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Upscalers, CRTs, PVMs & RGB: Retro gaming done right!

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Bodacious

Banned
I'd be keen to get some feedback on this or any other decent component to HDMI options too. Anyone have any experience of these? I'm thinking of GameCube.

You've got a Gamecube component cable? Sweet. I've given up on getting one due to cost, and since nintendont will run pretty much any Gamecube game off usb/sd on the Wii anyway. I still use my GC for the Gameboy Player, but S-video's good enough for that purpose alone.
 
I don't have an NES hooked up full time because I only have a modern tv and no Framemiester or other such solution - yet. But I was testing some games today and realized my TV (2008 Panasonic Viera) seems to handle 240p content pretty well. It still looks sub par but not insanely bad. What really stood out was the lack of substantial lag, though. I played some Mega Man games, Galaga and CV3. Felt ... damn near acceptable. I could sense lag the most on SMB because that game just has such a familiar feel, but still wasn't bad. I've also played some Ridge Racer on a PS2 via component lately and it feels great.

I'm hopeful that when I finally do sink the money into a FM and RGB retro consoles, my TV will play really nicely with it.
 

catabarez

Member
I finally got my Framemeister and damn do my Sega games look crisp on it. Where can I get the adapter cable so I can hook up my component systems for the cheapest price?
 

BocoDragon

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I don't have an NES hooked up full time because I only have a modern tv and no Framemiester or other such solution - yet. But I was testing some games today and realized my TV (2008 Panasonic Viera) seems to handle 240p content pretty well. It still looks sub par but not insanely bad. What really stood out was the lack of substantial lag, though. I played some Mega Man games, Galaga and CV3. Felt ... damn near acceptable. I could sense lag the most on SMB because that game just has such a familiar feel, but still wasn't bad. I've also played some Ridge Racer on a PS2 via component lately and it feels great.

I'm hopeful that when I finally do sink the money into a FM and RGB retro consoles, my TV will play really nicely with it.

I wonder if they downgraded the scaler in Panasonic TVs because my 2011 model is like "no, don't even bother" when it comes to 240p content. Getting that TV motivated my Framemeister purchase in the first place.

The performance of your TV now really won't indicate how it will work with a FM, because using a FM will bypass your scaler completely.

If it's a plasma, though, I've found those work very nicely with the FM. The inky blanks and softer look are closer to a CRT than LCDs are.

I finally got my Framemeister and damn do my Sega games look crisp on it. Where can I get the adapter cable so I can hook up my component systems for the cheapest price?

http://solarisjapan.com/collections/micomsoft/products/d-terminal-to-component-adapter-cable-female
 

Sixfortyfive

He who pursues two rabbits gets two rabbits.
I was honestly somewhat impressed at how my 2014 Bravia handles 240p component. All of the drop shadow style effects come through intact, and it has a field doubling method similar to that seen in XRGB-3 B1 mode, complete with minor trembling. It still looks considerably blurrier than an XRGB though.
 

InfiniteNine

Rolling Girl
I had gotten the bundle that came with the Component adapter discounted. I haven't gotten my PS2 in yet to test it though so I haven't tried it out quite yet but I'm liking it with the RGB on my Saturn, SFC, and Genesis so far.
 
I wonder if they downgraded the scaler in Panasonic TVs because my 2011 model is like "no, don't even bother" when it comes to 240p content. Getting that TV motivated my Framemeister purchase in the first place.

The performance of your TV now really won't indicate how it will work with a FM, because using a FM will bypass your scaler completely.

If it's a plasma, though, I've found those work very nicely with the FM. The inky blanks and softer look are closer to a CRT than LCDs are.

Good point about by passing the scaler. You're totally right. I'd forgotten about that. And you're right about how plasma compared to CRT. I only have a 46 in TV but I really don't want to upgrade my size and have to get LCD or LED tech.
 
I was honestly somewhat impressed at how my 2014 Bravia handles 240p component. All of the drop shadow style effects come through intact, and it has a field doubling method similar to that seen in XRGB-3 B1 mode, complete with minor trembling. It still looks considerably blurrier than an XRGB though.

I wish TV reviews would do 240p tests as well. I was dreading buying a new TV before I bought my FM cause it would be so hard to tell if they fuck up analog/240p signals really bad.

At least now I'm future-proof'd... until HDMI gets phased out. :(
 

Peltz

Member
I wish TV reviews would do 240p tests as well. I was dreading buying a new TV before I bought my FM cause it would be so hard to tell if they fuck up analog/240p signals really bad.

At least now I'm future-proof'd... until HDMI gets phased out. :(

240p wasn't made for fixed pixel displays. It's not really fair to judge the quality of a modern set on how it handles that resolution. We are a niche group of gamers and the only people who really give a shit about it.

It's a made up resolution. Most people in professional broadcast environments have never even heard of 240p based on my conversations with people who have sold me PVMs.
 

KC-Slater

Member
Anymore info on something like this? Im in the market!

