Smokeless Joe Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I've been admiring the "VBXE 2.1 for ATARI XL" at Lotharek's for a while, but I'm confused; the installation manual only has instructions for RGB monitor and SCART output. I have an NTSC 800XL and a monitor that can take composite, S-video, component (Y, Pb, Pr), VGA and DVI. If I were to get a VBXE, how could I hook it up to my monitor? Is it really as simple as hooking the RGB signal to my component plugs? Do I need some kinda signal converter? Thanks, -Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 RGB and Component are different and not compatible. You need something that can handle 16 KHz RGB. Most VGA monitors won't. Many TVs have VGA ports now, but I've got no idea if many/any will work with VBXE. If you go signal convertor, the ideal route is probably one that gives Component since it's similar to RGB and there should be little change of quality and probably no annoying signal lag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voy Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I use this device ACV-011 (CGA to VGA converter) and it works very smoothly. You only need to make a RGB-CGA adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Seems these CGA/EGA to VGA convertor boxes are getting cheap now... might be about time to buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeless Joe Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 Are there any CGA to VGA converters I should avoid? Amazon has one by Sintron for about half the price of the one posted above, but I'm more interested in functionality than price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aking Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 get this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/15Khz-RGB-RGsB-RGBS-to-VGA-Scan-Line-Doubler-Converter-/310413209763?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item484611b0a3 works great with VBXE Gonbes and all this board only cheap ,compatible clones have graphic glitches and lag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxpro Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Wouldn't SCART be the better route since you can go SCART to HDMI? Is this even an issue for NTSC models with the VBXE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aking Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Wouldn't SCART be the better route since you can go SCART to HDMI? Is this even an issue for NTSC models with the VBXE Smokeless Joe's monitor can not do scart been there , done that... Gonbes adaptors are a no go the one in the link is the cheaper of the flawless solutions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeless Joe Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 get this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/15Khz-RGB-RGsB-RGBS-to-VGA-Scan-Line-Doubler-Converter-/310413209763?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item484611b0a3 I was wondering about that one. I especially like that it's a regular box rather than just a board. Kinda spendy, though. Looks like the VBXE board is just the first part of the investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aking Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I was wondering about that one. I especially like that it's a regular box rather than just a board. Kinda spendy, though. Looks like the VBXE board is just the first part of the investment. there are 200+ us$ options, this is the cheaper of the working ones... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Scandoubler/flicker fixers will cost more since they're more complex and do buffering. Really, a better option is probably to go the CGA/EGA to Component convertor then just use an LCD TV with Component input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckafka99 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 get this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/15Khz-RGB-RGsB-RGBS-to-VGA-Scan-Line-Doubler-Converter-/310413209763?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item484611b0a3 works great with VBXE Gonbes and all this board only cheap ,compatible clones have graphic glitches and lag Will this device plus their DB9-DB15 cable connect a Jaguar w/Catbox to a computer monitor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aking Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Will this device plus their DB9-DB15 cable connect a Jaguar w/Catbox to a computer monitor? of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Z Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I use this device ACV-011 (CGA to VGA converter) and it works very smoothly. You only need to make a RGB-CGA adapter. CGA is digital RGB, VBXE is analog. CGA supports 16 colors while analog supports (thoretically) infinite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Why not just use an RGB to component converter? Really surprised nobody's brought that up yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokeless Joe Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 Why not just use an RGB to component converter? Really surprised nobody's brought that up yet. Do such things exist? Has anyone tried this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 They exist - many of the video converters around which were intended for arcade, Amiga, PC CGA/EGA use can also apply to VBXE video as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Z Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) Why not just use an RGB to component converter? Really surprised nobody's brought that up yet. last I checked, they wanted unreasonably high prices for a couple op amps and some resistors on a PCB. I guess that's the problem with knowing how much money it actually takes to make something AND being able to make it. it makes you want to not buy things. maybe I should build an RGB to YPbPr converter and if it works well when my VBXE gets here, I can make a board, find a case, and sell a few if anyone's interested. Edited March 19, 2014 by Joey Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) This converter is also verified working (although only tested by me on PAL systems): eBay Auction -- Item Number: 261288655529 Edited March 26, 2014 by flashjazzcat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 This converter is also verified working (although only tested by me on PAL systems): eBay Auction -- Item Number: 261288655529 Scan Converter 1.JPG That's cheap - I went ahead and grabbed one. Will hopefully motivate me to install my VBXE. Been waiting for Simple Stereo 3, but I'll worry about that later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) That's cheap - I went ahead and grabbed one. Will hopefully motivate me to install my VBXE. Been waiting for Simple Stereo 3, but I'll worry about that later. Good one. I've decided the picture is a tad softer on the pictured monitor than when fed direct through the SCART, but that's no bad thing since the monitor does some ugly and unnecessary sharpening on the 15KHz input. Unfortunately (and bizarrely) I own no CRT VGA monitor to test it with. Note that the picture as shown in the photo needs adjustment: should be moved down to get rid of the crap at the bottom of the screen. The converter has a nice OSD. Note also: for information, the converter shown is a GBS-8220 model. Just search for GBS-8220 on eBay and you should find a cheap one from HK. Edited March 26, 2014 by flashjazzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 I've just cased up the aforementioned scan doubler: Put a male DB9 on the other side and hooked it direct to the RGB input header. Works with VBXE (using standard DIN13 to DB9 1084S cable) and Amiga 500 (using standard 1084S monitor cable). Displays A500 Super hi-res interlace without flicker on an LG M1921A monitor. Also works with an ST (in low/med res) with the additional of a couple of resistors and a capacitor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aking Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Good one. I've decided the picture is a tad softer on the pictured monitor than when fed direct through the SCART, but that's no bad thing since the monitor does some ugly and unnecessary sharpening on the 15KHz input. Unfortunately (and bizarrely) I own no CRT VGA monitor to test it with. Note that the picture as shown in the photo needs adjustment: should be moved down to get rid of the crap at the bottom of the screen. The converter has a nice OSD. Note also: for information, the converter shown is a GBS-8220 model. Just search for GBS-8220 on eBay and you should find a cheap one from HK. too sloooow at least on ntsc Ataris just start TLW , keep a letter pressed and you will see what i mean also made a river raid video of the artifacts when showing graphics quickly Gonbess and all this cheap compatible "board only" doublers are a no go for gaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 (edited) too sloooow at least on ntsc Ataris Yes - you get artifacts and ghosting (I noticed this using Amiga hi-res), but for 15GBP I wouldn't complain too much: it's cheap and basically works. Here's a video of various A500 video modes, so people may judge for themselves whether the device is worth the modest asking price: Edited April 7, 2014 by flashjazzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aking Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Yes - you get artifacts and ghosting (I noticed this using Amiga hi-res), but for 15GBP I wouldn't complain too much: it's cheap and basically works. Here's a video of various A500 video modes, so people may judge for themselves whether the device is worth the modest asking price: I value your opinion a lot @flashjazzcat BUT, i don't see the logic here Why on earth would you spend more than a hundred bucks on an upgrade , ,make mayor surgery even risking your priced Atari to get the cleanest posible picture, an then use a cheap , full of glitches scan doubler ? i could post a million GAMING videos showing artifacts may be good enough to show slow apps but its not worth it at all for gaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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