Joined the PVM club! Now for the questions...

[VACRMH]

I was lucky enough to spot someone on craigslist giving away two 14M4U's. I figured I'd see what this RGB stuff is all about and give it a shot, especially at the cost of free. Anyways, I had a few questions about getting everything set up.

1. Rather than spending the time getting all my systems the various cords needed, I was just going to try hooking up my computer to the PVM and use a few emulators. I've purchased this cable, this should work right? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1557722003

2. From there, I know that my PVM only has 4 inputs (R G B and Sync), I've seen this used a few times to combine both sync cables, this would work too correct? http://www.ebay.com/itm/200827042869?ss ... 1439.l2649

3. Next, seeing as I have 2 of these, I wanted to have one set up in TATE, and figured it would be easy to just use the output from the one PVM to the input on the other. But I'm not sure what cables I can use, am I able to use regular RCA cables, just with the BNC adapters on them? I have a 10 pack on the way.

4. Also, in order for the video to go from one TV to the next, do both of them have to be on?

Phew, I think that's about it. Only other thing I'm wondering about is if I need to use any kind of software to have my computer output the right resolution to the PVM. Appreciate any help you can give me, thanks!

[alamone]

Just a word of warning, I would not hookup your PC to your PVM unless you can guarantee that it's outputting at 15KHz.
And in most cases, that would be false unless you have a special setup or an arcade VGA card.
Some people have blown their PVMs by sending sync signals that the PVM cannot handle.
I would first start with an older videogame console that only outputs at 15KHz to test.

[beatsgo]

2) Sync Signals has to be combined via signal processing, not plugging two signals together. You definitely need something like a RGB interface device such as the Extron Emotia or a DIY sync combiner circuit.
3) BNC to RCA adapters will work, it's just a signal passing through one type of wired to another.

[BubbaMc]

Agree with Alamone. Don't connect your PC via VGA!

Start with something easy like a Playstation 2 with a component cable, and use RCA to BNC adapters to make the connection to the PVM. Check that the PVM is set to component, not RGB. This will give you a taste to get you started anyway

[VACRMH]

Darn, looks like this may be more difficult than I imagined. I wonder why someone was able to use the coupler I pointed out, I saw it posted on a forum.

I was hoping it would be easy to just run an emulator from VGA to PVM, but I understand what you're all talking about. I saw a program, "Soft-15khz" that people use for things like this, but the computer I use for emulation is the same one I use for everyday use, and setting it to a low resolution would be a pain when trying to do other tasks while having a game running.

So speaking of the Emotia, would that convert the output of VGA to an acceptable signal to use on the PVM? If I could get that, leave my computer in a resolution I normally use and have the Emotia take care of all the dirty work, that would be a great solution.

S-Video seems nice so far, I'll give component a try when the adapters come in. Thanks for the help everyone!

[shmuppyLove]

If you don't want to mess around with Soft-15kHz, you need an external converter like this one:

http://www.jammaboards.com/store/vga-to ... cv-02.html

I'm sure others can recommend something similar, as this one seems a bit expensive to me, and also appears to be out of stock.

[fagin]

I was lucky enough to spot someone on craigslist giving away two 14M4U's. I figured I'd see what this RGB stuff is all about and give it a shot, especially at the cost of free. Anyways, I had a few questions about getting everything set up.

1. Rather than spending the time getting all my systems the various cords needed, I was just going to try hooking up my computer to the PVM and use a few emulators. I've purchased this cable, this should work right? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1557722003

2. From there, I know that my PVM only has 4 inputs (R G B and Sync), I've seen this used a few times to combine both sync cables, this would work too correct? http://www.ebay.com/itm/200827042869?ss ... 1439.l2649

3. Next, seeing as I have 2 of these, I wanted to have one set up in TATE, and figured it would be easy to just use the output from the one PVM to the input on the other. But I'm not sure what cables I can use, am I able to use regular RCA cables, just with the BNC adapters on them? I have a 10 pack on the way.

4. Also, in order for the video to go from one TV to the next, do both of them have to be on?

Phew, I think that's about it. Only other thing I'm wondering about is if I need to use any kind of software to have my computer output the right resolution to the PVM. Appreciate any help you can give me, thanks!

Hi,
I'll reply here rather than against your YT message - keeps it open for all to share the pain then.

If you don't want the stress than you need a Scan Convertor (as you have alluded to with the Emotia unit), however, these are like getting hold of rocking horse shit, but should certainly be an easier proposition in the US.

Don't even think about that piece of shit linked to in the above post (sorry shmuppylove). It will make your eyes bleed with an interlaced frenzy.

[VACRMH]

Haha, I should have known you would be on this forum too <_<

I think I've got a good gameplan laid out now, and the Emotia isn't that bad (I think I can snag one for around $50, the power supply is another issue).

Thanks for all the help everyone.

[beatsgo]

You can mod a computer psu, take the +5V, -5V, & +12V (plus GND) and solder them into a 5-DIN (Midi) Male Plug. I can provide the pintout for it unless someone else beats me to it. If you're lazy, I do have one sitting around which I can send to you with a small fee.

[VACRMH]

So the BNC adapters arrived, and I tried out the PS2 via component. Looks good! I'm ready to take the next step, but like a dummy I jumped the gun. I ordered an Emotia...the Super Emotia II, which doesn't offer 240p. So here's the next round of questions...

1. How much of a difference is there with 240p vs 480i? Say with MAME and 16 bit emulators.

2. Reading up on Fudoh's page, I saw that the Extron RGB can be used to put out 240p from the Super Emotia II. The RGB 190 is pretty cheap, would that be a good solution? Or maybe I should just track down an Emotia that offers 240p?

Thanks

[Fudoh]

480i is what you get from your PS2 with most games, so you should know what it looks it.

If you add an Extron interface to the Emotia's 480i output you should get 240p on your PVM. You'll have the pronounced scanlines you want, but the picture won't be completely flicker free as with true 240p from an older Emotia unit.