S video to component box for classic systems

[BricatSegaFan]

So I recently come across this converter box on eBay, it advertises composite and svideo to RGB component.

My question is has anyone ever used one of these? What should I expect if I hook this up to all my retro consoles? Is it true RGB like a scart to component setup?

[RP2A03]

I don't really see much use for this unless you intend to connect your consoles to a PC monitor. In fact, I would be wary of buying this particular box for any purpose since the seller is claiming this to be some magic voodoo box that takes a crappy composite signal and restores it to look just as good as the original RGB. Information lost at the source is information lost forever.

[BricatSegaFan]

I don't really see much use for this unless you intend to connect your consoles to a PC monitor. In fact, I would be wary of buying this particular box for any purpose since the seller is claiming this to be some magic voodoo box that takes a crappy composite signal and restores it to look just as good as the original RGB. Information lost at the source is information lost forever.

The only reason I was considering this is my tv has component inputs and I figured that component is superior to S video. So basically once video is sent via composite its signal cannot be split up?

What you are saying makes sense though.

[RP2A03]

The video can be split up, your TV does it all the time, it's just that you won't see any benefit to doing so unless your TV does a particularly bad job. If your TV is HD you would be better off investing in a good scaler, otherwise if you want to improve your picture you need to mod your hardware for RGB then convert to YPbPr.

[theclaw]

That has some uses. A few consoles like Atari 2600 and PC-FX, I believe s-video is the peak option. Not aware of an effective way to get RGB from them.

Anything like SNES, SMS, Saturn, TG16, and various others, would be better with RGB to component.

[wiggyx]

I'd stick with the S-vid, unless you're a super duper video quality snob. This thing, as others have already said, isn't gonna do anything for ya. In all likelihood this box would produce an image that's WORSE than S-vid.

[BricatSegaFan]

Well my tv isn't hd its a CRT with component hookups.

I mainly play my Saturn, x'eye, xbox 1, Neogeo AES, Dreamcast on it.

The Saturn and dreamcast have s video but all the others have composite.

I guess I'm just trying to squeeze more quality out of the composite systems.

I hear that RGB eliminates the rainbowing seen on neogeo games.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

Well my tv isn't hd its a CRT with component hookups.

I mainly play my Saturn, x'eye, xbox 1, Neogeo AES, Dreamcast on it.

The Saturn and dreamcast have s video but all the others have composite.

I guess I'm just trying to squeeze more quality out of the composite systems.

I hear that RGB eliminates the rainbowing seen on neogeo games.

Going by your set-up, this converter box is almost completely useless to you.

The Neo Geo has the ability to output RGB video over a SCART connector. Converter boxes exist which will transcode this into component video with a very minimal loss in quality. This SCART to Component process can be used with some other consoles as well.

I am certain the crew at neo-geo.com will have a wealth of information on the subject if you read up there, or inquire by making a thread. Much more than I know without google research. But the jump in video quality should be huge.

[BricatSegaFan]

Ok so its a consensus that I should pass on the converter voodoo box lol.

So I guess I shall delve into scart connections now. I've always been curious about them but never bothered.

Thanks for all the input guys :)

[alec006]

Well my tv isn't hd its a CRT with component hookups.

I mainly play my Saturn, x'eye, xbox 1, Neogeo AES, Dreamcast on it.

The Saturn and dreamcast have s video but all the others have composite.

I guess I'm just trying to squeeze more quality out of the composite systems.

I hear that RGB eliminates the rainbowing seen on neogeo games.

Here's the problem with that box, it takes a much lower quality signal Composite and converts it to YUV Component Video. It's not going to get rid of that rainbow banding effect because your still coming from a composite signal that's encoded, rather than a pure RGB signal which isn't encoded. Infact it's going to make that rainbow banding much worse.

Let's start with your systems that your using composite and S-Video and lets see their highest possible signal:

Saturn: RGB with a SCART Cable
X'EYE : RGB with a SCART Cable
Xbox : Component Video (YUV)
NEO-GEO: RGB with a SCART CABLE
Dreamcast: RGB with a SCART CABLE or VGA (Using a computer monitor or LCD with a VGA port)

Since you have a CRT you should be able to use a SCART to YUV box since most CRT's can accept low res 240p component.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SCART-RGB-to-YUV-Component-Video-Converter-Scaler-/221156873851?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item337dfa167b

That's the exact one I use and it does an amazing job, you will be surprised how much better RGB YUV is over S-Video and Composite. Some have said there's a green tint when they used but that can adjusted internally easily by taking the box apart and adjusting a pot.

