XRGB-mini Framemeister

[ZellSF]

Weird, my Framemeister has more sync issues on the SNES with one TV than another, can that be right? It loses sync entirely at this point in Tetris Attack.

[anticipating]

Quick question: FW 1.05 lost the ability to display scanlines on 480p sources WHEN the output is to set 480p as well (because the Mini tries to use the B Scanlines instead of the correct A ones). Was this fixed in 1.06 ?

Just checked, no it isn't. Tested PS2 component 480p in / 480p out in game1 and meister mode not a scanline in sight

[Fudoh]

Thanks for checking this !

[BuckoA51]

Just ordered mine a few days ago now waiting for that oh so slow international shipping. If I stuffed the output of the Framemeister @480p through a HD Fury and a SLG3000 I am assuming that will give me perfect scanlines for 240p content at a darkness/intensity setting of my choice, correct?

[Fudoh]

The Mini will do that on it's own. 240p processing is perfect and you have full control over the scanline density already.

Your prefered output resolution will be 720p. 480p is softer than the XRGB-3's B1 output.

[BuckoA51]

Oh right I must have missed when they added scanline density control well that is good news. If they fix bugs in 1.07 regarding PAL and English menus the XRGB3 will start to look a little redundant.

[Jaz]

Hi all,

I had a couple of questions regarding this unit that I'm hoping someone can help me with:

1. Is the unit sturdy? I'm tempted to get the XRGB-3 simply because it *looks* like a $500.00 piece of kit. The mini reminds me of a plastic, Chinese ethernet hub...

2. Any recommendations for an RGB switch box to use in conjunction with the mini? The people at Micomsoft have a unit but it's not cheap at just over a hundred. Anyone using it?

3. As above, but for a good s-video switchbox?

Ma y thanks!

Jaz

[Konsolkongen]

1. I don't think the Mini is less sturdy than the XRGB-3. The XRGB-3 may look like a $500 piece of equipment, but once you get your hands on it doesn't feel that way. Not saying it looks and feels like a piece of shit, but you get the idea that the money you spent went to something much more important, rather than the looks.

Personally I like the looks of the Mini much more than the XRGB-3. It's a shame though that you have to connect RGB in the front of the unit though.

2. As for RGB switchers we talked about the Extron RGBHV matrixes a few pages back. I love mine, but if you are not comfortable soldering your own adapters then this one definitely isn't for you. The prices also wary a lot, so it may take a while to find one cheap

You should also know that other RGB switchers are most likely wired for the EU SCART pinout, so that's something to take into consideration when getting cables for your systems.

3. I don't have any experience switching S-video really. I believe the Extron matix will do that too. If you have an AV receiver in your setup, or consider getting one, it may already have S-video in/out's for switching.

[Fudoh]

in terms of built quality, the only thing I dislike about the Mini is the MiniDin8 RGB port in the front. It works, but I see this breaking in a year so (if I keep plugging and unplugging this as often as I do). I might eventually replace the connector with something more solid.

EDIT - PS: how on earth does the XRGB-3 look like a $500 machine compared to something like a DVDO Edge ?

[youtoo]

Hi everyone,

After discovering problems connecting PAL consoles with my SyncStrike + Scaler to an NTSC Tv, I decided to go all the way with the XRGB-Mini.

I've read almost all this thread and I can see how, even if you may be lucky and everything may work at once, it still can be tricky to get a setup that works. That is why I ask you advice on my plan!

I will buy:

• - XRGB-Mini
  - Scart to XRGB adapter (http://goo.gl/6gQpK) This one with optional source of power, because I read that some consoles may need it?

I have:

• - Mega Drive 2 JAP + EU Scart cable (previous cable just broke, I haven't tested new one yet)
  - Saturn (white) JAP + EU Scart cable (Sega Saturn stereo RGB SCART cable with RAW SYNC for NTSC... from retro_console_accessories, works fine)
  - PS2 Slim PAL + EU Scart cable (http://goo.gl/PJBsi cheapest cable I found, seems to work fine, but I can't really be 100% sure until I have a setup that works with PAL consoles)
  - Mega Drive 1 PAL + EU Scart cable (http://goo.gl/UjHpw seems to work fine, but I can't really be 100% sure until I have a setup that works with PAL consoles)
  - Scart switch similar to this: http://goo.gl/n0NRQ I've read this is shit, but has worked so far with my SyncStrike + Scaler setup. I will upgrade to a better one if I have problems with the Mini.

From here, if I encounter problems with this setup is likely that I'll have to get new Scart cables, as sometimes they are hit an miss -what worked with my previous setup may not work with the Mini. Is this assumption correct???

Overall, is my plan sound?

Thanks!!!

[Fudoh]

Even if you get a XRGB-Mini Scart adapter with integrated sync stripper (which IMO isn't neccessary), you should still get proper sync cables for your MD(s). Picture quality on the MD really takes a massive hit if you use "classic" RGB cables with composite video as sync.

