XRGB-mini Framemeister

[BuckoA51]

Does anyone know of any issues using the Mini in the on a UK TV?

It works fine, only issue is when using PAL games (on any TV)

Slightly confused about what cables to get for each console and where from.

Pretty much any good quality RGB SCART cable will do, doesn't seem to be any need to hunt down special raw/pure sync ones on the mini.

Saturn has a yellow, red and white cable, that's just composite I think?

Yep, you need to upgrade that pronto.

My Famicom is hard wired with yellow and white RCA jacks, but has a free RF socket.

Well you can't use RF with the mini and you wouldn't want to anyway, its worse quality than composite. You'll either have to use composite or get a RGB modded Famicom (not easy).

Super Famicom has S-video with white and red cables and looks the best of the bunch.

Get a SCART for this too.

[retr0gamer]

The ringing problem was cured when I upgraded to the new firmware. My theory is that either I needed to reboot the mini as I made a large number of changes to the picture without restarting it, or that the sharpness wasn't being reset properly (there was mention of sharpness in the changelog). I do still have the "shadow" effect that another person here is having, though I have no idea what the cause of it is. I also only experience it on the SNES.

[RGB32E]

The ringing problem was cured when I upgraded to the new firmware. My theory is that either I needed to reboot the mini as I made a large number of changes to the picture without restarting it, or that the sharpness wasn't being reset properly (there was mention of sharpness in the changelog). I do still have the "shadow" effect that another person here is having, though I have no idea what the cause of it is. I also only experience it on the SNES.

I believe I've determined what triggers ringing on the mini. Go to the output settings and select the horizontal polarity setting... that's it. If you select that option, ringing appears. You have to select "Reset" from that same menu to cure this issue. That's why updating the firmware "fixed" it for you (resets all settings to factory default), not because of the actual difference in FW revision.

The video quality from the SNES varies from system to system, and the particular cable used makes a difference as well. I think the main cause of the smearing is the particular SNES you have... start collecting SNES' until you find a winner!

[retr0gamer]

You're right, it was H_POLARITY causing it!

EDIT: I also just got around to trying removing the 220uF capacitors from R,G,B on the genesis cable, leaving only the 75ohm resistors. It's now properly auto-detected by the SCART Commander.

[grahf]

I'd like to figure out why my SNES has the shadows, so there are a few things to try.
First I'm going to try shortening my SHVC-010 cable. Isn't that what you're using in your SNES setup, RGB32E? It's way too long anyway, so it's a good start. If that doesn't fix anything, I'll try replacing the caps in the RGB cable, and/or experimenting with different values or types. If that does nothing, I may open up the SNES and see about changing the capacitors out on the motherboard. Every other system from this era has shitty capacitors, so it's surely a possibility. Hopefully It will just turn out to be issues with the cable, though.

[BuckoA51]

You're right, it was H_POLARITY causing it!

Ah right good, my comment still stands though, any picture problems try removing the SCART switch first. After years of using SCART switches and a big stack of ones that didn't work in my closet, believe me on this one

[franjipane]

Thanks for the reply Bucko! Ordering some cables now

[alamone]

NCSX has opened up preorders too, and is charging about $510 for it.

My order should be arriving today but knowing the post office they'll just leave the pink notice
and I won't actually get the package until later. I'll test my PCB list and some of the less
mainstream consoles (RGB modded NES, RGB modded PCE-duo) once it arrives.

[zak]

They're cheaper here (and friendly customs declaration)

http://www.solarisjapan.com/products/XR ... rrencyId=1

[RGB32E]

They're cheaper here (and friendly customs declaration)

http://www.solarisjapan.com/products/XR ... rrencyId=1

Solaris is about $520 with EMS shipping.

NCSx is $510 plus shipping (~$10)... so the price is about the same, but you get a seller in the US!

[franjipane]

Got most of my cables on order now and just about to order the Mini. One thing I can't work out is how best to connect my Dreamcast to the D Terminal.

Is there such a thing as a VGA to D Terminal adaptor?

