/vr/ - Retro Games

>>10162435
I think it is pretty good because it has one unique aspect that I don't see in other switchers: a composite port for GunCon support. In my use, it is just the intermediary between the original Playstation/PS2 to a master switch like the one made by superg, to play GunCon games on a crisp RGB BVM while capturing video for streaming/game footage in a more accurate depiction. Sadly, I still have to convert Euro SCART to JP21, so it is a lot of daisy chaining cable management headache.

>>9674992
Yeah, I miss the 19" Viewsonic a lot. I still regret needing to toss it when the landlady decided she was going to renovate the place for rents higher than I could afford. Moving dual FW900s and the Viewsonic was too much space and weight than my next studio could hold.

>>9675089
Yeah, I still have the Franklin Language Master. It was invaluable for me to learn definitions, spelling, and synonyms (but being an older version, no antonyms). The strangest thing about it: it runs on 4 AA batteries, I have not opened it since the late 80s and it still powers up and functions to this day on those same batteries probably fused to its insides by now.

>>9675416
That is a Belkin Nostromo. They sold the design to Razer for the modern descendant: Razer Tartarus Pro. For me, it has a very ergonomic feel and was useful for a lot of macros/hotkeys I liked using in conjunction with a mouse freeing me from the keyboard.

>>9480001
I did not know that was a requirement. Then the one you posted looks good. I also see there's a Radio Shack one that also has that input.

>>9480053
For what purpose?

>>9480360
They are made in small batches. SuperG only made a few JP21 editions of the gSCARTsw, and I made the mistake of asking for only one to allow others to get some and not be greedy. Little did I know then that he would never make any more ever again.

>>9021228
That would be the gSCARTsw JP21 edition. Everyone else uses SCART, when I've been on JP21 for decades, so when retrog said he was making some JP21 versions of it, I signed up for one. I didn't want to seem greedy asking for only one even though I really wanted 3, just to not put added pressure onto retrog because he only wanted to do a few. Turns out, he doesn't want to make anymore of the JP21 editions, but kindly made it open source. The regular editions of the gSCARTsw has had new advancements since. The open source of the JP21 editions would be great if they had any of the improvements, but no one wants to make them and I don't have the means to make them myself. So, this is one of the last few of its kind.

>>8481365
>>8481468
Okay, good. I thought RetroG moved onto something else. Since I got the gScartSW JP21 edition, but opted to just get only one to not burden him instead of being greedy and asking for two. No one else uses JP21 so he placed the files for open source production/ That leaves no one else around to make a group buy to make more gScartSW (JP21 editions). I was afraid the same was done with the gCompSW too.

>>7085907
I really like the gSCARTsw JP21 edition, but I wish it had all the modern features of the gscartsw. SuperG did leave it open source, but no one else wants to update and produce a version for JP21 connectors. I am fortunate to have one, but I wish I was able to get more.

>>6760917
They are not SCART but JP21.

>>6099184
With 10, I would recommend looking into an Extron Crosspoint.


>>6103237
These costco racks are what I use currently, but I'm searching for alternatives. I want to find a nice design for a setup with a large, heavy CRT which can keep so many consoles cool and relatively dust free. The dedicating individual "cubes per console does not fit my style.

>>5796337
I think new silicone contact pads help keep old controllers alive and well. The undortunate thing is they are typically for more common controllers like SNES or Saturn, but I wish they'd make new ones for the Ascii Pad FTs. I'd say the experience is enhanced with working controls.

>>5447124
It is a mess of wires, but I use the gScartSW JP21 edition and Selecty21 boxes. However, it is more costly to stay in my old ways, as the JP21 was what I knew in the late 90s, but now everyone uses Eurro SCART. I have to start saving to switch over to Euro SCART, so I can get all the SCART cables and regular gSCARTsw, which is the one I recommend.

>>4698828
I was using mechanical switches, which I think is just similar to using longer cables, and it just swaps the connection. For component, the GE one I got from K-mart many years ago for $20USD works fine for me and I've had no issues with it until recently. It only has 4 inputs and one output. Which served me well to hook up a PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and PSP but recently I just got a Wii last Black Friday and I have the SNES and Genesis HD Retrovision cables, so I'd need at least a 5th swappable component input.

However, it seems like these days everyone prefers a powered switching device. I think they supposedly regenerate a signal, strip sync, and clean up a low pass filter or something as I am clueless about those things. I think the added benefit of a powered switcher is that they automatically choose the device that's powered on, but I kind of enjoy the tactile feel of hitting a button prior to powering on a system. People seem to really love the gCompSW a lot for component switching. I believe it also does composite switching, but I have no idea how to tackle S-video switching.

I was looking into the component+S-video switch box you have pictured and it seems to be something I am looking for. Mechanical, and has S-video ports. It's a shame it doesn't work. Anyway, I guess if you are willing to give up S-video, try out the gCompSW.

>>4654597
Back then, when all I had was PC CRT monitors, I used an XRGB2 to connect my Saturn to it. I think these days an OSSC does pretty good too. The earlier revision output to DVI-I, which can be converted to VGA pretty easy.

