Scart RGB to Component converter worth the cost??

[vexcollects]

Bought a Duo R on eBay today. The seller advised that a Scart RGB to Component converter should be purchased to get the top video quality from the console. I guess I would also have to purchase the Scart audio extractor adapter too?

It is probably gonna cost me about $80 for the 2 components. Do I need anything else?

So, is this worth it for the video quality difference? Also, if my other consoles (Sega CDX, Sega Saturn, Atari Jaguar.....) are all North American can I use this converter with them, or is it only going to be compatible with my Duo R?

I'm a newb with import consoles, so cut me some slack ;)

[Mzo]

In the end you'll need the adapter, a set of component male to component male video cable, the audio breakout box, a dual RCA male to RCA male cable for left and right sound, a SCART switch so you don't have to disconnect and reconnect to the adapter every time you want to use a different console, and a SCART to SCART cable to go from the switch to the adapter.

A lot of older consoles natively put out an RGB signal, which is far better than the next standard, composite.  You just need the right cable, and those end in a SCART connector.  There's a common SCART to YUV adapter for sale on eBay and Amazon for around $50 that will work.  It takes the SCART cable and puts out YUV component video.  I use it on my US SMS (looks amazing), US Genesis/Sega CD/32X, US SNES, and my Japanese Saturn with no issues.

You might be thinking of video problems converting 50Hz PAL video to the NTSC standard, which is shared between the US and Japan.  As long as you're not dealing with old European consoles they should all be compatible.

Once everything is said and done, if you're going from composite video to this, it is worth every penny.  If your systems are modded with s-video already it's debatable, but still an improvement.

[wildfruit]

Can you just use the rgb without converting it?

Sent from my Lumia 520 on Scabb Island using Tapatalk

[Ji-L87]

Bought a Duo R on eBay today. The seller advised that a Scart RGB to Component converter should be purchased to get the top video quality from the console.

Three things:
1) I suppose the Duo-R was RGB modded, hence why the seller said that. Otherwise, a standard Duo only outputs composite video.

2) Like wildfruit said, the RGB to component/YUV converter box is just used for that. If your setup can handle RGB without converting, then stick to stick to that.

3) Mzo already said this but the converter is just a general converter which takes RGB through a scart connector and outputs a Compoent/YUV signal. The source system doesn't matter at all, just that it's an RGB signal - so yes, anything that can output an RGB signal can be used with it. I've seen some of those specifically called "SEGA YUV converter" and the like, but there's nothing system specific about them. 

[vexcollects]

Thanks for all the good info. Just so I'm clear here,

As I understand it some systems would need to be modded for RGB. The one I just bought is modded(duo r). Is that port the small round din on the system? The other end of the scart cable looks like a parallel cable from an old printer I believe. This being said, my TV would not accept this connection so I would require the convert.

But then my question would be which systems natively have an RGB port? I think my CDX and Saturn have one, but I don't recall seeing one on my Snes mini, nes, Jaguar/jag CD, Dreamcast, Gamecube, or N64. I'm assuming these systems would need modding?

I remember the VGA being quite nice when I had an adapter for the dreamcast. I regret selling it, greatly. Had no idea it would be worth what it is worth now. Stupid move on my part.

[wildfruit]

Dreamcast outputs RGB natively as does mega drive. Gamecube does on euro models. Nes doesn't the others i cant confirm but in pretty sure snes outputs rgb natively

Sent from my Lumia 520 on Scabb Island using Tapatalk

[Ji-L87]

Edit: Late post. What Wildfruit said.

Is that port the small round din on the system? The other end of the scart cable looks like a parallel cable from an old printer I believe. This being said, my TV would not accept this connection so I would require the convert.

Yes, that 's right the funny looking connector with a load of pins is the Scart connector. In this case it sounds like you need a converter.

But then my question would be which systems natively have an RGB port? I think my CDX and Saturn have one, but I don't recall seeing one on my Snes mini, nes, Jaguar/jag CD, Dreamcast, Gamecube, or N64. I'm assuming these systems would need modding?

Not sure about the Jaguar or the SNES mini (RGB is supported by the normal SNES, although with varying results depending on model revision and cable) but the Dreamcast supports RGB. Or rather, I know the PAL Dreamcast does it by regulation and I believe the US model also supports it - however maybe not all games. I'm sure there's a list or something out there.

