Component-to-VGA Transcoder(is it possible)

[SNAAAKE]

hello everyone,
okay i have been reading dave-k's console section here.

and i need to know more about the component to vga transcoder.

how does this work(i red the faq)?
it converts component output the vga right.

now question is,will this work on 640x480 vga monitor?
any clue on the qualitly?
does it work with all ps2,x-box,gamecube games?
is the quality as good as dreamcast native vga quality?


i am expecting answers from either dave-k or tom 61.

anyone has any other clue,please post.
also where can i get this cheap?

also,does ps2 output 480p progressive signal that can be converted to 640x480 VGA?

heeeeeeelp...i want ps2 games to look as good as dreamcast games on vga monitors.  

also,i hear ps2 only outputs 480 interlaced.
now how bad is it compared to progressive?

 

i am very very confused,could someone please make this little bit clear for me...lots of thanks in advance

[Dave_K.]

Transcoding a Component 480P signal to VGA is going to be identical in quality.  Its true progessive output converted to VGA.

Only the Xbox can output all games in 480p.  The GameCube only has certain titles with 480p progressive out (it may be indicated on the box).  The PS2 unfortunally only outputs 480i (with a notable exception of the PS2 Linux kit and the upcoming Tekken 4).  Now supposedly Tekken 4 takes advantage of a PS2 developer's kit upgrade, so there is the possibility the future titles will be 480p enabled.  But all games up till now only output at 480i.

The best output of the PS2 is pure RGB via the scart cables running into a scart TV or an arcade monitor.  If you wish to play on a VGA monitor, you have to upscan the picture (which gets into a tricky area).  Depending upon the upscanner you use, will result in poor to good quality.  However the quality of ANY upscanned picture is NOT going to look as good as native 480P/VGA.

My suggestion for upscanning is the X-RGB2 as it takes RGB as input and results in a professional quality upscanned picture.  Other than that, play it on an Arcade monitor and you will have the same (if not better) quality.

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

but how about 640 interlaced for ps2..

if i get the thingy that ken gasper(i am not sure about his name).

how bad is 640 interlaced...at the time,i am running though rage fury rca input.

will the 640 interlaced mode be any better then composite.

thanks for the answers  

if i not clear enough here,pm me..i will try to explain what i am trying to do.thanks  

[Dave_K.]

Its actually called "480i" (interlaced 640x480).  Ken's adapter will transcode a component 480i signal to RGB (which can display on a 15khz arcade monitor).  This will look better than composite or s-video.  But its a lot cheaper to hack a SCART cable to get RGB (same quality as the transcoder, although more difficult as you may have to split the sync with an LM1881 circuit depending upon the monitor).

If this doesn't answer your question, post what you are trying to do.

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

oh

i only got a svga hybrid arcade monitor....

so the guy is selling somethin that will convert to 15khz NOT 31 khz?

take another minute and please clear the thing for me..thanks..

[Dave_K.]

Ok I see where you are getting confused.  A transcoder only converts a component signal to RGB.  It does not upscan the picture.  If you feed the transcoder a 480i signal, out comes a 15khz RGB picture.  If you feed the transcoder a 480p signal, out comes a 31.5khz RGB/VGA picture.

You will need an upscanner if you plan to view a 480i signal on a vga monitor.  Are you sure your hybrid arcade monitor won't do 15khz?  I think some of the WG monitors did.

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

nope..not mine..pretty sure...

its eygo but in the box it does say  cga/vga monitor...

also as you said before....all x-box games do support 640p so when i get the transcoder for x-box then i have almost vga quility right?

also you did not say anythin about the quility?any clue at all?

is it better then composite?i think my monitor should be able to display 15 khz rgb since it said "CGA" on the box.

[Dave_K.]

Its called 480p and not 640p.  And yes the quality of a transcoded 480p signal is exactly the same as pure VGA...its perfect.

The quality of 480i transcoded to 15khz rgb is excellent, better than composite or s-video, but obviously not as good as VGA.  If you then upscan the 15khz signal to 31.5khz, the picture isn't going to look any better...it will just be compatible with your VGA monitor (if it can't do 15khz).  I don't know the specs of Eygo.  CGA is 15khz, so you may be lucky and not need the upscanner.  This will be your best option for quality from the PS2 (480i).

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

Okay just in case my monitor fails  

Is there any risk on hooking up the transcoder(blowing out the monitor)?

how do i upscan it?
what would be the cheapest way to up scan it?

thanks for clearing things and the help  

[Dave_K.]

Okay just in case my monitor fails  

Is there any risk on hooking up the transcoder(blowing out the monitor)?

how do i upscan it?
what would be the cheapest way to up scan it?

thanks for clearing things and the help  

Chances are slim you will blow your monitor...just try it for a second or two to see if it syncs.  I've only herd of monitors getting damaged from higher frequencies rather than lower ones...just don't keep it hooked up for more than a couple seconds if it doesn't sync.  You should really get the manual for the monitor as you may need to switch one of the jumpers on your monitor board to switch to CGA (if it doesn't automatically).  My Hanatrex monitor has a jumper for either 15khz or 25khz.

Upscanning will cost $250 if you want the best possible upscanned picture (look for the x-rgb2 link in the console section).  You will also need to buy a japanese scart cable for the ps2 if you get the x-rgb2.  Otherwise if you can live with the crappy Redant box which upscans a composite input its cheaper at about $30 (maybe cheaper on ebay).  The picture may look a little fuzzy and/or shaking when viewing words.  Not great at all, but it will work.

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

Thanks

I will first try to get some more info in my monitor then try it out.However,I am gettin an x-box tomorrow since it do output almost vga signal.

Also did the ken guy reply to ya..i tried contacting the guy about getting one converter for x-box.He wont reply ever  

[Dave_K.]

Thanks

I will first try to get some more info in my monitor then try it out.However,I am gettin an x-box tomorrow since it do output almost vga signal.

Also did the ken guy reply to ya..i tried contacting the guy about getting one converter for x-box.He wont reply ever  

Ken has a very long backorder to deal with.  So he doesn't have time to answer questions.  If you get on the queue (post to that one msg thread stating you'd like to order), he will eventually send you an email asking for which model you want and give you an approx time frame when the order will be completed.  He works in batches, and out of his home...so it could take awhile.  I was lucky and got in with the first few orders when he starting doing this.

-Dave

[Dave_K.]

If you can't stand the wait, I highly recommend the x-rgb2 plus unit.  It will not only upscan professionally (what you want for the PS2), but it also has a transcoder built into the unit and will accpet component input.  Check this link I gave in the faq.

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

i might just go for one..

but is it normally $250 everywhere or there are chances i get cheaper?

[Dave_K.]

i might just go for one..

but is it normally $250 everywhere or there are chances i get cheaper?

I only found one supplier in the US that will import it.  Small chance of even finding another supplier much less cheaper price.  For some reason NCSX isn't importing it...or they say its on backorder.  The link I gave (forget the name) has them in stock I believe.

-Dave

[SNAAAKE]

thanks for the help..you have been very cool  

i will post if i get one of these..seems worth it.