Sega Saturn and XSelectD4 (or XRGB2 Plus)

[hidefan]

Hi guys,
I have a quick question about using a Japanese Saturn system and an XSelectD4 on an American NTSC HDTV. I don't know too much about this kind of stuff, so I apologize in advance for anything stupid that I might say. Basically, I want to use a Saturn 21-pin RGB cable (the Japanese one) to connect the Saturn to my HDTV, but as you know, American TV's don't have such an input. So I figured out that the XSelectD4 (and also the XRGB2 Plus) have such inputs, so I'm thinking about getting one and just connecting it to my HDTV via its 15-pin RGB input. For anyone who knows more about this kind of stuff than I do, does this sound like it would work? I don't mind if it simply passes everything through unchanged, which is what I think will happen. If this won't work, would the XRGB2 Plus do it? Thanks in advance for any help. :)

[isufje]

Frequently Asked Question(s)
1) Why should I get an XSelect-D4? I already have an XRGB-2+.
The XSelect is to be used as a multi-input selector for higher-end video equipment only. It does not offer the upscan capabilities of an XRGB-2+ which upscans/converts an AV or S-Video signal for use with a VGA monitor.


...I got this info straight from ncsx.com, so you better stick with an XRGB2. I'm pretty sure you'll have no problems with what you wanna do, but keep in mind that it was designed for VGA output. So your HD(TV) better be capable of displaying a computer image.

[smork]

Yeah, it will work with an XRGB, but it's a VGA signal. Is that what you want? If you're looking for a passthrough and not an upscanner then that's not a good option.

I've got mine hooked up the same way, SS RGB cable + XRGB3 + HDTV VGA port. Works OK...

[hidefan]

Thanks for the replies. :-D My HDTV does have a VGA input, so that should be OK. I may have misunderstood what a passthrough is; it just passes the video through unchanged, is that correct? I wouldn't really mind that, if the cost was significantly lower to do it. Smork, you said that it works "OK", did you mean that the video isn't as good as it could be, or just that it works? lol. Since I already got your attention, do you know of any other options for using a Japanese 21-pin RGB cable on an American HDTV? (Without modifying the cable...)

[mario2butts]

If you want to use your Saturn and its 21 pin RGB cable with an HDTV with VGA input, the XRGB-2, 2+, or 3 are really the only options. The signal coming from the Saturn needs to be upscanned as your display is expecting a 31khz signal through VGA while the Saturn outputs 15khz. Providing a direct connection from the Saturn to the TV by hacking the cable or using some passthrough device will not work.

Many insist that an XRGB/HDTV or monitor combo doesn't match the quality of connecting a console directly to a "true" RGB monitor (one that can lock onto a 15khz signal). However, I've been using an XRGB-3 for awhile now and I think it's fantastic! So to each his own. Good luck finding an XRGB, though...

Oh, and light gun games probably won't work.

[hidefan]

Thanks for the info, mario2butts. :) Even though that limits my options, it's good to know what my options are, at least. There isn't such a thing as a Japanese RGB to component adaptor or anything?

[mario2butts]

Thanks for the info, mario2butts. Even though that limits my options, it's good to know what my options are, at least. There isn't such a thing as a Japanese RGB to component adaptor or anything?

Actually, there is such a device, but it works with a 21 pin European SCART connector, not Japanese RGB. It doesn't pass audio, so you'd have to either hack the cable or split the signal and have the other end going through a SCART to stereo RCA converter to get sound. And, it's pricey:

http://www.hometheatre.net.au/cyu2100.htm

However, European SCART cables for Saturn aren't that hard to find, so it could work. however as this is a passthrough you'd be depending on your TV to de-interlace/ line double the signal, and chances are your TV probably can't do this nearly as well as the XRGB can. Depending on the model though, it may be adequate. If modern consoles connected via component at 480i look good and don't lag on your TV, the Saturn through this thing will probably be fine.

Of course you could always get a separate RGB monitor for your Saturn. Or you could try connecting your Saturn to the HDTV via S-Video if you haven't already. It's not ideal but is far better than composite, and Saturn S-Video cables are cheap and plentiful on ebay. Good luck!

[smork]

Yeah, that's what I meant by a passthrough. I do personally think the video could be better, but that could be because I don't have my setup optimized.

AFAIK there aren't any other ready-out-of-the-box options for plugging a Japanese SCART into an American TV. Hell, there aren't any other options that I know of for plugging one into a current Japanese TV.

[GaijinPunch]

There are definitely no options for Japanese RGB pretty much anywhere outside of Japan (there's very few here). Your best bet is an XRGB-2 (or maybe 2+ or 3... these are missing *something* but I'm not sure what). Use a 21-pin RGB Saturn cable (which unfortunately suffers from noise, from what I hear) to the X-RGB2, then the XRGB2 to your HDTV via DSUB15 (not 15-pin RGB...that's something entirely different). Turn on some fake scanlines, and viola. In the states, this is pretty much your best option for RGB unless you have a lot of money and space.