Questions that do not deserve a thread

[andykara2003]

Hi, I'm looking into buying an NEC XM29/2950/2960 etc. monitor. Can anyone tell me if these monitors are on the same level as a BVM-20E1E in terms of picture quality? I know the NECs do a wider range of resolutions but I mean just in raw image quality at 240p and 480i - and also the quality of the monitor in general?

Cheers..

[Fudoh]

No, they're on par with the PVM/PGM-2950(Q) though.

[andykara2003]

Thanks Fudoh, I'll keep an ear out for one. I'm looking for a larger 480p monitor for Gamecube/PS2 era consoles but the PGM & NEC monitors are very hard to find!

I'm just working out what to use for the Gamecube/ps2 era of consoles. TBH 480i looks absolutely amazing on the BVM. I'm tempted to try for one of these large NEC/PGMs for the bigger screen size but I might end up sticking with the BVM at very close range as these monitors are hard to get hold of & the BVM is so good anyway. I'd be interested to hear your opinion on this...

[Fudoh]

For me it's strictly LCD or Plasma for 480p.

[andykara2003]

Without a scaler?

[Fudoh]

Either with or without. This eventually depends on the display and the sources. On Sony LCDs some systems play very nicely without an additional scaler (XBox or PS2 or DC), others are ok (Cube) and only few really need processing (Wii).

480p is good enough to drive really big screens, so I really don't want to keep 480p to 20 or even 29".

[andykara2003]

Thanks Fudoh. Would I be right is saying that my Panasonic TX-P46G10B plasma isn't too bad without scalers for 480p? I am wanting to use a Wii for Mario Galaxy etc. though. Can I ask what processor you'd use for the Wii on a plasma?

[Fudoh]

Would I be right is saying that my Panasonic TX-P46G10B plasma isn't too bad without scalers for 480p?

For a PS2 it's less sharp than a Sony LCD, but for a Wii it looks better than a Sony.

I am wanting to use a Wii for Mario Galaxy etc. though. Can I ask what processor you'd use for the Wii on a plasma?

a DVDO with adjustable Edge and Detail Enhancement settings (=VP50Pro).

[andykara2003]

Thank you so much Fudoh, very grateful for your input - it's amazing to be able to get this kind of help & information!

[poponon]

No, the 15khz was intended for your "so far I'm leaning towards using a pre-2003 consumer CRT" and I assumed you meant a television or video monitor by that, not a PC monitor. PC monitors are usually only compatible with 31khz and higher signals.

From my understanding the pre-2003 consumer CRTs will usually only have component or s-video at best, while the graphics cards do VGA. Would a processor that converts the VGA to component still retain good quality? The lenkeng lkv7600 is the processor i'm looking at. I'm just not quite ready to blow a couple hundred on an arcade monitor .

[Fudoh]

The LKV7600 does not convert VGA to component. It's the other way around.

If you want to connect your PC's VGA output to a consumer CRT you need either a Soft15khz compatible video card (as discussed) or you need a scan converter. Your options are listed here: http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/

[BazookaBen]

Most graphics cards from the 2000's have component/s-video output.

I wonder if anyone's tried forcing 240p with a component connection on a graphics card. Or for that matter s-video. Component seems like it would be more likely since they already support multiple resolutions in the drivers.

[poponon]

The LKV7600 does not convert VGA to component. It's the other way around.

If you want to connect your PC's VGA output to a consumer CRT you need either a Soft15khz compatible video card (as discussed) or you need a scan converter. Your options are listed here: http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/

ah thank you . Should have read your site more thoroughly in the first place.

[andykara2003]

Hi there, I just bought an NEC XV2940 monitor for the Gamecube/PS2/Wii era of consoles. It has VGA for the input and so I need to convert the component from the consoles to VGA. I was just wondering what the best way to do this, image quality-wise?

[Xan]

Is it normal that there is a fair amount of noise from the headphone out of a GBA SP? It also seems to differ depending on cart type, GB carts seem noisier...

[BazookaBen]

Is it normal that there is a fair amount of noise from the headphone out of a GBA SP? It also seems to differ depending on cart type, GB carts seem noisier...

I've noticed this on all my Gameboys, especially the SP. I've noticed it's worse on certain headphones than others. It's very quiet with my Grado SR-80's, but very noticeable on my cheap Sennheiser mx-55 earbuds.

A low battery also makes it worse on Gameboys that use AA's

[Zapf]

Is there a region free bios for the kaneko super nova? I know arcademodbios sells one as part of a set, but I wanted to modify an existing korean supernova.

[Xan]

Is it normal that there is a fair amount of noise from the headphone out of a GBA SP? It also seems to differ depending on cart type, GB carts seem noisier...

I've noticed this on all my Gameboys, especially the SP. I've noticed it's worse on certain headphones than others. It's very quiet with my Grado SR-80's, but very noticeable on my cheap Sennheiser mx-55 earbuds.

A low battery also makes it worse on Gameboys that use AA's

That's very interesting, I'm on cheap Sony earbuds here. I've tested this again and on GB carts it's a quite loud continuous noise, while GBA carts only seem to make a strange short buzzing sound after the initial boot screen, with all the noise in-game coming from 8-bit samples...

[mamboFoxtrot]

So I was looking for a second Sega Saturn controller and noticed that these Virtua Sticks are the cheapest available. Are they really shitty or something? The reviews seem mostly positive, but I thought I'd get some opinions from here as well. I have exactly zero experience with arcade sticks.

[andykara2003]

Hi, I wondered if anyone knows if there are any other 29" models of NEC monitors in the range that comprises the XM29/Plus, XP29/Plus and XV29/Plus?

Also are the Japanese Gamecube component cables the same as the US ones? I think they are but just wanted to make sure...

Cheers :)

[ryu]

Also are the Japanese Gamecube component cables the same as the US ones? I think they are but just wanted to make sure...

The japanese got D-terminal cables. I think you can mod them into component cables

[Fudoh]

In Japan both classic Component and D-Terminal cables were available for the Cube. The signal is the same. When going for a VGA mod (or a switchable component/RGBHV cable), the D-Terminal cables allow you to keep the existing cable in place, since there are enough wires running through it. When modding a component cable you usually have to replace the cable itself with something with more wires.

[nosorrow]

What is a fair market price for a complete (English) Ys Book I & II on the Turbo?

I see a buy it now north of $100 right now on ebay, that can't be right... Wasn't this the flagship title of the Turbo CD at the time? I have a hard time believing it could have become that scarce.

[andykara2003]

Thanks Fudoh, that sheds some light on this, much appreciated

[bobrocks95]

What is a fair market price for a complete (English) Ys Book I & II on the Turbo?

I see a buy it now north of $100 right now on ebay, that can't be right... Wasn't this the flagship title of the Turbo CD at the time? I have a hard time believing it could have become that scarce.

Well, Melee was the best-selling GameCube game period and it goes for $50-60 nowadays.

[nosorrow]

Fair point

[BazookaBen]

Fudoh, I think I remember you describing a device that can take 480i signals and offset the vertical position every other frame to make it look like a 240p signal. You remember what that was by any chance? Something like that could really help with stuff like Mega Man 9 that render at 240p internally but only display at 480i.

[Fudoh]

Any of the Extron RGB interfaces will do this. You need an input source with clean sync though.

[BazookaBen]

Oh, so I would have to convert the YPbPr to RGBS first?

[Fudoh]

yes, or in case of a Wii - you should be able to flash the hardware, so RGBs out is supported natively.