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Testing Composite Blending from PC – VideoAMP + Antonio Villena VGA → Composite/
Rion:
Hi everyone,
I’ve been experimenting with composite blending from PC using the VideoAMP (Pro Model) together with Antonio Villena’s VGA → Composite/S-Video transcoder (with sync combiner) .
The setup uses the VideoAMP’s VGA passthrough to feed into the transcoder while also outputting SCART RGB at the same time. This way you can see a side-by-side comparison of RGB SCART vs Composite directly from a PC on a CRT.
I recorded two Sega Genesis games to show the effect:
🔹 Streets of Rage 2
🔹 Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Many of us are used to seeing consoles through composite, with its characteristic color bleed and blending artifacts. This method shows how you can replicate that look straight from a PC, while still keeping the option of razor-sharp RGB.
Curious to hear your thoughts?
Do you prefer the crisp RGB look, or the softer composite blending that feels closer to how many of us first played these games?
Equipment used:
- Video out:
• VideoAMP V5 Pro (RGB SCART + VGA passthrough)
• Antonio Villena VGA → Composite/S-Video transcoder (sync combiner model)
→ Connection chain: VideoAMP VGA passthrough → HD15 VGA cable → Antonio Villena transcoder → RCA male-to-male plug straight into the CRT composite input (for the cleanest possible composite signal)
- Audio chain:
• Input → 3.5mm audio from PC → Behringer HA400 headphone amplifier (input) with ground loop noise isolator
• Output 1 → 3.5mm to VideoAMP V5 Pro audio input (3.5mm) with ground loop noise isolator
• Output 2 → 3.5mm to dual RCA (L/R) into the CRT with ground loop noise isolator
• Output 3 → 3.5mm to LM-40 Passive Line Level Attenuator with ground loop noise isolator
- Recording:
• Samsung Galaxy A33 smartphone (video capture)
• UGreen USB-C sound card (audio interface)
Zebidee:
Interesting. Nice to see the VideoAMP put to good use. I have an older version.
Not sure I'll ever be a convert to composite generally, but appreciate that some console games actually look better like that.
Can you please provide a pic or vid of the video input chain setup? Particularly the VideoAMP/VGA cable/transcoder/scart out?
Rion:
--- Quote from: Zebidee on September 02, 2025, 06:51:38 pm ---Interesting. Nice to see the VideoAMP put to good use. I have an older version.
Not sure I'll ever be a convert to composite generally, but appreciate that some console games actually look better like that.
Can you please provide a pic or vid of the video input chain setup? Particularly the VideoAMP/VGA cable/transcoder/scart out?
--- End quote ---
Nothing really special here.
It's a little cramped behind the CRT so here is a more detailed chain connection description
- Video out:
• PC (R9 380X) -> DVI-I/VGA -> VideoAMP v5 Pro - VGA Input
• VideoAMP v5 Pro - Scart Output -> Scart Cable -> Scart Input 1
• VideoAMP v5 Pro - VGA Pass-through -> VGA Cable -> Mini-VGA gender changer -> VGA → Composite/S-Video transcoder -> Composite input on CRT
- Audio chain:
• Input → 3.5mm audio from PC → Behringer HA400 headphone amplifier (input) with ground loop noise isolator
• Output 1 → 3.5mm to VideoAMP V5 Pro audio input (3.5mm) with ground loop noise isolator
• Output 2 → 3.5mm to dual RCA (L/R) into the CRT with ground loop noise isolator
Here are some picture that shows how the - VGA → Composite/S-Video transcoder is connected.
I'm planning on attaching the VGA Female to Female gender changer with some #4-40*5+L Hex Standoffs Male-Female (outside thread 10mm).
Just haven't gotten around to it at this point (read: I forget where I put them :lol )
Zebidee:
Thanks! Much as I imagined.
I created a pic to roughly mirror what you are doing (below), using VideoAMP with GreenAntz. I guess I should now actually try to drive the two outputs (RGB + component/YPbPr TVs) simultaneously.
This should be sufficient to drive both TV outputs. I wonder if it is able to drive two *arcade monitor* outputs at full brightness, or even one arcade monitor + TV, as arcade monitors expect more powerful RGB signals (~2vpp or more). Reviewing the THS7375 specs (I understand this is the amp chip used), I think it might!
Rion:
--- Quote from: Zebidee on September 04, 2025, 06:50:13 am ---Thanks! Much as I imagined.
I created a pic to roughly mirror what you are doing (below), using VideoAMP with GreenAntz. I guess I should now actually try to drive the two outputs (RGB + component/YPbPr TVs) simultaneously.
This should be sufficient to drive both TV outputs. I wonder if it is able to drive two *arcade monitor* outputs at full brightness, or even one arcade monitor + TV, as arcade monitors expect more powerful RGB signals (~2vpp or more). Reviewing the THS7375 specs (I understand this is the amp chip used), I think it might!
--- End quote ---
Just to clear this up 🙂
The standard versions (v1–v4 and the normal v5) can only run one output at a time so it's either SCART or VGA passthrough. The reason you’ve seen me running both SCART and VGA together is because I have one of the very few v5 Pro units, which supports true dual output. That version was never released widely and only a handful were built, and mine came out of some specific testing and feedback discussions with njz3.
Over time I also suggested a few smaller things that ended up being useful for everyone:
• Adding a DIP switch to convert RGBHV → RGBS, so you don’t need an external sync combiner.
• Adding stability tabs in the 3D case so the ports are held more securely.
• Writing a wiki page for the VideoAMP when using CRT EmuDriver setup to make it easier for new users.
I only mention this because it helps explain why my setup doesn’t match what you’d normally expect from a stock VideoAMP since only the Pro model will do SCART + VGA simultaneously.
So in short:
• Normal units = single output at a time.
• Pro unit = special small batch with dual output.
• Some features (like the RGBHV→RGBS switch and case reinforcement) came from ideas shared during testing.
I also don’t think njz3 or Bandicoot would be against making more Pro units if someone really needed that functionality. It never became the standard model, but asking them directly might be all it takes.
Edit:
Just as an aside, I’ve also tried to get a bit more attention on the VideoAMP outside of our usual circles.
Over the years I shared info, demo videos, and wiki links with Bob from RetroRGB, hoping he or one of his contributors might give it a look.
We talked about:
• How the VideoAMP acts like a “UMSA on steroids” with SCART, VGA passthrough, audio input, sync filtering, and even GunCon support.
• The usefulness of features like the built-in RGBHV to RGBS switch and the dual-output on the small Pro run.
• How it connects to the wider CRT PC workflow, including CRT EmuDrivers, GroovyMAME, and other CRT focused distributions.
Bob was always polite and said he was really busy, and even mentioned passing it along to his Linux and MAME contact Dan who could better cover it.
So it is not that there was disinterest, but more that it never quite fit into his usual coverage focus, which makes sense given how niche CRT and PC setups can be.
I only bring this up to underline that I did try to push the VideoAMP into more mainstream visibility, but at the end of the day it mostly remains something shared within the PC CRT setups.
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