable, you'd have to open up the console connector and change the sync to the proper pin (which isn't always possible), or add a sync stripper.

I used to sell cables like this back in the late '90s/early 2000s - back then people were mostly using Commodore monitors or XRGB units. At the time SCART seemed like a weird standard and nobody in the US used it; I'm a little surprised it's become so popular.

[maxtherabbit]

Max, what you talk about are what I consider ideal. Are you making these for yourself or will they be available to purchase? I had the idea once to chop the SCART heads off of my cables and wire them up to DE15 connectors, but I wasn't able to make that work for some reason that I still don't understand.

The pcb design is finalized but the 3d printed case is still in development before I can get a full production run going. I could hand build you one in the meantime if you like

[kitty666cats]

I have this setup for most of my consoles (using an MXV 84 switcher). They are simple to make and usually not expensive. The advantage of using a short pigtail on the console side is that VGA cables are easy to find in a variety of lengths and are usually both well shielded and affordable.

I screwed it up. I would appreciate detailed instructions if you are willing.

It's pretty simple, you just have to match the pinouts. Pins 1,2, and 3 are for RGB, sync is on pin 13, and ground is on pins 5, 6,7,8, and 10.

The catch is that most SCART cables are wired with composite video for sync, which a lot of devices with DE-15 connectors won't accept. So simply cutting the end off a SCART cables doesn't always work. If you're using a ready made SCART cable, you'd have to open up the console connector and change the sync to the proper pin (which isn't always possible), or add a sync stripper.

I used to sell cables like this back in the late '90s/early 2000s - back then people were mostly using Commodore monitors or XRGB units. At the time SCART seemed like a weird standard and nobody in the US used it; I'm a little surprised it's become so popular.

The female SCART-to-DE15 + 2RCA audio you built for me rules! Ran into some sadness the other day - I have this automatic powered component switcher, which will also take RCA RGBS (and that capital S means composite sync - no composite VIDEO sync, or luma sync). I plug sync over composite video into it anyway and say fuck it, but I have a BNC -> SCART output cable from it that goes into a SCART2DVI to clean sync before my monitor. Unfortunately I couldn't get your cable to work in that setup, no 5V is fed your cable's LM1881. HOWEVER, your cable is a wondrous way to connect anything to the GBS8200, it's more-or-less found a permanent home there

But the goal is eventually to get some DE15 cables goin' and that switcher I posted in the OP, hah. Since that thang is passive/mechanical, think it would be fine with composite video sync/luma sync...?

EDIT:

Anyhoo, anyone here interested in the possibility of building PS1 and PS2 DE15 LM1881'd RGBS cables (ones with male 3.5mm out, not female) and one Saturn cable with no sync-ey chip, just simply wired for RGBS? Could be interested in paying moneys for some, though like I said I should rly just make my own

[matt]

The female SCART-to-DE15 + 2RCA audio you built for me rules! Ran into some sadness the other day - I have this automatic powered component switcher, which will also take RCA RGBS (and that capital S means composite sync - no composite VIDEO sync, or luma sync). I plug sync over composite video into it anyway and say fuck it, but I have a BNC -> SCART output cable from it that goes into a SCART2DVI to clean sync before my monitor. Unfortunately I couldn't get your cable to work in that setup, no 5V is fed your cable's LM1881. HOWEVER, your cable is a wondrous way to connect anything to the GBS8200, it's more-or-less found a permanent home there

But the goal is eventually to get some DE15 cables goin' and that switcher I posted in the OP, hah. Since that thang is passive/mechanical, think it would be fine with composite video sync/luma sync...?

EDIT:

Anyhoo, anyone here interested in the possibility of building PS1 and PS2 DE15 LM1881'd RGBS cables (ones with male 3.5mm out, not female) and one Saturn cable with no sync-ey chip, just simply wired for RGBS? Could be interested in paying moneys for some, though like I said I should rly just make my own

You're welcome!

If you want an affordable VGA switcher, might want to look for an Extron SW6 VGA/ARS. They are cheap & compact, but the video quality is perfect. Of course they do not accept composite video for sync but IMO that's a small price to pay.

I can make Saturn & PSX DE15 cables. To be honest though, Maxtherabbit's solution is better - much more flexible if you want to change your setup at any point. I've been using something similar for years and I don't think I could ever go back to full-length cables for each console. If he's willing to help you out you'd probably be happier in the long run.

[fernan1234]

I really like the idea of pigtails or adapters rather than full cables also. You'd just need to have the audio cable (probably best a slim 3.5mm TRS stereo cable) running alongside the "VGA" cable, which is fine.

[SCARTicus]

I really like the idea of pigtails or adapters rather than full cables also. You'd just need to have the audio cable (probably best a slim 3.5mm TRS stereo cable) running alongside the "VGA" cable, which is fine.

You need to be careful with 3.5mm cables. It's not like buying VGA cables. Most are trash. Get a name brand (not an Amazon name brand and not Sony either), and nothing too 'slim'. Whirlwind is a good, professional brand.

[FinalBaton]

Good call on audio cables. I'll throw my hat in the ring and recommend Hosa brand. affordable and used in professional recording studios the world over.

[maxtherabbit]

I really like the idea of pigtails or adapters rather than full cables also. You'd just need to have the audio cable (probably best a slim 3.5mm TRS stereo cable) running alongside the "VGA" cable, which is fine.

You need to be careful with 3.5mm cables. It's not like buying VGA cables. Most are trash. Get a name brand (not an Amazon name brand and not Sony either), and nothing too 'slim'. Whirlwind is a good, professional brand.

most VGA cables are trash too lol

[FinalBaton]

Yeah I've compared VGA cables in the last year since I'Ve moved to an Extron MVX setup, and I've run across a few that had a softer, blurrier picture a recommendation for good, cheap cables would be appreciated here as well

[maxtherabbit]

Cables2Go (legrand) are what I use

Cheap surplus extron branded cables on ebay are also a good choice

[matt]

I've had good luck just going to the thrift shop - there's usually a lot of random VGA cables and they're cheap enough that you can suffer a few duds. Any of the fatter ones are usually well made (full coax) and for $2-3 you can't go wrong.

I've yet to find a VGA+audio cable that's any good. Separate audio is better unless you're willing to make your own.

[orange808]

For cables, I prefer a liquidation outlet that deals in industrial/construction supplies.

Don't bother with a sterile chain outlet store in a nice shopping center. Go where the rents are really low.

I find the best stuff in large "warehouse" downtown outlets that deal in a wide variety of construction and industrial surplus. Usually found in industrial areas of town and there will probably be bars on the windows.

They are the ones buying those really big lots from businesses and the government.

[kitty666cats]

"Manhattan" and "SR" make some pretty good T H I C C cables, my local DIY electronics store carries them and they are quite nice and affordable.


Slightly unrelated, but I needed to grab some new HDMI cables recently and these ones are real noice:
https://www.amazon.com/Cmple-Speed-Cabl ... B0051I9OWQ

[Osirus]

Those look identical to Monoprice HDMI cables and are most likely the same manufacture.

[kitty666cats]

Those look identical to Monoprice HDMI cables and are most likely the same manufacture.

I know the Monoprice ones you're talking about - very similar looking, but not the same!