PixelFX Morph

[NightSprinter]

Don't forget TI-99/4A, MSX, and X68000.

None of those should pose a problem for Morph (or RT4K of course). X68k famously outputs low, medium and high res of course. I tested some medium res stuff on the Morph before it came out. For RGBi like the C128 uses there's this adapter - https://www.protovision.games/shop/prod ... cts_id=369

I've not tried it though, perhaps foolishly I sold my C128D before I moved, it went to a good home (a collector I've known many years ) but still, I do regret it some days!

There are some demos on the ST and Amiga that use some timing tricks that often upset scalers, those would be interesting to try.

If I can scrounge up the money to buy one, I'd GLADLY test for ya! I have an A1200 with a Blizzard1230-IV accelerator.

[2mg]

So any news/reviews on Morph?

[bobrocks95]

So any news/reviews on Morph?

Best option around if you just want to use digital sources like your 7th gen thread implies. $275 for a 4K scaler with HDMI input isn't close to being beaten. Where you might lose some features (and keep in mind I do not own a Morph to compare) vs the Tink 4K is probably decimation, some more advanced scanline/mask options... Maybe rotation if you need that? Don't think you would though.

On my Tink 4K I am basically doing nothing in the settings with 720p+ HDMI sources, just a clean integer scale to 4K. If I were to turn on anything it might be an LCD grid to make it look like a 1080p set, but Morph will offer that as well. The Tink certainly has a wealth of features for analog inputs, but those don't apply for you. I think it's a good option to consider.

[2mg]

So any news/reviews on Morph?

Best option around if you just want to use digital sources like your 7th gen thread implies. $275 for a 4K scaler with HDMI input isn't close to being beaten. Where you might lose some features (and keep in mind I do not own a Morph to compare) vs the Tink 4K is probably decimation, some more advanced scanline/mask options... Maybe rotation if you need that? Don't think you would though.

On my Tink 4K I am basically doing nothing in the settings with 720p+ HDMI sources, just a clean integer scale to 4K. If I were to turn on anything it might be an LCD grid to make it look like a 1080p set, but Morph will offer that as well. The Tink certainly has a wealth of features for analog inputs, but those don't apply for you. I think it's a good option to consider.

So it's still HDMI only?

[bobrocks95]

So any news/reviews on Morph?

Best option around if you just want to use digital sources like your 7th gen thread implies. $275 for a 4K scaler with HDMI input isn't close to being beaten. Where you might lose some features (and keep in mind I do not own a Morph to compare) vs the Tink 4K is probably decimation, some more advanced scanline/mask options... Maybe rotation if you need that? Don't think you would though.

On my Tink 4K I am basically doing nothing in the settings with 720p+ HDMI sources, just a clean integer scale to 4K. If I were to turn on anything it might be an LCD grid to make it look like a 1080p set, but Morph will offer that as well. The Tink certainly has a wealth of features for analog inputs, but those don't apply for you. I think it's a good option to consider.

So it's still HDMI only?

The analog bridge is also available for an additional $100. Puts it closer to OSSC Pro and RetroTink 4K CE price range, so more to think about.

[kitty666cats]

gglabs is sketchy and they seem to have vanished off the face of the earth!


In addition to that Commodore 128 adapter, there’s several adapter boxes that do RGBI to 15kHz analog RGB , over a VGA connector - I’m gonna link a few

https://texelec.com/product/rgbtohdmi-ttl/
Here’s a really cool one with 15kHz HDMI out, reading the features you’ll notice it supports some particularly niche computers. (They also happen to sell a Raspberry Pi 24bit VGA GPIO hat that rules and is amazing with a Pi 5 and things like Dreamcast, DOSBOX, etc)

https://monotech.fwscart.com/product/et ... verter-box
Real fancy one that seems similar to the OG MCE2VGA… pricey but looks SOLID

https://ebay.us/m/xPzcxf
This one is aimed towards GBS-C specifically, but you could probably DIY into other stuff

https://ebay.us/m/bHMfeL
This guy sells DIY kits

https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharepro ... 21a29.html
Yet more Commodore 128 to analog

[2mg]

gglabs is sketchy and they seem to have vanished off the face of the earth!


In addition to that Commodore 128 adapter, there’s several adapter boxes that do RGBI to 15kHz analog RGB , over a VGA connector - I’m gonna link a few

https://texelec.com/product/rgbtohdmi-ttl/
Here’s a really cool one with 15kHz HDMI out, reading the features you’ll notice it supports some particularly niche computers. (They also happen to sell a Raspberry Pi 24bit VGA GPIO hat that rules and is amazing with a Pi 5 and things like Dreamcast, DOSBOX, etc)

https://monotech.fwscart.com/product/et ... verter-box
Real fancy one that seems similar to the OG MCE2VGA… pricey but looks SOLID

https://ebay.us/m/xPzcxf
This one is aimed towards GBS-C specifically, but you could probably DIY into other stuff

https://ebay.us/m/bHMfeL
This guy sells DIY kits

https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharepro ... 21a29.html
Yet more Commodore 128 to analog

Is this related to viewtopic.php?p=1593010#p1593010 ?

