FS: Specialty RGB Equipment

Omnigamer

Edit history:

Omnigamer: 2015-04-14 07:10:27 pm

Omnigamer: 2014-12-15 08:54:59 pm

Omnigamer: 2014-12-02 09:42:46 am

Omnigamer: 2014-10-31 02:01:47 pm

Omnigamer: 2014-10-31 01:48:13 pm

Omnigamer: 2014-10-31 01:46:38 pm

2014-10-31 01:46:21 pm

All the things

For the past few months I picked up a variety of RGB equipment for testing purposes and also to see what does and does not work for a personal or larger-scale streaming setup. I have more or less finalized my own setup, but not without "casualties" in terms of parts that did not quite make the final cut. As such, I have a variety of specialty devices to sell off and try to recoup costs. I plan to sell all pieces at around the price I paid for them sans shipping (since pretty much everything came from overseas...). Since there is a question of quality on many devices, I can provide video samples if desired. Send me a PM for pricing, but you can ask general questions in this thread. I will only ship within US or Canada though; all you folks in the EU can probably get the same devices for less than it would take for me to send it to you.

====================================

SCART RGB Switches:
1x Hama AV-100S 3:1 RGB Switch
2x Hama clones (I can check internals if needed to verify rough equivalence)
~~1x Bandridge Manual 5:1 RGB Switch~~

I have tested all of the above and they work well enough. The Bandridge is the best of the above, but quality loss is minimal or nonexistent on any of them.

====================================

Cables
1x SNES RGB SCART Cable from retrogamingcables.com . For NTSC consoles only, uses CSYNC.
1x SNES RGB SCART + SVideo + Audio breakout cable, custom-made from retrogamingcables.com . Uses the native pins on the multiout, and high-quality connectors throughout. Both the SVideo and SCART outputs can be used simultaneously; useful for grabbing the RGB image for streaming/recording while connecting the SVideo to a regular NTSC TV for the runner. For NTSC consoles only, uses CSYNC. Pictures coming soon.
1x SCART Y Cable, useful for connecting two separate devices to the same input. Using the opposite way (one output -> two inputs) will halve the signal strength, so is not recommended.
2x Mini DIN 8 (XRGB) to RGB SCART adapters. SCART connectors are female, Mini DIN 8 is male. Useful if bringing a SCART signal into an XRGB scaler. Do not use with JP21 configurations.

====================================

Miscellaneous
1x SyncStrike from arcadeforge.com . Takes SCART signal, splits CSYNC into VSync and HSync and outputs over VGA. Necessary if capturing RGB via PEXHDCAP. Does not scale image. Comes with acryllic enclosure and power supply.
1x Key Digital KD-VTCA3 VGA to Component Transcoder. More info here: http://www.keydigital.com/Owner%20Manuals/ClearColor3_Manual.pdf . High-quality RGB VGA to component video transcoder, it is capable of handling 15 kHz/240p signals. However, not every display device can correctly handle the resulting component signal. Compatibility improves when used in conjunction with the SyncStrike. Features a VGA pass-through as well. *NOTE: Not entirely sure I plan to sell this device yet.

====================================

Again, I can clarify how to use any of the above, especially in the context of older console RGB output. I will have pictures for some devices soon (especially the custom SNES cables). PM me for pricing, but ask any general questions in this thread. Thanks!

Thread title:

For the past few months I picked up a variety of RGB equipment for testing purposes and also to see what does and does not work for a personal or larger-scale streaming setup. I have more or less finalized my own setup, but not without "casualties" in terms of parts that did not quite make the final cut. As such, I have a variety of specialty devices to sell off and try to recoup costs. I plan to sell all pieces at around the price I paid for them sans shipping (since pretty much everything came from overseas...). Since there is a question of quality on many devices, I can provide video samples if desired. Send me a PM for pricing, but you can ask general questions in this thread. I will only ship within US or Canada though; all you folks in the EU can probably get the same devices for less than it would take for me to send it to you.

====================================

[b]SCART RGB Switches:[/b]
[u]1x Hama AV-100S 3:1 RGB Switch[/u]
[u]2x Hama clones[/u] (I can check internals if needed to verify rough equivalence)
[s][u]1x Bandridge Manual 5:1 RGB Switch[/u][/s]

I have tested all of the above and they work well enough. The Bandridge is the best of the above, but quality loss is minimal or nonexistent on any of them.

====================================

[b]Cables[/b]
[u]1x SNES RGB SCART Cable[/u] from retrogamingcables.com . For NTSC consoles only, uses CSYNC.
[s][u]1x SNES RGB SCART + SVideo + Audio breakout cable[/u], custom-made from retrogamingcables.com . Uses the native pins on the multiout, and high-quality connectors throughout. Both the SVideo and SCART outputs can be used simultaneously; useful for grabbing the RGB image for streaming/recording while connecting the SVideo to a regular NTSC TV for the runner. For NTSC consoles only, uses CSYNC. Pictures coming soon.[/s]
[u]1x SCART Y Cable[/u], useful for connecting two separate devices to the same input. Using the opposite way (one output -> two inputs) will halve the signal strength, so is not recommended.
[u]2x Mini DIN 8 (XRGB) to RGB SCART adapters[/u]. SCART connectors are female, Mini DIN 8 is male. Useful if bringing a SCART signal into an XRGB scaler. Do not use with JP21 configurations.

