DVDO EDGE - How it performs

[Artemio]

Being that I brought the SUperGUn, I tried playing the Moonwalker PCB.. as you know, the frequency on Sega Sysmet 18 games is 57.23 and neither my TV nor the EDGE could sync with the XRGB in B1 with that board, or even with Deathsmiles (60.02 as reported by the EDGE form the XRGB-3/2).

So I ended up setting the XRGB-3 to B0 in 640x480, added the SLG 3000 between the XRGB and the EDGE and played for a while. Obviously this keeps the EDGE perfectly happy, and at 8 ms. I know that it has the added lag of the XRGB-3, but for these systems which present issues I find it to be a great workaround with scanlines. Been playing several Neo Geo titles without issues as well.

@BuckoA51 Has the Extron fixed such issues for you? I just found this one at ebay.. http://cgi.ebay.com/Extron-RGB-580xi-Ar ... 588cacb80f don't know if it is a good price, but it ships to my location. Do you think it would work better? Which other benefits could I get?

[fagin]

I doubt it will sort your major sync issues... It didn't with my v1 AES. So far it has appeared to solve screen blanking issues that buck had.

My XRGB-2+ was fine though with the EDGE and my AES, XRGB-3 wasn't.

Get a Extron unit and give it a go.

[Fudoh]

If you ever get hold of an Extron 580xi

I just want to point out, that all Extron interfaces are the same. The only major difference between the 580xi and the others is that the 580xi has a HV/C-Sync switch and outputs H-Sync and C-Sync from the same connector, while most other Extron interfaces have 6 BNC connectors with a seperate C-Sync connector (and yes, they do all do HV->C and C->HV conversion). Other interfaces offer shifting controls which can come in handy as well (e.g. the 160xi), offer multiple outputs (e.g. the 164xi) or several switchable inputs (203xi). They are all dirt cheap, so there's no particular reason to watch out for a 580xi.

@Artemio: $90 + shipping for a 580xi are too much. There are so many others. Check out this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/260826561325 ($5 + shipping)

[BuckoA51]

Maybe any Extron will do, but in order to get the trick to work I had to disconnect the vertical sync line altogether AND turn on the comp sync switch, just turning on the comp sync switch alone didn't work. I don't know if that's significant or not, to be honest I don't even know why this trick works, I just swear it does.

@BuckoA51 Has the Extron fixed such issues for you?

In several cases yes, absolutely. Before I used the Extron CSYNC trick, my Genesis with SMS converter was unusable. With the Extron in the chain the screen blanking is cured, although there is still a curve at the top of the screen for some games. Manually setting NTSC AFC removes it, but brings back the blanking.

PC Engine was also unusable without the Extron, with it in the chain, the blanking is gone, but the screen warping remains.

Xbox 1 VGA cable was also unusable without the Extron trick, with the Extron it becomes completely usable again, played over an hour and no screen blank.

If you have stuff that blanks occasionally I think the Extron will help, as for things with unusual frequencies, I'm not so sure.

[Fudoh]

but in order to get the trick to work I had to disconnect the vertical sync line altogether AND turn on the comp sync switch,

that's to be expected. With the C-Sync switch activated you get C-Sync + V-Sync and connecting both doesn't make sense in the first place. On the other Extrons H, V and C-Sync are available all the time (at the same time), so you just chose by using the dedicated output(s).

[BuckoA51]

Hmm... yes that does make sense now you mention it. So yeah, any Extron will do

[Konsolkongen]

And also, I *always* get 25ms delay (from the audio delay in the EDGE) when using the new geo... either AES or MVS.

I get that too by doing MVS > Supergun (with build in Extron interface) > RGB to component transcoder > Videon Omega One > EDGE

Do you feel the added 25ms lag or do you think this is just a OSD bug of some sort on the EDGE? I ask because the Videon does add a bit lag itself and that plus 25ms lag + 16ms lag from my TV would be pretty intense. I don't have any fighting games for my MVS, but when playing Neo Turf Masters the power gauge seems to stop when I want it to. Same thing with Spin Master, the character stops moving pretty much instantly when I release the stick. Last Resort does seem a bit sloppy but I think that's just how that game controls?

[Artemio]

And also, I *always* get 25ms delay (from the audio delay in the EDGE) when using the new geo... either AES or MVS.

I get that too by doing MVS > Supergun (with build in Extron interface) > RGB to component transcoder > Videon Omega One > EDGE

Do you feel the added 25ms lag or do you think this is just a OSD bug of some sort on the EDGE? I ask because the Videon does add a bit lag itself and that plus 25ms lag + 16ms lag from my TV would be pretty intense. I don't have any fighting games for my MVS, but when playing Neo Turf Masters the power gauge seems to stop when I want it to. Same thing with Spin Master, the character stops moving pretty much instantly when I release the stick. Last Resort does seem a bit sloppy but I think that's just how that game controls?

