gscartsw / gscartsw_lite / gcompsw switches support thread

[SavagePencil]

My CRT does have a set of component inputs though, so my original gameplan was to get HD Retrovision component cables and adapters, buy another gcompsw, and hook them all up that way. Hpwever, a couple of nights ago I had an idea. Why not go the SCART route with cables, buy a gscart lite, and see about acquiring an RGB SCART to component adapter to output from the gscart to the TV?

With that being said, is there actually a premium quality SCART to component adapter out there that would work well with the gscart lite? I'd certainly hae to buy high quality SCART cabless, a high quality switch, and then mess up the picture because of a crappy adapter.

I can confirm that the ShinyBow box is great for doing SCART to Component, but I have to stress this: make sure your TV will accept 240p over component before you take the plunge. My ~2006 LG does not accept 240p over component (in fact, in order to run some Virtual Console games, I had to do the controller trick to force it to 480).

[mj23kb08]

I can confirm that the ShinyBow box is great for doing SCART to Component, but I have to stress this: make sure your TV will accept 240p over component before you take the plunge. My ~2006 LG does not accept 240p over component (in fact, in order to run some Virtual Console games, I had to do the controller trick to force it to 480).

I'm assuming that I need to perform the same tests that HD Retrovision tells you to perform before purchasing their cables then? Also, is the TV you're talking about a CRT or an HD TV?

[Syntax]

Do the scart outputs have independent sync regeneration/cleaning?
I need to run csync via one output and composite video for sync via the other.

No, it's not independent, it affects both outputs.

Possable with a few switches and some trace cuts im sure though.
You may want to consider making them independent.

Many crt monitors cannot accept csync, and im sure quite a few of us have crt on one output and a lcd the other.

Then again who plays on 2 screens at once?

[superg]

Why not go the SCART route with cables, buy a gscart lite, and see about acquiring an RGB SCART to component adapter to output from the gscart to the TV?

Now that is a really good idea. I'd like to implement a slight alteration of this setup where I'm using a (probably selfmade) adapter that outputs (without conversion) SCART to Component + Composite. However I wonder if the gcompsw switches on csync and sync on luma? That would be perfect.

The switch supports all sync if fed to the right SCART pin (yes, even sync on green if green is fed to SCART composite pin).

Then again who plays on 2 screens at once?

A lot of owners are using 2nd output for screen capture, some use it for broadcast.

[Syntax]

But when the capture card or ossc wants csync for a clean image and your crt needs composite video for sync to properly activate the jungles sync switch or color spectrum then what is your solution???

Later LG crt sets see csync as luma and go into svideo mode.
Alot of Sony consumer sets get the colors wrong when using csync.


Ill probably add a switch to one of the outputs to choose between the regenerated sync or the original composite video feed.

[gordon-creAtive]

Now that is a really good idea. I'd like to implement a slight alteration of this setup where I'm using a (probably selfmade) adapter that outputs (without conversion) SCART to Component + Composite.

That sounds like a cool idea. I personally don't have the skills to make my own adapter though. Do you happen to already know of a high quality one that somebody makes? I'd really hate to invest money in a gscart lite and then kill the picture quality with a garbage adapter.

Well, I don't like to do _conversion_ from RGB/S-Video/Composite to Component, just pipe the signals from the gscart throught the gcomp. Since the gscomp switches both on composite as well as Y and since I have a BVM that should make the perfect setup without the need for sync signal conversion. So I'll probably just cut a high quality SCART cable and put cinch plugs on one end.

[superg]

But when the capture card or ossc wants csync for a clean image and your crt needs composite video for sync to properly activate the jungles sync switch or color spectrum then what is your solution???

Later LG crt sets see csync as luma and go into svideo mode.
Alot of Sony consumer sets get the colors wrong when using csync.


Ill probably add a switch to one of the outputs to choose between the regenerated sync or the original composite video feed.

So LG and Sony CRT sets require composite video when in RGBS mode? That sounds like a problem then. According to the SCART specs, pin 16 sets RGB mode and gscartsw is doing exactly that. Did you try gscartsw on these sets with clean sync / sync regeneration on?

[nmalinoski]

Neither of these has composite-out, but I believe the Retrotek SCBV1P3 has probably the best reputation, followed by Shinybow's offering.

I just read some really good reviews about the Shinybow SB-2840, which is the second one you mentioned. I haven't seen much about the first one you mentioned, the Retrotek SCBV1P3, other than one very short reviews somewhere here on the shmups forums. Since you say it has such a great reputation, even more so than the Shinybow product, can you direct me to a place that has quite a few reviews of it?

