Micomsoft's XRGB-2+.

Micomsoft's XRGB-2 device was a solid winner. For years it was the upscan converter of choice among discriminating gamers. Solid build quality, a raft of excellent features, and the only consumer-level VGA-box to actually convert the high-quality RGB signals from most modern consoles into VGA. This article will mainly cover the differences between the XRGB-2 and the new XRGB-2+, so if you're already confused or wondering why anyone would blow $200 or more on a "VGA box" when companies like Redant sell "VGA boxes" for under $50, please check our background articles. For information on why RGB is worth the extra cost, see here. For a review of the old XRGB-2 unit, see here.

First impressions are very favourable. The OOBE (out of box experience) is a gadget junky's dream come true: included are a VGA male-male extension cable for connecting your computer's VGA output to the XRGB-2+, two component adaptors allowing standard DVD-player RCA-type component cables to be connected to BOTH of the the XRGB-2+ component inputs, and two audio adaptors, one a female headphone to male RCA, and the other a somewhat superfluous 15cm stereo audio extension cable. New also this time is a vertical power supply, replacing the ugly wall-wart of the past. It's slim enough to fit on a power bar without blocking more than one port, and light enough to hang on the wall.

The manual is as detailed as the first, with a lot more information about the available features, video modes, dot clocks and much more. Several connection diagrams are presented, showing some of the ways you can utilize this all-in-one convertor. Naturally it's all in Japanese, but in a pleasant change from the XRGB-2 (Depending on which revision you got) all the menu options and buttons are labelled in English.

Usage is the same as the old unit, with a few differences in operation, a new remote control, a soft power switch (with a satisfying relay 'click' from inside the box when pressed) and a few new ports. First off, there's a Japanese D1 connector up front, which is a fancy 525i component video port. For those of use in countries not using this port, Micomsoft has thoughtfully included an RCA-style component convertor for this port. Also up front is the mandatory 21-pin RGB connector (You should know this is not a SCART pinout, though the connector is the same). Different this time is that this connector doubles as a Component video port, and again Micomsoft has included the necessary adaptor for easy use. Around back I was pleasantly surprised to find that the S-video and composite video ports now each have their own audio inputs, so you can have a total of four video sources plugged in at once, where the XRGB-2 allows only two.

The on-screen menu features a slew of new options - individually adjustable gamma and levels for Red, Green and Blue signals. A few options which mystify me thus far as I haven't actually read the manual (Curse these language skills!) yet: Poweron seems to prevent the unit from being turned off, Mask seems to crop the borders of the screen, and the options CRT-Sync, Term and VD-Lock don't seem to do anything at all. I'll get to figuring those out and update this page, I swear.

Physically it's the same size as the XRGB-2, it lacks the larger 15-pin connector for Japanese computer monitors (no big loss), and it doesn't have a switch for PCB use - whether that means it's automatic or adjustable from the menu I don't know.

Bottom line: As far as I'm concerned it's a lateral step. The lack of progressive 480p input really hurts, I can't imagine why they didn't support this but did make it support 1024 resolution. The Component video support will make your GameCube look great but again the lack of 480p means you're better served with other solutions if that's your primary goal. The remote is nice, but when you have to get up to swap cables or power up your system anyway it's only really a feature for people who use their VGA monitor as a primary DVD display. Assuming you don't want to swap discs...

I'm disappointed in the pass-through quality. There's significant blur when viewing VGA passed through the XRGB-2+. Black text on a white background is particularly affected, and while it may not be entirely noticable, it's definitely worse than the XRGB-2, which seemed not to affect the signal at all. If this is the result of soft power switching, I'd just as soon go back to a manual switch.

Another particularly nasty beef I have with it is that the dot clock doesn't seem adequately implemented. Where the menu in the XRGB-2 was rock-solid, the text in this version has 'jaggies' where they are out of sync and appear to shear. This doesn't seem to affect the signal from your game system, but I haven't yet investigated whether they're not present or just hidden by the nature of the scene viewed. Check this picture:

[ Jaggies from Micomsoft? Say it ain't so! ]

[ Jaggies from Micomsoft? Say it ain't so! ]

I'm at the same time disappointed and enthralled. Nice new features, great implementation, but considering the wait and the price the lack of 480p, the somewhat useless 1024 mode, and the menu jaggies leave me wondering exactly what went wrong.