I will test it with Neo Turf Masters as well, good idea. I didn't play much with just the DVDO, since I most always use the XRGB-3 directly to teh TV fo that, via VGA in B1 mode since that has no issues in my setup. Will let you know.

Thanks for the Extron advice, looking for one with shipping to Mexico right now =)

[Hamburglar]

You're right!

There is a marked improvement between RGBs and RGBHV.

The EDGE recognises HV sync through the Sync Strike, but strangely enough you get no picture with the HSYNC switch activated on the Sync Strike. The HV sync recognition is with the CSYNC switch on the Sync Strike.

I have tried this with a PS2 480i and 240p video.

I hate to be a pain in the ass here but I've been trying my SyncStrike for a week now and I've gotten no where. How did you exactly get it to work with your Edge?

My SyncStrike is not working, at all. I used an external PSU to give it power, so now I get a red light even with no SCART cable plugged in. I tried a VGA to BNC5, plugged it in both component inputs in the back of the Edge, no picture. I switched H and V sync, only plugged one of each in, used csync instead, nothing. No image. I am getting no image from NES, SNES, or Genesis/MegaDrive. I know it's not the VGA to BNC5 adapter because it works fine on my Dreamcast. Also, I made some wires going right from the SyncStrike to the Edge using the terminals on the SyncStrike. No image.

I *really* don't feel like returning this thing to a foreign country so if anyone could give me some idea of what else I should try, I would appreciate it.

[BuckoA51]

Do you get "Unsupported Signal" according to the Edge or "No Signal" ?

[fagin]

You're right!

There is a marked improvement between RGBs and RGBHV.

The EDGE recognises HV sync through the Sync Strike, but strangely enough you get no picture with the HSYNC switch activated on the Sync Strike. The HV sync recognition is with the CSYNC switch on the Sync Strike.

I have tried this with a PS2 480i and 240p video.

I hate to be a pain in the ass here but I've been trying my SyncStrike for a week now and I've gotten no where. How did you exactly get it to work with your Edge?

My SyncStrike is not working, at all. I used an external PSU to give it power, so now I get a red light even with no SCART cable plugged in. I tried a VGA to BNC5, plugged it in both component inputs in the back of the Edge, no picture. I switched H and V sync, only plugged one of each in, used csync instead, nothing. No image. I am getting no image from NES, SNES, or Genesis/MegaDrive. I know it's not the VGA to BNC5 adapter because it works fine on my Dreamcast. Also, I made some wires going right from the SyncStrike to the Edge using the terminals on the SyncStrike. No image.

I *really* don't feel like returning this thing to a foreign country so if anyone could give me some idea of what else I should try, I would appreciate it.

Are you based in the UK?

[Hamburglar]

I am based in the USA.

Thanks so much for replying, by the way. I kept getting "unsupported signal". However, I kept at it, over and over again. I finally got some success (with a big "however").

I can't seem to get an image using H and V on component2/PC, or if the jumper is set to hsync, but on csync I managed to get an image if I only plug the white BNC cable into the single sync on the back of the Edge (not the H or V ones, the one on the other side).

I didn't even realize I was getting an image because it's incredibly dark. It does this whether on PSU power or SCART power. It is the same level of darkness whether I am using SNES, NES, or Sega Genesis. If someone could give me an idea as to why this is, I'd appreciate it greatly. Thanks again for helping me try to get the best image from my classic consoles on the Edge.

[BuckoA51]

but on csync I managed to get an image if I only plug the white BNC cable into the single sync on the back of the Edge (not the H or V ones, the one on the other side)

That's the standard way of hooking it up, get that working first (like I said earlier)

Please flash your Edge to the latest firmware, try again and then report back to us!

[Hamburglar]

but on csync I managed to get an image if I only plug the white BNC cable into the single sync on the back of the Edge (not the H or V ones, the one on the other side)

That's the standard way of hooking it up, get that working first (like I said earlier)

Please flash your Edge to the latest firmware, try again and then report back to us!

Ok, I updated to the latest firmware.

Picture is still very dark. I need to BLAST contrast (like all the way up on the Edge) for the image to look semi-normal. This is happening with ANY game console hooked up to it.

On any firmware above 1.40, as I mentioned earlier, I have an ugly, thick wavy distortion on the top right part of the screen with all 240p material. This happens with s-video and component, so it's a fault of the Edge.

I used firmware EDGE_v52.abt and it detects 240p as 480i and the image is WAY nicer, with MUCH less ringing. However, it's still a very very dark picture.

So in short, no matter what firmware I use, the image is very dark using the SyncStrike.

[BuckoA51]

Next thing to inspect is your SCART cables themselves. Where did you get them from?

It does sound as if your EDGE is faulty, no 240p material does that on my unit.

[Hamburglar]

Next thing to inspect is your SCART cables themselves. Where did you get them from?

One I got directly from Nintendo Japan (cost a good $60) the NES one was custom made, and the Genesis one was from PCEngineSales. They all work fine with my transcoder, so I really doubt it's the cables.

