XRGB2 for dummies

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:09 pm

Hi

There seems to be a lot on Shmups about upscalers/xrgb etc, I've been lurking for weeks and now reading, and I need some help - HELP Please!

I've just got an XRGB2 (non plus version) that is in an unknown state. Here's what I do know about it:

With the unit switched off the VGA passthrough works.
NTSC Neo Geo AES plugged in via composite (I haven't made a Euro Scart to JPN 21pin adater yet), the audio comes out of the line out socket on the rear. Is this audio just a straight pass through though?

But when I plug it into my LCD TV or LCD Monitor and try and view the AES I get a Mode not Supported message on screen. (switch unit off and the VGA passthrough works though).

The following lights are on - Power and 15khz. Pressing the Select button makes the Input light go on and off, but still no image.

Do the 15khz/31khz lights indicate the output or input? I'm guessing input.

With no console plugged into the unit, should you still be able to get the Menu up on the screen? I can't.

Can anyone confirm how the unit should behave and what the lights mean?

I don't know if I've bought a broken unit or not. The previous owner bought it second hand and couldn't get a PSU for it. I opened it up and seen this

Connects pin 11 to the 5v output of the 7805 regulator. I've since measured the volts on the 3 regulators and they seem fine..

Thanks
Pete

rolins · Post by **rolins** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:49 pm

You could try to switch to 31khz on your LCD TV to see if it makes any difference. You can decide if you want 15khz or 31khz on your XRGB-2 by holding down either UP button (for 31khz) or Down button (for 15khz) then press the Power ON.

Still you really need to try this on CRT montior since LCDs aren't fully supported on the XRGB-2. Although my Samsung LCD works fine just not as great as on my CRT.

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:00 pm

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a go a bit later on.

If I get nowhere with it this weekend then I'll take it to work on Monday and track down a CRT to test it on.

Thanks again
Pete

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:23 pm

rolins - You are a gentleman

Switched to 31khz, nothing appeared on screen. Then decided to try holding down the other buttons one at a time whilst switching it on, I'm pretty sure it was the Right arrow that made a message appear on screen (that I missed as I was distracted) and now it's alive!

I'll make up the euro scart to jpn 21 pin adapter tomorrow, or maybe just mod the unit (after finding the info on gamesx about how to get the mod to work)

I can't believe it, I may finallly get to play my retro gear on my main TV again

Pete

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:30 pm

The EU/JP Adapter layout on gamesx.com has Stereo Left/Right switched - just as a helpful sidenote.

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:36 pm

I'm glad you said that. I had saved (but can't remember where from) the following table

But wasn't sure which was correct

Pete

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:42 pm

Here's the layout I used. http://mbrandel.vizionaires.net/?page_id=38

Actually I think the japanese layout is in the XRGB2 manual right at the back...

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:45 pm

PS: If you want to use your adapter for the XRGB only, you don't have to wire up 11 and 16 (the two voltage lines). They are just for switching TV sets.

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:47 pm

Brill, thanks for the info

Pete

rolins · Post by **rolins** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:30 am

hellbelly wrote:rolins - You are a gentleman

Switched to 31khz, nothing appeared on screen. Then decided to try holding down the other buttons one at a time whilst switching it on, I'm pretty sure it was the Right arrow that made a message appear on screen (that I missed as I was distracted) and now it's alive!

I'll make up the euro scart to jpn 21 pin adapter tomorrow, or maybe just mod the unit (after finding the info on gamesx about how to get the mod to work)

I can't believe it, I may finallly get to play my retro gear on my main TV again

Pete

Glad you got to work.

I actually tried what you did out of curiosity. Holding down Right arrow while pressing Power, causes the XRGB-2 to reset all saved settings. Holding down the left arrow doesn't seem to do anything though.

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:28 am

hellbelly wrote:I'm glad you said that. I had saved (but can't remember where from) the following table

But wasn't sure which was correct

Pete

On this diagram, is the Euro pin the number down the centre?

Also, can anyone confirm this is correct?

Battlesmurf · Post by **Battlesmurf** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:58 am

sidetrack- I have scans of the XRGB 2 English manual- if someone wants to host them for me. PM please

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:49 am

rolins wrote:Glad you got to work. I actually tried what you did out of curiosity. Holding down Right arrow while pressing Power, causes the XRGB-2 to reset all saved settings. Holding down the left arrow doesn't seem to do anything though.

Thanks for confirming that

This thread may hopefully help someone else out now.

I've just PM'd Battlesmurf to say I could host the manual on my webpage, hopefully we'll all be a bit wiser soon!

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:21 pm

neorichieb1971 wrote:On this diagram, is the Euro pin the number down the centre?

Also, can anyone confirm this is correct?

Yep, the middle column is the Euro Scart pin. I've just made an apapter cable using that table, I wired up Audio/Video/GNDs only as Fudoh says - the voltage ones aren't necessary and neither are the ones labelled NC in the middle column if you're using it with the XRGB.

I was worried at first, as the image was far too dark, really really dark but I could just about see the menu if I turned the brighness on my TV up, I tried adjusting Brightness/Gamma and RGB levels on the XRGB2 but they didn't make much difference. I had to alter D/A level to get the brightness up.

It looks great now. A few little wobbles on my LCD but I had already read about and expected that.

Pete

rolins · Post by **rolins** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:59 am

Battlesmurf wrote:sidetrack- I have scans of the XRGB 2 English manual- if someone wants to host them for me. PM please

Thank you Battlesmurf. You rock!

hellbelly wrote: I've just PM'd Battlesmurf to say I could host the manual on my webpage, hopefully we'll all be a bit wiser soon!

Can't wait to read it.

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:25 pm

The shimmering effect your all talking about seems to be rectified with the USR-DTC function on the XRGB2. Mine doesn't seem to be shimmering with the level at 75%.

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:04 am

Big thanks to battlesmurf for supplying the scans. Here's a PDF of the XRGB2 english manual

Pete

rolins · Post by **rolins** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:48 pm

hellbelly wrote:Big thanks to battlesmurf for supplying the scans. Here's a PDF of the XRGB2 english manual

Pete

Finally, I understand what DTC_TYP and AFC are used for.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:05 pm

Thanks to all for that informative all-English instruction for the XRGB-2. ^_~

Did Microcom plan on selling it's XRGB series of upscan convertors outside it's Asian marketbase (hence the small distribution of the all-English manual)?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:58 am

I reckon they must have considered it, seeing as this model has an option to internally modify it to accept Euro Scart cables (changing some jumper pads over).

The modification doesn't work properly though, there's info on gamesx.com about the sync signal going to the wrong place!

Pete

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:47 pm

Oh dear, it feels like I'm just using this place for info - sorry

I no longer use my XRGB-2, and want to sell it, any idea what a fair price is for it? I want to put it in the trading section, but I'm unsure if you have to specify a price (I guess so)

Many thanks
Pete

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:08 pm

£100-£150 tops.

DC906270 · Post by **DC906270** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:11 pm

i got mine a few months back from YAJ, cost me around £125 once all shipping costs and fees were factored in. they are quite hard to get hold of so id try it at £150 you can always reduce the price later if there are no takers at that price.

hellbelly · Post by **hellbelly** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:22 pm

Cheers for the info, that's about what i thought. check the trading section soon everyone!!!

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