RGB to component transcoder.

[RichieB]

I am English but I am resident in the USA, so its been a while since I saw native analogue RGB on a TV monitor or display.   UK citizens swear by RGB and its nice to see a site here that tells you how to get RGB in North America.

Alot of people are fiddling with the PCB's which I am not able to do because I don't know anything about soldering or the inards of any console or arcade machine.  So I wanted to get some of you bright lads to tell me if this RGB to Component video transcoder is the end of my search for at least decent quality video from any console that outputs RGB.

www.syncblaster.com

I emailed the website.. (www.keene.co.uk) that sells the item.  Its quite expensive around the $140 mark I think.  Apparently a PSU for 110v can be picked up at Radio shack, the unit accepts RGB at 50/60hz and outputs PAL/NTSC through component or vice versa.

The unit is pinned for PAL scart configuration but it does not carry L+R audio signals.   The cable can be modified for L+R RCA type plugs, which makes getting Genesis scart leads a breeze.. Anything that outputs an RGB signal via scart should in theory output 60hz to this unit which will in turn convert the signal to 60hz NTSC component video.   www.keene.co.uk assured me the unit will provide better than Svideo quality video from any source into an NTSC component video capable TV.   The unit is designed for DVD players in the UK that output RGB scart only and do not have the component outputs necessary for projectors or LCD type displays.  So there you go.

So am I dreaming or what.  Does anyone have any experience with the syncblaster?  I would dearly like to hear from anyone.

[benzaldehyde]

Hi RichieB,

    The Syncblaster does indeed sound like a great product. However, should my memory serve me properly, there was a discussion in which we discovered that Keene is quite reluctant to ship any products to the US. It really is disappointing; I'd been lookng for something like that everywhere. However, Jeremy Pallant has recently reviewed (on nfg.2y.net/games/) another transcoder product, produced by Micromsoft (the XRGB-2 guys). The XSelect-D4 sounds like it could do an RGB to component transfer, and can also convert progressive scan signals. There isn't any upscan functionality, but I guess we have to take what we can get.

However, that's all irrelevant if you could get Keene to ship it here. To that end, I wish you the best of luck!

[Guest]

I can get anything shipped, Im English.. I have family and friends who would intercept the product and ship it to me in the USA.

My main concern is if the item actually works on US TV's.  I would guess it would, since component is native to American soil.

I don't see the point in the other product you mention, since from the review ive read it seems it only works on Xbox which has component outputs anyway.  I want this item for consoles that are pre-svideo but are wired for RGB, like the Megadrive/Genesis.

Going back to RGB, you can buy a German Sony from www.world-import.com, it has RGB SCart input on it.  But bear in mind trinitrons are noticably darker through RGB due to the trinitron philosphy of one gun instead of 3.  Its a shame they don't carry philips or panny's.


When I have some spare cash I will take the plunge I guess, I'm too busy buying arcade machines, pcb's and a supergun.. I'm also starting a project in January to build an arcade pedestal and a racing seat for GT4 Steering wheel.

[acem77]

if any one finds a trancoder thats works please let me know.
i tried and gave up on the audio authority vga to component converter.
a member matt had some luck with some systems. i had no luck with the systems i tried genesis, duo and neogeo. for now i have to stick with my rgb to s-video converter.

[RichieB]

I will probably indulge in the RGB - component transcoder around Easter time.  I just have too much on my plate right now.  As soon as I get it this thread will be the first place I will post my findings.

Take care.

Richie.