Those I mentioned there plus what you wrote here are weird.
Most are RGBI/TTL to VGA 31khz, some are RGBI/TTL to VGA 15khz tho, and some are RGBI/TTL to analog RGB.

However this one https://ebay.us/m/bHMfeL is super interesting, because they present my problem with them perfectly:

"Converts digital MDA (and Hercules), CGA, and EGA to analog RGBS or RGBHV / VGA" - okay, but VGA is 31khz, RBGS is 15khz.

A bit below that it says:

"This adapter outputs a signal that may be 15 kHz horizontal in CGA/EGA modes."
"You will typically need a GBS-8200 (or similar 15 kHz-capable scaler) unless your monitor/display explicitly supports horizontal frequencies down to 15 kHz."
"If your display only supports standard VGA (31 kHz+), plan on using a scaler."

So it's actually not a VGA converter. But what's more important is the wording of "may be 15 kHz horizontal in CGA/EGA modes." because using the word "may" is a bit lax, also what happens if you feed it for example MDA that is 18 kHz, or any non-15 kHz MDA/CGA/EGA?

I also presume that sync is TTL in every situation, probably negative polarity?

PS: sorry for non-Morph off-topic, I was just responding to the post above, as it interests me.

[BuckoA51]

Just wanted to shout out my buddy Grawlix who has just release a pubic beta of The IDU plugin for Wii U consoles running the Aroma homebrew environment

https://codeberg.org/grawlix/idu

This plugin adds GameID support (via networking) to the Wii U, allowing the console to tell the Morph 4K what the current game is. Great for applying automatic presets.

Hopefully such functionality can be added to other homebrew environments too, Wii should certainly be doable, perhaps Xbox (without Stellar) too.

[kitty666cats]

Is this related to viewtopic.php?p=1593010#p1593010 ?

Those I mentioned there plus what you wrote here are weird.
Most are RGBI/TTL to VGA 31khz, some are RGBI/TTL to VGA 15khz tho, and some are RGBI/TTL to analog RGB.

However this one https://ebay.us/m/bHMfeL is super interesting, because they present my problem with them perfectly:

"Converts digital MDA (and Hercules), CGA, and EGA to analog RGBS or RGBHV / VGA" - okay, but VGA is 31khz, RBGS is 15khz.

A bit below that it says:

"This adapter outputs a signal that may be 15 kHz horizontal in CGA/EGA modes."
"You will typically need a GBS-8200 (or similar 15 kHz-capable scaler) unless your monitor/display explicitly supports horizontal frequencies down to 15 kHz."
"If your display only supports standard VGA (31 kHz+), plan on using a scaler."

So it's actually not a VGA converter. But what's more important is the wording of "may be 15 kHz horizontal in CGA/EGA modes." because using the word "may" is a bit lax, also what happens if you feed it for example MDA that is 18 kHz, or any non-15 kHz MDA/CGA/EGA?

I also presume that sync is TTL in every situation, probably negative polarity?

PS: sorry for non-Morph off-topic, I was just responding to the post above, as it interests me.

As of right now I’ll have to double check but I’d assume only the FPGA-based ones up-scan to 31kHz VGA. Also, “VGA 15kHz” and “analog RGB” can be synonymous; i.e. “VGA” used loosely as RGBHV/latter as RGBS. Confusing wording. Especially if they can output 640x400 @ 70Hz VGA and not only 640x480p @ 60Hz

Presumably, smaller things like the gglabs design or the quoted eBay link just pass through w/e Hfreq the input is. They’re more-or-less just a series of different resistors anyway.

Also, that mentioned usage of “may” RE: CGA/EGA may mean the user’s graphics/if they’re sending EGA’s alternate 15kHz mode or not.

I wouldn’t consider this too off-topic! Accurate handling of these old digital RGB computers is something important, not just for games but especially for preservation’s sake: whether it be video capture of some obscure computer/software that has no emulator for it, or for continued usage of some old CNC machinery on newer monitors, etc

It would be really cool if someone obtained a number of these DACs and compared which are compatible with all the different scalers like the one in the title.

[2mg]

As of right now I’ll have to double check but I’d assume only the FPGA-based ones up-scan to 31kHz VGA. Also, “VGA 15kHz” and “analog RGB” can be synonymous; i.e. “VGA” used loosely as RGBHV/latter as RGBS. Confusing wording. Especially if they can output 640x400 @ 70Hz VGA and not only 640x480p @ 60Hz

Presumably, smaller things like the gglabs design or the quoted eBay link just pass through w/e Hfreq the input is. They’re more-or-less just a series of different resistors anyway.

Also, that mentioned usage of “may” RE: CGA/EGA may mean the user’s graphics/if they’re sending EGA’s alternate 15kHz mode or not.

I wouldn’t consider this too off-topic! Accurate handling of these old digital RGB computers is something important, not just for games but especially for preservation’s sake: whether it be video capture of some obscure computer/software that has no emulator for it, or for continued usage of some old CNC machinery on newer monitors, etc

It would be really cool if someone obtained a number of these DACs and compared which are compatible with all the different scalers like the one in the title.

Do check out viewtopic.php?p=1593010 in that case!