[BricatSegaFan]

Here's the problem with that box, it takes a much lower quality signal Composite and converts it to YUV Component Video. It's not going to get rid of that rainbow banding effect because your still coming from a composite signal that's encoded, rather than a pure RGB signal which isn't encoded. Infact it's going to make that rainbow banding much worse.

Let's start with your systems that your using composite and S-Video and lets see their highest possible signal:

Saturn: RGB with a SCART Cable
X'EYE : RGB with a SCART Cable
Xbox : Component Video (YUV)
NEO-GEO: RGB with a SCART CABLE
Dreamcast: RGB with a SCART CABLE or VGA (Using a computer monitor or LCD with a VGA port)

Since you have a CRT you should be able to use a SCART to YUV box since most CRT's can accept low res 240p component.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SCART-RGB-to-YUV-Component-Video-Converter-Scaler-/221156873851?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item337dfa167b

That's the exact one I use and it does an amazing job, you will be surprised how much better RGB YUV is over S-Video and Composite. Some have said there's a green tint when they used but that can adjusted internally easily by taking the box apart and adjusting a pot.

Thanks for the tip! Just bought it. Now I need scart cables for the systems.

Update:

Ok so I got this cable which is a 8 pin din to Scart.

This said it is for neogeo but I assume I could use it on a model 1 genesis, pc engine duo, master system too right?
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/03/e3ugunes.jpg

[Ed Oscuro]

How the cable is wired matters. SCART is a standard originally for PAL territories (Europe) but the plug has been adapted for the purpose of RGB display. Cables should be "easily" rewired if you get the wrong territory, but it takes time, some equipment, and some skills...if you're buying these cables, make sure they are marked as being for NTSC consoles. Just check that it is not for the UK, Europe, or with "PAL" in the name. If it isn't then you have no problem here.

But the more pressing question I have is that the cable is being marketed as "for Neo Geo." We're getting back to the same problem as with the original device - what you feed into the cable or device matters! I'm not very well informed about the Neo Geo output, but I had thought it only outputs composite video (lousy composite video, too, at least by the standards of my own old unmodified AES). But given how many pins there are on that DIN connector, it has enough to do the trick. Incidentally, there is also this matter (http://nfggames.com/games/neorgb/) - I'm not really so certain that RGB is the way to go on some units (at least not without some modification)!

Apparently, though, the Neo Geo is helpfully designed in that it gives you RGB straight out of the gate. If true that is very nice.

Other consoles have different cables and some don't have RGB output at all. Here is a picture that was linked on Famicomworld:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRn5N5e_0JJtRCzsE6x5tNkzzG5H_GcM Nol7SWF6HtNu49FjUuwAQvfm68J
Obviously the two consoles' physical connectors are not compatible, let alone give any assurance of outputting compatible signals.

About consoles that don't output RGB - some merely don't offer RGB signals through their standard outputs, but most of these systems can be hardware modified to do so. The only regular console I can think of that doesn't output RGB at all is the NES, which uses a somewhat radically different procedure to generate colors in an NTSC signal (bypassing the RGB step altogether). You still can modify these systems for RGB but it is very expensive and takes a rare part to accomplish, and to top it off the results aren't universally wonderful.

The long and short of it is that many (not all, thankfully!) retro consoles take some modification to get an acceptable RGB signal output. Almost all will have their own cables and magical dances to get working right. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; I think Nintendo comes closest with their AV out connector but not all consoles using that offer RGB output without modification (like the N64, which offers S-Video at best unless you modify it).

"Component" video (properly speaking, YPbPr; RGB is a kind of component as the pedants on Wikipedia will remind you if you glance at the articles on component video and RGB, and that would be a good idea) is very close to RGB, enough so that you get the vast majority of an improvement to real RGB, moving up from some kind of composite video or even S-Video.

I can't share much more unfortunately - I have recently gotten a very nice CRT television with component inputs myself, but I am already starting to sway towards getting another display which can natively accept the SCART plug (the big semi-rectangular one on the cable you mentioned) like a professional Sony PVM or BVM monitor. There don't appear to be many terrible downsides to RGB to component, but systems with native component (YPbPr) output were generally in the early HD and late progressive era (i.e. 480p consoles like the GameCube) while a classic television is probably going to be slightly lower spec'ced (which is not a problem for old systems, and maybe even a benefit in terms of input lag, but you lose some of the extra detail if you try to use a higher-resolution image, obviously).

I will shut up before I write some howler that will hurt your quest. I will be happy to do what I can in the way of providing links to people who could give advice or even render services if needed.

[alec006]

Thanks for the tip! Just bought it. Now I need scart cables for the systems.

