XRGB-mini Framemeister

[Vault94]

The yellow RCA connector on the NES is composite video, not RGB. Without a RGB-mod your NES can't output RGB. The Scart input on the Mini (through the adapter) does only take RGB and only with JP21 pinout, not european Scart.

To get a picture connect the yellow output from the NES to the yellow input on the Mini. Won't look nice though.

Do you have a XRGB mini and do you use it with a NES? If so what output are you using?

[Fudoh]

Nobody uses composite with the Mini.

But, hey, since you already have the hardware on hand, give it at least a try. composite cables cost nothing or you might have them at home already. Getting a NES RGB-modded isn't this expensive either. Tim's new RGB boards are around $90 and having it installed likely less than that.

You cannot use a sync stripper, or Scart connectors in general for composite video signals. There's no alternative to composite on an unmodded NES.

[Vault94]

Nobody uses composite with the Mini.

But, hey, since you already have the hardware on hand, give it at least a try. composite cables cost nothing or you might have them at home already. Getting a NES RGB-modded isn't this expensive either. Tim's new RGB boards are around $90 and having it installed likely less than that.

You cannot use a sync stripper, or Scart connectors in general for composite video signals. There's no alternative to composite on an unmodded NES.

What have I got myself into. Is RGB and composite the only way I can get the NES to work with the mini?

I've been looking at this page http://retrorgb.com/nesrgb.html And it seems the best way is with the NESRGB chip. For £50 it's quite a good price. Have you any idea were I can find someone to do the job? I can't really solder and don't want to make a mess of the kit. Hopefully someone who isn't trying to make a quick buck too, haha.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

[Fudoh]

might help to know where you actually live ?

How did you get the idea of buying a Framemeister when you have no idea whatsoever about RGB or video game tech in general ?

[Vault94]

might help to know where you actually live ?

How did you get the idea of buying a Framemeister when you have no idea whatsoever about RGB or video game tech in general ?

I live in the UK and I'm using a PAL NES. I'm New to old video games which I why I'm so clueless about this.

[Fudoh]

nothing weird about being new to the hobby, but it's unusual to jump right away for such an expensive processor. Just wondering if you're not MUCH BETTER OFF with something like the Retron 5 ?

Somebody should be able to recommend you a modder in the UK. If you don't find one, you can get in touch with Moosmann over here in the bavarian outskirts.

[Vault94]

nothing weird about being new to the hobby, but it's unusual to jump right away for such an expensive processor. Just wondering if you're not MUCH BETTER OFF with something like the Retron 5 ?

Somebody should be able to recommend you a modder in the UK. If you don't find one, you can get in touch with Moosmann over here in the bavarian outskirts.

The Retron 5? You have to be kidding me, why have I never heard of this? Damn it.

I've no idea what to do now haha, RGB nes vs emulator quality picture for $130? Which plays 9 types of games?

Thanks for your help.

[Fudoh]

Get the NES hooked up with composite right now. Wait for the Retron 5 to be released. Sell the Framemeister and the NES. Get the Retron 5. If they don't screw it up on purpose, the Retron should deliver nice quality - including the possiblity to add scanlines.

[IrishNinja]

okay, same issue: when testing out PS2 games in 480p/picture mode, scanlines give a weird effect on the white areas of the rest of the screen, especially during stuff like Gitaroo Man. are there any recommendations for specific scanline settings to alleviate this, or should i just experiment?

[GohanX]

A few weeks ago I was asking about using an Atomiswave with the Mini. I just finished consolizing my system, and I can confirm that it does indeed work in both low res and high res mode.

Instead of using a VGA to scart cable like I had originally asked about, I just put a mini din jack on the back with the same pinout as the mini, with the other ends wired to the solder pads of the VGA port and audio. Fist of the North Star looks bananas on my plasma.

[Teddy KGB]

Instead of using a VGA to scart cable like I had originally asked about, I just put a mini din jack on the back with the same pinout as the mini, with the other ends wired to the solder pads of the VGA port and audio. Fist of the North Star looks bananas on my plasma.

Hmmm you have my wheels turning now. That sounds good. What are you using for controllers?

[Fudoh]

okay, same issue: when testing out PS2 games in 480p/picture mode,

for 480p source the Mini switches the B set of scanlines. You have to make sure that either the odd or even ones are completely turned down and only the other ones remain. Depending on the source, either odd or even ones looks better...

[GohanX]

Hmmm you have my wheels turning now. That sounds good. What are you using for controllers?

