Extron RGB interfaces - They are NOT all the same!

[BuckoA51]

I've been busy renovating my little games room/study this month, one of the new items I purchased was an Extron 203Rxi. I did this because it would replace a VGA switch effectively giving me the Extron and a VGA switch in one.

Now, I assumed that the Extron interfaces were roughly similar, apart of course for some of them having extra features like the centering controls. but it turns out I was wrong, the 203Rxi is way better than my old 580xi!

I had assumed that Extron's DSP system worked the same across all the RGB interfaces. Not so, enabling DSP on the 580xi gave weird, psychedelic colours on my setup (Console->XRGB3->DVDO Edge->KDL40z4500), with the 203rxi, DSP works perfectly with the XRGB3 and the Dreamcast (not tried HD Fury+SLG just yet though). What's more, the 203Rxi seems to improve sync handling over the 580xi too, so much so I might be able to get the PC Engine playable (still experimenting, but the screen blanking is far less frequent).

Only thing I dislike about the 203 compared to the 580 is the fact you have to open it up to change sync polarity, I need to do this so I can use my HD Fury 2 with my SLG3000. Extron's instructions for opening the unit are incorrect, they neglect to mention that you need to unfasten all the VGA connectors at the back.

Anyway, just thought I'd share this information with you all, I'm very happy with my new 203Rxi!

[HDgaming42]

Anyway, just thought I'd share this information with you all, I'm very happy with my new 203Rxi!

Thanks for sharing! I've got 3 580's I intend to put to use when I'm done my move (game's room is already packed).

It appears the RGB 203 Rxi has:

Enhanced ADSP™ — An Extron exclusive technology that provides all-digital processing of sync signals, eliminating compatibility issues encountered when using analog sync processing with digital display devices.
http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=rgb203rxi

While the RGB 580xi "only" has:

ADSP™ - Advanced Digital Sync Processing — An exclusive Extron technology that conditions sync signals to provide reliable operation with a variety of signal sources and display types. ADSP reshapes the sync signals, restores proper TTL voltage levels, and maintains the original video to sync timing relationships while allowing centering control.
http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=rgb580xi

Perhaps that's the difference?

[BuckoA51]

Perhaps so, there's certainly a big difference. Sadly after an extended period of time I still got the random screen blanking with my PC Engine and XRGB3, which is a shame, but I kinda expected it. The screen centring controls are really useful though, so glad I upgraded.

[BuckoA51]

Might have been too hasty with my praise for the 580Rxi - Tried playing the SNES through the XRGB3 with the DSP on and I got random screen blanking. Also the HD Fury still doesn't work when DSP is turned on.

[Fudoh]

What kind of PCE do you use ?

I use interface PCE/CD combos only and PCE + LM1881 + XRGB-3 with input termination set to 220 ohms always worked like a charm here on my setup. Why do you hassle with the Extron interfaces ?

[BuckoA51]

My PC Engine is a Supergrafx, I've tried everything I can think of to get it stable, adding LM1881 actually made it worse. The top of the screen is a tiny bit warped even if I plug it directly into the Edge. I think its largely an Edge+XRGB3 incompatibility, you can't really use anything other than AFC auto otherwise the Edge randomly loses the picture.

As for why I mess with the Extrons, The Extron helps with the Sega Master System converter, also I use it to change sync polarity so I can use the SLG3000 with my HD Fury 2.

[angryswede]

Why do you hassle with the Extron interfaces ?

If you can run your gaming rig at the same time as the dishwasher, it's a fail.

EDIT: Sorry Bucko - a bad joke about power consumtion and weak fuses.

[BuckoA51]

eh