Update:

Ok so I got this cable which is a 8 pin din to Scart.

This said it is for neogeo but I assume I could use it on a model 1 genesis, pc engine duo, master system too right?


That cable does have RGB and should work with the SCART RGB to Component YUV converter box. It will not work with the Master System, Genesis or PC Engine Duo since they have different pinouts.

There is a girl that does great SCART RGB cables for most of the major classic systems, but she's currently still away for the holidays. Hopefully she comes back soon. Here's her store:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/retro_console_accessories/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

The Master System and Genesis model 1 do share the same pinout and a RGB SCART cable can be used between them.

The PC Engine Duo can do RGB, but requires a modification first since Hudson didn't connect the damn leads to some of the consoles.

There is however one thing about that converter box, it doesn't have audio out so you have to get a SCART switch to get the audio, those run about the same price as the box itself. Here's the one I use:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hama-Scart-Switch-Box-AV-100S-Silver-/350677954849?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a608f121

It is available in black as well but for a few dollars more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hama-SCART-Switch-Box-AV-100S-/350676553533?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a5f38f3d

From there you just need a standard stereo audio RCA cable, usually people have extras laying around if not they can be purchased at any big box electronics store or online for around $3-$8

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-Deluxe-Plated-Stereo-Audio/dp/B000N7HT4K/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1357212037&sr=1-6&keywords=rca+stereo+audio+cable+6+feet

A fully wired RGB SCART cable:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-75M-Fully-Wired-20-Pin-Scart-to-Scart-Plug-Video-For-Sky-DVD-TV-VCR-Cable-Lead-/320869638592?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Video_Ca bles_Adapters&hash=item4ab55221c0

And a component cable which most people also have laying around but if not can be purchased at a big box electronics store or online:

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PH61071-feet-Component-Video-Cable/dp/B0001GAMQK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1357212240&sr=8-6&keywords=component+cable

Once you got all that you connect the Neo Geo cable to one of the inputs on the switch. Then from there connect the SCART cable to the output of the switch box and to the input of the RGB to Component box. From there the Stereo audio comes out of the switch box and the component video comes out of the converter box then your set.

Word of advice, SCART RGB cables will run you about $15-$20 a piece, a small bit higher if your importing them. Make sure they are European SCART and not Japanese SCART, same connector, totally different thou. Second, make sure the cables are RGB compatible. The girl I listed above sells great quality cables that do work with NTSC consoles and are RGB, make sure they are listed for NTSC when you buy them from her once she gets back. She sells a few that are PAL ONLY and those won't work for you.

Third, get ready to spend some money. Here in the US we got screwed when it came to an RGB input so we have to import cables and know what to get to make sure it will work. It can be a bit complicated at times, trust me I know, I have so many different inputs and connections on my TV a guy told me I should go into engineering. RGB cables are an investment.

Is it worth it thou, if you have a CRT that can accept 240p component video signals derived from pure RGB then yes, you will be blown out of the water at the difference RGB can make. Heck I've played Sonic The Hedgehog 2 since I was four years old in 1994. I got an RGB cable, played the game, went to the Chemical Plant Zone and noticed all the pixel detail in the background, I couldn't believe I missed it since composite and RF smeer that fine detail out.

Of course if you run into trouble, I as many others here are here to help you :)

[chrisbid]

http://consolegoods.co.uk

your one stop shop for high quality scart cables

i would also invest in a scart switch box, that way you wont have to pull scart connectors in and out of the convertor to switch systems, plus as an added bonus, pick up a switch box with audio out... some scart to component adapters do not have audio conversion.

[Jack_Burton_BYOAC]

BriCatSegaFan, I'm curious, what model is your CRT?

[BricatSegaFan]

BriCatSegaFan, I'm curious, what model is your CRT?

I'd have to pull it out and look at it.....that sounded weird lol. As far as I know its a 27 inch Toshiba, but I'm not sure on the exact model.

[BricatSegaFan]

That cable does have RGB and should work with the SCART RGB to Component YUV converter box. It will not work with the Master System, Genesis or PC Engine Duo since they have different pinouts.

There is a girl that does great SCART RGB cables for most of the major classic systems, but she's currently still away for the holidays. Hopefully she comes back soon. Here's her store:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/retro_console_accessories/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

The Master System and Genesis model 1 do share the same pinout and a RGB SCART cable can be used between them.

The PC Engine Duo can do RGB, but requires a modification first since Hudson didn't connect the damn leads to some of the consoles.

