So I've done a lot (and I mean A LOT) of net browsing about the XRGB. I REALLY need to increase the quality of my picture for my older consoles, especially the Genesis, but also the Saturn and maybe even the PS2.
So I'm REALLY confused about the differences between them. Before I go out on EBay and spend a silly amount of money on one, I really need to know what to get and what exactly it's going to do for me.
So, here's my setup:
Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV, 1080i
Consoles that I'd like to hook up:
Genesis/SegaCD
Saturn
Gamecube possibly, although I'm thinking of using component cables for this... see my other topic.
Possibly the PS2 (I already have it hooked up through component, and it looks pretty good. Obviously games that feature progressive scan look better... not sure if an XRGB would do much for this)
My Dreamcast is already hooked up through VGA
and obviously the XBOX 360 looks fantastic already
SO!
My question is:
With these systems, what will the XRGB do for the picture quality, AND which one would be best for me? I know there's a 2, 2+ and 3 and from what I've read, there's some positives and negatives to them... which I don't fully understand.
Help would be greatly appreciated from anyone with some knowledge about this.
Thanks
XRGB help please...
I've been trying to find out myself how the XRGB3 ranks. Ignoring it for now, the best one is the XRGB2. There are reports of the signal simply being cleaner.
As far as what it'll do...
It'll do nothing for your Dreamcast. The VGA box is going to be, basically, perfect as is. You can't improve on it.
If you have a US Gamecube you'll be out of luck as well. US Gamecubes can't use the RGB SCART cable that you'd need for an XRGB. You're right about getting a component cable. What you might not know is you can mod a component cable to become a VGA cable. Only an official Nintendo Component cable exist, because the encoder chip lives in the cable, and only one company in the world made it. This is the only one you can use for a VGA mod.
Quick explanation of why this stuff is. VGA is actually a 480p signal. The XRGB takes a signal that is normal the wrong speed (15hz) and the wrong resolution (640x320) and upscans/upscales it to 640x480 31hz . Your Dreamcast already does that, with the mod the Gamecube will do the same.
Your Saturn, Genesis and PS2 will just need an RGB SCART cable. Now, there are two kinds of SCART cables in the world. European and Japanese. You need Japanese. If all you can find is European, you can rewire them or build an adapter for the XRGB. They look identical, so you have to know what you're buying.
As far as what it'll do...
It'll do nothing for your Dreamcast. The VGA box is going to be, basically, perfect as is. You can't improve on it.
If you have a US Gamecube you'll be out of luck as well. US Gamecubes can't use the RGB SCART cable that you'd need for an XRGB. You're right about getting a component cable. What you might not know is you can mod a component cable to become a VGA cable. Only an official Nintendo Component cable exist, because the encoder chip lives in the cable, and only one company in the world made it. This is the only one you can use for a VGA mod.
Quick explanation of why this stuff is. VGA is actually a 480p signal. The XRGB takes a signal that is normal the wrong speed (15hz) and the wrong resolution (640x320) and upscans/upscales it to 640x480 31hz . Your Dreamcast already does that, with the mod the Gamecube will do the same.
Your Saturn, Genesis and PS2 will just need an RGB SCART cable. Now, there are two kinds of SCART cables in the world. European and Japanese. You need Japanese. If all you can find is European, you can rewire them or build an adapter for the XRGB. They look identical, so you have to know what you're buying.
Yeah, you won't gain anything using an XRGB with anything less than RGB Scart. You'd get the same picture running your s-video directly to the tv as you would running the s-video through the XRGB. There's actually a chance the picture would be worse.geist wrote:Thanks!
So even though there are composite and S-video inputs, it's best to get the RGB cables?
I have looked around and I don't think there is one for the Genesis/MegaDrive... am I wrong? What would be the best solution for that?
You should be able to buy a Scart for a genny/md. I googled it and found one guy who makes them. http://www.retrocache.com/
If you do get a Megadrive one, be very aware of if it's for the Euro or Japanese. Remember that they look identical, but the XRGB only takes Japanese connectors.
-
peace4myheart
- 128-bit
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:34 am
- Location: Deep In The Heart Of Texas
Do you guys know which is better, XRGB-2 or XRGB-2+ and what is the price range. The only thing I know is that + has more connection while the regular one is good for PCB. I don't have PCB so I don't really care much for it. Anyway, there is an XRGB-2 selling on ebay now for 180. That is a little out of my range but is that how much they usually go for???
"You're just given the illusion that your decisions can actually make a difference when in the end all has been decided by the programmers." NebachadnezzaR
I vote for the XRGB2. The XRGB2+ has a D-Terminal connector, which is just a fancy japanese component cable. And an XRGB2 can go up to $250. An XRGB2+ can be about $200-$220. I've never seen a XRGB3 for sale. I think they were almost $400 when they came out.peace4myheart wrote:Do you guys know which is better, XRGB-2 or XRGB-2+ and what is the price range. The only thing I know is that + has more connection while the regular one is good for PCB. I don't have PCB so I don't really care much for it. Anyway, there is an XRGB-2 selling on ebay now for 180. That is a little out of my range but is that how much they usually go for???
It's not cheap.
-
peace4myheart
- 128-bit
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:34 am
- Location: Deep In The Heart Of Texas
You have read wrong. All XRGB's are Japanese product. The SCART RGB is Japanese. Easiest way to do is buy a cable that converts Jap SCART to Europe SCART. I bought it for 20 dollars but maybe you can find it somewhere else for a cheaper price. This way, you don't have to fiddle with an expensive piece of equipment. Also, some Jap scart for certain are very difficult and very expensive to find so using european cables with a scart conversion cable is the best and most logical route.geist wrote:I have read that the XRGB 2+ accepts the European version SCART RGB cables. Do you know if this is true? I think I read it on NSCX when I was searching for cables.
I've noticed that it would be much easier (and cheaper) to get the European cables.
"You're just given the illusion that your decisions can actually make a difference when in the end all has been decided by the programmers." NebachadnezzaR
Ah. I didn't know it came with a converter as well.
Absolutely, positively, worst case scenario... You can crack open a euro scart connector and move the pins to the proper place. It's physically compatible - it'll fit, it's just the pins are wired differently.
Can't say it'd always be easy. I had a Playstation 1 Euroscart cable I got for $1, cracked it open out of curiosity... I could have really easily put the pins in a different order. The hardest part would be keeping track of what goes where. But it's doable.
Absolutely, positively, worst case scenario... You can crack open a euro scart connector and move the pins to the proper place. It's physically compatible - it'll fit, it's just the pins are wired differently.
Can't say it'd always be easy. I had a Playstation 1 Euroscart cable I got for $1, cracked it open out of curiosity... I could have really easily put the pins in a different order. The hardest part would be keeping track of what goes where. But it's doable.