XPC-4 / XRGB

[bartre]

so, wheres the best place to buy these?
also, I know that the xrgb units use JP scart, is there a converter i can buy so i can use the Euro cables i've already got, or am i going to have to buy all new cables?

[Opethian]

amazon.jp for both but there are no more framemeisters there but they got a few XRGB3s and XPC4 while supplies last!

[technozombie]

I know there is a cable out there to convert euro scart to jp21. I think I saw it on Solarisjapan.com

[ClodBuster]

If you know how to solder, you can make an adaptor cable by yourself. Gamesx.com has all the needed pinouts in the wiki.

[glazball]

Hey bartre - solarisjapan.com is the best place to buy the Framemeister.

I highly recommend getting this adaptor, should be perfect for you:
http://www.retrogamingcables.com/european-scart-to-framemeister-xrgb-mini-converter-for-sale.html

It replaces the included JP21 adaptor for Euro SCART.  All iof my cables are Euro also, so I just left the included JP21 adaptor in the box.  He is in UK so it will take slightly longer to arrive, but very good customer service (vs. the ebay seller in Florida who is awful).

If you buy your Mini from Solaris, it would be a good idea to also buy the D terminal->component adaptor if you'd like to use component (for PS2, GC, Wii, etc).

Also, I can't remember his name (search the XRGB thread on shmups) - there's a guy making English overlays for the Mini remote which is really damn handy/nice!

Good luck man!

[bartre]

alright, and finally, what's the best model of xrgb at the moment?
everything i've read/heard says mini, that right?

[wavering]

This had some good reading for me when I was researching a while back:
http://www.reddit.com/r/gamecollecting/comments/29ks8o/xrgb_mini_for_dummies_hooking_up_old_consoles_to/

[glazball]

Yea, the Mini is what you want.  As long as you have a tv that has an HDMI in, there's no reason it shouldn't last you the rest of your life.  It's wonderful.  All the gushing you're reading about it is true.

[SuperDeadite]

alright, and finally, what's the best model of xrgb at the moment?
everything i've read/heard says mini, that right?

For console use, the Mini is all you need really.  However if you have an interest in exotic japanese computers and arcade pcbs, the it's a much more complicated question.

[bartre]

yeah, that's my understanding.
I've got my PCBs, but i pretty much only play them in my cabs anymore.
the only pc i've got is the x68k, and I've been made to understand that the xpc-4 is pretty much built for that.

[SuperDeadite]

XPC-4 is meant to be a replacement for an auto tri-sync monitor.  Which is what original X68K, FM Towns, and PC-98s used.  The Mini can accept 15/24/31khz input, however switching is REALLY SLOW.  Were talking 15 or more seconds to switch between modes.  While the XPC is almost instant.  This is a must have for the X68K as many games switch back and forth between 15 and 31khz.  The Mini is simply too slow to keep up, and you will be seeing a lot of black screens.   Also the Mini only accepts RGBS, while the XPC does RGBS and RGBHV.  FM Towns outputs in both, but the X68K is strictly RGBHV, so you'd need an HV->S circuit in the pipline as well.

Arcade pcbs work best on the older purer units.  XRGB1/2/DISPL.  DISPL being the best, but good f*cking luck finding one.

[bartre]

okay, so I got my units today, and they're great!
I just have two questions now:
1 - what's the best way to hook up the DC? should i just buy a scart cable and be done with it, or is it worth it to step up to 31kHz?
2 - to those of you with x68ks, what settings do you use for the xpc-4?

[SuperDeadite]

With DC, VGA (480p) is worth it for 3D games for sure.  Using low-res RGB on DC is a bit weird, as some games do not have a 15khz RGB mode.  Meaning they output in Comp, S-Vid, VGA, but NOT RGB.

As for the X68K, depends a lot on your monitor.  If you have an analog CRT computer monitor, it looks quite nice to me even in 1600x1200.  If you are using the digital output, I think most people prefer to output in 640x480 and throw a scanline generator on the chain.  If you want to be a purist, the 15khz games should have scanlines, while the 24khz and 31khz shouldn't.  But in the end, just play around until you get a picture you like.  Matter of preference really.

[bartre]

awesome, thanks!
question is, what cable do i buy?
the mini doesn't have a VGA port, and i don't feel like dropping another $80 on the toro.

[SuperDeadite]

awesome, thanks!
question is, what cable do i buy?
the mini doesn't have a VGA port, and i don't feel like dropping another $80 on the toro.

The problem with the Mini is while it does accept 31khz it does it via RGBS only.  While typical VGA like what the DC outputs is RGBHV.  So you will need a cable with a sync seperator.  The Toro is the simplest no hassle solution, but you can just build your own cable instead.  Or just connect the DC to the XPC, and if you want scanlines get a MINI-SLG for the output.