XRGB-mini Framemeister

[kerframil]

I'm not sure if anyone else here uses Ketarin (a Windows application intended for keeping setup packages up-to-date). In case anyone does, I've created a definition for downloading the latest XRGB-mini firmware. To use it, download ketarin-xrgb-mini.xml then import it by selecting File > Import from Ketarin. EDIT: Added to the online database for use with the Import from online database feature.

[enf2k5]

Hi,

if i try to use any of the 50Hz Resolutions (FW1.07) my Samsung LCD goes Black and can not get a Signal from the Framemeister.
Anyone else got this or a Tip how to fix it? Thanks!

[enf2k5]

Hi,

if i try to use any of the 50Hz Resolutions (FW1.07) my Samsung LCD goes Black and can not get a Signal from the Framemeister.
Anyone else got this or a Tip how to fix it? Thanks!

Nevermind, it does work with 1.07A

[Yes Boss!]

Hi,

I ordered an RGB cable from this seller for my white Japanese Saturn.

http://www.retro-access.com/ourshop/pro ... aturn.html

It is the same cable but also has a audio pair (white and red). Problem is that I'm not getting a signal via RGB on the mini. Dumbstruck. I hit RGB on the remote and keeps saying no input. Can anybody help. Wonder if they sent me one with the euro pinout or if I got a bummed cable. My standard AV composite cables work fine.

I've included pics of the cable and internals:

[Fudoh]

that's a european layout.

[Yes Boss!]

Those bastards.

Any chance I ruined the RGB plug on my mini?

Also, can I switch the wires myself?

[Fudoh]

On the older XRGB units plugging in a Euro-Scart connector could cause heavy damage. On the Mini - so far - I haven't heard of any mishaps like this - but on the other hand people are more educated these days when buying a XRGB.

If you can use a soldering iron, you can change the pinout yourself. Both pinouts are available here:

http://playoffline.wordpress.com/cable/jpn21pinrgb/

You can leave out the blanking signal and the switching voltage, since the Mini doesn't use them.

[BuckoA51]

Those bastards.

To be fair the page is perfectly clear that it's a Euro SCART connector and not a RGB21. Is that what you're getting at, or do you think they might have sent you a SCART lead for a PAL Saturn? That would still work on the Mini anyway.

[Yes Boss!]

Those bastards.

To be fair the page is perfectly clear that it's a Euro SCART connector and not a RGB21. Is that what you're getting at, or do you think they might have sent you a SCART lead for a PAL Saturn? That would still work on the Mini anyway.

Nah, I ordered one for NTSC japanese Saturn. They just say that it is in a Scart-like plug, which is needed for the mini. I might be wrong but I assumed it was wired for japanese Scart (since they also sell one for PAL).

Fudoh,

Thanks for the link, I'll do the solder!

[pyrotek85]

Those bastards.

To be fair the page is perfectly clear that it's a Euro SCART connector and not a RGB21. Is that what you're getting at, or do you think they might have sent you a SCART lead for a PAL Saturn? That would still work on the Mini anyway.

Nah, I ordered one for NTSC japanese Saturn. They just say that it is in a Scart-like plug, which is needed for the mini. I might be wrong but I assumed it was wired for japanese Scart (since they also sell one for PAL).

Fudoh,

Thanks for the link, I'll do the solder!

Good luck, hope nothing was damaged.

[Yes Boss!]

I emailed them to see if they have one with the RGB 21 pinout. If they do then I'll just order one before soldering.

[BuckoA51]

SCART means its euro wiring. Since the PAL and NTSC Saturns are wired slightly differently on the AV out you can get different cables.

[Ganelon]

Nah, I ordered one for NTSC japanese Saturn. They just say that it is in a Scart-like plug, which is needed for the mini. I might be wrong but I assumed it was wired for japanese Scart (since they also sell one for PAL).

Retro Accessories seems to have listed everything correctly. You're confusing 2 different situations into one as BuckA51 suggested. For cables, you need both the correct input and the correct output.

US and JP Sega Saturn consoles both output picture the same way but Euro SS consoles have a different output. The RGB SCART cable in the link provided expects an NTSC input from the console's AV port. Getting a cable with NTSC input for a JP SS was right, but it was only half of the equation.

The other half is what sort of output the cable produces. In this case, the 2 most common low-res analog RGB video outputs found in game consoles are RGB21 (used in Japan and found in all of Micomsoft's devices) and RGB SCART (used in Europe and incompatible with Micomsoft's devices). Both formats use the 21-pin SCART connector but in completely different pinout configurations. The SCART connector even supports composite video instead of RGB so just knowing that an SCART plug is being used says nothing about what's being outputted. Just for future reference, you'll almost never see "SCART" used to describe RGB21.

As you know now, you need a SS video cable with NTSC in and RGB21 out. Re-soldering the output wires on your existing cable would be the best option but if you expect to come across future situations where you're stuck with an RGB SCART output, retro gaming cables does make an RGB SCART-to-RGB21 converter (I can't speak to the cable's quality but the store is reliable): http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/euro ... -converter

[Yes Boss!]

