How does this compare with older transcoders? I'm currently using a Crescendo Systems TC1600 i got in 2014 and it has served me extremely well.
Hi, thanks for your interest and question.
The TC1600 seems pretty decent, for what it is and when you got it. I don't have one, but read the user manual. How much did it cost?
GreenAntz offers many extra features. Here are a few things to think about, off the top of my head:
1. GreenAntz provides best-quality performance of expensive transcoders for a much more reasonable price.
2. GreenAntz will preserve your original video modes like 240p; it will not crunch or squish your video into a single mode like 640x480i.
3. GreenAntz includes a video filter to pass 15.7khz only (+/- approximately 1khz, optional). This will actively block other video signals, such as 25khz (EGA) or 31khz (VGA) etc. This will protect your sensitive (and irreplaceable) CRT equipment from damage due to high frequencies (a situation the TC1600 user manual specifically warns about).
4. GreenAntz is specifically designed for retrogamers and 15khz use only, up to 480i/576i. It will pass HD 480p/720p video (if the 15k filter is turned off), but the colour conversion will not be correct for HD.
5. GreenAntz will work with any valid sync input combination, including all possible combinations of sync polarity, composite sync, and even composite sync with dirty vertical sync (CRT_Emulator). No other transcoder anywhere provides this "complete" level of flexibility. This makes it much easier to use for different setups like Nvidia cards, Batocera or Groovyarcade, CRU etc.
6. Sync signal is injected into Y (luma, green) at the right place, at the right levels. Many other transcoders just jam it in with no consideration to levels or where it sits in the signal, making it more difficult for your TV to interpret properly.
7. GreenAntz colours are brighter, fully saturated and more "consistent" than most transcoders. No more "filckery", "patchy" or "thin" colours. This is due to multiple iterative and converging quality improvement factors, including superior voltage regulation, efficient design, smarter video signal filtering and amplification.
8. GreenAntz comes pre-optimised, but includes three pots (Y, Pb, Pr) that allow you to tweak the video signal mix to your own complete satisfaction.
9. Just plug GreenAntz in and it works. No software setup or configuration needed.
10. GreenAntz is 100% analog and adds zero lag.
11. GreenAntz includes a 9.5mhz Butterworth low-pass filter (6th order, optional) to further clean up the video signal.
12. GreenAntz is designed to work with arcade cabs and original arcade game PCBs. The board comes with mounting points for PCB offset legs, making it easy to screw into your cab.
13. GreenAntz includes 5v and GND landing points for alternate power inputs, for example from an arcade DC PSU. You can install screw terminals.
14. GreenAntz includes status LEDs for power (green) and sync validity (blue). The blue LED (and video output) will not come on unless a valid (~15.7khz) signal is received. Very useful for troubleshooting. Filter can be bypassed.
15. GreenAntz' new and stylish enclosure/case includes mounting points and LED windows to see the status LEDS.
16. GreenAntz is new, still being actively developed after six years in response to retrogamer needs, and support is still available by contacting me or through this channel.
That should cover it for now. Just thinking that I should probably put this list at the beginning of the thread
