Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

The place for all discussion on gaming hardware
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Hey, I have a japanese white Saturn (Model HST-3220) and was wondering if it can output full scart RGB signal if it is connected to a European PVM-2730QM scart input if I use a European Saturn Scart cable instead of the AV composite yellow, red and white japanese cables that came with the console?

Also I seem to have displaced the AC power cable that came originally with the japanese Saturn I have, is it possible to replace it with a US AC saturn power cable and use that instead?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

yes, both works.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:yes, both works.
Thanks, but regarding the Scart RGB, will it ouput all 21 signals as it would with a European console or will it just carry 11 signals?

Also, can you still obtain official Sega AC saturn power cables or they are impossible to find?

I still have a japanese AC power cable from my Dreamcast, would it work with a japanese saturn?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

RGBs and audio along with switching voltages are just 8 pins plus ground.

Saturn EU-Scart cables work fine on japanese units. I use one myself (from time to time).

DC cable: will work as well. Any cable works as long you don't plug it into a 230V outlet, but use a stepdown converter. I think I've *never* used any officially supplied AC cables for any video game system or other electronical device I own.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:RGBs and audio along with switching voltages are just 8 pins plus ground.

Saturn EU-Scart cables work fine on japanese units. I use one myself (from time to time).

DC cable: will work as well. Any cable works as long you don't plug it into a 230V outlet, but use a stepdown converter. I think I've *never* used any officially supplied AC cables for any video game system or other electronical device I own.
What is 230V outlet? Is that European?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

yes, 230V in europe, about 115V in the US and 100V in Japan.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:yes, 230V in europe, about 115V in the US and 100V in Japan.
I just read that japanese scart cables are not very compatibly friendly with European scart entrance because they are wired differently, is that true?
Last edited by Lawfer on Sun Mar 10, 2013 12:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

The official Sega cables (and the mass manufactured 3rd party ones) are exchangable. Custom PAL cables also work on NTSC machines.

Just the custom made NTSC-SYNC-cables don't work on PAL Saturn units (since the PAL Saturn units output 12V on the same pin on which the NTSC units output raw sync).
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:The official Sega cables (and the mass manufactured 3rd party ones) are exchangable. Custom PAL cables also work on NTSC machines.

Just the custom made NTSC-SYNC-cables don't work on PAL Saturn units (since the PAL Saturn units output 12V on the same pin on which the NTSC units output raw sync).
So what should I do? Buy a japanese PVM with scart imput instead and get the HSS-0109 at the same time?

Also, is it just me or do American and Japanese PVM TVs have no SCART input? I know that in Europe there is the PVM-2130 and PVM-2730 who both have scart input.

EDIT: Preeease ich bin in need of some halp, suggest me what alternative to take. Should I get a whole japanese set (japanese saturn, japanese official RGB cable, japanese TV with rgb input),

Or is there some other way, like getting one of those customs Scart rgb PAL cables you mentioned, which I googled but couldnt find anybody that sold them?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

Where are you located ? Unless you're in Japan, please forget about japanese JP21 connectors.

Get any monitor you like and then get the proper cables. For example you can get a PVM to female scart adapter, right here http://www.retrogamingcables.com/ (or here on our board in the Trading Station). Those cables are available with a DB25 connector for the really old PVMs or with BNC for the more common PVM sets or even with a Sync cleaner installed in case your PVM requires a pure sync signal.

Then just get any Saturn RGB cable with European Scart layout to match the PVM adapter cable.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:Where are you located ?
50hzland, same as you.

Fudoh wrote:Unless you're in Japan, please forget about japanese JP21 connectors.
Yeah thanks got it.

Fudoh wrote:Get any monitor you like and then get the proper cables. For example you can get a PVM to female scart adapter, right here http://www.retrogamingcables.com/ (or here on our board in the Trading Station). Those cables are available with a DB25 connector for the really old PVMs or with BNC for the more common PVM sets or even with a Sync cleaner installed in case your PVM requires a pure sync signal.

Then just get any Saturn RGB cable with European Scart layout to match the PVM adapter cable.
That is the best approach, but did Sega ever sell official SEGA RGB Scart cables separately from the console like they did in Japan?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

but did Sega ever sell official SEGA RGB Scart cables separately from the console like they did in Japan?
they did, yes, but they're very hard to find. Just order the Saturn cable from retrogamingcables. It's fine.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

You're in Europe and don't know that our power outlets deliver 230V ?

Anway, you must use a stepdown converter with your Saturn. The internal PSU is only compatible with 100-120V.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:You're in Europe and don't know that our power outlets deliver 230V ?
No, never was interested in PAL gaming, all my consoles are either japanese or american.

