How to contact Micomsoft support?

[paperlseeves]

Hi, I ordered a SCART cable modified for Japanese Saturn console on Ebay and upon plugging it in my XRGB-3, it completely fried the Japanese Sega Saturn that I was using. I have no way to tell whether or not the RGB-21 port on my XRGB-3 is still working as I do not have any other cable to test, but I will be able to test it soon. Assuming the port is fried too, I'd like to know if Micomsoft offers some kind of service repair for it and if that is the case, how can I contact them.

I do not speak Japanese. Is it possible for a guy like to get some sort of English support?

[Ed Oscuro]

XRGB-3 needs Japanese SCART pinout, not European, I bet that was the problem.

It seems that it's possible to contact them and I would like to do it sometime to refurbish my own XRGB 2.

[paperlseeves]

XRGB-3 needs Japanese SCART pinout, not European, I bet that was the problem.

It seems that it's possible to contact them and I would like to do it sometime to refurbish my own XRGB 2.

I am pretty sure that is the problem too. Unfortunately, the listing on Ebay was misleading and I suspect I will pay a significant amount of money because of this. You'd think the cable was specifically tailored and 100% modded when the seller says multiple times "for Japanese console only / EURO console won`t work". The very least he could have done is to clearly tell in his listing that it isn't RGB-21 compatible or something.

Not that it matters to me anymore though. If someone knows how to contact them, please let me know

[NWrain]

I'm pretty sure I know what cables you are talking about. Everything that store sells is wired for European scart, regardless of whether it says made for PAL, Japan, or NTSC. Their "made for PAL" Saturn cable works on a NTSC Saturn console. I'm not sure if there are any differences between the different region descriptions they put on their Saturn csbles.

[Fudoh]

PAL RGB cables work on NTSC Saturn units, but NTSC cables wired for raw sync don't work on PAL units and will damage your TV or processor (since you feed 12V into the sync line).

It's pretty safe to assume that EVERY Scart cable listed on ebay is wired for EURO-SCART inputs, unless the listing explicitely states JP21 or japanese scart layout.

[paperlseeves]

PAL RGB cables work on NTSC Saturn units, but NTSC cables wired for raw sync don't work on PAL units and will damage your TV or processor (since you feed 12V into the sync line).

It's pretty safe to assume that EVERY Scart cable listed on ebay is wired for EURO-SCART inputs, unless the listing explicitely states JP21 or japanese scart layout.

Yes this is something that I just learned, albeit in a very bad way. Considering the Saturn has been damaged, I just hope the processor is alright, though I am not delusional about it. I just assume the worst so if it somehow is still alive I'll be very happy.

But like I said, if anyone know how to contact Micomsoft, I'd be very happy to know about it.

[Fudoh]

I don't really understand how the Saturn could get damaged. There are no output pins on the XRGB's side, so there're no voltages or other signals running towards the system.

The XRGB on the other hand is VERY fragile is this regard and connecting a EURO scart cable only once is usually enough to blow the input. If just the input is blown you can still use the RGB input on the back (which is the better input anyway). If that's not working either, you've blown the multiplexer. I think to remember that konsolkongen replaced this one in his XRGB-3 once, so maybe ask him about it.

There's a really no sense in contacting Micomsoft directly. Get a contact in Japan first (through which you send the receive the XRGB) and have him ask in JAPANESE then.

[paperlseeves]

I don't really understand how the Saturn could get damaged. There are no output pins on the XRGB's side, so there're no voltages or other signals running towards the system.

The XRGB on the other hand is VERY fragile is this regard and connecting a EURO scart cable only once is usually enough to blow the input. If just the input is blown you can still use the RGB input on the back (which is the better input anyway). If that's not working either, you've blown the multiplexer. I think to remember that konsolkongen replaced this one in his XRGB-3 once, so maybe ask him about it.

There's a really no sense in contacting Micomsoft directly. Get a contact in Japan first (through which you send the receive the XRGB) and have him ask in JAPANESE then.

The XRGB still works fine. I played some FFVII yesterday using my PS2 plugged in component with the adapter that came with the processor. I am currently using the D1 port (the one in the back). I suppose I can still use a SCART to Component transcoder though I fear I may have significant loss in picture quality.

The Saturn definitely fried. At least, a part of it. I opened the chassis and there is strong burnt smell coming from both the main board and the PSU board. The unit is still powering on and will still play game, but the picture quality is atrocious.

Here is a video I took yesterday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdotnE5iIWI

What you see in this video, save for the vertical synchro bar caused by filming a crt, is all real. The over saturation, the bleeding, the color inaccuracy, the greenish artifacts, the red pulsating color in the backround, the unstable colors all around that keep changing...

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way...

[Fudoh]

Maybe you were lucky the saturn's output died before the XRGB could.

The HD15 input on the back of the XRGB-3 does accept 15khz RGBs just fine, so even without the JP21 input on the front, you can fully use the XRGB (without a transcoder).

[paperlseeves]

But as far as I know there is no standard RGB cable for Sega Saturn. I thought the best option was to use an RGB-21 cable (SCART type). So wouldn't I need a transcoder anyway in order to convert the signal from RGB-21 to YUV-RGB standard cable type?

[Fudoh]

But as far as I know there is no standard RGB cable for Sega Saturn.

what you mean by standard ? There're official japanese Sega JP21 Saturn RGB cables and there're offcial PAL Sega EU Scart cables.

I thought the best option was to use an RGB-21 cable (SCART type). So wouldn't I need a transcoder anyway in order to convert the signal from RGB-21 to YUV-RGB standard cable type?

I don't follow, sorry. Certainly JP21 would be first choice, but if it doesn't work, Scart + a Scart/VGA adapter will also work.