Lawrence. Discuss This!


Micomsoft's XRGB-2 Plus!
by Lawrence

GameSX.com AtariLabs Home AtariLabs Forums		Micomsoft's XRGB-2 device was a solid winner. For years it was the upscan converter of choice among discriminating gamers. Solid build quality, a raft of excellent features, and the only consumer-level VGA-box to actually convert the high-quality RGB signals from most modern consoles into VGA. This article will mainly cover the differences between the XRGB-2 and the new XRGB-2+, so if you're already confused or wondering why anyone would blow $200 or more on a "VGA box" when companies like Redant sell "VGA boxes" for under $50, please check our background articles. For information on why RGB is worth the extra cost, see here. For a review of the old XRGB-2 unit, see here. First impressions are very favourable. The OOBE (out of box experience) is a gadget junky's dream come true: included are a VGA male-male extension cable for connecting your computer's VGA output to the XRGB-2+, two component adaptors allowing standard DVD-player RCA-type component cables to be connected to BOTH of the the XRGB-2+ component inputs, and two audio adaptors, one a female headphone to male RCA, and the other a somewhat superfluous 15cm stereo audio extension cable. New also this time is a vertical power supply, replacing the ugly wall-wart of the past. It's slim enough to fit on a power bar without blocking more than one port, and light enough to hang on the wall. The manual is as detailed as the first, with a lot more information about the available features, video modes, dot clocks and much more. Several connection diagrams are presented, showing some of the ways you can utilize this all-in-one convertor. Naturally it's all in Japanese, but in a pleasant change from the XRGB-2 (Depending on which revision you got) all the menu options and buttons are labelled in English. Usage is the same as the old unit, with a few differences in operation, a new remote control, a soft power switch (with a satisfying relay 'click' from inside the box when pressed) and a few new ports. First off, there's a Japanese D1 connector up front, which is a fancy 525i component video port. For those of use in countries not using this port, Micomsoft has thoughtfully included an RCA-style component convertor for this port. Also up front is the mandatory 21-pin RGB connector (You should know this is not a SCART pinout, though the connector is the same). Different this time is that this connector doubles as a Component video port, and again Micomsoft has included the necessary adaptor for easy use. Around back I was pleasantly surprised to find that the S-video and composite video ports now each have their own audio inputs, so you can have a total of four video sources plugged in at once, where the XRGB-2 allows only two. The on-screen menu features a slew of new options - individually adjustable gamma and levels for Red, Green and Blue signals. A few options which mystify me thus far as I haven't actually read the manual (Curse these language skills!) yet: Poweron seems to prevent the unit from being turned off, Mask seems to crop the borders of the screen, and the options CRT-Sync, Term and VD-Lock don't seem to do anything at all. I'll get to figuring those out and update this page, I swear. Physically it's the same size as the XRGB-2, it lacks the larger 15-pin connector for Japanese computer monitors (no big loss), and it doesn't have a switch for PCB use - whether that means it's automatic or adjustable from the menu I don't know. Bottom line: As far as I'm concerned it's a lateral step. The lack of progressive 480p input really hurts, I can't imagine why they didn't support this but did make it support 1024 resolution. The Component video support will make your GameCube look great but again the lack of 480p means you're better served with other solutions if that's your primary goal. The remote is nice, but when you have to get up to swap cables or power up your system anyway it's only really a feature for people who use their VGA monitor as a primary DVD display. Assuming you don't want to swap discs... I'm disappointed in the pass-through quality. There's significant blur when viewing VGA passed through the XRGB-2+. Black text on a white background is particularly affected, and while it may not be entirely noticable, it's definitely worse than the XRGB-2, which seemed not to affect the signal at all. If this is the result of soft power switching, I'd just as soon go back to a manual switch. Another particularly nasty beef I have with it is that the dot clock doesn't seem adequately implemented. Where the menu in the XRGB-2 was rock-solid, the text in this version has 'jaggies' where they are out of sync and appear to shear. This doesn't seem to affect the signal from your game system, but I haven't yet investigated whether they're not present or just hidden by the nature of the scene viewed. Check this picture: I'm at the same time disappointed and enthralled. Nice new features, great implementation, but considering the wait and the price the lack of 480p, the somewhat useless 1024 mode, and the menu jaggies leave me wondering exactly what went wrong. Lawrence. Discuss This!

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