They are often used in broadcast, or used as survaillence displays in casinos/malls, or as digital signage because they are more resistant to "burn-in" and are meant to last about twice the normal lifespan of a consumer plasma. (They were designed to be "left on", picture a digital display in a hotel lobby or something...)

Keep an eye out for places liquidating them. You may still be about to find NIB models sitting around from 2012-13. They usually go for cheap because they are a niche-item.

Also keep on eye out locally, for business looking to just get rid of them. Good luck!

Edit: I forgot to mention that you can buy cards that allow for additional/different inputs. They plug in to expansion slots in the back. I haven't messed around with them at all (the cards are kinda expensive), but it's a neat idea!
 
Glad the PAL Cube doesn't need that component cable for RGB. Kept me from importing, last time I was buying that shiz I bought a d-terminal cable for £20 and modded it into a SCART lead for an NTSC machine. lol
 

Khaz

Member
If ever. We still have composite inputs included on most HDTVs.

Yet Svideo, Scart and VGA are being phased out, with Component being next in line. HDMI, being a digital format, is in an even more precarious position. Once the bandwidth is capped (with 3D 4K or whatever) it will become a legacy standard. The good thing is because it's digital, you can have cheap adapters for the future standard socket.
 

BocoDragon

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
If ever. We still have composite inputs included on most HDTVs.
Oh that shit's definitely getting phased out eventually. I'm surprised it's still there today. We're getting to the point when there's very little in a normal user's life that connects via composite.
 
You've got a Gamecube component cable? Sweet. I've given up on getting one due to cost, and since nintendont will run pretty much any Gamecube game off usb/sd on the Wii anyway. I still use my GC for the Gameboy Player, but S-video's good enough for that purpose alone.
I don't have one, but I do hope to get one at some point. I have a RGB scart cable though.
 

dark10x

Digital Foundry pixel pusher
After much fiddling, I've finally made Klonoa 2 playable on the XRGB. Previously, switching rooms or going to a loading screen would cause the XRGB to lose the signal for a second which meant waiting a good 8 seconds for the screen to return. By changing the sync interval to 10 instead of 3 it actually works now.

The only issue is that the sync interval setting does not seem to play nice with actual resolution switching (240p -> 480i and back). When using this setting is causes the image to "jump" at times making it appear somewhat jerky.

Still, it's nice that I can enjoy Klonoa 2 on the XRGB since it looks absolutely beautiful when configured properly. Very very sharp.

You've got a Gamecube component cable? Sweet. I've given up on getting one due to cost, and since nintendont will run pretty much any Gamecube game off usb/sd on the Wii anyway. I still use my GC for the Gameboy Player, but S-video's good enough for that purpose alone.
Better yet, you can use Swiss to force the GB Player into 240p for maximum quality.
 
As I understand it, the GBP adds some sort of filter that looks bad. The homebrew launcher removes that.

Homebrew launcher also fixes the clock speed and a few other issues with the GBP, so it's preferable to Swiss in every way afaik.

**It might actually be bad scaling. I can't recall.

Here's a link to the dev thread: http://www.gc-forever.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2782
OK wow I need to figure out how to run homebrew on my GameCube. The stock GameBoy Player software is kind of awful.
 

BocoDragon

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
The rarity of GC component continues to be a massive bummer.

I wish someone would clone it, already....
 
The rarity of GC component continues to be a massive bummer.

I wish someone would clone it, already....

There's a way to get component video out of the GC without the official cable right now, I believe, but it's not very close to being able to simply buy a cable just yet. It's a pretty involved mod atm.
 

Chao

Member
Hi guys, I've been thinking about getting a retron5, mainly because I can plug the original controllers and play like on the original hardware with the benefit of being able to play on an HDTV. My mega drive looks like absolute ass on the HDTV and frame meister is really expensive for me.

So, I've thought I could just find a way to plug the original controllers on a mac with openemu.

do you know of a multi controller adapter to usb I could buy? I'd like it to have mega drive and super nes ports mainly, buy everything on top of that is cool too.
 

Bodacious

Banned
With the homebrew loader you can get a pretty nice image even without forcing 240p

Yeah I'm using that, got it in iso format (burn to disk if you have a modded cube, it boots directly to your GBA cart) at retrorgb. Huge improvement over the stock GBP disk and easier to use too. I'm just using the standard version over S-video on a shit CRT right now though. There's an 'ultra-low latency' version for use with RGB displays and/or scalers, can't wait to see how that does.

Edit: check it out, pic of my baby. Pretty psyched about it - just got the matching orange GBP and 2nd orange controller while on vacation in Japan last month. XenoGC inside (and don't let anyone tell you it's an easy install ... it's a mofo and a half).

gs1TaEc.jpg
 

SegaShack

Member
At work yesterday I walked into a room that had 10 or so PVMs of all different sizes, crazy.

I really need an SD Media Launcher for Gamecube. Would love to play GBP games in better quality (I have component too). Too bad Datel is sold out.
 
At work yesterday I walked into a room that had 10 or so PVMs of all different sizes, crazy.

