XRGB-mini Framemeister

[geekmiki]

I still quite don't understand why the UMSA is messing up the output...

Bencao74 confirmed on this forum (http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 66#p790366) that the UMSA had no 31khz filter, so in theory the setup should be working.

Could the problem be related to any other part of the setup (SCART cable, TV, etc.)?
I really want to make sure that I have no other options before I go out and buy more stuff to make the DC work on the Mini.

Thanks again for your help and advices!

[Fudoh]

What do you use to connect the UMSA to the Mini ? EU-Scart to EU Scart + EU/JP adapter + JP21 to MiniDin adapter ? That's a lot of cables. The EU/JP21 adapter and the JP21 to MiniDin adapter are short and you can easily confirm that they work with other systems. EU/EU Scart cables are often incredibly cheap with bad shielding and of course they're only built for 15khz signals, so I would probably replace that cable first. Or maybe built a male EU-Scart to JP21 adapter directly to eliminate one of the cables completely.

[geekmiki]

Right now from the UMSA I have a generic EU SCART cable that goes into a EU-SCART to MiniDin adapter (http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/euro ... -sale.html

As I explained before the parts that I can confirm are working:
-DC VGA cable: tested from the DC directly to the TV and no problems
-EU SCART to MiniDin: no problems with other systems

Here comes the strange part:
When I tried to connect the generix EU-SCART coming from the UMSA directly to the TV, I got this splitted and duplicated image
http://i.imgur.com/TpKbbZm.jpg

But as you see, it isn't wobbly as when I feed it to the Framemeister.

So if we're at least 75% sure that the generic EU SCART cable might be the problem; I guess I'm ready to invest in a quality SCART cable to at least give it a try before trying more exotic solutions.
ANy cable you would recommend that supports this kind of setup?

[Fudoh]

The split-image on the Scart input on your TV is normal.

If you don't mind: just take your existing cheapo-scart-cable, open it up on both ends and kill all connections that are not needed - just disconnect the wires. This includes switching (pin 8 ), blanking (pin 16), video (that's 20 on the source end and 19 on the sink end) and audio running in the wrong direction - - see if this changes anything. While at it, check if all grounds connect properly.

[geekmiki]

Thanks again for all your help fudoh...

Did the mod you suggested on the cable and now I get no picture at all...

[Fudoh]

then you did something wrong. To get a picture on the Mini you need RGB (those are straight connected lines), the sync line (that's coming from pin 19 and goes to pin 20) and at least one connected ground line. If you get nothing you either killed the sync line or you don't have a proper ground connection.

[geekmiki]

Strange...

Double checked that I removed the correct pins (8 and 16 on both sides), that 19 was disconnected on the UMSA side and 20 connected on the Mini side, that 21 was there... Still no image.

Well, I'll do another check tomorrow and keep you posted...

[Fudoh]

19 needs to be connected on the UMSA side.

[geekmiki]

Sorry that's what I meant... 19 on UMSA and 20 on Framemeister

[Fudoh]

then it's ground. 21 is likely not connected on the Mini's side. Proper pins for video ground are 17 and 18.

[geekmiki]

Well I didn't remove 17 or 18 on either side...

[BuckoA51]

No one tried the Dreamcast+UMSA+Mini setup before putting it on the wiki?

I genuinely thought someone had tried it just to confirm, though I can't remember who... this thread is really getting long... but I am honestly struggling to understand how it wouldn't work unless your unit (or something in your chain) is faulty.

[akumajo]

I can confirm that this combo works just fine.

Dreamcast > VGA Adapter > vga cable > UMSA + Power Supply > scart cable (euro) > euro scart to mini din adapter > Mini

240p/480i/480p no problems.

[geekmiki]

Did you modify in any way your VGA box?

[akumajo]

Yes it's a "modded" vga box. Hanzo from beharius on assemblergames.com forum.

[RGB32E]

http://www.micomsoft.co.jp/xdac-1.htm

Looks like a new product from Micomsoft! I can't think of how this could be useful in conjuction with the mini, but thought this would be the best place to share!

[geekmiki]

Sorry for the topic hijack... and thanks again to all those that tried to help me out!

