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The ultimate VGA to SCART adapter
gambaman:
I have published here an enhanced version of my previous VGA to SCART adapter. Unlike the previous version, the new adapter does not require any external power source nor DC-DC converter to generate the 12V of the SCART status signal thanks to Visenri's indications. Also, the transistors employed to generate the RGB selection signal in the previous version are no longer needed. The adapter has the following pros:
[*]It's cheap thanks to the unexpensive PIC16F18313.
[*]It automatically detects the polarity of the input VGA sync signals and configures the configurable logic cells (CLC) of the PIC dynamically to generate the SCART composite sync signal correctly.
[*]The PIC monitors the input signal and set the composite sync to ground if the frequency of the horizontal sync signal is wrong or if the vertical sync signal does not change. This is useful if you are using it to generate the Csync signal of a very old arcade monitor to protect it. Also, if any of the input sync signal is wrong then the PIC disables the the SCART RGB selection signal and the SCART status signal.
[*]Most VGA devices can provide enough power to the PIC so no external power source is required.
[*]No external power source nor DC-DC converter is required to generate the 12V of the SCART status signal. It can be generated by the PIC itself as noted by Visenri.
[*]Optional aspect ratio selection (16:9 or 4:3).
[*]Optional LEDs to test the power and input sync signals.
[*]Optional power source selection.
[*]The basic circuit only requires the PIC and a pair of resistors and capacitors.
[*]The full circuit fits in a (big) DE-15 enclosure using a single sided PCB and easy to solder through-hole components.
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UPDATE: I am happy to say I have found two stores selling implementations of this adapter.
One is https://www.arcadexpress.com/es/arcadevga/457-cable-arcade-vga-scart-usb-5v-12v-con-audio.html
This implementation looks almost identical to the original, except the position of the LEDs.
Another one is http://vga-scart-converter-f-15.mozello.es/catalog/params/category/0/item/1443803/
The appearance of the latter is quite different. The switches are more accessible so that the power supply or the aspect ratio of the screen can be changed without having to open the adapter. Another notable difference is that it has a female VGA input and two SCART outputs, one male and one female. The adapter can be connected directly to the TV with the male SCART connector. Alternatively, it can be connected via the female connector using a SCART cable.
UPDATE: The box version above is not on sale anymore, buy all the design files are available here.
UPDATE: buttersoft has designed a
SOIC version of the adapter that can be directly solded to the back of a DB15HD male solder plug, and should fit inside any backshell, with room to connect a cable too. You can get it here.
UPDATE: MonochromeVGA is a project from Aitor Gómez to enjoy the charm of those monochrome monitors of the time in VGA displays. It makes it possible to select green, amber or B&W as monochromatic color, among others, as well as to change color to monochrome or vice versa easily. You may ask why I'm posting about it here. The reason is that Aitor has combined the MonochromeVGA with my project to get the MonochromeRGB:
MonochromeRGB allows several possible configurations of use:
-VGA to [optionally monochrome] VGA, without the need for any power supply
-SCART to [optionally monochrome] SCART, also without the need for any power supply
-VGA at 15.7Khz horizontal frequency to [optionally monochrome] SCART with selectable 4:3 <-> 16:9 aspect change for compatible TVs, being necessary 5V power supply via microUSB or from the VGA connector itself
I would like to collaborate with Aitor to develop a dual output version for TATE games. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: buttersoft has designed a passthrough dongle. This one is a double-ended version, male HD15 to female HD15. It has the LED's, taking in H-sync and V-sync and allowing C-sync through only when it detects 15kHz, blocking everything else. It allows you to plug in any VGA or VGA-toBNC or -SCART cable to the out end as required. You can get it here.
buttersoft:
Good stuff, i love building stuff like this so i'll give it a look.
And the more i look the more i like it. Very neat. And i like that you've included parts sourcing from reasonable places :)
I notice you've got a cable gland on the end of the DE-15 housing. Do you know where it came from?
gambaman:
--- Quote from: buttersoft on August 13, 2019, 10:06:45 pm ---I notice you've got a cable gland on the end of the DE-15 housing. Do you know where it came from?
--- End quote ---
The SCART-SCART cable I employed for that prototype was very short. So, instead of cutting it into halves, I removed one of the male SCART connectors and used its gland for my DE-15. A better alternative is to cut a longer cable into halves. In that way you can use an only cable to make two adapters (one with each half).
Mr. Peabody:
Is there supposed to be audio in the video?.....
gambaman:
--- Quote from: Mr. Peabody on August 20, 2019, 02:09:22 am ---Is there supposed to be audio in the video?.....
--- End quote ---
I removed most of it. Only the corresponding to the sound test (minute 5 more or less) is left. I used to think I had the voice of James Earl Jones till I recorded it :(.
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