I don't think I can. Fusion916's Retrotek business doesn't seem to have the presence that Shinybow has, so I imagine that factors into the lack of widespread reviews. He's a member on these forums, and he's made product announcements here, so it makes sense that the majority of opinions would be here. Outside of the Shmups forums and the eBay product page: Reddit; Bahn Yuki on YouTube.

As for suggesting that the Retrotek has a significantly better reputation than the Shinybow, my apologies; that was a memory bias on my part.

On second look, they seem to be about equal in terms of quality, though the Shinybow supposedly supports 480p, where the Retrotek does not (according to RetroRGB). This may not be a big deal; SCART cables can carry 480p, and the OSSC will accept it, but native SCART devices normally don't support it, so the SCBV1P3 may be perfectly fine for your setup. I've also seen one or two posts that suggest the colors can be off on the Retrotek, but I haven't seen any substantive evidence.

[Syntax]

But when the capture card or ossc wants csync for a clean image and your crt needs composite video for sync to properly activate the jungles sync switch or color spectrum then what is your solution???

Later LG crt sets see csync as luma and go into svideo mode.
Alot of Sony consumer sets get the colors wrong when using csync.


Ill probably add a switch to one of the outputs to choose between the regenerated sync or the original composite video feed.

So LG and Sony CRT sets require composite video when in RGBS mode? That sounds like a problem then. According to the SCART specs, pin 16 sets RGB mode and gscartsw is doing exactly that. Did you try gscartsw on these sets with clean sync / sync regeneration on?

My switch has not arrived yet but i can confirm that pure csync 75ohm from a NESRGB, N64RGB, SNES RGB bypass csync buffered will make a later model LG think its running svideo.
This results in a black and white image.

The internal switch in the jungle decides what to do based on signal shape and csync was never part of the plan it seems.

You can find more info about the Sony's on this forum.
Im sure one of the afflicted has a switch to test.

[SavagePencil]

I'm assuming that I need to perform the same tests that HD Retrovision tells you to perform before purchasing their cables then? Also, is the TV you're talking about a CRT or an HD TV?

Yes, their method for testing appears accurate.

The LG in question is an LCD HD TV.

[mj23kb08]

The LG in question is an LCD HD TV.

Okay, I was just curious. My Samsung that I plan on using is a SD CRT, so I imagine it should accept 240P over component. I'll definitely do the test that HD Retrovision encourages customers to do prior to buying their products.

HD Retrovision also typically encourages customers to do the test on every system they are buying a cable or adapter for. If I'm just buying a bunch of SCART cables, a gscart lite, and aSCART to component converter..is it really necessary to check all of them? Or should it be sufficient to just test one of them to verify that the TV accepts 240P over component in general?

[SavagePencil]

Okay, I was just curious. My Samsung that I plan on using is a SD CRT, so I imagine it should accept 240P over component. I'll definitely do the test that HD Retrovision encourages customers to do prior to buying their products.

HD Retrovision also typically encourages customers to do the test on every system they are buying a cable or adapter for. If I'm just buying a bunch of SCART cables, a gscart lite, and aSCART to component converter..is it really necessary to check all of them? Or should it be sufficient to just test one of them to verify that the TV accepts 240P over component in general?

Every combo of hardware behaves differently, even with the sync correction on the lite switch. I have capture cards that work with X and not with Y. I would test everything.

[chromium]

Got my gcompsw yesterday, cheers!

Best way to connect a gcompsw to a gscartsw_lite so I can autoswitch between component and scart consoles with the gscartsw_lite connected to both my PVM2950 and my OSSC?

I think I saw something about using a Garo (which I have), but seem to remember there being issues.

[Basscross64]

Hi

I'm looking for a bit of information. I have my 20L5 in the shop right now so I can't test my GSCART, so does anyone know if the image shift from the sync stripper presents any noticeable issues on a CRT and what happens when a csync signal is run through it? Am I better to install a separate LM1881 stripper in the cable in question or will I be good to go running everything through the built-in stripper?

Thank you.

[Thamiel]

Hi

I'm looking for a bit of information. I have my 20L5 in the shop right now so I can't test my GSCART, so does anyone know if the image shift from the sync stripper presents any noticeable issues on a CRT and what happens when a csync signal is run through it? Am I better to install a separate LM1881 stripper in the cable in question or will I be good to go running everything through the built-in stripper?

