Sega Saturn: Is SCART to Component really as easy as this?

[themilstead]

I'm trying to get my Saturn at least somewhere close to my Dreamcast's VGA output without spending a lot on a HDMI converter box (which I had to do just to get the Dreamcast's signal synced with my TV model).

My setup is a USA Saturn (Model 2) playing on a NTSC LCD TV. My research has told me the Saturn doesn't inherently put out a VGA signal of any sort, and that it's a pain to convert to such. I am definitely willing to settle for the quality of Component YUV, as my Wii is hooked up that way and looks fine to me.

I've found this NTSC SCART cable on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sega-Saturn-ste ... 0784655612

The thing is, most threads I'm finding for SCART > YUV state that a 9V-powered converter box is still needed to make this happen with me additionally soldering audio cables manually to the adapter. Yikes. However, I found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-0m-SCART-5RCA ... 0999293108

Is it really that easy? Could it just be that this is relatively new technology compared to the threads I found (which tend to run a couple of years old)?

What do you guys think? By purchasing the 2 cables linked above, should I have a legit Component signal with full audio from my Saturn? It seems like it, but I'm still skeptical.

Thanks!

[AppleQueso]

I don't think that'd work. Most TVs are going to expect Y-U-V over those connections, while the cable will be sending RGB.

You'll need some kind of powered converter. Those $50ish SCART to YUV boxes work decently well. They're what I use. You don't need to do any sodiering. Retro-console-accessories sells cables that have been modified with separate audio-out cables if you want to use those, and if not you can get breakout boxes that'll let you plug in RCA cables for audio.

You can try that cable if you want. I wouldn't hold out any hope of it working though.

[theclaw]

A breakout box is the basic way to get sound. Place it between the SCART cable and component encoder, then make sure the switch is set correct. It'll let your audio be routed to anywhere one could possibly want.

Pairing this with a SCART selector helps further. Consoles like PS1, SNES, Master System, Genesis, etc, often contain RGB factory support too. Nomad is even among the few portable RGB sources.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200581819388

[deathsled]

"From SCART to three color RCAs (red, green, blue) comes RGB, YPbPr / YCbCr signal"

you still need an RGB -> YUV convertor

[themilstead]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I now have a new option to consider. I wasn't aware there were breakout boxes for audio in this case. That helps a good bit, especially with the way my TV + sound system is set up. Looks like I'll be saving up a bit for a converter, if that's the most plausible way to go.

I wonder who that SCART>Component cable benefits, then?

[scott33]

There are also switch boxes that will output audio if you plan to use SCART with mutliple consoles.
http://tinyurl.com/c5cwbac

[elmagicochrisg]

The cable you mention carries component signal over a SCART connection. Either the transmitter needs to be able to carry component signal over a SCART output, or the receiver needs to be able to receive component signal over a SCART input...

There's similar cables with VGA over SCART for DVD players with a VGA over SCART output.

There's also component over VGA cables for projectors with a component over VGA input.

Looks like your cable is more for satelite receivers.

All those cables just transmit a signal. They do not convert it...

[themilstead]

Oh, god. That multi-SCART switchbox looks so tempting. Not a bad price, either. I might have use for that in the future.

Thanks to everyone for the explanations. It's making sense to me now. This sort of thing is admittedly not my forte. I'm much more of a software/programming guy than a hardware guy, haha.

[outlaw_moon]

I have a set up quite like the one you mentioned, but I have a a converter box that I have the scart cable running through and then from there to the TV. It is this one http://compare.ebay.com/like/3704579300 ... s&var=sbar

By no means is it jaw dropping, but it is 10x better than standard svideo. Of course I have it running on my LCDTV now so its abit pixilated but when I had it on my CRTTV with component it was amazing. Until it died on me

But final thoughts, it is worth it even for the LCDTV.

[themilstead]

Cool. I think I'll save some money for one, then. Pixelation is not an issue to me, as I prefer the most accurate representation of a system's native output as possible. To me, bilinear and related filters used on emulators and digital rereleases (for example) take away from the authenticity factor. If I can achieve pixel-perfect or close, I'm happy.

If you liked the aesthetic of your CRT a bit more, ever thought about looking into a scanline generator?

Demo: