Questions that do not deserve a thread

[Richter_Belmont]

Hi all!

This is my first post on this interesting forum, although I am a sporadic reader for a while.

I have a picture problem when connecting certain machines to a Xrgb2plus. As I am new to the use of Xrgb I’m not sure what is due, but surely someone else here has had similar problems and can help me out.
I connected several machines to my Xrgb2plus, and some of them do not display correctly:

One is a Pal PS2 through rgb to Xrgb’s front scart (via adapter jap / eur).
Second is a MVS board connected to a supergun, and to the Xrgb2plus front scart too.
The third is a X68000, connected by vga to Xrgb2plus. The Xrgb2plus is connected to the TV through a vga-hdmi converter (it's a Panasonic Plasma TXP50 G30 without vga connectors).
All machines have the same problem: When turning them on, they show seemingly perfect image for a split second (correct colors, scanlines, complete picture ...) and immediately disappears, leaving no image and black screen.
If I switch to another input of Xrgb (ie s-video) and back again to correct, the image re-appears and disappears in less than a second.
I think the problem is relative to sync, but I don’t know how to fix it.
Other consoles connected in the same way (scart rgb) work perfectly: 60hz modded Pal Snes, Jap Neogeo, rgb-modded Pce Duo-R, Jap Saturn, Jap Dreamcast (all pass through a Joytech Scart switch to the Xrgb).

What would be the easiest way to correctly visualize all of them?

Thanks in advance

[Jelly]

Some quick questions about purchasing a japanese PS2 unit.

1. Which japanese PS2 model would be the one less likely to break?

2. Does it play all the PSX shmups without issues?

3. Will my PAL RGB SCART cable for PS2 work for it?

[dunpeal2064]

^

I would recommend the slim model (90000 I think) for the most reliable unit.

I recall most (if not all) ps2s having an issue playing the Toaplan collection, but I think that was the only shmup with an issue.

Not sure on the scart cable.

[beatsgo]

2. Does it play all the PSX shmups without issues?

I know Gradius Gaiden will experience some slow downs, especially on the Black Hole level. On a PS1, none.

[dunpeal2064]

Hmm, now that I think about it, didn't Zanac X Zanac also have some issues?

It might be best to have a ps1 on the side, since it is quite easy to get imports running. At least it may be useful to take care of the ones that won't work on the ps2.

Raiden Project definitely works, and doesn't need a code for TATE. R-Type Delta also worked just fine, but those are the only psx titles I personally tried.

[Jelly]

Thanks for the information about Zanac X Zanac and Gradius Gaiden, those were in fact the main games I was getting a jap PS2 for. I will have to consider getting both consoles.
Can anyone confirm if Zanac X Zanac runs badly on a jap PS2?

[Fudoh]

No, Zanac is fine on a PS2. Gradius Gaiden Level 7 and Toaplan Shooting Battle are the only ones with problems.

[Ghegs]

Zanac Neo does have issues when played with certain PS2 models. It introduces input lag for whatever reason, resulting in "floaty" controls. Doesn't happen with all models which makes tracking down the issue problematic. But that also means that you might get lucky.

[Fudoh]

ok, interesting. I have a light yellow "fat" one and a pink slim one and both play Zanac absolutely fine.

[shmuppyLove]

Zanac Neo does have issues when played with certain PS2 models. It introduces input lag for whatever reason, resulting in "floaty" controls. Doesn't happen with all models which makes tracking down the issue problematic. But that also means that you might get lucky.

Could it have something to do with the extra video processing that the PS2 can do with PSX titles?

[ZellSF]

I've read one unconfirmed report that later revisions slims don't have the Gradius Gaiden problem, not sure if it's true.

[Ghegs]

Zanac Neo does have issues when played with certain PS2 models. It introduces input lag for whatever reason, resulting in "floaty" controls. Doesn't happen with all models which makes tracking down the issue problematic. But that also means that you might get lucky.

Could it have something to do with the extra video processing that the PS2 can do with PSX titles?

Maybe, but it certainly doesn't affect all PS1 games played on a PS2. The ones I've found are Zanac Neo (not the original Zanacs, they work fine) and Night Raid, they both had input lag when I played them on my fat PS2.

[ZellSF]

Are original PlayStation controllers more responsive when playing PSX games on a PS2 than dualshock2?

feels like my dualshock2 is pretty demanding when it comes to how hard I have to press buttons to actually do anything.

[dunpeal2064]

Are original PlayStation controllers more responsive when playing PSX games on a PS2 than dualshock?

feels like my dualshock is pretty demanding when it comes to how hard I have to press buttons to actually do anything.

