Sony PVM 2030 and VGA?

mugenmidget · March 05, 2010, 01:50:32 AM

First off, I want to thank everyone here for all the excellent information. I finally got my Genesis 1 + 32X hooked up through RGB by building a SCART to PVM adapter with all the great diagrams posted here. Probably the worst soldering job anyone has ever seen, but it works at least.

My next thing I want to try to build with some of the spare DB25 connectors I have is a VGA to DB25 connector. Now, with programs like SoftKHZ (http://community.arcadeinfo.de/showthread.php?t=8170) I can get resolutions that will work with arcade monitors. Would the PVM 2030 be able to handle an nVidia card forced into these resolutions on the CMPTR input?

That leads me to my next question: pin number 9 on the PVM 2030 CMPTR input. Should pin 9 be grounded if the nVidia graphics card is forced into "arcade" resolutions by SoftKHZ? Or should it remain open? What about when Windows is booting and SoftKHZ hasn't kicked in, will it damage the Sony PVM to keep it hooked up to a VGA signal like that when pin 9 is open?

From discussion in this earlier topic (http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2209.0), it seems like the Sony PVM wouldn't be able to sync to the 31kHZ signal regardless of pin 9 (which is just for the older digital RGB apparently). So disregard my comments on pin 9 if I'm totally off base.

It seems like people have done this hook up before, but how do they avoid damage from booting the PC if the nVidia card starts with a normal VGA signal? I could always switch when it's ready but if there was an easy way to force the card to a specific resolution even at boot time that would be best.

Any all information on this is appreciated, thank you for such an awesome RGB haven.

RGB32E · March 05, 2010, 06:27:48 AM

The only pin you could optionally ground is pin 2 - audio select (audio input from Line A/B or VTR instead of DB25 pin (mono)).

Here's a wiring chart for a VGA to PVM adapter:

Connection	HDDB15F	DB25F
Red	1	6
Green	2	5
Blue	3	4
H-sync	13	3*
V-sync	14	3*
Ground	15-24 (any)	6, 7, 8, 10

*H-sync and V-sync need to be combined to make composite sync.

mugenmidget · March 05, 2010, 07:15:11 AM

Thank you very much, that should make things a lot easier for me. I appreciate it.

My only question then is what damage can be caused by routing a normal VGA signal (with the 31 kHz horizontal refresh rate) with the higher resolution as well? Isn't that sort of like sending 480p to the PVM (which it doesn't support AFAIK)? I have tried to find a precedent of that with the PVM but I couldn't get a clear idea of what would happen.

In other words, should I only plug in my cable once I'm booted into Windows and the resolution is changed through Soft kHz? For the time being that's what I'll be doing, but I was just curious if there was a more elegant solution for the nVidia card so I didn't have to swap?

RGB32E · March 06, 2010, 01:53:01 AM

Quote from: mugenmidget on March 05, 2010, 07:15:11 AM
Thank you very much, that should make things a lot easier for me. I appreciate it.

My only question then is what damage can be caused by routing a normal VGA signal (with the 31 kHz horizontal refresh rate) with the higher resolution as well? Isn't that sort of like sending 480p to the PVM (which it doesn't support AFAIK)? I have tried to find a precedent of that with the PVM but I couldn't get a clear idea of what would happen.

In other words, should I only plug in my cable once I'm booted into Windows and the resolution is changed through Soft kHz? For the time being that's what I'll be doing, but I was just curious if there was a more elegant solution for the nVidia card so I didn't have to swap?

The visible effect is usually one of two things:
-Double image (side by side/ picture and picture)
-Loss of vertical hold and the image is skewed diagonally and rolling

Feeding a CRT display with a signal above it's capabilities can potentially cause damage. Displaying a VGA/480p signal on a 15kHz CRT for a brief period of time hasn't caused any problem for either of my 15kHz CRTs. I haven't heard what damage extended viewing would cause, but I wouldn't want to find out!

mugenmidget · March 06, 2010, 05:43:16 PM

Is that diagram contradicting the table above it or am I looking at it wrong? I think maybe that there was a slight error made and the optional grounding of pin 2 is shown on pin 3 instead, which shifted over the H-Sync and RGB as well. If that's not the case then let me know.

And thank you for letting me know about the effects of sending the VGA signal, I'll try and wait until everything is booted up before turning on the TV.