I am not sure about the lag, but I was able to play my Saturn games just fine back then on the XRGB2. I have not tried the device you have pictured, but it looks like it converts S-video to VGA too.

>>4304497
I have no idea. I am guessing OP is just using a picture to show a costly connection. As >>4304568 points out, the RetroTINK is for the Raspberry Pi to hook up to CRTs.

I think the OP picture may be intentionally misleading to get notice like a cute samurai bird. So that the content would be read. I mean, I wish I had $75-$90 to spend on my gaming. Then again, it could be pointing out how a Pi can cost $30 while an analog converter for it can cost $60-$95, similar to how high video quality connections can cost more, but executed poorly as the Pi already outputs HDMI. So I do not think they are mutually exclusive, where one can be stupid AND misleading.

Is there a good VGA (D-sub 15) splitting solution? I got an old KVM switch but nothing for splitting.


>>4180856
I love mine too, but I only got one because I thought to play nice and only ask for one to give others a chance at getting one, but now SuperG refuses to make the JP21 edition of it. He has left the files up for people to make them, but it does not have the filtering upgrades the newer mini has, and I'd still prefer a D-sub 15 + JP21 out over dual Scart the mini comes with these days. How does one make one of these from the files he provided? What's the estimate for how much will that cost on just materials/production of the board?

>>4101347
Yeah, it is great for my PC setup. It is left alone since it auto switches, so it is a device which you can set and forget. However, I ran into the issue that the creator no longer makes the JP21 variant (but left files up for others to replicate) so it did not receive the filter updates nor do I have a backup in case it fails down the line. The nice thing was people were getting rid of Selecty21s for super cheap when the thing was announced and I jumped on, but now those are costly too (and they only swap between 3 inputs, and I can only at most daisy chain 3 with the cables I do have at the moment). The gScartSW has a 2nd simultaneous output which is a DB15 that I can be used for BNC4 to PVM/BVM monitors, and that's why I was searching around for them to no luck. Still a standalone big tube TV in the living room with nice colors and sharpness for games sound nice and comfy to me since component is pretty close to RGB.

I read on /vr/ saying that the pins can shift into the head and that's scared me from doing too much. Now I hear things about the packapunch heads and extra shielded heads retro_console_accessories offer that I never got, and it seems like a huge money sink that one of those new super insulated cables can cost as much those component cables. It is a relief to read they are durable.

>>4097201
>>4097203
Yeah, though it made looking for a capture card that accepts VGA a bit more difficult on me. I settled into one, that eats up a slot on the motherboard, but still desire the Micomsoft USB 3.0 one. Sad news is my capture card doesn't like the OSSC at this time. I still wish I can buy a pro 15kHz CRT for less than a line doubler, unicorns are more likely to be found than BVMs in my neck of the woods (and the $2000+ burger bux to get one here is out of my pay grade). I still can only imagine using a BVM as it sounds amazing to play on. Also yes, I did choose to add in that one extra support column onto the desk just for peace of mind in weight distribution, but the GDM FW-900s weigh over 95lbs.each, so two of them may be a bit much. I think I will have to custom build one, since a lot of "computer desks" nowadays would assume they are for the comparatively lighter flat panel LCD/OLED.


I wish I never threw away the Viewsonic G90f (or was it a P90f, I forgot) in >>4097118 as it was super sharp 19" monitor with great colors to my eyes, just because I had to move. Good news is that my uncle still has an old Gateway 2000 P5-75 and its accompanying 17" Trinitron, and I think that is a good size screen for some classic console gaming or MAME emulation. I just need to get a bigger/better place as these CRTs just eat up space, but it can still put the OSSC and/or XRGB2 to good use again (or I can build up enough funds for a low latency 4k OLED). Old computer CRT monitors are my only cheap alternative to pretending I have a BVM for classic gaming fun.

Very cool, thanks! Hope you give a similar warning when the GDemu becomes available.

I knew they were going up from $40. Thought it was going to be $50, but now it is $53 per cable. I do not know if I'd want to double down with these, even though I already do the RGB thing with upscalers. I don't think I can afford these at the moment, so in a way I hope they sell out so the temptation is removed as I don't think I need them, yet they would give me more connectivity options for my old systems. Also I cannot think of an ethical way to get the kind of funds right now, so it was a more comforting knowing it is not an option available to me.

I just checked my old post >>4022439 on a tablet (digital display) and the image looks bad, but it looks great on my CRT VGA monitor. I guess the image does not prove my point, since the individual pixels are discernible on the CRT monitor, but on the tablet, the individual pixels don't seem uniform ruining the effect. Sorry.


>>4022452
Given my mistake with the gif above. I think what mattered most to me of the CRT "look" is that perceived pixel uniformity. Since digital displays cannot have "half pixels" there's always this odd look, like how I see the CPS1/2/3 games in 4:3 with well proportioned characters but a CRT squeezes the wide render down to make thin rectangular pixels, or slightly stretch a NES/SNES to wide rectangular pixels, but they are even throughout the whole picture, instead of a '4 square then a doubled square pixel.' I hope 4k does fix these issues.