There is however one thing about that converter box, it doesn't have audio out so you have to get a SCART switch to get the audio, those run about the same price as the box itself. Here's the one I use:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hama-Scart-Switch-Box-AV-100S-Silver-/350677954849?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a608f121

It is available in black as well but for a few dollars more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hama-SCART-Switch-Box-AV-100S-/350676553533?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a5f38f3d

From there you just need a standard stereo audio RCA cable, usually people have extras laying around if not they can be purchased at any big box electronics store or online for around $3-$8

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-Deluxe-Plated-Stereo-Audio/dp/B000N7HT4K/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1357212037&sr=1-6&keywords=rca+stereo+audio+cable+6+feet

A fully wired RGB SCART cable:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-75M-Fully-Wired-20-Pin-Scart-to-Scart-Plug-Video-For-Sky-DVD-TV-VCR-Cable-Lead-/320869638592?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Video_Ca bles_Adapters&hash=item4ab55221c0

And a component cable which most people also have laying around but if not can be purchased at a big box electronics store or online:

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PH61071-feet-Component-Video-Cable/dp/B0001GAMQK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1357212240&sr=8-6&keywords=component+cable

Once you got all that you connect the Neo Geo cable to one of the inputs on the switch. Then from there connect the SCART cable to the output of the switch box and to the input of the RGB to Component box. From there the Stereo audio comes out of the switch box and the component video comes out of the converter box then your set.

Word of advice, SCART RGB cables will run you about $15-$20 a piece, a small bit higher if your importing them. Make sure they are European SCART and not Japanese SCART, same connector, totally different thou. Second, make sure the cables are RGB compatible. The girl I listed above sells great quality cables that do work with NTSC consoles and are RGB, make sure they are listed for NTSC when you buy them from her once she gets back. She sells a few that are PAL ONLY and those won't work for you.

Third, get ready to spend some money. Here in the US we got screwed when it came to an RGB input so we have to import cables and know what to get to make sure it will work. It can be a bit complicated at times, trust me I know, I have so many different inputs and connections on my TV a guy told me I should go into engineering. RGB cables are an investment.

Is it worth it thou, if you have a CRT that can accept 240p component video signals derived from pure RGB then yes, you will be blown out of the water at the difference RGB can make. Heck I've played Sonic The Hedgehog 2 since I was four years old in 1994. I got an RGB cable, played the game, went to the Chemical Plant Zone and noticed all the pixel detail in the background, I couldn't believe I missed it since composite and RF smeer that fine detail out.

Of course if you run into trouble, I as many others here are here to help you :)

Is it possible to use scart with headphone jack out for sound on my Aes Alec? Same for a scart connection to the x'eye and genesis model 1 and PCE duo?

[alec006]

Is it possible to use scart with headphone jack out for sound on my Aes Alec? Same for a scart connection to the x'eye and genesis model 1 and PCE duo?

If your talking about the headphone jack in the front of the AES, yes you can use the audio from it. Same with the Genesis Model 1. Just need a 3.5mm to RCA like this:

http://www.amazon.com/SF-Cable-3-5mm-Stereo-Splitter/dp/B0016LFN2C/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_3

Or just use headphones if you like.

Do the X'Eye and PCE Duo have headphone jacks, I've never owned them, but if they do then by all means yes. Infact doesn't the X'EYE have RCA stereo outputs already on the back if so you can use those for audio.

And does the PCE have like a CD-ROM attachment or does it have RCA out as well, if so then your set on audio.

It's when you get into systems that don't have headphone ports you'll eventually have to get a switch box. And it's better to get one anyway so you don't wear out the SCART connector on the converter box or the actual connectors on the cables themselves.

[BricatSegaFan]

If your talking about the headphone jack in the front of the AES, yes you can use the audio from it. Same with the Genesis Model 1. Just need a 3.5mm to RCA like this:

http://www.amazon.com/SF-Cable-3-5mm-Stereo-Splitter/dp/B0016LFN2C/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_3

Or just use headphones if you like.

Do the X'Eye and PCE Duo have headphone jacks, I've never owned them, but if they do then by all means yes. Infact doesn't the X'EYE have RCA stereo outputs already on the back if so you can use those for audio.

And does the PCE have like a CD-ROM attachment or does it have RCA out as well, if so then your set on audio.

It's when you get into systems that don't have headphone ports you'll eventually have to get a switch box. And it's better to get one anyway so you don't wear out the SCART connector on the converter box or the actual connectors on the cables themselves.

The PCE duo is a all in one system similar to the x'eye. But I see what you mean.

I'll get the box soon once I sell more parts on eBay.

[Greg2600]

A lot of good useful links by alec. I agree with the others, there's no point converting from composite/S to component. You have to go to the source (RGB) if possible, otherwise you have to mod the system.