====================================

[b]Miscellaneous[/b]
[s][u]1x SyncStrike[/u] from arcadeforge.com . Takes SCART signal, splits CSYNC into VSync and HSync and outputs over VGA. Necessary if capturing RGB via PEXHDCAP. Does not scale image. Comes with acryllic enclosure and power supply.[/s]
[u]1x Key Digital KD-VTCA3 VGA to Component Transcoder[/u]. More info here: http://www.keydigital.com/Owner%20Manuals/ClearColor3_Manual.pdf . High-quality RGB VGA to component video transcoder, it is capable of handling 15 kHz/240p signals. However, not every display device can correctly handle the resulting component signal. Compatibility improves when used in conjunction with the SyncStrike. Features a VGA pass-through as well. *NOTE: Not entirely sure I plan to sell this device yet.

====================================

Again, I can clarify how to use any of the above, especially in the context of older console RGB output. I will have pictures for some devices soon (especially the custom SNES cables). PM me for pricing, but ask any general questions in this thread. Thanks!

Omnigamer

2014-12-02 09:43:50 am

All the things

Sold the SyncStrike and one of the SNES breakout cables. I've been bad and still have not updated with pictures; I will do that soon.

doublesbrian

2014-12-12 06:36:45 pm

how much are you asking for the snes breakout cable?

on a side note i'm looking for a good capture setup so what was the optimal setup that you came up with? I'm currently splitting svideo now through a powered splitter to play and capture at same time but would like to achieve rgb streaming at some point so was curious.

Omnigamer

2014-12-15 09:28:01 am

All the things

My final setup is a bit atypical for the average streamer since I had a number of side goals I was trying to fulfill for science™. Basically I have NES, SNES, Genesis, Saturn, and PS1/PS2 connected to a 5:1 SCART switch, which pipes the audio out separately and sends the SCART to an XRGB2. XRGB2 was selected over more modern versions because all I really cared to have was an efficient line-doubler with extremely low latency (1 ms). Dreamcast is hooked up to the VGA pass-through on the XRGB2 as well. The output of XRGB2 is VGA, which feeds into a VGA 2:4 matrix. The other input is YUV -> RGB transcoded GCN output from the component cable. Finally, all of the outputs go to some capture devices and a monitor/TV for playing. A separate workflow is used for HDMI consoles.

This is not a usual setup, and I do not recommend going this route unless you really have some need for it. A more typical RGB stream setup is this:

Console RGB Output -> Sync Strike -> PEXHDCAP capture card

It's difficult to set it up so you record and play from RGB, but if you're willing to compromise you can use the special breakout cable to play the native SVideo on your TV without much effort while simultaneously capturing/streaming the higher-quality RGB feed. You still need the Sync Strike and PEXHDCAP to be able to capture the signal, however.

My final setup is a bit atypical for the average streamer since I had a number of side goals I was trying to fulfill for science™. Basically I have NES, SNES, Genesis, Saturn, and PS1/PS2 connected to a 5:1 SCART switch, which pipes the audio out separately and sends the SCART to an XRGB2. XRGB2 was selected over more modern versions because all I really cared to have was an efficient line-doubler with extremely low latency (1 ms). Dreamcast is hooked up to the VGA pass-through on the XRGB2 as well. The output of XRGB2 is VGA, which feeds into a VGA 2:4 matrix. The other input is YUV -> RGB transcoded GCN output from the component cable. Finally, all of the outputs go to some capture devices and a monitor/TV for playing. A separate workflow is used for HDMI consoles.

This is not a usual setup, and I do not recommend going this route unless you really have some need for it. A more typical RGB stream setup is this:

Console RGB Output -> Sync Strike -> PEXHDCAP capture card

It's difficult to set it up so you record and play from RGB, but if you're willing to compromise you can use the special breakout cable to play the native SVideo on your TV without much effort while simultaneously capturing/streaming the higher-quality RGB feed. You still need the Sync Strike and PEXHDCAP to be able to capture the signal, however.

presjpolk

2014-12-15 04:57:31 pm

HELLO!

The Zelda 2 guys who go this route mostly have DVDO iScans instead of a Sync Strike

Omnigamer

2014-12-15 05:53:06 pm

All the things

There are DIY kits too, most are just based around the LM1881. Sync Strike is a go to for a lot of people because it is all set up in terms of connectors, screw terminal options, and dual-power circuit. The downside is getting it from overseas.

Suffice to say, there are many devices that will accomplish the same thing: separate out CSYNC into separate VSYNC and HSYNC.

Lemon

2014-12-15 06:12:03 pm

I'm interested in the SNES RGB SCART + SVideo + Audio breakout cable. How much is it? Smiley

Omnigamer

2014-12-15 08:54:43 pm

All the things

Please PM me for prices. I only have 1 of the breakout cables left for sale, though.

Mrfardoche

2015-04-14 04:52:27 pm

Hello, is the vtca3 still available? You weren't sure to sell it, i'd take it!