Problems with X-Select D4

[SGGG2]

A bit of a long shot, but I figured I'd see if anyone has any suggestions before I send it off to Micomsoft for repair.

After being on from anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes the screen a kind of screen tear/distortion will start to flash every now and then, usually in the upper third of the screen and shortly thereafter the X-Select will loose sync (?) resulting in a black screen and switch back and forth with the signal. Using input 2 results in a wavy, monochrome green image with the same blanking issue. I tried replacing the power adapter and isolating the X-Select from the rest of my AV setup in case it's a heating issue but no dice.

[panzeroceania]

What display are you using?

What game console?

What input cable?

What output cable?

[Fudoh]

really weird - never had any issues with mind. Do the straight connections work for you ? Like component in, component out or VGA in, VGA out ? Did you adjust the sync related settings (along with starting and endling line - I've seen those cause problems with certain displays).

[SGGG2]

Sorry for not being more specific but I was certain I had the problem isolated. I almost never have it hooked up directly to a display. It's chained into the VGA in port on my XRGB-3. I use X-Select > XRGB-3 > Gefen VGA to DVI Scaler plus or Optoma HD3000 for B1. The XRGB-3 goes directly into my display with B0.

The blanking issue happens with PS2, PS3 and Wii via component (D-terminal and RGB port too, both 480p and 480i) and Dreamcast via VGA. I don't have any RGB systems set up at the moment but if memory serves this issue reared its head with the Saturn as well. The blanking happens in both firmware modes but all the systems work fine once plugged directly into the XRGB.

Do the straight connections work for you? Like component in, component out or VGA in, VGA out ? Did you adjust the sync related settings (along with starting and endling line - I've seen those cause problems with certain displays).

All of the inputs and outputs "work" but a couple of them have issues. Monogreen color on input 2 and an unusually dark picture with input 1; it makes no difference if I use the component and D-terminal inputs on either group. I have a component switch and the VGA port works fine so this isn't a big concern as long as I have at least one good component input. However, I'm worried that it's related to the image blanking.

I noticed that a few lines were cut off at the bottom so I set them to (what I presume are the defaults) 0032 start and 0500 end. SYNC_UP and ATSY_UP are both OFF and H_SEP is set to DUTY. NOINPUT is set to D1_15K.

Panzeroceania's post got me thinking, so I booted up Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution in 480p with GSM and connected to my ASUS directly via VGA (and later the Westinghouse via Component too) and the damn thing has not glitched or blanked out once in over an hour and a half now. So it appears to be an issue between the X-Select and the XRGB-3. It's very clearly the X-Select that loosing the image as its menu's get distorted while the XRGB's stay fine. I'm relieved the device isn't completely bonked but I'm kinda confused as to how this could be happening.

[SGGG2]

I hope I'm not speaking to soon but reseting the XRGB-3 seems to have solved the issue. I recently put my AV setup back together, so a few details of the problem were from memory; the whole signal blanks out including the XRGB. I'm certain I tried resetting several times in the past, other than the power supply and VGA cable I swapped out tonight, I can't imagine what different. Not only that, but the Gefen's scaling of the XRGB signal is now pixel perfect with none of the uneven scaling and moire patterns Konsolkongen detailed in the XRGB-3 thread. The signal is recognized properly at 720 x 480 as well. The only pertinent setting I changed was enabling v-sync. I've messed around with various settings forever trying to replicate his results!

I find myself wondering if certain settings on the XRGB, even when reverted, have some sort of residual "evergreen" effect on the XRGB's signal until reset, as there are many settings that cause the Gefen to resync that shouldn't have any effect at all in B1. (Resolution, 1080p timing, Screen Size).

Thanks to Panzeroceania for inspiring me to troubleshoot further and Fudoh for being helpful as always.

[Fudoh]

The resolution you set on the XRGB affects the output, even if you're in B1. It affects quality and timing. The most compatible resolution to set is XGA, the one with the best quality is 640x480. Other settings probably carry over their effect into the B1 mode as well.

[SGGG2]

Okay, opened the XSelect up to see if anything looked out of whack, all the capacitors look good, there are a few scratches on some traces - do these look like they could cause a problem and can they be repaired with a trace pen?

http://imgur.com/a/psHVq

[SGGG2]

Okay, broke about the multimeter and checked those traces; they're fine. It was late when I posted those last night.

My mutimeter's analog, but I was able to confirm a few bad caps with a simple Ohm test. Thinking about getting some tools and repairing it myself, I'll document in this thread if I do so.