Author Topic: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??  (Read 825 times)

vexcollects

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Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« on: January 18, 2014, 06:19:39 PM »
Bought a Duo R on eBay today. The seller advised that a Scart RGB to Component converter should be purchased to get the top video quality from the console. I guess I would also have to purchase the Scart audio extractor adapter too?

It is probably gonna cost me about $80 for the 2 components. Do I need anything else?

So, is this worth it for the video quality difference? Also, if my other consoles (Sega CDX, Sega Saturn, Atari Jaguar.....) are all North American can I use this converter with them, or is it only going to be compatible with my Duo R?

I'm a newb with import consoles, so cut me some slack ;)

Mzo

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2014, 06:44:05 PM »
In the end you'll need the adapter, a set of component male to component male video cable, the audio breakout box, a dual RCA male to RCA male cable for left and right sound, a SCART switch so you don't have to disconnect and reconnect to the adapter every time you want to use a different console, and a SCART to SCART cable to go from the switch to the adapter.

A lot of older consoles natively put out an RGB signal, which is far better than the next standard, composite.  You just need the right cable, and those end in a SCART connector.  There's a common SCART to YUV adapter for sale on eBay and Amazon for around $50 that will work.  It takes the SCART cable and puts out YUV component video.  I use it on my US SMS (looks amazing), US Genesis/Sega CD/32X, US SNES, and my Japanese Saturn with no issues.

You might be thinking of video problems converting 50Hz PAL video to the NTSC standard, which is shared between the US and Japan.  As long as you're not dealing with old European consoles they should all be compatible.

Once everything is said and done, if you're going from composite video to this, it is worth every penny.  If your systems are modded with s-video already it's debatable, but still an improvement.

wildfruit

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2014, 07:24:59 PM »
Can you just use the rgb without converting it?

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Ji-L87

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2014, 10:04:36 PM »
Bought a Duo R on eBay today. The seller advised that a Scart RGB to Component converter should be purchased to get the top video quality from the console.

Three things:
1) I suppose the Duo-R was RGB modded, hence why the seller said that. Otherwise, a standard Duo only outputs composite video.

2) Like wildfruit said, the RGB to component/YUV converter box is just used for that. If your setup can handle RGB without converting, then stick to stick to that.

3) Mzo already said this but the converter is just a general converter which takes RGB through a scart connector and outputs a Compoent/YUV signal. The source system doesn't matter at all, just that it's an RGB signal - so yes, anything that can output an RGB signal can be used with it. I've seen some of those specifically called "SEGA YUV converter" and the like, but there's nothing system specific about them.  :mrgreen:
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vexcollects

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2014, 02:54:36 AM »
Thanks for all the good info. Just so I'm clear here,

As I understand it some systems would need to be modded for RGB. The one I just bought is modded(duo r). Is that port the small round din on the system? The other end of the scart cable looks like a parallel cable from an old printer I believe. This being said, my TV would not accept this connection so I would require the convert.

But then my question would be which systems natively have an RGB port? I think my CDX and Saturn have one, but I don't recall seeing one on my Snes mini, nes, Jaguar/jag CD, Dreamcast, Gamecube, or N64. I'm assuming these systems would need modding?

I remember the VGA being quite nice when I had an adapter for the dreamcast. I regret selling it, greatly. Had no idea it would be worth what it is worth now. Stupid move on my part.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2014, 02:59:09 AM by vexcollects »

wildfruit

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2014, 03:33:09 AM »
Dreamcast outputs RGB natively as does mega drive. Gamecube does on euro models. Nes doesn't the others i cant confirm but in pretty sure snes outputs rgb natively

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Ji-L87

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2014, 03:43:54 AM »
Edit: Late post. What Wildfruit said.
Is that port the small round din on the system? The other end of the scart cable looks like a parallel cable from an old printer I believe. This being said, my TV would not accept this connection so I would require the convert.

Yes, that 's right :mrgreen: the funny looking connector with a load of pins is the Scart connector. In this case it sounds like you need a converter.

But then my question would be which systems natively have an RGB port? I think my CDX and Saturn have one, but I don't recall seeing one on my Snes mini, nes, Jaguar/jag CD, Dreamcast, Gamecube, or N64. I'm assuming these systems would need modding?


Not sure about the Jaguar or the SNES mini (RGB is supported by the normal SNES, although with varying results depending on model revision and cable) but the Dreamcast supports RGB. Or rather, I know the PAL Dreamcast does it by regulation and I believe the US model also supports it - however maybe not all games. I'm sure there's a list or something out there. :)

Gamecube is troublesome because only PAL units supports RGB - on the other hand, NTSC units support component instead. But that cord is super expensive, sadly.
The NES and N64 needs to be modded for RGB, regardless of region. The NES in particular is complicated thanks to different color profiles or something, but there's a new thing out called the NESRGB Board that seems to work rather well.
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imparanoic

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2014, 07:22:41 PM »
on the scale of picture quality ( for retro games)

pc engine composite is ok considering it's composite video, compared to poor megadrive and not too bad snes, quality picture scale is at 4 ( of 10)

s-video on snes as standard ( needed to be modded on megadrive) is at 6

pure rgb on scart tv (euro) or monitor would be at 7, the rgb using a xrgb upscanner ( very expensive and hard to get) would be a 9 in my opinion

but cheap rgb to be component converter may not process rgb very well, thus, could be a 5 or 6

imparanoic

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2014, 07:32:59 PM »
if you get the (for euro tv) rgb scart cable for sega Saturn, sega cdx and jaguar, then the converter will work

Black Tiger

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2014, 03:57:04 AM »
Hopefully you didn't buy it from doujindance, who sells most of the RGB modded system on eBay, but unfortunately often does a terrible job. I still have to get an expensive system I bought from him repaired.

Also, I bought one of the popular scart-to-component converters off of eBay and it has never worked with modified consoles. Even though t does work with unmodified consoles which output RGB, part of the image is still distorted.
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vexcollects

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2014, 05:59:48 AM »
Black Tiger, are you kidding me, man? I bought it from a dude on ebay who said it was modded by doujindance and it is 100% working. This was a pretty expensive piece of hardware, so I sure hope it works.

It's in the mail today, so I guess I will find out soon enough.

Honestly, if this system is a piece, I may just give up on PCE collecting. I have the means, but not if I get screwed over again and again.

I have not bought a scart converter yet. I may not bother.

Necromancer

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2014, 07:22:33 AM »
Never give up!!!

Research here would've revealed that his work is inconsistent, but no matter.  Even if you have problems, one of the regulars here can get it going.
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PunkicCyborg

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2014, 09:47:01 AM »
Ive been using a doujindance rgb modded duo r since 2010 and it gets TONS of use, no problems to date. Yeah I'm sure he isn't perfect but when you are dealing with modding a 20 year old game system, there's sure to be a problem console or two out there. He has a Youtube account with vids up on how to do many repairs and mods and I've PMd him before, nice guy.
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wildfruit

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2014, 02:41:37 PM »
Although i much prefer RGB if possible the composite on my turbografx is surprisingly good compared to other devices. I presume PCE would be the same?

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monads

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Re: Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2014, 07:14:03 PM »
My doujindance rgb modded duo r works perfectly!!!  I did have an issue with the audio on CD games skipping in/out about 6mos ago...but through the help of doujindance and forum guides here it was easily fixed via the duo r pot settings.