AtariLabs.com - RGB Primer

Time to update this page a little. It's been a while since I wrote it, and apparently it's still not quite clear enough for a lot of people. This is v2.0 - all shiny and edited and clarified.

There are a number of things you'll have to consider before you experience the bliss that is gaming under visual perfection. The first question is why? Read our Video Primer for the reason behind this obsession. Then you'll need a console with RGB capability - luckily the NES is the only popular console without RGB available one way or another. You'll need a suitable monitor - a VGA computer monitor will not work. You'll also need a cable of some sort to connect the two.

You should read the Video Primer before getting into the details here. Also, any console without composite sync output will need an LM1881 (or similar) circuit to remove the video data from the sync signal. Luckily most consoles do output composite sync, only a few output just composite video. Check GameSX.com for details on specific consoles.

[- Monitor -]

Picking a suitable monitor.

The monitor must be an RGB monitor. Those of you in Europe should be able to easily get a SCART-capable TV, which for our purposes, is the same as RGB. And if you have one of those, armed with a SCART cable for your favourite console, you might as well stop reading now and go play.

A VGA monitor will not work. With only a few exceptions, a VGA monitor will not synchronize with the video signal from a game console. Check your monitor user guide - it will list the supported frequencies. Current VGA monitors have a minimum horizontal scan rate of about 30kHz, where all game consoles output 15kHz. To adapt the output of a game console to a higher scanning frequency is usually more expensive than buying another monitor! For example, an upscan convertor can cost upwards of $200, where an old Amiga RGB monitor can be found for $25+.

Amiga monitors will work (the Commodore 1084 is a favourite). Atari ST (Colour) monitors will work, with some effort. Arcade monitors (Raster only!) will work. Certain early model NEC Multisync monitors will work. Very few other monitors are suitable. EGA and CGA monitors will not work - they utilize a digital signal format and you'll only irritate yourself trying to wire these up. If you do not have a suitable monitor, especially VGA, DO NOT USE IT!! You will, at best, shut down your monitor temporarily. At worst, you'll hear a very nasty sounding high pitched whine, and then silence as your monitor kills itself trying to do what you want.

We cannot answer your questions about specific monitor types. If you can't find the manual, try contacting the manufacturer or searching the many online monitor spec archives.

[- SUN Computer connector -]

The RGB Connector

You're going to need to muck about with two different connectors: one on the console, one on the monitor. Most non-VGA monitors use a a plug unique to themselves, as do most game consoles. GameSX.com has pinouts for most consoles and many monitors.

If you're lucky, your console will have an RGB cable readily available. Many modern consoles had RGB cables produced by the original manufacturer (although these were never released in North America). Because of the relatively niche market for these cables, they're not at all easy to find anymore - many third-party accessory companies produce them, however only current consoles (PSX, Dreamcast) are currently available. These cables were always relatively easy to find in Europe, the SCART connector, has always been widely available consumer-level televisions. An identical looking connector (shown here) is used in Japan, but it uses a different pinout. Arcade monitors have no external plug, and will require some additional detective work to determine what's needed.

Putting it All Together

Once you've chosen your monitor (to reiterate, make sure it's not digital, it's colour, and make extra sure it will support the 15kHz horizontal signal!) and your console (as long as it's not a NES, you should be ok) the joy of hooking it together begins. I have two methods: The first is to lop off the 21-pin SCART connector and replace it with whatever my monitor requires. The connectors for most monitors can be purchased at Radio Shack or other electronics merchants. The other method is to make a cable with your monitors connector on one end, and a socket for the scart cable on the other. Then you can use this new cable to convert any console-specific cable you buy to run on your monitor.

A few other caveats

I've said it before, but make sure your monitor supports the signal. It's not fun spending time on something only to find it won't work, and it's even worse knowing you could have saved the effort if you'd looked a little harder first.

Next, check to ensure you've got the right pinout! Confusing the 21-pin European connector with the Japanese connector will only lead to trouble! Since most vendors can't tell you which one you've purchased, you can use the pinouts on GameSX.com to determine which you've got.

Don't be overwhelmed! It's as easy as connecting the dots. Print out the pinout for your console, and the one for your monitor. Connect Red to Red, Sync to Sync, Ground to Ground, etc. That's it - now you're ready to play in style.

You'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Lawrence.

NEW: Discuss this in the ThinkTank!


