Upscaling or raw s-video/composite?

[bchan009]

I'm using a Saturn/PS1 on an old 4:3 LCD tv with composite/s-video/vga input.

Obviously if I use s-video or composite the image will be 240p, which looks a bit shit. But will it help at all if I use an upscaler to output at 1280x1024 VGA, which is the native res of that display?

Will I get any sharper image, or will any quality gains be lost by the fact that the image is being upscaled?

[ninjainspandex]

no you cannot take a crap signal like composite and magically upscale it to 480p and make it look good. remember crap in crap out. Imo get an RGB scart cable and an RGB to VGA converter box, that will give you the best possible signal
here is exactly what you need http://www.ebay.com/bhp/rgb-to-vga-converter

Edit looks like with those you need a custom RGB cable made for your systems, as it lacks a scart input.

[bchan009]

I see. I'm not really trying to make the image from the console better -- more like trying to mitigate the damage done by an LCD display showing an image at non-native res.

I'll look into SCART if I have time.

[ninjainspandex]

RGB is the purest video signal if your doing any upscaling at all your going to want to use that.

[CRTGAMER]

I'm using a Saturn/PS1 on an old 4:3 LCD tv with composite/s-video/vga input.

Obviously if I use s-video or composite the image will be 240p, which looks a bit shit. But will it help at all if I use an upscaler to output at 1280x1024 VGA, which is the native res of that display?

Will I get any sharper image, or will any quality gains be lost by the fact that the image is being upscaled?

Not too many LCD TVs at the 4:3 screen, nice! The upscale of LCDs is what kills non hd imagery though. You can pick up tube TVs on the cheap at the Thrift store, probably cheaper then getting an upscaler. With that SVideo connection should look great since a CRT displays whatever native format is sent to it.

[bchan009]

I would get a CRT but they're damn heavy and I can't justify the weight/space it takes up...

[ninjainspandex]

heh I just realized your from Hong Kong, we in America take for granted how much space we have. you may want to look into getting an XRGB mini and just use an HDTV with HDMI inputs. The picture is amazing and you can add scanlines to make it look more natural, unfortunately it is not a cheap device, but certainly worth it if you are out to save space.

[Duane Dibbley]

Have you actually tried S-video? Saturn S-video looks great on my LCD HDTV.

[Hobie-wan]

If the upscaler in the TV it not so good, then it is possible that an external one might do a better job.

[bchan009]

I'll do some testing this weekend and let you guys know how things go. =)

I'm almost tempted to buy this -- saw it in a local game shop recently. ;D SFC TV!