Gamecube is troublesome because only PAL units supports RGB - on the other hand, NTSC units support component instead. But that cord is super expensive, sadly.
The NES and N64 needs to be modded for RGB, regardless of region. The NES in particular is complicated thanks to different color profiles or something, but there's a new thing out called the NESRGB Board that seems to work rather well.

[imparanoic]

on the scale of picture quality ( for retro games)

pc engine composite is ok considering it's composite video, compared to poor megadrive and not too bad snes, quality picture scale is at 4 ( of 10)

s-video on snes as standard ( needed to be modded on megadrive) is at 6

pure rgb on scart tv (euro) or monitor would be at 7, the rgb using a xrgb upscanner ( very expensive and hard to get) would be a 9 in my opinion

but cheap rgb to be component converter may not process rgb very well, thus, could be a 5 or 6

[imparanoic]

if you get the (for euro tv) rgb scart cable for sega Saturn, sega cdx and jaguar, then the converter will work

[CrackTiger]

Hopefully you didn't buy it from doujindance, who sells most of the RGB modded system on eBay, but unfortunately often does a terrible job. I still have to get an expensive system I bought from him repaired.

Also, I bought one of the popular scart-to-component converters off of eBay and it has never worked with modified consoles. Even though t does work with unmodified consoles which output RGB, part of the image is still distorted.

[vexcollects]

CrackTiger, are you kidding me, man? I bought it from a dude on ebay who said it was modded by doujindance and it is 100% working. This was a pretty expensive piece of hardware, so I sure hope it works.

It's in the mail today, so I guess I will find out soon enough.

Honestly, if this system is a piece, I may just give up on PCE collecting. I have the means, but not if I get screwed over again and again.

I have not bought a scart converter yet. I may not bother.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Never give up!!!

Research here would've revealed that his work is inconsistent, but no matter.  Even if you have problems, one of the regulars here can get it going.

[PunkCryborg]

Ive been using a doujindance rgb modded duo r since 2010 and it gets TONS of use, no problems to date. Yeah I'm sure he isn't perfect but when you are dealing with modding a 20 year old game system, there's sure to be a problem console or two out there. He has a Youtube account with vids up on how to do many repairs and mods and I've PMd him before, nice guy.

[wildfruit]

Although i much prefer RGB if possible the composite on my turbografx is surprisingly good compared to other devices. I presume PCE would be the same?

Sent from my Lumia 520 on Scabb Island using Tapatalk

[monads]

My doujindance rgb modded duo r works perfectly!!!  I did have an issue with the audio on CD games skipping in/out about 6mos ago...but through the help of doujindance and forum guides here it was easily fixed via the duo r pot settings.

[rtyper]

in reply to OP: "So, is this worth it for the video quality difference?"
only if you are using a crt, yes.
if you're using a hd/led/lcd/whatever new word for it this week, nope, cos the image will still be crap. (lego)
if you're using a hd/led/lcd/whatever new word for it this week, you would be better off investing in either a
xrgb-mini (framemeister) type device or buy a secondhand crt or stick to composite as it is excellent from the
pcengine consoles and save the cash.

[vexcollects]

Well, I received the console, and as I feared the region mod did not function. When I pop in an American hucard and flip the switch the game may or may not work for a few seconds before freezing/distorting the video and sound. The longest I have been able to play is about 25 seconds. I can't test the RGB mod yet, as the converter I ordered (I should have held off on this) has not arrived yet. Super disappointed.

The seller agreed to supply a partial refund, since the system still plays what it is natively meant to play. Hopefully it doesn't die in the next week. That would really suck.

So now I have to figure out if I should try to fix the mod myself, or contact the modder maybe (Doujindance).

[Duo_R]

I just modded my converter box so no external breakout box / cable needed. It's not that hard.

[Duo_R]

as far as LCD - it will be best on a tube set, but I use this converter box on one of my Samsung LCD's and honestly it isn't bad at all.

[imparanoic]

in reply to OP: "So, is this worth it for the video quality difference?"
only if you are using a crt, yes.
if you're using a hd/led/lcd/whatever new word for it this week, nope, cos the image will still be crap. (lego)
if you're using a hd/led/lcd/whatever new word for it this week, you would be better off investing in either a
xrgb-mini (framemeister) type device or buy a secondhand crt or stick to composite as it is excellent from the
pcengine consoles and save the cash.

a framemeister xrgb is US$400 plus, that's heavy commitment, for die hard retro gamers, ie, price of xbox1 or ps4

on the other hand, the older xrgb2,2plus, 3 is a fraction of the cost, but still US$150 per unit,  for slightly  wealthy gamers

while a cheapo rgb to component is probably only US$60 which is reasonable to casual retro gamers

[vexcollects]

It seems that there are some strong opinions on both sides of this discussion. Once I get the converter in the mail, I guess I'll see but since quality seems to depend so much on other factors, I may just settle for S video and ditch the converter.