[paperlseeves]

But as far as I know there is no standard RGB cable for Sega Saturn.

what you mean by standard ? There're official japanese Sega JP21 Saturn RGB cables and there're offcial PAL Sega EU Scart cables.

I am sorry. I will try to be more clear. The only pure definition cable for the sega saturn that I am aware of is the RGB-21 cable


There is only one port for this type of connection on the XRGB-3 as you are well aware of already. The one that I have potentially blew off. Standard RGB cable for the region I live in would be Y'UV-RGB (more commonly known as component) cable like this:



The XRGB-3 comes with an adapter allowing to use this type of cables.

I thought that I would be forced to use a SCART to component transcoder like this one:



Correct me if I am wrong though.

[Fudoh]

The above Scart RGB cable is available as an official PAL cable as well.

Please don't use the term YUV-RGB. RGB has three color channels (red, green, blue), whereas component only has two color channels.

And, no, you don't need an active trancoder, you just need a passive Scart to VGA adapter.

[Konsolkongen]

If the RGB input has died on your XRGB-3 it's probably the Panasonic Video selector-chip inside that has fried an input. I have an extra of those chips if you're interested. You'll need some soldering experience replacing a surface mounted chip like this though.

[Greg2600]

And, no, you don't need an active trancoder, you just need a passive Scart to VGA adapter.

Those are very difficult to find even custom made. I have been searching and searching and all I can find it seems are some custom jobs done for arcade machines. Same as SCART adapting to RCA or BNC wires, been very difficult to track down. That's what I was getting at over on avsforum. I have found some on UK Amazon, but the sellers don't have USA shipping set so I can't order.

Would this one work? http://www.amazon.co.uk/SCART-VGA-LEAD- ... B001GUJBQ2

PS: Is there a way to tell a Euro from Jap SCART cable on sight? I think the one I have for SNES/N64 is NTSC but the others I really don't know.

[Fudoh]

I have been searching and searching ...

you can use female HD15 to male Scart along with a Scart coupler, but you have to pay attention to the direction of the cable. HD15 to Scart isn't the same as Scart to HD15.

PS: Is there a way to tell a Euro from Jap SCART cable on sight?

if you can see which pins are connected inside the scart header, then yes. Other than that, as said above: ALWAYS assume it's Euro Scart.

[paperlseeves]

Ok well in order to determine whether or not the jp-21 port is still working I ended up buying a scart to jp-21 adapter from this website: http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/euro ... erter.html

*cross fingers*

[viletim]

XRGB-3 needs Japanese SCART pinout, not European, I bet that was the problem.

It seems that it's possible to contact them and I would like to do it sometime to refurbish my own XRGB 2.

I am pretty sure that is the problem too. Unfortunately, the listing on Ebay was misleading and I suspect I will pay a significant amount of money because of this. You'd think the cable was specifically tailored and 100% modded when the seller says multiple times "for Japanese console only / EURO console won`t work". The very least he could have done is to clearly tell in his listing that it isn't RGB-21 compatible or something.

Japanese SCART is a misnomer! There is only one SCART (or Peritel as the French know it) and no other. This Japanese 21P RGB connecton that Micomsoft use is virtually unknown outside of Japan. In fact the only non-Japanese who are aware of it are those familiar with Micomsoft products.

[Ed Oscuro]

Japanese SCART pinout

I view this as equivalent to stating "the Japanese pinout for SCART"
And unfortunately it does exist, there's no wishing it away

But yes, it does seem like there aren't really any products - even those that support RGB - that use that particular pinout, aside from Micomsoft products.

[kamiboy]

Some Japanese televisions came with JP21 pinout SCART inputs built in. You seriously think Nintendo, SEGA, SONY and SNK all made official JP21 cables available for purchase for their various consoles just for the benefit of Micomsoft?

Hell, the XRGB line didn't even exist back when most of these official JP21 cables were made available for purchase in Japan.

Rest assured, it did exist and it was more or less a big deal.

[SuperDeadite]

It existed, but the term SCART does not exist in Japan. Nobody here knows that name. Normal TVs with the 21pin input were very rare. You usually find it on Computer Monitor-TV hybrids. Like the NEC PC-TV series, and a few from Sanyo and Sony which were marketed as MSX monitors.

[paperlseeves]

I opened the Saturn again today. If you are looking inside the Saturn with connection side (AV, A/V) on top, just below PSU board is a very chunky piece covered in plastic. This piece is the one that smells like burnt electronic. Can't pinpoint if it is a coil, a capacitor et or something entirely different as the pastic is kind of "fused" on it. I am wondering if changing this part would fix the problem with it. Earlier I booted the Saturn again and noticed it took a good 2 or 3 seconds before the artifacts/color over-saturation/bleeding appeared on screen, leaving me to think that this part is somehow charged, like a capacitor maybe? I'll try to take a picture of it tonight.

[viletim]

Some Japanese televisions came with JP21 pinout SCART inputs built in. You seriously think Nintendo, SEGA, SONY and SNK all made official JP21 cables available for purchase for their various consoles just for the benefit of Micomsoft?

Hell, the XRGB line didn't even exist back when most of these official JP21 cables were made available for purchase in Japan.

Rest assured, it did exist and it was more or less a big deal.

I never stated otherwise... My point was to put into perspective how many people in the west are actually familiar with this Japanese RGB standard.

I just think Japanese SCART is the worst possible choice of name for this video connection. It implies that SCART unqualified can refer to either the European or Japanese standard, which is not true. Micomsoft refer to it as "21 Pin RGB" in their advertising so Japanese 21 Pin RGB or 21 Pin J-RGB would be much more appropriate.