Sega Saturn to HDMI

[keepdreamin]

One upscaler that takes nearly every type of input seems like a more valuable solution to me than shelling out hundreds of dollars per console to have them modded for HDMI.

So... Framemeister

[Greg2600]

In addition, it's quite possible we will see nearly all 16-bit and up systems with an after-market, external HDMI device requiring NO internal modification, within a couple years.

[jce3000gt]

In addition, it's quite possible we will see nearly all 16-bit and up systems with an after-market, external HDMI device requiring NO internal modification, within a couple years.

 

One can only hope. I also hope the 32-bit systems aren't left behind... Not going to spend stupid money for a framemeister. Edited August 29, 2017 by jce3000gt

[Greg2600]

One can only hope. I also hope the 32-bit systems aren't left behind... Not going to spend stupid money for a framemeister.

 

Well they already have component support now, so you can use an inexpensive component to HDMI adapter already. Maybe there's some lag in that, I don't know?

[Rick Dangerous]

 

One upscaler that takes nearly every type of input seems like a more valuable solution to me than shelling out hundreds of dollars per console to have them modded for HDMI.

 

The problem with that as I see it:

 

-XRGB Mini no longer available (is there a replacement yet?)

 

-How do you plug multiple systems (i mean like 10-15) into one upscaler? Otherwise you are constantly plugging and unplugging systems anytime you want to play something in RGB

[keepdreamin]

In addition, it's quite possible we will see nearly all 16-bit and up systems with an after-market, external HDMI device requiring NO internal modification, within a couple years.

 

Huh? I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. Maybe you're just a bit confused.

 

None of the 16 bit consoles have digital out ports. What you're talking about would be an analog to digital converter. Those already exist , Framemeister and OSSC. What you're proposing would be like buying one OSSC for your genesis. Buy another for the SNES. Which is completely pointless

 

An actual good HDMI mod doesn't involve analog to digital. The N64 one for example taps right into digital video. The GameCube can have an external converter because it has a digital out port.

Edited August 29, 2017 by keepdreamin

[+KeeperofLindblum]

 

One upscaler that takes nearly every type of input seems like a more valuable solution to me than shelling out hundreds of dollars per console to have them modded for HDMI.

 

I can agree with this, but I do have a slight counterpoint to it. The problem with relying on a upscaler is that if by chance (hopefully never) it goes bad... You've lost the item that makes your whole setup work. The HDMI mods, while expensive, give you something that should work directly with HDTVs for at least a decent period of time. Honestly? I have wanted to eliminate my Framemeister from my setup. I'm almost there now, but I'm still relying on it for my SNES (HDRetrovision cable... my HDTV doesn't like 240p over component), my PS2 (Framemeister adds nice options to make this look better), and my modded PS1 (the only thing using direct RGB right now). If there was an HDMI solution for the SNES, I'd probably get rid of it.

 

 

The problem with that as I see it:

 

-XRGB Mini no longer available (is there a replacement yet?)

 

-How do you plug multiple systems (i mean like 10-15) into one upscaler? Otherwise you are constantly plugging and unplugging systems anytime you want to play something in RGB

 

The biggest replacement people are going after is the OSSC. It seems to do pretty well, but I haven't looked into it a lot myself. I believe it comes out a bit cheaper than the Framemeister, but the group making it do it in batches and you gotta jump on it. Not Limited Run Games sellout, but I think they sell out within a few hours.

 

HDRetrovision said they were working on a device like it, but they haven't really said anything about it recently...

 

As far as multiple systems go, everybody just gets switch boxes for everything. lol

Component, composite, and S-Video are still pretty easy in this regard. The problem child was SCART. However, there is currently the gscartsw!

It's expensive, but it offers a reliable, fancy SCART switch box.

 

SO!... If you absolutely love classic games, seems like CRT is the cheapest method. lol

Framemeister is one of the best methods without having to mod everything (NES and N64 withstanding).

HDMI mods are great for one or two consoles but greatly add up over time! Also there's the issue where not everything has an HDMI mod... Looking at you Super Nintendo. :I

 

Including both links at bottom for ease as well!

https://www.videogameperfection.com/products/open-source-converter/

http://www.gretrostuff.com/store/gscartsw-v3-4/

 

FINAL EDIT!

I did find a (somewhat) chart for buying modern TVs that see 240p! HDRetrovision had a small assortment listed on their chart, but it only lists a handful, and I bet this chart is kinda old now.

I'll add a link to the page and the PDF as well, but the short version is... You're probably going to have to buy Samsung.

 

http://www.hdretrovision.com/240p/#list

 

HDRetrovision 240P TV test results 2016.pdf

Edited August 29, 2017 by KeeperofLindblum

[Professor Gull]

Question.

 

A/V receivers? Anyone check into those doing upscaling?

 

Just thought I would ask as a friend of mine uses I believe a Denon to connect everything to his TV including old console systems. I could not attest to actual performance but it does make me curious.

[keepdreamin]

 

The problem with that as I see it:

 

-XRGB Mini no longer available (is there a replacement yet?)

 

-How do you plug multiple systems (i mean like 10-15) into one upscaler? Otherwise you are constantly plugging and unplugging systems anytime you want to play something in RGB

 

 

Sigh... you can go purchase one right now.

 

https://solarisjapan.com/products/xrgb-mini-framemeister-compact-up-scaler-unit

 

You use switchboxes. Like this one for RGB.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bandridge-SVB7725-5-Wege-Manual-Scart-Umschaltbox-5-Way-Manuall-SCART-Switch-/162305799199

Edited August 29, 2017 by keepdreamin

[Austin]

Not going to spend stupid money for a framemeister.

 

My point is that people like to complain about how expensive the Framemeister is, but they are probably going to spend Framemeister money without realizing it in trying to mod out their systems or buy specialty cables (not cheap).

 

It's like the people that don't want to invest in flash carts because they are "too expensive", but then those same people go buy a couple of uncommon games that is equal or greater than the cost of the flash device itself (and then complain about how "prices are sooo high these days").

 

Just trying to get people to think logically here, that is all.

 

-How do you plug multiple systems (i mean like 10-15) into one upscaler? Otherwise you are constantly plugging and unplugging systems anytime you want to play something in RGB

 

If you have that many systems hooked up in any kind of setup, it doesn't matter if you are going into an old CRT or a modern upscaler--you still need switch boxes.

 

Also, something else to keep in mind is just because you have a nice upscaler doesn't mean you have to use RGB with it. The point is to get your old connections working on modern displays with minimal lag. Yes, RGB is the best, but you will be surprised at how good s-video can look through something like a Framemeister. Even composite is cleaned up quite nicely, and might even be "good enough" depending on how picky you are.

 

So, if you wanted to, you could get a decent upscaler, run composite to it and then run all of your systems into a couple of composite (or s-video, or combination of both) switch boxes. Work your way to RGB from there if you feel like it, but stick with lesser connections at first just want to get your feet wet. (*Edit: Here's an an idea of what composite looks like through the Framemeister - note: live stream archive, mute the audio).

Edited August 30, 2017 by Austin