[Fudoh]

For VGA to component you need a transcoder. E.g. http://www.ebay.com/itm/180783924388
You could use VGA to HDMI instead. Those are widely available. Price is about the same.

[Plasia]

Argh, I've got mine, it's on 1.3 firmware. Is there an english menu guide?

[Fudoh]

Just update the FW.

[Konsolkongen]

I just ordered mine

To update the firmware is it just a matter of transferring the files to the micro SD and turning off the unit?

Also, does the Mini auto detect and switch to an active input?

[Zapf]

Yes, no. The remote has a button for every single input though.

[zak]

Why doesn't wii look like that for me?

Also, how do I get English menus on this thing?

Sure, I took some pictures, but I don't think I was able to do it justice. You decide!



Here are some SNES and Genesis 1 snaps:

[Konsolkongen]

Yes, no. The remote has a button for every single input though.

Thank you

[Fudoh]

Why doesn't wii look like that for me?

most likely because you've chosen a bad scaler setting (e.g. the game preset). Adjust the H/V scaling option seperately and manually.

Also, how do I get English menus on this thing?

FW 1.04 available for download contains both languages (switchable).

[zak]

Why doesn't wii look like that for me?

most likely because you've chosen a bad scaler setting (e.g. the game preset). Adjust the H/V scaling option seperately and manually.

Also, how do I get English menus on this thing?

FW 1.04 available for download contains both languages (switchable).

Thank you Tobias

Just got English menus! Will try what you suggested for H/V scaling.

[RGB32E]

Here's the dreaded Castlevania 2 screen from my RGB modded NES with custom hookup cable:





Metroid!!!


Per requests, here's what my SNES RGB cable looks like:


With framemeister adapter:

[RGB32E]

I just ordered mine

That's cool!

To update the firmware is it just a matter of transferring the files to the micro SD and turning off the unit?

Yeah... well turning on the unit... I used the mini as a very expensive micro SD reader, as I don't have an SD adapter! It's an easier process overall than the 3.

Also, does the Mini auto detect and switch to an active input?

No.

[Konsolkongen]

Here's the dreaded Castlevania 2 screen from my RGB modded NES with custom hookup cable:

F@£& you?! There, I said it! Holy shit that looks good :O

Is this using a normal front loader NES or a toploader? I've heard the toploader will give the better picture.

[retr0gamer]

Oh my god...
Any chance you could build a RGB NES for commission?

[wildchild22]

RGB32

Does your rgb nes look that good on the xrgb-3?

I have a rgb top loading famicom that looks real nice too. I do have to drop the brightness a few notches or I can see white streaks on black backgrounds. But once I do that it is perfect.

[SGGG2]

Is this using a normal front loader NES or a toploader? I've heard the toploader will give the better picture.

If you look close at the title screen you can see light jailbars, so it's probably a front loader.

[Zapf]

Are the scaler settings something that are useful to share or would I just have to experiment.

[RGB32E]

Are the scaler settings something that are useful to share or would I just have to experiment.

Check the thread... I already posted about this. With pretty much all sources turn auto scaler to off, and set H_Scaler from 6 (default) to 4 or 5. Done!

[RGB32E]

Is this using a normal front loader NES or a toploader? I've heard the toploader will give the better picture.

If you look close at the title screen you can see light jailbars, so it's probably a front loader.

It's a toaster. Yes, the white lines are extremely subtle with the mini. I was able to tame them pretty well, but they're kinda unavoidable. I'm sure my next build will be even better!

Does your rgb nes look that good on the xrgb-3?

I have a rgb top loading famicom that looks real nice too. I do have to drop the brightness a few notches or I can see white streaks on black backgrounds. But once I do that it is perfect.

Yeah, lowering the black level on the XRGB-3 helps reduce them, but they're still there on other colors. Using a top loader isn't a guarantee you won't get this artifact. I'd have to see with my own two eyes the output from a RGB modded top loader to judge performance. From a normal seating distance, you really can't see the white lines with my current RGB NES with the mini. This is a big improvement over the XRGB-3.

[alamone]

On my 27" iMac using RGB modded NES -> XRGB-mini -> AT-HD620

Dirty desk is dirty...