Extron VSC 500 + RGB Interface

[jujukun]

After reading the great post from Fudoh on his website, I have the opportunity to pick up an Extron VSC 500 and a RGB interface to convert my 480i/p PS2 games to 240p (and also 360 Cave shmups) on my BVM monitor. I wanted to get a Super Emotia or Super Emotia GX but it's impossible to find here in France, even in Europe. And the eBay sellers from the US don't want to ship to Europe.

So, besides the Extron stuff, I need a VGA cable for PS2 to hook the system on the Extron and BNC cables to hook the Extron to the BVM.

- Do I need something else to make this work?
- Which VGA cable for PS2 would you recommend me?

Thanks for your help!

[Fudoh]

So, besides the Extron stuff, I need a VGA cable for PS2 to hook the system on the Extron and BNC cables to hook the Extron to the BVM.

There is no regular VGA cable for the PS2*. Also the PS2 boots in 15khz and only some titles support 31khz output (480p) which you need for the VSC.

(well, there's an expensive Sync on Green VGA cable from the Linux kit, but this still leaves you with the 15/31khz problem).

[jujukun]

Thanks for your input Fudoh. I'm not sure to understand though. Let's say I want to convert the 480i picture of the PS2 Taito Memories Collection to 240p through the VSC, I still can, right? Or did I miss something in your article?

[jujukun]

So, besides the Extron stuff, I need a VGA cable for PS2 to hook the system on the Extron and BNC cables to hook the Extron to the BVM.

There is no regular VGA cable for the PS2*. Also the PS2 boots in 15khz and only some titles support 31khz output (480p) which you need for the VSC.

(well, there's an expensive Sync on Green VGA cable from the Linux kit, but this still leaves you with the 15/31khz problem).

Ok I get what you mean. After reading more on this matter, it seems that converting 480p to 240p is easy. On the other hand, converting 480i to 240p is definitively tricky...

[Lawfer]

There is no regular VGA cable for the PS2*. Also the PS2 boots in 15khz and only some titles support 31khz output (480p) which you need for the VSC.

(well, there's an expensive Sync on Green VGA cable from the Linux kit, but this still leaves you with the 15/31khz problem).

It is a Sync on Green VGA Adapter, these were never avaible for retail from the looks of it, I did get one new from ebay months ago.

May I ask, why do you want to convert 480 to 240?

[jujukun]

There is no regular VGA cable for the PS2*. Also the PS2 boots in 15khz and only some titles support 31khz output (480p) which you need for the VSC.

(well, there's an expensive Sync on Green VGA cable from the Linux kit, but this still leaves you with the 15/31khz problem).

It is a Sync on Green VGA Adapter, these were never avaible for retail from the looks of it, I did get one new from ebay months ago.

May I ask, why do you want to convert 480 to 240?

Some arcade compilations/collections have been released on PS2 such as Taito Memories, Capcom Classics Collections, and those games shall be outputted in 240p, i.e. their original low-res resolution. Instead, these games are presented in 480i, which don't feel right for low-res games when you see it in motion. There are many examples like this and many PS2 shmups are outputted in 480i instead of 240p...

[Lawfer]

There is no regular VGA cable for the PS2*. Also the PS2 boots in 15khz and only some titles support 31khz output (480p) which you need for the VSC.

(well, there's an expensive Sync on Green VGA cable from the Linux kit, but this still leaves you with the 15/31khz problem).

It is a Sync on Green VGA Adapter, these were never avaible for retail from the looks of it, I did get one new from ebay months ago.

May I ask, why do you want to convert 480 to 240?

Some arcade compilations/collections have been released on PS2 such as Taito Memories, Capcom Classics Collections, and those games shall be outputted in 240p, i.e. their original low-res resolution. Instead, these games are presented in 480i, which don't feel right for low-res games when you see it in motion. There are many examples like this and many PS2 shmups are outputted in 480i instead of 240p...

Oh I see, thats what I suspected, I also plan to play 240p Dreamcast games with the VGA Box in their native 240p.

[matrigs]

There is always this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HDTV-AV-Audio-V ... 1138871725

I haven't bought it myself (but i want to very soon), but it does look like it actually does colour convert component to vga and sync stripping:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArIj-EUlevI

But, from a PS2 that still leaves you with 15 kHZ at booting, and you would have to go through the menus blind.

I have lately tested 31 kHz forcing with using a Modbo 760 modchip. It actually boots up the console in 31 kHz. Sadly, game compatibility is very low and in fact i haven't been able to play a single one through it. You could however boot the menu into 31 kHz over the chip, then launch HDXploder or GSMode Selector etc.