Thank you.

Do you need to bother with a sync stripper? The 20l5 isn't picky with sync.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Basscross64]

Do you need to bother with a sync stripper? The 20l5 isn't picky with sync.

I forgot to mention that I have a chance to purchase a BVM D24E1WU but only with the stock inputs. If I do buy it I'll be running my GSCART through my Extron to have everything hooked up at once but the Extron requires csync.

[Thamiel]

Do you need to bother with a sync stripper? The 20l5 isn't picky with sync.

I forgot to mention that I have a chance to purchase a BVM D24E1WU but only with the stock inputs. If I do buy it I'll be running my GSCART through my Extron to have everything hooked up at once but the Extron requires csync.

Ah that makes sense. I'd just use the strtipper in the gscartsw. It's already there, so why not?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Basscross64]

Do you need to bother with a sync stripper? The 20l5 isn't picky with sync.

I forgot to mention that I have a chance to purchase a BVM D24E1WU but only with the stock inputs. If I do buy it I'll be running my GSCART through my Extron to have everything hooked up at once but the Extron requires csync.

Ah that makes sense. I'd just use the strtipper in the gscartsw. It's already there, so why not?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

What I would like to know is if running a console with csync through the GSCART while the sync stripper is active, will it act as a passthrough or will unnecessary processing occur?

[Thamiel]

Theres a little image shift with the built in stripper. Ive run csync consoles through the gscart with the sync stripper active and there were no ill effects. Pretty much just have it on and forget about it.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Turom]

Received my gscartsw_lite and it's working flawlessly, thank you superg!

It's a pleasant surprise that the switch even fixed an issue I was having with previous hardware that when switching on a source the Trinitron was displaying 16:9 mode by default and I had to force it back to 4:3 every time, now it starts correctly in 4:3 mode and much faster than before, that's awesome!

Cheers!

[Basscross64]

Theres a little image shift with the built in stripper. Ive run csync consoles through the gscart with the sync stripper active and there were no ill effects. Pretty much just have it on and forget about it.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

That's what I was wanting to know. Thank you for your help.

[bruceg]

I purchased a gcompsw to handle my ps2, gamecube, xbox, and wii. Looks like I may need another input for psp and even more if I go the hd retrovision route for some of my other systems. Is there any possibility of an updated gcompsw in the near future with at least 6 inputs instead of 4?

[superg]

Received my gscartsw_lite and it's working flawlessly, thank you superg!

It's a pleasant surprise that the switch even fixed an issue I was having with previous hardware that when switching on a source the Trinitron was displaying 16:9 mode by default and I had to force it back to 4:3 every time, now it starts correctly in 4:3 mode and much faster than before, that's awesome!

Cheers!

Yeah, I force 4:3 no matter what. That fixes WII aspect because they always force 16:9. And currently I don't know any situation where the one would want distorted 16:9 from older stuff.

Update:
gscartsw_lite new batch PCB's were manufactured a week ago, yesterday my manufacturer confirmed that they have received the SCART connectors and they are starting the assembly. I should get new units in the end of January (if all goes well).

[nmalinoski]

Got my gcompsw yesterday, cheers!

Best way to connect a gcompsw to a gscartsw_lite so I can autoswitch between component and scart consoles with the gscartsw_lite connected to both my PVM2950 and my OSSC?

I think I saw something about using a Garo (which I have), but seem to remember there being issues.

Since you already have the Garo, I would recommend hooking it back up and seeing if it achieves what you want.

Failing that, I believe the PVM-2950 supports YPbPr; so, you could instead use something like the Shinybow SB-2840 to convert output of your gscartsw_lite to YPbPr and connect that to your gcompsw. Unfortunately, since the gcompsw doesn't have a secondary output, you'd need yet another device--either a 1x2 component AV distribution amp, or something like an Extron Crosspoint--to split the video between your PVM and OSSC.

[chromium]

Got my gcompsw yesterday, cheers!

Best way to connect a gcompsw to a gscartsw_lite so I can autoswitch between component and scart consoles with the gscartsw_lite connected to both my PVM2950 and my OSSC?

I think I saw something about using a Garo (which I have), but seem to remember there being issues.

Since you already have the Garo, I would recommend hooking it back up and seeing if it achieves what you want.