Just trying to sort out what part of my setup is not working.

So here are exact parts:
-VGA cable (not box) custom made with 2 RCA connectors for the sound - Works ok when connected directly to the TV
-UMSA - couldn't test it with another device
-generic EU-SCART cable
-EU-SCART to MiniDin adapter (from retrogamingcables.co.uk) - works fine with all the other systems

I tried replacing the generic SCART with another cheapo cable I had and same results, the picture is wobbly.
I tried this setup on two different TVs (Sony 40W4000 and Panasonic P50G10) and same results.

After what has been reported here and my tests, I only see two parts in the setup that could be the cause of the problem:
-My UMSA is faulty
-I need a VGA box (maybe modded) instead of a plain VGA cable

Any thoughts?

Thanks again!

[BuckoA51]

xdac-1 could be a solution for Wii-U users without HDMI equipped surround sound amps?

Geekmiki - Does your SCART to MiniDin have a sync stripper in it? I can't see your VGA box being faulty if it works directly to your TV.

[geekmiki]

Geekmiki - Does your SCART to MiniDin have a sync stripper in it? I can't see your VGA box being faulty if it works directly to your TV.

Yes, it's the one sold by retrogamingcables.co.uk specifically for the Mini, so it does.

Again, I do not have a VGA box, I have a custom made DC->VGA+RCA cable.

Faulty UMSA then?

[Plasia]

Picking up on the conversation from the last page. The only problem I have with the mini is that it has lag. And not just on interlaced sources, but progressive ones too. Considering that I purchased it because of what was meant to be really low input lag, it's pretty much useless to me. Check out the first few pages of this thread, especially this post: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 36#p736836

[BuckoA51]

Yes, it's the one sold by retrogamingcables.co.uk specifically for the Mini, so it does.

I'd try disconnecting the sync cleaner or buying an adapter without one.

[amaradona]

Today i received a CRT monitor 21 inch from Dell p1130.
There is only Vga input but the monitor can accept quite high resolution.
With a xrgb 2,i got a very nice picture.
I have also a mini xrgb and i would like to plug it with this monitor to get higher resolution
Obviously I need a hdmi or dvi converter to vga.
Any model to recommend?Do you think it s worth it?

maybe I will have to get a xrgb 3 instead but before i spend again money,i would like to try with the mini xrgb.

Thank you in advance

[BuckoA51]

Waste of time on a CRT, your XRGB2 will be giving you the best picture possible.

[amaradona]

Thank you Bucko

So no need to go higher in res?

[BuckoA51]

It's a CRT, all directly supported resolutions should look good.

[amaradona]

thank you mate!

[ekek2009]

Is anyone willing to take a commission to make a XRGB 8 pin mini din to BNC breakout cable? I'd like to use it with my Extron.

[ryle]

Hi

(sorry for the poor english as I'm french)

I'd like to know if anyone here is using PAL switched consoles with their xrgb mini ?

I've got two "switchless" PAL consoles (they use the reset button to switch between modes), a Megadrive and a SNES, the two of them work ok when run in PAL/50Hz with no sync issue, I set the mini to 576P/50.

When I switch them to 60Hz (and the mini to 720p/60), the picture looks ok for a few seconds, but then it keeps jumping and/or it vanishes.

I tried to play with the sync value but the picture still goes away after a couple of seconds. The Off or Auto Sync mode doesn't help.

I tried different cables and adapters:
-original Sega RGB cable, self made rgb cable (sync on pin 7 of the DIN with a 220uf capacitor and a 75Ohm resistor on the scart part)
-composite cable and rgb cable for the snes
-original xrgb mini-din to jp21 + jp21 to eu scart with no sync stripper added (the best results are with this combination), xrgb mini-din to EU scart with sync stripper

Any idea on what to try next or is the only solution to buy a japanese megadrive and a super famicom to get rid of the issues ?

Edit: I almost forgot to mention, I have the 1.08 firmware on my xrgb mini.

Thanks in advance.

[BuckoA51]

Have you tried with V-LOCK set to off?

[lettuce]

Any suggestion for setup for an NTSC NES system, using the composite red and yellow phono plugs?....This is what i get at the moment, seem to have underscan horizontally.....