RGB & Gaming
by Lawrence

GameSX.com AtariLabs Home AtariLabs Forums		Time to update this page a little. It's been a while since I wrote it, and apparently it's still not quite clear enough for a lot of people. This is v2.0 - all shiny and edited and clarified. There are a number of things you'll have to consider before you experience the bliss that is gaming under visual perfection. The first question is why? Read our Video Primer for the reason behind this obsession. Then you'll need a console with RGB capability - luckily the NES is the only popular console without RGB available one way or another. You'll need a suitable monitor - a VGA computer monitor will not work. You'll also need a cable of some sort to connect the two. You should read the Video Primer before getting into the details here. Also, any console without composite sync output will need an LM1881 (or similar) circuit to remove the video data from the sync signal. Luckily most consoles do output composite sync, only a few output just composite video. Check GameSX.com for details on specific consoles. Picking a suitable monitor. The monitor must be an RGB monitor. Those of you in Europe should be able to easily get a SCART-capable TV, which for our purposes, is the same as RGB. And if you have one of those, armed with a SCART cable for your favourite console, you might as well stop reading now and go play. A VGA monitor will not work. With only a few exceptions, a VGA monitor will not synchronize with the video signal from a game console. Check your monitor user guide - it will list the supported frequencies. Current VGA monitors have a minimum horizontal scan rate of about 30kHz, where all game consoles output 15kHz. To adapt the output of a game console to a higher scanning frequency is usually more expensive than buying another monitor! For example, an upscan convertor can cost upwards of $200, where an old Amiga RGB monitor can be found for $25+. Amiga monitors will work (the Commodore 1084 is a favourite). Atari ST (Colour) monitors will work, with some effort. Arcade monitors (Raster only!) will work. Certain early model NEC Multisync monitors will work. Very few other monitors are suitable. EGA and CGA monitors will not work - they utilize a digital signal format and you'll only irritate yourself trying to wire these up. If you do not have a suitable monitor, especially VGA, DO NOT USE IT!! You will, at best, shut down your monitor temporarily. At worst, you'll hear a very nasty sounding high pitched whine, and then silence as your monitor kills itself trying to do what you want. We cannot answer your questions about specific monitor types. If you can't find the manual, try contacting the manufacturer or searching the many online monitor spec archives. The RGB Connector You're going to need to muck about with two different connectors: one on the console, one on the monitor. Most non-VGA monitors use a a plug unique to themselves, as do most game consoles. GameSX.com has pinouts for most consoles and many monitors. If you're lucky, your console will have an RGB cable readily available. Many modern consoles had RGB cables produced by the original manufacturer (although these were never released in North America). Because of the relatively niche market for these cables, they're not at all easy to find anymore - many third-party accessory companies produce them, however only current consoles (PSX, Dreamcast) are currently available. These cables were always relatively easy to find in Europe, the SCART connector, has always been widely available consumer-level televisions. An identical looking connector (shown here) is used in Japan, but it uses a different pinout. Arcade monitors have no external plug, and will require some additional detective work to determine what's needed. Putting it All Together Once you've chosen your monitor (to reiterate, make sure it's not digital, it's colour, and make extra sure it will support the 15kHz horizontal signal!) and your console (as long as it's not a NES, you should be ok) the joy of hooking it together begins. I have two methods: The first is to lop off the 21-pin SCART connector and replace it with whatever my monitor requires. The connectors for most monitors can be purchased at Radio Shack or other electronics merchants. The other method is to make a cable with your monitors connector on one end, and a socket for the scart cable on the other. Then you can use this new cable to convert any console-specific cable you buy to run on your monitor. A few other caveats I've said it before, but make sure your monitor supports the signal. It's not fun spending time on something only to find it won't work, and it's even worse knowing you could have saved the effort if you'd looked a little harder first. Next, check to ensure you've got the right pinout! Confusing the 21-pin European connector with the Japanese connector will only lead to trouble! Since most vendors can't tell you which one you've purchased, you can use the pinouts on GameSX.com to determine which you've got. Don't be overwhelmed! It's as easy as connecting the dots. Print out the pinout for your console, and the one for your monitor. Connect Red to Red, Sync to Sync, Ground to Ground, etc. That's it - now you're ready to play in style. You'll wonder how you ever got along without it. Lawrence. NEW: Discuss this in the ThinkTank!

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