Fudoh wrote:Anway, you must use a stepdown converter with your Saturn. The internal PSU is only compatible with 100-120V.
You mean a transformer? Yes I already been using those since I got a japanese dreamcast in 1998/1999.

Fudoh wrote:
but did Sega ever sell official SEGA RGB Scart cables separately from the console like they did in Japan?
they did, yes, but they're very hard to find. Just order the Saturn cable from retrogamingcables. It's fine.
I want to try to find them I only use official accessories, would you have the EAN or UPC codes by any chances? I will try asking in the trading sectiond of shmup.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

never was interested in PAL gaming, all my consoles are either japanese or american.
:roll: that really has nothing to do with gaming.
I want to try to find them I only use official accessories
no idea, but you can tell from the Scart header. Sega used a larger Scart header, similar to the one on their Dreamcast cables and the same as on the japanese cables.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

no idea, but you can tell from the Scart header. Sega used a larger Scart header, similar to the one on their Dreamcast cables and the same as on the japanese cables.
Is that it?

Image
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

yes
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:yes
Much thanks. :wink:
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Herr Ubermensch Fudoh, ist ein PVM-1440QM worth importing aus die deutschen Königreich für retro gaming?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

I would always try to pick up a CRT locally instead.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:I would always try to pick up a CRT locally instead.
Yeah but it seems that the 1440QM is for Germany only, have you ever tested it? How is it compared to the 2130QM/2730QM?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

It's still very old. Why don't you go for a L or M series PVM instead ? There an auction for a 14" BVM (from 1 EUR) with shipping at 40 EUR within the EU.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:It's still very old. Why don't you go for a L or M series PVM instead ? There an auction for a 14" BVM (from 1 EUR) with shipping at 40 EUR within the EU.
Link pls.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

ebay.de - sony bvm - not this hard to find.
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:ebay.de - sony bvm - not this hard to find.
No scart rgb input.

These are the Euro models who do PAL/NTSC 50/60Hz and have Euro-scart input:

PVM-2130QM

PVM-2730QM

PVM-1440QM

KX-20SP1

KX-27SP1

All Sony.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

No scart rgb input.
and who cares about that ?

You prefer to use a 25 year old monitor instead of a 10 year old one just because it has a different physical connector ?
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:
No scart rgb input.
and who cares about that ?

You prefer to use a 25 year old monitor instead of a 10 year old one just because it has a different physical connector ?
I am going to use old consoles so old TVs are obviously going to be the ones to give the best visuals for these games.

There was no digital signals back then like there is now, it was all analogue and in terms of visual quality for retro consoles the Euro-scart RGB is as good as it gets.

By the way, can retro consoles use the "RGB Multi Input"?
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

I'm no speaking about a RGB signal, just about the physical connector.

We all use RGB for our classic systems and ALL of the monitors discussed here accept those RGB signals - no matter if they have a Scart socket or not. Scart was only used for a very short while on those monitors. Most of them just use BNC connections instead (4x BNC, R/G/B + Sync).
User avatar
Lawfer
Posts: 2283
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:30 am

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Lawfer »

Fudoh wrote:I'm no speaking about a RGB signal, just about the physical connector.

We all use RGB for our classic systems and ALL of the monitors discussed here accept those RGB signals - no matter if they have a Scart socket or not. Scart was only used for a very short while on those monitors. Most of them just use BNC connections instead (4x BNC, R/G/B + Sync).
Yeah I have seen retro gamers doing rewiring jobs with scart to hook it up unto BNC and showing it off on youtube because Americans cant as easily get a gaming setup to play using scart. Though, the Saturn, Dreamcast, Playstation, Playstation 2, Gamecube etc. Do not use BNC, in Europe they could use officially Scart which their respective companies all released at some point. I just ordered an RGB Scart for the Wii from amazon before it becomes impossible to find.

EDIT: Oh the Dreamcast did have something different aside from composite or scart, you could hook up the dreamcast with an official accessory to a computer monitor and get 240p or something.
User avatar
Fudoh
Posts: 13041
Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:29 am
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: Question about japanese Saturn output on scart

Post by Fudoh »

I don't get your point, sorry. I own nearly all video game systems there are and I don't use SCART for a single one of them.

DC: there's a VGA box for 480p output. But not all games support all cables. There are games which don't work with RGB and there're games which don't work with VGA. Composite and s-video are the only cables with "full compatibility".

And using a system like a Wii on a 15khz CRT is rubbish anyway. You should use systems that are capable of 31khz output (XBox, Cube, Wii, DC) with 31+khz monitors. Otherwise you're throwing away half the resolution.
Post Reply