>>4024126
I wish I had known about BVMs and PVMs back in the day, now they are all out of my reach in price. My current computer screen has BNC5 inputs but was designed for 31hz and not 15hz. I went the JP21 route for my consoles, which was the standard then and sadly now everyone went Euro SCART so switch boxes for JP21 are not easily available. It'll cost a lot for me to replace all my cables to BNC styled cables for the Extron starting all over again, which I cannot afford. Just $40 is so nice for a switch box, especially with that many inputs and outputs, starting over is just not worth it for me because of all the costs.

>>3888008
Yes, "Euro SCART" just the cable pinout ...

The video signal comes out of the multi-out port. The end of the RGB cable is your choice for what each of the the 21 pins are ... the common ones are either Euro SCART or JP21. That end goes into a converter cable that goes into the mini RGB in port of the framemeister.

Back in the day, I went with JP21 because that was what was available to me. I stuck with it. Now that more people are interested in RGB, it seems EuroSCART caught on more, so there are more options available for that format now.

>>3819008
I am guessing you mean the old fat 360 which they labeled as "arcade" which came with 256MB memory card and/or 256MB internal storage (a later branding of the "core" fat 360). If so, I think you can set to your choice of output resolution. On mine (non-modded) which goes through VGA cables to a CRT monitor (GDM-FW900), resolutions from 640x480, 848x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1280x1024, 1360x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, and 1920x1080. I have it set to output 1920x1080 even though many games on the system tend to render at a lower resolution and relies on the system to upscale (?) to the 1920x1080 output. I have to squeeze in the vertical size on my monitor's adjustment settings to a 16:9 measurement as the actual frame of the screen is 16:10 (I have it at 1920x1200 when I switch it over to this computer which is 16:10). As for detail and bottleneck, I have no idea what either means. Sorry if I am not understanding the questions, or more likely my technical knowledge is very poor on the subject.


>>3819046
I have a "GE 4-device audio/video switch" for component (upper right of pic). Unfortunately, it does not have any S-video ports. It is not bad for $20-25USD as it is a mechanical switch, so it does not require power. However, it seems enthusiasts prefer powered automatic switches and superg has the gcompsw which should have a larger 2nd batch coming.

The other switch boxes mentioned, like the Radio Shack one and Pelican/GameStop ones I looked at as well, and they seem nice too.


>>3820441
I am so jealous. In my area, it is too ass backwards to have ever have had PVMs and BVMs for broadcast stations purposes and hospitals all around here dumped their CRTs once those 800x600 LCDs became available and may still even use them. My BVM dream will remain a dream, and if I ever miraculously get the money I'd still have to find a way to ship it from afar which will probably damage a CRT these days.

>>3798531
The latter, as the capture setup I have uses an ASUS LCD display (its color reproduction is awful but claims to have very little lag). When playing normally, my computer (capture machine) has a CRT monitor.

>>3701023
There's the Euro SCART, which is this fat connector with 21 pins that is a 1 connector does it all for quality ranging from composite to S-video to RGB. The Japanese RGB has a similar looking 21 pin connector, but each pin is wired to a different signal than the Euro SCART. Thus the reason why you have to be careful knowing what you have, because you don't want to send 5V down a line which is not expecting that. The Japanese connector was known as just simply "RGB" or "RGB21" in Japan originally (as I have the official Nintendo RGB cable for SFC, Sega's official RGB cable for Saturn, and Sony's official one for the original Playstation), but these days to differentiate from the Euro SCART, the Japanese connector is simply called "JP21."

As for an American RGB ... I guess would be BNC4 or BNC5. Which has a single wire for Red, Green, Blue, and C-Sync (for 4, 5 has horizontal sync and vertical sync), with these ends designed to lock in securely so that it cannot be yanked out. As you see on broadcast monitors like in a NFL game.


Of course, computers had always output in RGB like with a VGA cable to their monitors in their day, but at a higher frequency of about 31.5kHz. Wonderfully sharp images.

For my situation, there are only 2 switch boxes, neither inexpensive. I first read about RGB in EGM. I got the official RGB cables for my SNES and Saturn (my two primary systems) which were in the JP21 spec. I have stuck with the JP21 spec for all my systems, and suddenly everyone hears about how clear (Euro) RGB SCART can be, no one else uses JP21. Even the guy who makes this expensive switchbox will no longer make JP21 variations of it, leaving only the Selecty21s again. Good thing superg released the documentation for others to make on their own, it is still amazing the person made such a thing and I am very appreciative, but it tells me I went down the wrong path many many years ago, and is equally expensive for me to make the change now.

What do I need to know about hooking up to a BVM? I think I see the same Sony BVM-A20F1-U with 72k hours on it as >>3598370
and I have been hearing great things about the monitor, but I do not know if I should spend the hundreds of dollars the seller is asking for.

As pictured, I hook up my systems via JP21 cables to my computer CRT monitors, but I have to use the XRGB2 to convert it to VGA (31kHz). The gSCARTsw (JP21 edition) does have a VGA output (15kHz) which I think I could buy a VGA to BNC(?) which connects up to one of those cards that are inserted into a BVM. I am really in need of help knowing what sort of cards and hookups I'd need if I were to purchase this monitor. Thanks for the help.