Ok I get what you mean. After reading more on this matter, it seems that converting 480p to 240p is easy. On the other hand, converting 480i to 240p is definitively tricky...

Is it? You can go from 480i into (pseudo) 240p with just an extron RGB device. Also you are always operating in 15 kHz so you can do everything on your CRT.
480p however, requires an Emotia or a VSC + RGB device and in most games on the PS2 requires patching the game / using GSMode Selector, HDXploder etc.

Furthermore, you mention Capcom Classics which apparently work with the 240p patch:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... &start=213

Sadly, Taito Memories apparently don't.

To add my personal 2 cents: As far as i understand forcing "modern" games like Mushihimesama or Ibara to 240p i don't see any sense in going so far for Taito Memories when all those games can be run in Mame without all the hassle, and with much better results for sure.

[Lawfer]

To add my personal 2 cents: As far as i understand forcing "modern" games like Mushihimesama or Ibara to 240p i don't see any sense in going so far for Taito Memories when all those games can be run in Mame without all the hassle, and with much better results for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUbny7B7g8

[matrigs]

To add my personal 2 cents: As far as i understand forcing "modern" games like Mushihimesama or Ibara to 240p i don't see any sense in going so far for Taito Memories when all those games can be run in Mame without all the hassle, and with much better results for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUbny7B7g8

Your point being?

[jujukun]

matrigs,
Thanks for your helpful contribution.
I saw that cable on Amazon. I think I'm going to pick this up.

I also might try your suggestion consisting in just hooking the PS2 to an Extron RGB interface to see the result of the conversion of 480i > pseudo 240p. I'm not sure whether the result will be fully satisfying though.

Regarding the Taito / Capcom collections, I know what you mean and what you say makes sense actually. However, I own these games so I wanted to fully enjoy it in their native resolution. I agree that it's a lot of hassle just for this, but, hey, I want the best setup as possible, according to my likes.

A friend of mine is preparing for me the patched 240p versions of Capcom classics and various shmups.

[matrigs]

I also might try your suggestion consisting in just hooking the PS2 to an Extron RGB interface to see the result of the conversion of 480i > pseudo 240p. I'm not sure whether the result will be fully satisfying though.

http://a.imageshack.us/img444/9742/ps2extron480i.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img375/5637/ps2extron240p.jpg

Regarding the Taito / Capcom collections, I know what you mean and what you say makes sense actually. However, I own these games so I wanted to fully enjoy it in their native resolution. I agree that it's a lot of hassle just for this, but, hey, I want the best setup as possible, according to my likes.

Well i'm aware that you have your reasons and you don't just simply want to make your life more complicated However, as stated in the youtube link Lawfer posted, this version of Thunder Cross has graphical bugs. I guess that all the other ports have their fair share of problems as well. I simply dislike the idea of buying several devices and spending hours on connecting everything to play an inferior version when there are better (and easier) choices.

Sorry for being a smart ass here.

[Lawfer]

connecting everything to play an inferior version when there are better (and easier) choices.

Of course there are, the best would be to play the original Arcade games themselves, its the best and easiest choice, but its also going to be more expensive.

Its like me that wants to play those doujin games from NGTeam, the best choice would be to play these games on their original platform (Neo Geo AES), but I dont see myself paying 600 EUR for Razion or NEO XYX, so I play them on Dreamcast and am going to get a VGA Box with 15Khz/31Khz switch to play them in their original 15Khz, oits not the best and easiest but its the least expensive.

[jujukun]

Regarding the Taito / Capcom collections, I know what you mean and what you say makes sense actually. However, I own these games so I wanted to fully enjoy it in their native resolution. I agree that it's a lot of hassle just for this, but, hey, I want the best setup as possible, according to my likes.

Well i'm aware that you have your reasons and you don't just simply want to make your life more complicated However, as stated in the youtube link Lawfer posted, this version of Thunder Cross has graphical bugs. I guess that all the other ports have their fair share of problems as well. I simply dislike the idea of buying several devices and spending hours on connecting everything to play an inferior version when there are better (and easier) choices.

Sorry for being a smart ass here.

No worries, it was not my intention to ignore your suggestions. Actually your feedback is much appreciated. I just wanted to let you know why I was evaluating these opportunities. I agree that it's too much of hassle and I don't want to lose time and money when I can get better and easier with others options like Mame. I need to dig that Mame setup. I do have Mame on my Macbook Pro, but not hooked on the BVM. The Extron VSC + RGB interface could be an option after all. Here we go, I'm starting again!