Some Advice for a Beginner

[woodenman]

Hi

I have a UK PS1 & PS2 with RGB SCART cables and I'm looking for a box/device to make the image quality look as close as possible to my CRT only on an LCD and in full screen.

Can anyone advise on the most economical solution to this for me. I can't afford the XRGB unit's so I'm looking at something hopefully under £80 or so. I don't want to go higher as it is only for one console when you think about it (PS2 being backwards).

Thanks.

[Fudoh]

there are two points which you have to consider:

- if you only need something for your PS2, then you can use something with component input (= easy to find), while for a PS1 you would need something with RGB (= hard to find)

- if you only play NTSC titles then you can go with a VGA solution (= easy to find and easy to add something for scanlines), but if you play 50Hz titles as well, then you need something with HDMI out (= more expensive and no way to add scanlines).

[Ed Oscuro]

Shouldn't a RGB to component transcoder work for the PS1?

[Fudoh]

I'm pretty sure he's either looking for better quality than component directly into a LCD (he can do with his PS2 right now) or he's using a PC LCD which can only sync on 31khz signals and higher.

[woodenman]

Yeah, I currently run my PS2 via component but it still looks harsh when compared to the CRT. My games library is strictly U.S. so PAL compatibility isn't a great concern but would still be nice if available. Thanks for the replies so far.

I have both an LCD and a good VGA monitor so a solution for either would be cool. I'm edging towards the LCD due to sheer screen size (42") compared to the monitor (19").

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm pretty sure he's either looking for better quality than component directly into a LCD (he can do with his PS2 right now) or he's using a PC LCD which can only sync on 31khz signals and higher.

I don't understand "better quality than component (YPbPr)" - you mean upscaling, right? - but I understand what you mean by the other parts.

[Fudoh]

I don't understand "better quality than component (YPbPr)" - you mean upscaling, right?

no, I meant deinterlacing (240p/480i to 480p).

I have both an LCD and a good VGA monitor so a solution for either would be cool. I'm edging towards the LCD due to sheer screen size (42") compared to the monitor (19").

as long as you got VGA ports on your displays, it's really easy. Here's a nice, clean and simple setup for example. It uses a DVDO iScan Pro as a linedoubler (15khz component input and 31khz VGA output). In this setup I added a Mini-SLG for scanlines.



I'll be selling this combo over the next days. I'll send you a PM. Maybe it's something for you.

[woodenman]

From what I've read, that device is simply a deinterlacer and not a scaler at all. I really need something to fill a HD display without looking abysmal. I don't think this is it.

Also, buying from you would mean used and also a paypal transaction. I don't have paypal nor do I want to buy used. I'd prefer to buy new using my credit card with all the assurance and protections that brings me. Thanks though.

[Fudoh]

Sure thing, your choice. Only problem is that there is nothing cheaper than a XRGB-Mini available on the market NEW and readily available. Also don't forget that with a scaler you cannot use any kind scanline overlay. Even the Framemeister can't scale to 1080p and put good looking scanlines onto it.

Next to the Framemeister there's only a market for real bad china stuff or for vintage-high-end homecinema stuff. And I would certainly recommend the later.

[woodenman]

Scanlines aren't really a concern for me. Is there a verdict on this device?

HD BOX PRO

http://www.hdboxpro.com/public.htm

Seems cheap and might do what I need.

[Fudoh]

it does it's job, but it won't bring you any closer to what you initially stated:

I'm looking for a box/device to make the image quality look as close as possible to my CRT only on an LCD and in full screen.

[woodenman]

That initial statement was maybe a little much given the budget specified. Will this device scale in a manner that's considered an improvement over just fullscreening with Component cables alone?

[Fudoh]

no, it will mostly look the same. The only advantage is that you can use 240p/480i on a PC LCD or CRT which requires 31khz signals (= 480p or higher). And the VGA connection allows you to use scanlines, but then again only if you disable the scaling.

[woodenman]

What a headache. Is there no easy way to scale an image to an improved standard for the money? Any devices you can point me towards that can do what I'm asking. I just want to play sprite/2D games on a big screen at a reasonable standard.

[Fudoh]

What a headache. Is there no easy way to scale an image to an improved standard for the money?

There are lot of easy ways, but consider that the iScan units were between $1000 and $3000 when new, other linedoublers with Faroudja chipsets were about $1500 and other Scalers easily reached the $5000 mark. You're talking about a really high-end market. None of those machines can be compared to the stuff coming out of Taiwan for $50-100 new. The last processor to hit the market (and matching your profile) was the DVDO Edge at 799 EUR, but it's no longer available and the successor can't handle 240p material. There's just nothing out there.

Check my website for some info on basically all processors there are out there.... http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/

[woodenman]

Jeez. Thanks for the link. More money then I guess.

Will an XRGB-3 be able to do what I need. It'll take me another month money-wise but it's doable. And if so will I need to buy a Japanese RGB cable for it as I read the EURO cables break the unit.

[Fudoh]

XRGB-3 has two very different modes. One's a lag-free linedoubling mode in which the XRGB-3 will output 480p, the other's a scaling mode which offers a bunch of PC resolutions, but 1080p is high incompatible. 1050p and 1200p are fine though. Scanlines only work in linedoubling mode. And yes, you need a EU to JP21 Scart adapter to go along.

[woodenman]

Good enough. I'll get one of these then and see how I go. Thanks for your patience.

[matrigs]

i can definitely vouch for the iscan pro + slg solution.

as you can use your ps2 to launch ps1 games over component, you don't even need an rgb input.

you can also always try the slg-in-a-box:

http://www.arcadeforge.de/index.php?cPa ... 3iguieemn5

or buy all the components (sync strike (not needed in case you only want component input), slg3000, cga/vga scaler) of it separately:

http://www.arcadeforge.de/index.php?cPa ... 3iguieemn5

if you search the forum you will find plenty of people pleased with this solution. it is also pretty flexible.

although again, in case you don't need rgb input (again - playing ps1 games on the ps2) the iscan pro will provide a better picture quality than the cga/vga scaler. keep also in mind that contrary to the name "scaler" it allows a maximum output res of 1360x768. and still i wouldn't recommend even using those higher ones.

an xrgb is definitely a good investment, but i'm not sure if you really need such a powerful device.

also - keep in mind that you can force a lot of ps2 games into 480p, ports included.