Yeah, I'm not to good with tech, but I did know enough that I needed a cable with NTSC out and then RGB21 on the other end. Just thought that was what was listed (and it was a US seller). Anyways, still waiting for an email back.

[Bunk]

I posted a long time back about the zoom-in display problem on the Sega Saturn (only displayed one corner of the picture, zoomed right in). Did anyone with the same problem ever get to the bottom of what was causing it?

[RGB32E]

After connecting my jamma rig yesterday I thought of two things that would be really nice to have in a future firmware update:

1. A/D Level moved to COLOR_SETTING menu
2. Presets/profiles for COLOR_SETTING menu including A/D level setting

[Thirst]

I'm having fairly severe sync issues with most of the consoles I've thrown at it, most of which admittedly are PAL, but I've seen reports that even these should run fine on the XRGB-mini with the latest firmware update.

I saw someone mention that the sync input is pretty weak on the mini. Would a sync strike, or something with a LM1881 help matters at all? What would be the simplest solution for someone like me who isn't completely comfortable with a soldering iron? I wouldn't mind paying for a custom solution but I'm not sure who to turn to. The sync amp from retro_console_accessories wouldn't work on my PAL units.

[BuckoA51]

The sync amp from retro_console_accessories wouldn't work on my PAL units

What gave you that idea? it works just fine with PAL stuff, though the only system I've tried that needed it was my N64.

[Thirst]

The sync amp from retro_console_accessories wouldn't work on my PAL units

What gave you that idea? it works just fine with PAL stuff, though the only system I've tried that needed it was my N64.

I tried it on both my SNES and Megadrive. It doesn't work. Also the listing says it's only guaranteed to work on NTSC systems. I figured I'd give it a try anyhow, but it's not playing nice with my systems.

EDIT: I should have specified, they simply don't produce any signal that the mini will recognize at all.

[BuckoA51]

It works just fine for my PAL systems here, not one single issue, there's no logical reason why it would work on NTSC systems and not PAL, I think we need to look at what cables you are using.

[BuckoA51]

So what's the nack for getting scanlines on 480p material then? I have SCAN_B_EVEN and SCAN_B_ODD options, but I'm really not sure how to set them, I've played with them some but can't seem to get it looking right, any suggestions?

[Fudoh]

It's a bit buggy at the moment, since Micomsoft should simply disable the B ones and enable the A ones for 480p content (and add a odd/even switch for the A ones).

Anyway, for 480p you minimze either the EVEN or ODD ones and then set the other ones to your prefered density. If you get "cut" pixels you reverse your setting.

[anticipating]

I want to try using the SLG in conjunction with mini to take advantage of the superior scanlines. I'm looking at the HDMI-VGA convertors on amazon which take their power from the HDMI port.

My question is, will there be enough power for the conversion and then powering the SLG through VGA as well?

Many thanks

[Rock Man]

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of trying to update a friends XRGB-mini. My question is about the firmware updates, does the mini only use 1 update at a time or can it take all of them at once?

In other words is it feasible to download them all one-by-one and use all of the contents or am I supposed to pick 1, and just stick with that one?

I am using the wiki to guide me through the process:

http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php?titl ... irmware.3F

But the only thing I am not clear on is whether it will let you get multiple firmware updates or restrict the user to 1 update, which is it?

[Fudoh]

I want to try using the SLG in conjunction with mini to take advantage of the superior scanlines

The SLG's scanlines are in no way superior to the Mini's internal ones. You would also be limiting yourself to 480p output from the Mini, which is considerably more blurry than the higher resolution.

In other words is it feasible to download them all one-by-one and use all of the contents or am I supposed to pick 1, and just stick with that one?

only one. Just get the newest one. Why bother with the older ones ? Just note that the newer ones default to japanese and you have to set the menu to english manually (and do a power cycle after that).

[Rock Man]

Asante. ^_^

[anticipating]

I want to try using the SLG in conjunction with mini to take advantage of the superior scanlines

The SLG's scanlines are in no way superior to the Mini's internal ones. You would also be limiting yourself to 480p output from the Mini, which is considerably more blurry than the higher resolution.

Really? I'm just after watching this guy's review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p89I-HVqU28 and he seemed to think having the SLG in line was the way to go.

Not that I'm taking his word over yours. If you say there's no point to it, I won't bother doing it XD

[Fudoh]

don't have the nerves right now to watch a 20min review, but I'll do and get back on it soon.

I'm as picky as it gets about perfect scanlines and there's absolutely no reason to use a SLG with a Mini. To convert the Mini's 480p output to VGA and eventually feed it to a LCD or Plasma which would interpretate the 720x480p signal as 640x480 instead causes more trouble on top.

[Rock Man]

Fudoh, I am having trouble finding the SD card folder on my system. It keeps showing up under device manager but I need to open it up into folder format so I can drag/drop the firmware.

EDIT: Nevermind, he tried it on his XP computer and every thing went through.

[BuckoA51]

You would also be limiting yourself to 480p output from the Mini, which is considerably more blurry than the higher resolution.

I suppose you could add faux scanlines to 720p games (e.g Sonic CD remake on the 360) using SLG and Mini, that can look OK, but its gimmicky and not accurate, I wouldn't recommend jumping through all the hoops just for that.