RGB32E · July 13, 2011, 02:00:32 AM

Quote from: mugenmidget on March 06, 2010, 05:43:16 PM
Is that diagram contradicting the table above it or am I looking at it wrong? I think maybe that there was a slight error made and the optional grounding of pin 2 is shown on pin 3 instead, which shifted over the H-Sync and RGB as well. If that's not the case then let me know.

And thank you for letting me know about the effects of sending the VGA signal, I'll try and wait until everything is booted up before turning on the TV.

Yeah... the picture needs to be updated as the picture isn't right, but the table is....

EDIT: Deleted picture from post. The PVM-2030 doesn't accept separate sync when analog RGB signals are used. A sync combiner is required to convert RGBHV to RGBS.

c0dehunter · July 18, 2012, 03:48:23 AM

Hello RGB32E,

Thanks for correction and removing the erroneous diagram. I am not sure if I understand your statement about Composite sync: What does this mean now? That I can't simply connect the RGB and H sync V synch and make this cable?

In other words I need another device to connect 2030 to VGA?

I have a video card that is able to send out 15Khz via Soft15Khz software (I am doing it right now and it is connected to my Commodore 1084S-D1 monitor). With this video card, do I still need to make a composite sync on Sony 2030?

In these forums, they talk about composite sync, but I guess I am already covered since my Video card can output 15Khz:
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?4774-25-pin-D-sub&highlight=Sony

Edit: since you suggested that I should answer my own questions, I think I know why you mentioned composite sync: I think you thought I am going to connect PVM to real gaming consoles !

In reality, I am trying to connect it to a modern PC (VGA) and use EMULATION! I know that my video card can output 15Khz signal (is it a composite signal?) via Soft 15KHz. (currently I am using this setup with my 13" Commodore 1084S-D1 monitor and it looks amazing - but I need something bigger, that is why I am getting a Sony PVM-2030)

Also I know this guys has successfully connected his PVM-2030 to his PC without any composite converter:

http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4656.0

As usual, your thoughts and insights are much appreciated!

RGB32E · July 19, 2012, 05:07:49 AM

I built the cable for Zelkin mentioned in the linked thread.

As mentioned before, you need to convert horizontal sync and vertical sync into composite sync, as a PVM-2030 won't accept separate syncs when feeding analog RGB.

c0dehunter · July 19, 2012, 08:17:34 AM

Hello RGB32E,
Sorry that I am a newbie! OK, if I pay you would you kindly make me a cable too? I am also about to buy a 13" Sony PVM-1342Q in addition to this PVM-2030, so would you please see if you can make a cable for this as well? Do you have PayPal account?

Thanks for your help!

c0dehunter · August 01, 2012, 12:59:18 PM

c0dehunter · August 02, 2012, 02:20:43 PM

OK, I manage to have the person who originally made me the cable, also make the small circuit and implement it right in the 25pin housing, and guess what? It WORKS! It is a beauty to behold! (although compared to my 13" Commodore 1084S-D1, it would take time to adjust to its nice 20" size!)

Thank you all for your kind comments which made this project a success! I will post images shortly!

Thanks again.

sabravof · April 13, 2017, 01:52:05 AM

Quote from: c0dehunter on August 02, 2012, 02:20:43 PM
OK, I manage to have the person who originally made me the cable, also make the small circuit and implement it right in the 25pin housing, and guess what? It WORKS! It is a beauty to behold! (although compared to my 13" Commodore 1084S-D1, it would take time to adjust to its nice 20" size!)

Thank you all for your kind comments which made this project a success! I will post images shortly!

Thanks again.

Hi, i just register because i want to build the same cable.

Can you tell me which circuit are you talking about?. The link http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?45347-PS2-POPS-stuff&p=770548&viewfull=1#post770548 is dead.

Thanks in advice

RGB32E · June 02, 2017, 10:26:44 AM

Quote from: sabravof on April 13, 2017, 01:52:05 AM
Hi, i just register because i want to build the same cable.

Can you tell me which circuit are you talking about?. The link http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?45347-PS2-POPS-stuff&p=770548&viewfull=1#post770548 is dead.

Thanks in advice

http://www.nexusuk.org/projects/vga2scart/circuit

This is the sync combiner circuit I built years ago. It can be made small enough to fit inside a DB25 connector hood.

nfg.forums

News:

Sony PVM 2030 and VGA?

mugenmidget

RGB32E

mugenmidget

RGB32E

mugenmidget

RGB32E

c0dehunter

RGB32E

c0dehunter

c0dehunter

c0dehunter

sabravof

RGB32E