HD Box Pro: cheap (and good) alternative to the XRGB-3

[Hamburglar]

Thanks, I just ordered the dual VGA one from JammaBoards.com. I would have never known that dual VGA thing without your help!

Was wondering though, it says it outputs at 1360*768, but my plasma's VGA input is 1366x760. Do you think this will cause an issues?

Finally, sorry to be off topic, but how do you think I should describe the syncstrike issue to the DVDO Tech? It's going to be ridiculous to say "picture is too dark when using sync strike for converting scart to RGBHV on old game consoles". Maybe a more technical way I can describe what's going on?

[Fudoh]

Was wondering though, it says it outputs at 1360*768, but my plasma's VGA input is 1366x760. Do you think this will cause an issues?

no, this should work fine.

But when used with the SLG3000 you have to set the output resolution to 640x480 anyway. On the other hand your Plasma is likely to screw up the scaling from 480p with scanlines to 768p, so you might be out of luck when it comes to scanlines on this setup.

The Edge again would solve this, so Sync Strike > CGA/VGA > SLG > Edge > TV would really be your best choice.

[Fudoh]

regarding your Edge: I wouldn't go so far to complain about this, since they'll replace the unit anyway (or at least change the mainboard). Didn't you already have problems getting 240p to run even without the sync strike (which should work fine as well) ? Then you could make a point and state just this...

[Hamburglar]

regarding your Edge: I wouldn't go so far to complain about this, since they'll replace the unit anyway (or at least change the mainboard). Didn't you already have problems getting 240p to run even without the sync strike (which should work fine as well) ? Then you could make a point and state just this...

Nope, never had a problem getting 240p to run. I was the idiot who didn't realize I didn't need a transcoder and just needed something converting scart to component.

As soon as I use the syncstrike or a similar device, however, the picture becomes unbearably dark.

[Fudoh]

I was the idiot who didn't realize I didn't need a transcoder and just needed something converting scart to component.

actually just a breakout (Scart to 4x RCA). Component would be transcoding again (to 3x RCA).

Why did buy the sync strike ?

[Hamburglar]

I was the idiot who didn't realize I didn't need a transcoder and just needed something converting scart to component.

actually just a breakout (Scart to 4x RCA). Component would be transcoding again (to 3x RCA).

Why did buy the sync strike ?

Yeah I'm sorry, when I say component I mean the RCA cables. We call it component in the states.

I bought the syncstrike because someone here had said you get better image quality separating the csync so it's hsync and vsync rather than just 1 sync.

[eadmaster]

do you know if the box Dx.com is selling actually has the newer firmware with 1920x1080 output resolution support?

[BuckoA51]

I bought the syncstrike because someone here had said you get better image quality separating the csync so it's hsync and vsync rather than just 1 sync.

Why is the DVDO Edge discussed everywhere but the Edge thread Anyway, I think you mean the trick where you feed 15khz into the RGBHV inputs rather than the RGBc, which some people can get working others not so much. I have a Sync Strike on order as I wanted to try it in a couple of situations, I'll look into this and see if it darkens the picture for me.

[gw_epyon]

Just registered to the forums as this is the only place with a good amount of feedback on the HD Box Pro. Decided to order one based on this topic. One question though...If I don't have a speaker system, is there a way to get sound from the wii I'll be plugging in directly from my pc? Is there a way to plug a 3.5 jack into my 5.1 card and connect it to the HD Box Pro? Thanks.

[eadmaster]

Just registered to the forums as this is the only place with a good amount of feedback on the HD Box Pro. Decided to order one based on this topic. One question though...If I don't have a speaker system, is there a way to get sound from the wii I'll be plugging in directly from my pc? Is there a way to plug a 3.5 jack into my 5.1 card and connect it to the HD Box Pro? Thanks.

you mean this cable
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5143
?

[gw_epyon]

Just registered to the forums as this is the only place with a good amount of feedback on the HD Box Pro. Decided to order one based on this topic. One question though...If I don't have a speaker system, is there a way to get sound from the wii I'll be plugging in directly from my pc? Is there a way to plug a 3.5 jack into my 5.1 card and connect it to the HD Box Pro? Thanks.

you mean this cable
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5143
?

