Decent Component to RGB Transcoder?

[racer445]

I'm looking to add a component input to my RGB monitor (Mitsubishi AM-2752A) without too much effort. I've read that the transcoding between YPbPr is a lossless process but I haven't found a unit that doesn't have numerous reports of color shifts or black level issues. I'd prefer not to break the bank if possible, however all the cheaper or older units that I've found seem to have a bad reputation from users, and the expensive ones are either way too much or have no information about them.

So, does anyone know of a decent component to RGB transcoder?

[Fudoh]

Reference recommendation: Crescendo Systems RTC 2200
Budget recommendation: Lenkeng LKV7000 (actually a PSP to VGA scaler).

The Crescendo handles 15 and 31khz while the LKV is 31khz only (=480p).

[racer445]

Excellent, thank you! In all my efforts I hadn't found the RTC2200 and it seems like the way to go.

[Fudoh]

Used units sometimes sell very cheap. If you can't find a used one, you should probably not pay $189 US retail for it. Depending on your sources, the $60 Lenkeng box is really quite good as well.

[racer445]

Well I'd really like the 15khz ability which the Lenkeng box doesn't seem to have. I'll probably just hunt around for a used Crescendo unit.

[Fudoh]

I understand, but think about it - what 15khz component source do you know that does not offer RGBs output as well ?

[mesmer]

cheapest option?
http://www.amazon.com/Wii-PS3-VGA-HDTV- ... B0015MISAG
some soldering required...
reported to loose sync out on white flashes...

[racer445]

Fudoh: Yeah, I've thought about this. I mainly want it to play a couple PS2 games with 480p support. I'm already running SCART and am quite happy with it, but it seems that the system simply won't output 480p without component cables plugged in. Wouldn't it be impossible to navigate the menus of the PS2 without 480i support?

[Fudoh]

The PS2 does actually output 480p through RGB as well. It uses SoG (sync on green) then, so the question would simply be if your monitor supports SoG. But even then, a Sync processor would be your better choice. You can probably find a $20-30 Extron RGB interface which supports both 15khz and 31khz and outputs RGBHV instead of RGsB to your monitor.

[racer445]

Oh cool, I didn't know that it supported 480p that way as well! I tried hooking it up through component and switching the output to RGB and the monitor does not appear to support SoG, which makes sense because this is a pretty old display (and not a Sony!)

I'll look into one of those cheap Extron boxes then. Thanks for the help!

[racer445]

Just a follow-up, I bought an Extron SC210 for really cheap that seems to work, but I'm getting a rolling picture when I try to plug my PS2 into it. I tried messing with the dip switches on the back and dip 6 is the only one that seems to do anything (turning it on and messing with the pots inside somewhat stabilizes it.) To anyone who owns these units, do I need to do something special?

[antron]

are putting the PS2 into progressive scan with a game, HDXploder or such?

[racer445]

Well, I managed to get the box working. it appears to only support 31khz even though the manual claims 15khz support unless I'm reading that wrong. This works, but it's horribly inconvenient to keep switching between SCART and component. Anyway, I've achieved my goal.

[Fudoh]

All the Extron srequire clean and raw sync for 15khz, so if you feed a 15khz scart signal through a Scart to BNC breakout you need to include a sync stripper.

[antron]

yeah racer, the PS2 only outputs SOG when in progressive scan. When in low res mode the sync is only available in the c-video. That's why the extron rolls then.