I wired some Neo compatible DB15 controller ports, and built this controller specifically for the Atomiswave:



That stick is wired

ABCD
DEXX

So it has a Neo standard and Atomiswave 3 button layout for the top row, and a fighter layout as well for the 5 button fighters. Regular Neo controllers work as well, but Select is button 5, which is inconvenient in some games.

[Konsolkongen]

A few weeks ago I was asking about using an Atomiswave with the Mini. I just finished consolizing my system, and I can confirm that it does indeed work in both low res and high res mode.

Instead of using a VGA to scart cable like I had originally asked about, I just put a mini din jack on the back with the same pinout as the mini, with the other ends wired to the solder pads of the VGA port and audio. Fist of the North Star looks bananas on my plasma.

So does the Atomiswave support 480p in high-res mode? I think someone said it didn't do that.

[GohanX]

Yes, the Mini reads the Atomiswave as 480p in high res mode and 480i in low res mode.

[Konsolkongen]

That's what I thought. Good to know

[EmperorZelos]

does anyone know a good way to hook a dreamcast VGA up to the framemeister?

[IrishNinja]

okay, same issue: when testing out PS2 games in 480p/picture mode,

for 480p source the Mini switches the B set of scanlines. You have to make sure that either the odd or even ones are completely turned down and only the other ones remain. Depending on the source, either odd or even ones looks better...

ah, but i have PS2 over RGB rather than component (i liked the image quality better), and i don't believe the game was one of the 480p ones anyway...would this still happen?

i guess that's what im asking here, i saw some scanline options but do they just toggle between odd & even or what specifically should i mess with?

[jaxmazon]

Hi guys I have recently got a rgb modded pc engine and I had sync issues on my xrgb mini so I got a sync strike from arcade fordge and a via to start cable from eBay. I get no picture (blue screen) and a horrible noise does anyone know a fix?


Thanks

[Fudoh]

@IrishNinja: ok. RGB is limited to 15khz (in your config). I thought of 480p because you mentioned 480p in your initial post. Can you take a snapshot of what you're seeing ? The scanlines for 480i content are a little bit off, but it totally depends on your display if this causes any problems or not. Usually it shouldn't even be visible.

@jaxmazon: you certainly don't need a Sync Strike for a PCE. There never was a processor better compatible to all the various PCE models than the Mini starting with FW 1.07. Do you get dropouts ? Make sure you're actually using clean sync from the PCE and not composite video. This can help. If not then the RGB booster you have built into your PCE is just not Mini-compatible. Might be an impedance issue... Blue screen on the Mini through the SS is caused by either insufficient power supply for the SS or a grounding issue.

[jaxmazon]

@jaxmazon: you certainly don't need a Sync Strike for a PCE. There never was a processor better compatible to all the various PCE models than the Mini starting with FW 1.07. Do you get dropouts ? Make sure you're actually using clean sync from the PCE and not composite video. This can help. If not then the RGB booster you have built into your PCE is just not Mini-compatible. Might be an impedance issue... Blue screen on the Mini through the SS is caused by either insufficient power supply for the SS or a grounding issue.

I see well I got the latest firmware so I'm sure it's not the mini I will need to have a chat with the guy who modded. It to see what kind of rgb mod he did. Tbh he did a great job I think he used composite sync not clean. Also would you have any idea about what to use to power a US snes Jr? I bought a maplins ac/dc adaptor and I can't get anything to fit

Thanks

[IrishNinja]

@Fudoh - good idea man, ill post a screenshot soon! it's weird lines highly visible on white screens only, hopefully this will identify it.

[darcagn]

@jaxmazon: you certainly don't need a Sync Strike for a PCE. There never was a processor better compatible to all the various PCE models than the Mini starting with FW 1.07. Do you get dropouts ? Make sure you're actually using clean sync from the PCE and not composite video. This can help. If not then the RGB booster you have built into your PCE is just not Mini-compatible. Might be an impedance issue... Blue screen on the Mini through the SS is caused by either insufficient power supply for the SS or a grounding issue.

