Sony BVM

[Some1]

Hi, I'm new here.

So, I recently decided to get into retro gaming, and, naturally, I want the best TV for the job - the Sony BVM-20F1E. But, I still have some questions regarding the TV, the answers to which I can't find anywhere, and I want to be sure before I blow 250€ on it. I'd be very grateful if you guys could give me some tips.

1.) Is it multistandard
2.) By default, it can't accept Composite and S-Video. You need to buy an expansion board. But, can't I just use a Composite-to-SCART adapter instead of buying a board, and feed it through a sync cleaner? If no, where can I get a board? It doesn't seem like something common.
3.) What about RF?
4.) Best place to get the TV? eBay?

OT) I can't seem to compose private messages. When I try to, there's just no button or anything

Thanks for any help.

[Fudoh]

1) yes
2) no, but many BVMs come with a 21D extension board (a SDI board) and that board does include a PAL/NTSC composite decoder. For s-video you need another board. The manual lists all available extension boards. If you buy a 21D on it's own, you're looking at about 50 EUR.
3) no
4) approach editing studios in your area to see if they have anything
OT) you can't send PMs until you have some more postings

PS: If you feed a composite signal through a sync stripper, there's no picture information left.

[Some1]

Thanks!

[Some1]

Wait, you mean this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-BKM-21D-SD ... 43bf8d5999

It doesn't even say which connector's for what, just IN/OUT. Are they all for composite or something?

[Fudoh]

1, 2, 3 are SDI inputs, 4, 5, 6 are component, but you can use any of them for composite as well. Once you have that board in the BVM you can even use the stock YUV/RGBs connectors for composite. In this case they use the 21D's decoder.

That's too expensive though. I bought two 21D expansion boards in the past and they were under 50 EUR each.

[Some1]

I see.

I have one last question, and then I'll know everything I need.

Is it absolutely necessary to use a sync striper? By default, the TV doesn't even seem to have V-sync and H-sync inputs, but just one sync input.

http://www.solarisnetwork.com/product_l ... xlarge.jpg

The right board - only R, G, B, and SYNC. The 21D doesn't even have a sync input.

[Fudoh]

no, you don't need a sync stripper for RGBs sources.

[Some1]

Sooo... It works without the stripper? I should probably explain.

I want to hook up both RGB systems and composite-only systems through a single SCART switch for better control and send all video through a single cable, and I plan to plug simple RCA to SCART adapters into the switch for the systems without native RGB. But, as you said, a sync stripper basically deletes composite video, so I won't be able to use this method - unless it works without the stripper. Then, I'll get a SCART to 4 BNC + 2 audio cable: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43883

Voila! Instant gaming!

[Fudoh]

Doesn't work, because your RGB sync line goes to the ext. sync connector on the bottom right. Unfortunately that's the only BNC connector which you CANNOT connect any composite sources to.

[Some1]

Oh...

Well, I'll have one switch for SCART and another one for composite then.

Thanks, Fudoh, you've been a ton of help!

Now all I have to do is actually find the TV. Wish me luck!