EverestX
Saturn Player
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Post by EverestX on Mar 4, 2012 16:36:28 GMT
I thought I might share my current setup with some of the members. There's a really great thread on getting your Saturn connected to Component video, but here's another 'modern' connection option that I've had great success with. The setup is relatively low cost, and parts are readily available as of current. Required: These are commonly refered to as RGB > VGA converters. You'll also see them called 'GBS-8220' (the model #) www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-CGA-EGA-YUV-VGA-ARCADE-HD-VIDEO-CONVERTER-BOARD-/120660289356Required: Saturn RGB > VGA Cable for the *input* side of the upconverter. [Apparently this wont work for PAL consoles, so the seller states] www.ebay.com/itm/Sega-Saturn-stereo-RGB-cable-RGBS-VGA-converters-NTSC-consoles-only-/160700710264?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item256a823d78The above setup can get your RGB saturn connected and upconverted to one of the listed resolutions:(640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1360 x 768) Here's a video of the output through one of these converters: Not Required: Toodles Scanline Generator (T-SLG) Here's the thread for the device. shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/toodles-scanline-generator-t-slg-fully-assembled-v1-6.145407/For anyone wondering 'What is a scanline generator' this video should give you a good idea, some hate it, I love it! The video is for another device, but the behavior is the same (Toodles Model is far cheaper then the SLG3000 shown in the video, and has more features) What does it do??: RGB>VGA+Scanlines: Cheers
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Post by buckoa51 on Mar 4, 2012 17:06:33 GMT
Far as I know this is the same kit Arcadeforge sell here, main difference being their SLG is a different version:- wp1114205.wp150.webpack.hosteurope.de/xtcmodified/index.php?cPath=4&XTCsid=086pm0286f8tuibbo4u91hvlb6The reason the cable doesn't work on PAL consoles is because the up-scaler needs raw sync, which PAL consoles don't supply. Arcadeforge version will work if you use their Sync Strike. Far as I know this solution produces brilliant results for the money, with 240p handled correctly, much better than simply using a RGB->Component transcoder which will either make the TV process the signal as 480i or, increasingly, not work at all.
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Nick1984
'What a knucklehead!'
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Post by Nick1984 on Mar 4, 2012 17:24:02 GMT
Let me know when they come up with Saturn > HDMI
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Post by buckoa51 on Mar 4, 2012 17:45:32 GMT
Just stick a Gefen VGA to DVI scaler onto the output for that.
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Post by zyrobs on Mar 4, 2012 22:00:41 GMT
I want to know, how do those upscalers handle 704x480 resolution games? Do they upscale it to 800x600? Or leave it at 704x480 but at 31khz?
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Post by buckoa51 on Mar 4, 2012 22:22:41 GMT
You mean interlace? That depends entirely on the scaler. Deinterlacing is a pain in the butt, especially for gamers since it means flicker or input lag.
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Post by zyrobs on Mar 4, 2012 23:18:37 GMT
No, not interlaced titles (although that would be good to know as well). I meant 352/704 pixel width, versus the standard 320/640. Those can be upscaled to 640x480 perfectly, but what happens with the 352/704 signal? Is it scaled unevenly? Centered with black borders on a 800x600 image?
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Post by buckoa51 on Mar 5, 2012 0:14:28 GMT
352x288 as in PAL? Again that depends on the scaler used as to how it's handled. Something like an XRGB2 or 3 in B1 mode will only ever linedouble. Most other scalers let you choose the output resolution, though it usually only makes sense to go with your displays native.
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Post by zyrobs on Mar 5, 2012 1:22:41 GMT
No, 352/704 x 224/240/448/480 as in the resolution used by all Capcom fighters, Model 2 ports, Panzer Dragoons, Nights, and Radiant Silvergun... For these, just linedoubling (for lowres - deinterlacing for hires) would be the correct method, but it would give you a VGA signal that not all sets can handle. My old Syncmaster CRT handles a 704x480 35.8khz just fine, but my TV stays blank and my LCD goes into acid trip mode.
That leaves you with some sort of upscaling, either to 720x480 or 800x600 at the minimum. For those, either the picture is stretched and filtered, or it is not stretched and has black borders to fill the rest of the screen. I just wonder what it is.
Really I'm just wondering how these upscalers handle it.
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Post by buckoa51 on Mar 5, 2012 10:19:54 GMT
oh you mean pixels vs visible screen area. Again, XRGB series linedoubles, other scalers scale to the screens native res. If your TV can't handle the XRGB3's output you can stuff it through another scaler and then to the TV. This usually gives better results than just using the regular scaler on its own.
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EverestX
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Post by EverestX on Apr 19, 2012 8:18:30 GMT
Wow, just saw all the responses regarding this, honestly rather surprised everyone is so worried about the up conversion given the cost. If you need the 'fancy' stuff you’re going to have to shell out the cost of an XRGB, and those have quite a few issues with sync requiring modifying your cables to work with various systems.
I just figured it'd be nice to have other 'modern' options available on the forum for people to compare from a price/performance standpoint.
The Component setup is going to have the same exact issue assuming you're not using an old CRT (Capable of the original resolutions). Anyone using Component setup is going to have the same exact issue, with potentially worse results since it's using the TV's internal scalar... (buckoa51 mentioned that). Not to mention you are mangling your RGB signal as opposed to keeping the RGB signal in 'pure form' with this method.
Thanks buckoa51 for confirming the information regarding PAL consoles and Sync. Fortunately for non-pal users, that will save you some coin not having to purchase the sync strike.
PS: With the GBS-8220 you can output your saturn to 2 screens. Who can really cry about that??
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Post by buckoa51 on Apr 19, 2012 8:40:14 GMT
Anyone considering this I advise you to wait just a few weeks longer, I hear from a reliable source some exciting news on this front that could significantly change the market.
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EverestX
Saturn Player
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Joined: January 2008
Posts: 89
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Post by EverestX on Apr 19, 2012 9:06:09 GMT
*prays for a low cost solution with multiple inputs*
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Post by zyrobs on Apr 19, 2012 15:33:36 GMT
Anyone considering this I advise you to wait just a few weeks longer, I hear from a reliable source some exciting news on this front that could significantly change the market. Details please.
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Post by buckoa51 on Apr 19, 2012 15:52:26 GMT
Don't want to say too much and look like a dick if it turns out to be false, I should know more in a week or two. Also, I'll be posting a review of the Optoma Themescene HD3000 (which can be found for £200-£300 now) on my site once it arrives.
Oh also EverestX, if you feed a PAL signal into that scaler I assume it frame-rate converts to 60hz which results in stuttery scrolling, correct?
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