I see well I got the latest firmware so I'm sure it's not the mini I will need to have a chat with the guy who modded. It to see what kind of rgb mod he did. Tbh he did a great job I think he used composite sync not clean. Also would you have any idea about what to use to power a US snes Jr? I bought a maplins ac/dc adaptor and I can't get anything to fit

Thanks

Composite sync is "clean sync"--that is, just the horizontal and vertical sync signals combined (combined is what "composite" means). Composite video, on the other hand, is the combination of luminance + color + horizontal sync + vertical sync. Sync stripper/cleaner circuits like the Sync Strike remove the luminance and color signals from a composite video signal, leaving just the horizontal sync + vertical sync. However, most devices, like the XRGB-mini, can use the composite video signal as if it were a composite sync signal. At least, most of the time.

[Elrinth]

nothing weird about being new to the hobby, but it's unusual to jump right away for such an expensive processor. Just wondering if you're not MUCH BETTER OFF with something like the Retron 5 ?

Somebody should be able to recommend you a modder in the UK. If you don't find one, you can get in touch with Moosmann over here in the bavarian outskirts.

The Retron 5? You have to be kidding me, why have I never heard of this? Damn it.

I've no idea what to do now haha, RGB nes vs emulator quality picture for $130? Which plays 9 types of games?

Thanks for your help.

The ultimate authentic Nintendo 8 bit device would be however the Sharp Twin Famicom rgbmodded connected to a xrgb mini framemeister. The Sharp Twin Famicom can play: Japanese games, American games, European games AND the Famicom Disk System games. There's not many superb disk games, but there's a bunch of really REALLY bad ones if you wanna play those

If you don't care about the Disk Games then it might actually be a smart idea to go for the Retron 5, but one needs to understand that Retron 5 is basically just a computer emulating the systems and reading everything thru special Input ports similar to the original ports.

[BuckoA51]

I think the only way I can hook up the NES to the X rgb mini is through composite

The only way you can hook up a stock NES to anything is through composite Putting one of those composite to SCART adaptors on something doesn't magically improve the picture. The mini will still give you a better picture with your NES than sticking it directly into your TV.

Fudoh you seem to have a lot of faith in this Retron5, hope it's not misplaced... (remembers the excitement around Neo Geo X for instance).

I'm still hoping to offer NES RGB mods in the near future too but depends on how my technician gets on with the initial one.

but one needs to understand that Retron 5 is basically just a computer emulating the systems and reading everything thru special Input ports similar to the original ports.

You could also look at PC emulators, some give a very high level of accuracy and combined with tech like pixel shaders an amazing, authentic looking picture too.

[EmperorZelos]

does anyone know a good way to hook a dreamcast VGA up to the framemeister?

[Fudoh]

you need either a passive sync combiner (custom made) or use an Extron RGB interface (from $30) to convert RGBHV to RGBS.

[BuckoA51]

does anyone know a good way to hook a dreamcast VGA up to the framemeister?

ffs

[AkibaDecker]

does anyone know a good way to hook a dreamcast VGA up to the framemeister?

beharius is going to take pre orders soon on the "Kenzei", which will be exactly what you want/need.

[jaxmazon]

@jaxmazon: you certainly don't need a Sync Strike for a PCE. There never was a processor better compatible to all the various PCE models than the Mini starting with FW 1.07. Do you get dropouts ? Make sure you're actually using clean sync from the PCE and not composite video. This can help. If not then the RGB booster you have built into your PCE is just not Mini-compatible. Might be an impedance issue... Blue screen on the Mini through the SS is caused by either insufficient power supply for the SS or a grounding issue.

I see well I got the latest firmware so I'm sure it's not the mini I will need to have a chat with the guy who modded. It to see what kind of rgb mod he did. Tbh he did a great job I think he used composite sync not clean. Also would you have any idea about what to use to power a US snes Jr? I bought a maplins ac/dc adaptor and I can't get anything to fit

Thanks

Composite sync is "clean sync"--that is, just the horizontal and vertical sync signals combined (combined is what "composite" means). Composite video, on the other hand, is the combination of luminance + color + horizontal sync + vertical sync. Sync stripper/cleaner circuits like the Sync Strike remove the luminance and color signals from a composite video signal, leaving just the horizontal sync + vertical sync. However, most devices, like the XRGB-mini, can use the composite video signal as if it were a composite sync signal. At least, most of the time.

Thanks for explanation this stuff it hard to understand for me sometimes, I read online that people are having sync issues with the mini when using this pc engine setup (with the interface unit modded)




Its a pain I think its something that fixable not sure how though, but I am sending my console back to the guy that modded it. Hopefully I will get it sorted next month if it all goes well

Such a pain I got a new tv as well and the pc engine (when not having issues) looks really amazing.

This is my new TV if anyone is interested

samsung ue46f8000