I really need an SD Media Launcher for Gamecube. Would love to play GBP games in better quality (I have component too). Too bad Datel is sold out.

What are the other options for GC homebrew? I'm usually OK with soldering inside consoles but our GBP GC is my wife's so probably not.
 

D.Lo

Member
Anyone want to buy a Bandridge 5 way manual scart switcher? I have two I don't use and I know a few people here were after one a while back. I'm in Australia though so postage costs may vary.
 
I'm in Chicago and just got a Bandridge scart switch shipped from Canada via eBay. I've been looking for one on and off for over 6 months. I just ordered a male to make scart cable, as that's the only last thing I'm missing.
 

brainpann

Member
quick question

Has snyone here ever had any issues using a scart "Y" cable? I want to consolidate my setup, therefore Id like my consoles to go to from my selector to both my pvm and xrgb mini. Could there potentially be a problem with a weak signal?
 
I use that 240p test suite you can run on Genesis to test things.
I've never been able to perfect the geometry or "warping" on my trinitron.

Are there any good guides for this or do you just have to eyeball it?

It feels like everything I do leads me in circles in the test menu. Fix one thing, the other side bubbles out, etc.
 
Yeah I'm using that, got it in iso format (burn to disk if you have a modded cube, it boots directly to your GBA cart) at retrorgb. Huge improvement over the stock GBP disk and easier to use too. I'm just using the standard version over S-video on a shit CRT right now though. There's an 'ultra-low latency' version for use with RGB displays and/or scalers, can't wait to see how that does.

Edit: check it out, pic of my baby. Pretty psyched about it - just got the matching orange GBP and 2nd orange controller while on vacation in Japan last month. XenoGC inside (and don't let anyone tell you it's an easy install ... it's a mofo and a half).

I use wires for the XenoGC. Really not a fan of how it is designed to be installed.
 

dark10x

Digital Foundry pixel pusher
With the homebrew loader you can get a pretty nice image even without forcing 240p
Thanks for the link. That's an amazing piece of software. It also activates 240p but produces a better overall image than the awful Nintendo GB Player software. Very very cool.

Anyone know where I could get an adapter that lets me use another controller? I picked up some cheap converter but it causes too much input lag to be usable.
 

dhonk

Member
Thanks for the link. That's an amazing piece of software. It also activates 240p but produces a better overall image than the awful Nintendo GB Player software. Very very cool.

Hey, do you use Component cables? I couldnt get 240p to work with them, with Gameboy Interface I mean.

Anyone know where I could get an adapter that lets me use another controller? I picked up some cheap converter but it causes too much input lag to be usable.

Ive got this coming in the mail soon. Ill post in the thread here when I get it.
 

Peltz

Member
Please do. I've seen reports of lag with it, and I've seen reports that the people who claim lag are full of shit and that it works perfectly.

I have it. Input delay is kept to a minimum. I felt no sluggishness personally, and I'm someone who cannot stand GBP due to the input delay.

If you must use SNES controllers rather than grabbing a Hori digital, then Raph's adapters are the best you can get. You will definitely not find a better adapter out there.
 

dhonk

Member
DISCLAIMER: Im no video expert, so Im sure the picture quality of the following comparisons can definitely be improved. Ive not really calibrated the color of my Frameister, Capture Card, or Monitor. So theres 3 places I can go wrong color wise. I just adjusted it to look right on MY monitor. Also note that the Elgato is NOT uncompressed. These screenshots are taken at maximum quality. (30mb per second is what the Elgato caps at.)

EQUIPMENT:
Gamecube with Gameboy Player
Gamecube Component Cables
XRGB Mini with D-Terminal to Component Adapter
Elgato Game Capture HD

SOFTWARE:
Phantasy Star Online Episodes 1 & 2
PSOLoad
Gameboy Interface with 16:9 argument. (Let me know if you guys need help with this, someone in the GBI thread offered up a batch file to do this. Its easy.)
Swiss
240p Forced (via Swiss) Gameboy Player Disc

RvPfkGi.jpg

XujCwqs.jpg

fTTjyjF.jpg

zEWklbq.jpg

iuK7AT0.jpg

4WtQp4G.jpg

fxqRBcq.jpg

Settings for Gameboy Interface ^

CONCLUSION: Even with my imperfect capture method you can see how favorably Gameboy Interface compares to the Gameboy Player under ideal conditions. (AKA, forced 240p in Swiss.) GBI has more accurate color, more accurate aspect ratio, and it even has superior control and motion blur. (Less motion blur that is.)

I've also got GBI set to 16:9 mode and 3x zoom which completely fills up my display. (Vertically I mean, theres some black bars.) I assure you guys that on my Plasma TV it absolutely looks like emulation. Now that I've done this, I kind of would like to do a youtube video on how to setup all of this. Including possible homebrew loading methods, equipment, DIY SDgecko, etc. The works! Would anyone be interested in seeing that?
 
Any chance you could use a different zoom setting to get the picture size more similar? Don't have to redo all the screens, just 1 comparison would do.
**and not 16:9 if possible.
 
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