I don't think that's quite it. That would allow me to plug the hd box pro into my pc, but where would the audio from my game device originate from? I think it might be as simple as a 3.5mm to 3.5mm from the in/output to my line in port, but I'm not entirely certain.

[eadmaster]

For that you'll have to enable the mic/line in echo in the Volume Control mixer window (you can try that with an MP3 player for istance).
However this way you'll hear the audio only when the PC is powered on.
You better connect the audio jack to the monitor directly.

[gw_epyon]

For that you'll have to enable the mic/line in echo in the Volume Control mixer window (you can try that with an MP3 player for istance).
However this way you'll hear the audio only when the PC is powered on.
You better connect the audio jack to the monitor directly.

Plugged an mp3 player into line-in and was able to set it to be the sound source. Works perfectly. Means I should be able to use a 3.5 to 3.5 cable and hear my wii through my headset. Thanks.

[StarCreator]

Be warned that in Windows Vista (and certain hardware/drivers regardless of OS version) and above it's possible for this method to introduce audio lag.

[Rock Man]

EDIT: The HD Box kicks major ass!!!

[Fudoh]

wrong thread. You can check your FW version in the last submenu (FW version). You don't have to update though. There were no important updates since the english FW has been introduced.

[Rock Man]

wrong thread. You can check your FW version in the last submenu (FW version). You don't have to update though. There were no important updates since the english FW has been introduced.

CRAP!!!! I could've sworn I was in the XRGB-3 thread. Nothing to see here folks moving right along...

And thanks for that.

[Endymion]

Does anyone here have any experience with the monoprice clone of this box? This one? I'm wondering if it's six of one, half dozen of the other, or if either has more desirable features, perhaps via firmware. I suppose it would help to answer this if someone had experience with both units, but then again I haven't found any review or testimonial on monoprice's box at all other than the product page.

[Fudoh]

The Monoprice box has the same features as the GBS8220. It's missing the motion sensitivity setting, so there's not true 240p recognition and support.

[Endymion]

What's the "motion level" setting that the reviewers mention then? Does anybody know if this box has a manual available online?

[Fudoh]

I don't have one on hand, sorry. I recommend the box to a friend in the US about a year ago. He bought both the HDBoxPro from HK and the Monoprice model and compared them. He told me that he wasn't able to set the Monoprice for proper 240p recognition, but they were otherwise identical.

There's always the possibility that the manufacturer of the Monoprice model has updated the FW since back then.

[Thamiel]

Just got the HD Box Pro and i'm quite enjoying it, by far the best "cheap" scaler i've tried. However i'm having an issue with black borders all around my picture, no matter what aspect ratio/resolution I select on both the HD Box or my TV I still get these black borders surrounding everything. I was under the impresion that if I set the box to 640x480 then the TV would handle the rest of the scaling and get me a full screen (4:3) picture.

Quite excited for the SLG 3000 to arrive as well, whatever minor gripes I have with the HD Box Pro will disappear I think once the image defect are maked with scanlines. Anyway, any help with the picture issue would be hugely appreciated.

[Fudoh]

The black borders you see are part of the source, so the HDBoxPro technically can't "see" them. The PS2 (for example) has heavy underscan. If you use a 240p or 480i source without underscan (e.g. XBox1), then the output will be fullscreen as well.

[Thamiel]

Thanks for the info man, it's not horrendously irritating I guess. I tried to fix it by jumping into my Vieras' service menu and pumping up the v-amp and h-amp to fill the screen but for some reason i'm unable to adjust those values.

[Fudoh]

You should be able to simply adjust the overscan in the standard TV menu.

[Thamiel]

Nah for some reason the overscan option simply dosn't appear when on the vga input.

Meanwhile I just tested the SNES via the transcoder into the new TV my housemate bought, 50" Panasonic Plasma. Almost full fullscreen, just a couple mm of black border top and bottom and a nicer picture than the HD Box Pro. Dosn't help me much with the LCD in my room though haha.

[Fudoh]

yeah, the Panasonic plasma sets in general have pretty good low res processing.

[Thamiel]

For sure, if there was a way to get some scanline emulation on there i'd be set.

[YONKE]

I have a Dreamcast with a VGA Box, if i connect my Dreamcast VGA box to the HD BOX PRO it will upscale? or is the VGA port on the HD Box Pro just a pass-trough?

[fagin]

pass thru