[youtoo]

See, that's great feedback, because I don't really know anything about sync in cables. I know how to look for an RGB Scart cable, but beyond that... raw, pure... no idea

How can I learn how to pick the right cable? Is this for MD1 (http://goo.gl/UjHpw) good?

I've also seen different people recommending this site: http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/

I don't really know how to custom-made a rgb cable, so if that was what was needed I would appreciate recommendations on where to find someone who makes them...

[BuckoA51]

There's some info on SCART and raw sync vs composite video for sync on my page here http://www.videogameperfection.com/av-gear/scart/

Finding a raw sync cable for the Megadrive 1 is difficult. The reason is that the MD1's sync output is incorrectly wired internally and therefore out of spec, and requires either an internal modification to the console to correct this or a very specific type of cable that nobody seems to produce. If you or someone you know are comfortable with moding you can perform MMonkey's mod http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/md-sync.htm. Then all you need to is change any MD SCART cable around so that sync is connected to sync instead of composite video.

I've lost the link that shows how to do this externally, in a cable, do you still have it Fudoh?

Edit, actually seems Retro Gaming Cables does them here http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/sega ... -pro-build

...problem solved!

...or at least would be if they were in stock

[youtoo]

Thanks! I will write retrogamingcables asking, maybe they will be willing to make one...

Do you have specific recommendations for MD2 (JAP and PAL), PS2 PAL and Saturn JAP scart cables? Should regular rgb scart cables work with these, as there is no weird wiring going on as with MD1s?

[jaxmazon]

Hi everyone I just ordered myself an mini XRGB and I was wondering when I get it, how do I modify the din plug to accept euro scart?

thanks

[BuckoA51]

Should regular rgb scart cables work with these

Yeah I think the consensus is that regular cables are ok for everything else, it was really only the XRGB3 that needed raw sync, though using raw sync on the mini won't hurt.

[Fudoh]

MD, external "raw sync" mod without any internal modding of the MD:

[Jaz]

Many thanks for all the replies.

I've just moved overseas so will be starting my console collection from scratch. Again. Given this, do you think it would be easier to simply settle on JAP 21 scart rather than Euro? I'm tempted to go Euro simply because of the switches available.

I'm in Singapore where it's Vita, PS3 or "huh, what?"

[Fudoh]

If you want to use a switch, go "european" for your systems' cables. But use a custom cable to connect the switch to the Mini, or a EU Scart to JP Scart cable to connect it to the adapter that comes with the Mini.

[Jaz]

Thanks Fudoh.

I assume this one will do the trick:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micomsoft-XRGB- ... 2570862f11

[jaxmazon]

Hi everyone I found a video on youtube of a guy who modified a vga cable so it could plug into the XRGB-mini and sync striker

however I have been looking online on how to do it but I don't understand pinouts for 8pin mini din and vga

would someone be so kind to explain what I have to solder?

thanks

btw heres the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOc3IoaN ... ature=plcp

[BuckoA51]

I think Shaurz/Eviltim posts here too? If you don't like soldering you can always try the UMSA by Arcadeforge.

[jaxmazon]

I think Shaurz/Eviltim posts here too? If you don't like soldering you can always try the UMSA by Arcadeforge.

thanks for the reply

btw I found this online and I might try this

[BuckoA51]

Nope that's not right, look here:- http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id= ... amemeister

[jaxmazon]

Nope that's not right, look here:- http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id= ... amemeister

thanks for that pic thats actually helped alot

btw I cut one end of my vga cable and I have 1 red (looks kinda pink I assume this is for the red video), 1 blue (Blue video), 1 green (green video), one white (not sure what this is), one yellow (which I assume is csync and a copper stripe (which I assume is earth?)

can someone confirm if this is correct? also if I use the 8pin mini din connector from the XRGB-mini and use my sync strike with it,can I use my euro console with euro cables without damaging the xrgb?

sorry if I sound like a idiot but I would really like to get some reassurance

Thanks

Jack

[BuckoA51]

VGA doesn't have CSYNC it has separate H and V sync.

Why do you want to connect the sync strike exactly?

[jaxmazon]

VGA doesn't have CSYNC it has separate H and V sync.

Why do you want to connect the sync strike exactly?

All my consoles are eu and have eu scarts and the xrgb mini only comes with a "jap scart to 8pin mini din" plug and I've been reading that pluging eu systems into the japan scart plug will damage the xrgb mini.

I thought that if you cut off the jap scart and replace it with vga and run it through the sync strike it will not damage my xrgb?

I trying not to get a cable of ebay because

1: it costs too much

2: the cable I need is not in the uk so it will take ages to arrive

but what do you suggest sir?

thanks

Jack

[BuckoA51]

The Sync Strike won't damage it if you connect it correctly, but why not just wire up a SCART to JP21 adaptor instead of jumping through hoops to connect the Sync Strike?

[jaxmazon]

The Sync Strike won't damage it if you connect it correctly, but why not just wire up a SCART to JP21 adaptor instead of jumping through hoops to connect the Sync Strike?

ah okay thanks

but how would I do that?

thanks

Jack

[jaxmazon]

sorry for double posting but is this what I would need?

http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/euro ... -converter