It does sound as if your EDGE is faulty, no 240p material does that on my unit.

It's not really important because the picture is still way too dark, even ignoring the weird wobbling. I'm not too sure if my unit is defective though because on firmware 1.4 and below, it doesn't happen. If it was defective, wouldn't it happen with any firmware? Either way, I'd like to use the really old firmware that detects 240p as 480i because it gives me a way sharper image, so it's all a moot point. Image is WAY too dark with the SyncStrike.

[fagin]

Have you connected your SCART consoles direct to the EDGE (SCART to RCA)? If so, what are the results?

[Hamburglar]

Have you connected your SCART consoles direct to the EDGE (SCART to RCA)? If so, what are the results?

I've yet to be able to find a SCART to component cable with sync on it as well.

This is the closest I found:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SCART-BNC-Breakout- ... 2c5bc256da

Except it's a board and not simply an adapter cable.

So far my only other method of hooking up SCART RGB to my Edge was using the transcoder I mentioned/showed photos of early, which looked great.

[fagin]

Personally I would suggest you build yourself a SCART to RCA lead. It's very easy to do as all you need is R G B and Sync. At least that way you can (hopefully) catagorically see if the problems lie with your EDGE or Sync Strike.

[Hamburglar]

Ok while I am doing the arduous task of building my own cable, I decided if I could fix my issue of all 240p material having visual glitches on any firmware past 1.4, and I finally figured it out. I had to "unlock output framerate" for some reason. I never had to do that before, but that fixed the problem, so my DVDO Edge isn't defective.

SyncStrike still very very dark.

[fagin]

"arduous" ... you're having a laugh arn't you!

[Hamburglar]

"arduous" ... you're having a laugh arn't you!

I've been trying for months to get everything working great...I use big words to relieve the stress

[kel]

Has anybody else ever had a problem with interferance and crackling noise when using the Edge's audio delay/lipsync feature or is it just me?

The only way I can get rid of it is to put the audio delay to full negative i.e. 56ms for NTSC or 75ms for PAL. I've been using it like this for a while now and If I can't find the solution then I will continue using it this way as the delay is not that noticable really but it would be nice to find out what is causing it though.

[Konsolkongen]

Nope sorry. I've only been using the Edge with the default sound delay and it works fine. How do you output audio from the Edge? I use the separate audio only HDMI output for that.

[kel]

At the moment I have it connected through the optical out to a digital to analogue converter and then to some 2.1 speakers but in the past I had it connected straight to my TV through both HDMI or HDMI audio only and still had the same problem.

I've also used both anologue and digital inputs except the coax with a few different consoles and got the same results.

[Fudoh]

I've read about this a few times in the past. You should be able to find more information in the Edge AVS thread. Not sure if there's a workaround. Might be a faulty memory buffer on your unit.

[kel]

I've scanned through the Edge AVS thread a few times in the past and there seems to be lots of people experiencing audio drop outs with the Edge although I'm not sure if this is the same as the problem I'm having and no body seems to have found a solution to it either.

I had an Idea that it might be a hardware problem and my unit might be faulty but was also kind of hoping that it might of been something simple and that someone may have known a workaround.

I only paid just over £300 for it, Which is quite a good price for an Edge over here. So I don't mind putting up with the audio being 56ms ahead of the video if I have to for the money that I saved. Would have been even more of a bargain if I ever manage to find out what is wrong with it though

[Konsolkongen]

You keep mentioning 56ms, you never use gamemode? That's only 6ms for the most part.

[kel]

You keep mentioning 56ms, you never use gamemode? That's only 6ms for the most part.

Half and half really. I use gamemode for my gamecube on 480p games but avoid it like the plague when it comes to PS2 games and the handfull of 480i gamecube games. I also use my XRGB3 for any 240p games which I prefer over the Edges 240p handling or sometimes I might chain them in which case I use gamemode on the 480p signal coming from the XRGB3.

I've been Mainly using the Edge for my PS2 for the past year or so though and gamemode doesn't really cut it for me on 480i games.

Good point though. If only gamemode was as good with 480i as it is with 480p then I wouldn't really have much to complain about as 6ms delay between audio and video is unnoticeable really.

[BuckoA51]

Either way, I'd like to use the really old firmware that detects 240p as 480i because it gives me a way sharper image, so it's all a moot point. Image is WAY too dark with the SyncStrike.

You do realise doing this introduces other problems such as increased input lag and problems/issues when the image scrolls or displays certain drop-shadow effects? It kinda defeats the object of having the video processor in the first place, since it's what most HDTV's do with 240p material (i'd even go as far to say my Sony set looks better when it's incorrectly deinterlacing 240p material than the Edge does). With the Sync Strike you should be able to connect into the VGA inputs and get the improved sharpness without losing proper 240p recognition, but we need to get to the bottom of why your image is so dark first.

Kel - There's a UK service centre for the Edge that could probably service your unit, if its under guarantee it will be free, if not they are still quite reasonable, if you like I could PM you the details?