Upscaler questions?

[MNKyDeth]

I may have asked similar questions before, but....


I finally have the last few bits for my Duo. I am keeping the original A/V output on it and adding two 8pin mini-din flange connectors to the back of the unit. One will be for RGB the other will be for component.

I have both chips from Turbokon and this way I can get screenshots on all three video outputs. However I do not have a RGB TV that uses scart and I planned on using the RGB chip to a scart cable to a framemeister.

So that should be my best output video in terms of resolution.

My main question is... is it worth the rouhgly $400 for a framemeister compared to say a $50 - 100 upscaler unit?

I will be ordering the upscaler in the next week or two and hopefully finishing off the internal modding in my Duo this weekend.

[Black Tiger]

Cheap upscalers are garbage. Framemeister isn't too expensive any more and is worth the price if you have a real use for it. I only got one to capture high quality video. I'd much rather drop $500 on a quality crt TV when it comes to playing games.

[MNKyDeth]

Well, plan on using the component output when on my actual TV.

I will use the RGB output with the framemeister when connected to my Computer either for streaming or video capture.

This will also allow me to compare the RGB and component chip on the framemeister connected to my computer as well.

[Black Tiger]

Then definitely buy a framemeister. I once paid $100 for an RGB to hdmi upscaler and it only output one resolution and only at 16:9. The framemeister lets you control everything.

[ProfessorProfessorson]

The iScan Pro works with Turbokons component out and the picture quality is fairly nice. It can recognize 240P fine and doesn't f*ck with shadows via crappy deinterlacing in games. It can output component 480P and VGA @ 640x480. It supports squeeze mode so any LCD that doesn't like 4:3 will not be a problem. Via VGA it can be paired with a MiniSLG for scanline support. Problem is the iScan Pro is not that common anymore. You'd have to check ebay daily for them. They go for about 60 bucks. New retail they were around a grand or so, so they are old, but good.

[MNKyDeth]

I did some digging on the Iscan gear.  It does seem good for what it is but the XRGB mini seems to be the hands down choice among the retro crowd plus I can buy it brand new and to me that is huge if I need to send it back if it's defective from the get go.

However upon doing this research I apparently never saw all the ports on the XRGB mini. From the way everyone talked about the unit I always assumed the RGB port was a scart cable port. I actually bought scart connectors to make my own cables but when I finally saw a close up picture it uses an eight pin mini din connector for the RGB port.

I have put in two eight pin mini din flanged connectors on the back of my Duo. One for Component and one for RGB. So my plan has changed to buying the XRGB mini from here with the DT cable.
http://solarisjapan.com/collections/micomsoft/products/xrgb-mini-framemeister-compact-up-scaler-unit

The DT cable will allow me to use the Component port so I will buy that with the unit. I will hit ebay to grab a translated cover for the remote. I can also use the native composite output on the Duo on the XRGB mini and then all I need to do is make my RGB cable and I can use the RGB port. This in turn will allow me to compare and play with all three available Video outputs from my Duo and basque in all it's glory.

One question I do have however is can I just make an eight pin mini din to eight pin mini din cable? Or do I need to actually have the scart connectors in the middle? I assume I can just make a 8 pin to 8pin mini din cable and be done with it. Actually I have a box full of the 6' mac cables to use as extension cables for my Duo controllers. I could just snip one end off and solder the connecter I have to it and be done if this is the case.

If all goes well I will be buying the XRGB my next paycheck as it has my bonus in it.

[mickcris]

yeah, just wire up your din jack to the xrgb mini pinout and get a male - male cable.  its alot easier to get a premade one (and they are really cheap) unless you really want to make it yourself.
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10215&cs_id=1021501&p_id=522&seq=1&format=2

[MNKyDeth]

It would just be a matter of making sure I solder the wires to the pins inside the Duo to the proper spots. Nice Buck fifty really hard to beat and prolly better than making my own.

Sold 

Thanks for that mickcris

[mickcris]

here is the pinout:
http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:micomsoft_xrgb-mini_framemeister
this is the female side though so you will have to do the mirror image of it when soldering the pins to on the back of the connector