Failing that, I believe the PVM-2950 supports YPbPr; so, you could instead use something like the Shinybow SB-2840 to convert output of your gscartsw_lite to YPbPr and connect that to your gcompsw. Unfortunately, since the gcompsw doesn't have a secondary output, you'd need yet another device--either a 1x2 component AV distribution amp, or something like an Extron Crosspoint--to split the video between your PVM and OSSC.

Thanks, I will give the Garo a go. Do you know what the issues were? Would a simple scart to YPbPr adapter or cable not work? I guess I just need to start trying stuff. Shame the gcompsw doesn't have a scart output built in

I don't want to start messing around with too many devices

[nmalinoski]

Thanks, I will give the Garo a go. Do you know what the issues were? Would a simple scart to YPbPr adapter or cable not work? I guess I just need to start trying stuff. Shame the gcompsw doesn't have a scart output built in

I don't want to start messing around with too many devices

I'm not very familiar with the issue, but I believe the the Garo can mangle the sync signal. There are instructions for a sync bypass mod to fix the Garo's sync problem, but there isn't a prefab bypass kit [Yet?].

SCART-out on the gcompsw would necessitate YPbPr-to-RGBS conversion, since simply putting YPbPr on the SCART leads wouldn't really work with anything except the OSSC, and simply adding sync on the sync line would probably make the connected display assume RGBS (and it wouldn't look good). I think that kind of functionality would be better applied with a separate, discrete device. (I'm still hoping for dual outputs and TOSLINK support on the gcompsw.)


I totally get the too-many-devices problem. Right now, aside from my consoles, home theater receiver, and two TVs, I've got a 12-outlet rackmount surge protector (Just for my retro stuff; modern stuff and TV are on a different surge protector); a rackmount RGB decoder for converting composite and S-Video to component (Can also do RGBS); a component switch with TOSLINK support; and an OSSC.

I have an Extron Crosspoint on the way that I intend to use to as a distribution amp to send composite, S-Video, component, and RGBS between the various inputs on the CRT and the OSSC/RGB decoder... and I'm going to want the mini Hydra SCART switch, so I don't have to swap SCART connectors for my Dreamcast and PS1 (And my NES when I get that RGB-modded)... and I'll need to pick up a Shinybow SB-2840 to convert RGBS for the CRT... and I'll probably need to make room for a small rack for the rackmount stuff... and I'll probably need another rackmount surge protector to power the extra devices...

[DirkSwizzler]

Sync regen on the gscartsw_lite successfully fixes Garo sync issues for me.

And I totally get the too many devices sentiment. I have a dedicated shelf just for the equipment necessary to transcode & switch to the signals coming from the active console.

My longest signal path so far is RF Console -> RF Demodulator (Outputs Composite) -> Composite/SVideo to YPbPr transcoder -> gcompsw -> Garo (Outputs RGBS) -> gscartsw_lite (Fix sync) -> gscartsw 3.4 -> OSSC

And I'm working on integrating another gcompsw that auto-selects the input to the Composite/SVideo to YPbPr transcoder. Just waiting on some svideo to Y/C rca breakout cables to show up.

Ridiculous (and fun sometimes).

[chromium]

Sync regen on the gscartsw_lite successfully fixes Garo sync issues for me.

That's good to know.

Unfortunately having that on caused issues for me with my Saturn and OSSC. I'd get intermittent shaky picture and odd loss of picture. Turned off sync regeneration and it was fine.

[zak]

Does anyone have a PC-Engine, gscart and OSSC combo?

I'm having sync issues with the OSSC.

I needed clean sync (LM1881 + 470ohm resistor) to made the PCE work with the gscart, but the OSSC is all over the place with sync now.

I get mixed results with the sync regen (enabled) on the gscart - wobbly picture on the OSSC and jumping picture on the BVM.

Sync regen "off" on the gscart gives me an amazing and stable picture on my BVM. Not sure why the OSSC has sync issues.

Any help appreciated

[mickcris]

Does anyone have a PC-Engine, gscart and OSSC combo?

I'm having sync issues with the OSSC.

I needed clean sync (LM1881 + 470ohm resistor) to made the PCE work with the gscart, but the OSSC is all over the place with sync now.

I get mixed results with the sync regen (enabled) on the gscart - wobbly picture on the OSSC and jumping picture on the BVM.

Sync regen "off" on the gscart gives me an amazing and stable picture on my BVM. Not sure why the OSSC has sync issues.

Any help appreciated

I have tried several systems with composite video used as sync and they work fine on the gscartsw_lite. i would remove the sync stripper and try it again as it should not be needed.