I had no problems when using a brand new ps2 controller, so it is most likely just worn down.

[ZellSF]

It's definitely not that, it's very responsive in PS2 games. And it's the least worn down of my four dualshock2 controllers.

[dunpeal2064]

Hmm, thats strange that you have to push your buttons harder when playing ps1 games, but that it works perfectly with ps2 games.

I've never had that problem, hopefully someone else can help you out!

[Jelly]

After researching the import options, the easiest and cheapest way to play japanese PSX SHMUPS seems to be a local chipped PSX unit.

Would it run all NTSC-J SHMUPS perfectly? (I'd use original games of course)
Or are there any advantages with a genuine japanese console?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I use an NTSC/U region SCPH-5501 series PSX console with a mod chip and haven't had any problems with using original JPN region PSX games on it. It plays the 650-700MB CD-R PSX boots just fine as well. By using a PSX Goldfinger cheat device with the handy backside Parallel I/O port, it "unlocks" even more goodies/content to mess around with.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[beatsgo]

There's another way to play imported ps1 games. You need a fat PS2 with the disc cover off, have a swap card and a random ps1 game you don't care to damage.

1) Turn on ps2, open the disc try ASAP
2) Go to browser and insert the random ps1 game
3) Wait until the ps1 disc icon appears
4) Open up the disc tray with the swap card and exchange the random ps1 game with the imported
5) Close up the disc try with the swap card and play your game!

This might fuck up the laser, but my ps2 hasn't died....yet

[dunpeal2064]

I have a question about my Raiden II PCB.

I see a battery on the board, but it does not save scores. Is this battery just to save settings, or is it dead, and replacing it might allow me to save scores?

I also have a 2nd question not deserving of its own thread.

is there a way to change the language in PGM games? I see that, for example, Knights of Valour supports many languages (read on Wiki), but I do not see a way to change the language in the test menu.

Thanks!

[blizzz]

Wii connected via component cable to SC-500N1 capture card. The image is way too bright. Would a small resistor (10Ω ?) on the luma line fix this problem or make it worse?


It's supposed to look like this, with lines on the whole background:

[antron]

I have a question about my Raiden II PCB.

I see a battery on the board, but it does not save scores. Is this battery just to save settings, or is it dead, and replacing it might allow me to save scores?

IIRC last time this came up it was stated that the battery does nothing. I tamy have been for an unused encryption system. But in any regard, it will not help you save high scores.

[dunpeal2064]

I have a question about my Raiden II PCB.

I see a battery on the board, but it does not save scores. Is this battery just to save settings, or is it dead, and replacing it might allow me to save scores?

IIRC last time this came up it was stated that the battery does nothing. I tamy have been for an unused encryption system. But in any regard, it will not help you save high scores.

Gotcha, thanks for the quick reply!

[ryu]

i've got a pair of crts with active geometry distortions. on these the geometry distorts depending on how much white is shown on screen.
anyone know what's causing this? maybe if it can be fixed?

it's not a very big deal, but it's gotten me curious.

[Jelly]

I'm missing a part of my screen when playing Batsugun on my European Sony Trinitron CRT (newer quite cheap model).
I'm playing it on a PAL region and 50/60Hz modded Saturn, over RGB SCART. The TV is in TATE positon, so are the Batsugun settings.

Where lies the issue? With the way Batsugun does TATE, the Saturn, the connection or the TV?

Here's the ship all the way in the down left corner in 60Hz:


Here's the ship in the same position, with my Saturn set to 50Hz:

[ryu]

the screen position of the picture can vary depending on the signal.

since it's a newer model it might have a service menu where you can change these settings to have it display correctly. this might help you.

[Fudoh]

yeah, that's just an over/underscan issue. With the 50Hz signal you should have visible borders on top and bottom, but those are actually missing as well. Just get into the SM and adjust and vertical picture height.

[Zapf]

I got a 2950q pvm the other day, but I need speakers for it. The manual says the speaker output is 8-16ohms, 7w + 7w - could I just grab some cheapos from goodwill and be good to go? 7w seems kinda low...

[ryu]

theoretically, yes. i've used 6 ohm 20 w speakers on pvms for a long time and didn't have any troubles. if you go any lower than that on the ohm range you'll get a lot of buzzing from your speakers, and it's generally not recommended.

the lower the ohm value of the speakers, the more electricity the amp will need to power them. you should always use matching speakers, because otherwise you risk bricking parts of the amp that can't handle the stronger electricity.

[Zapf]

I didnt really have a problem with the ohm part, just the wattage part. Most speakers I'm seein have a max input of 10-20 times the amount of watts that this pvm outputs. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?