I'm viewing on either a 23" old 1080i Samsung hdtv, or my 64" Samsung f8500 plasma. Although, the plasma may not have an S video connection or Rca for that matter. I don't currently own a CRT TV.

 First I want to get the & #@$ region mod fixed. It's like a sad cloud hanging over my Duo.

[imparanoic]

h

It seems that there are some strong opinions on both sides of this discussion. Once I get the converter in the mail, I guess I'll see but since quality seems to depend so much on other factors, I may just settle for S video and ditch the converter.

I'm viewing on either a 23" old 1080i Samsung hdtv, or my 64" Samsung f8500 plasma. Although, the plasma may not have an S video connection or Rca for that matter. I don't currently own a CRT TV.

 First I want to get the & #@$ region mod fixed. It's like a sad cloud hanging over my Duo.
[/quote

pc engine does not output s video ( stranglely, pc-fx which is poor successor to pc engine has only composite and s video, not rgb)

so you need a rgb to s -video converter which I think it's not worth it (s video is ok, but it's not as sharp or vivid as RGB or component), if your rgb to component is reasonable price ie, less than US$60. then try it, if you want the ultimate picture, xrgb machine - older ones are rare and can be from US$200 plus, but it's worth it, latest one xrgb mini is expensive and the best but at US$400-450, it's not cheap at all

you can also use it for rgb output from snes, genesis/md, Saturn, dreamcast ( certain games), ps1, ps2, etc

[thesteve]

First question
Can you solder?

Second question
What region mod do you have? 2

[wolfman]

Why not use one of these:

http://www.amazon.de/SODIAL-Stecker-Audio-Video-Komponente/dp/B005J2QT0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392309510&sr=8-1&keywords=Rgb+Hdmi+Kabel

Works with ANALOG signals,though it is a HDMI on the other end.

[ClodBusted]

This cable does not work as a converter. It will only work on TVs that are able to accept analog YPbPr signals on the (usually digital only) HDMI socket.

I don't know of any TV that would be able to support such an uncommon feature.

The positive reviews of this cable are misleading: one review is just praising the seller for returning the product, and the other review is pure nonsense.

[wolfman]

This cable does not work as a converter. It will only work on TVs that are able to accept analog YPbPr signals on the (usually digital only) HDMI socket.

I don't know of any TV that would be able to support such an uncommon feature.

The positive reviews of this cable are misleading: one review is just praising the seller for returning the product, and the other review is pure nonsense.

I never said its a converter - it lets you use ANALOG signals (Sound, Video) via HDMI.

I don't know of any TV that would be able to support such an uncommon feature.

The positive reviews of this cable are misleading: one review is just praising the seller for returning the product, and the other review is pure nonsense.

Doesn´t mean they dont exist.
Apart from that the one reviewer stated that it didn´t work for his purpose...whatever that may have been - he doesnt give a clear reference.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

I never said its a converter - it lets you use ANALOG signals (Sound, Video) via HDMI.

Then why suggest it?  This thread is about CONVERTERS, not some piece of crap cable that will be a waste of money for the majority of people; there's no shortage of such cables on Amazon, all with poor feedback.

[wolfman]

I never said its a converter - it lets you use ANALOG signals (Sound, Video) via HDMI.

Then why suggest it?  This thread is about CONVERTERS, not some piece of crap cable that will be a waste of money for the majority of people; there's no shortage of such cables on Amazon, all with poor feedback.

I suggest you read my PREVIOUS post before you fret. I stated clearly before that already that it is for analog ONLY.

Besides, sometimes people suggest things, whether you like it or not. I also received a lot of nonsense feedback at times, even in this forum. Did throw my anger at people? No.

Keep your temper down 

[Nazi NecroPhile]

I suggest you read my PREVIOUS post before you fret. I stated clearly before that already that it is for analog ONLY.

Obviously it's for analog.  By spec, component and RGB are analog, so what else could it be?

Besides, sometimes people suggest things, whether you like it or not. I also received a lot of nonsense feedback at times, even in this forum. Did throw my anger at people? No.

You suggested that someone buy a useless cable instead of buying a converter.  Why?  Do you not know such cables are a scam, surviving on the premise that it's not worth return shipping for a refund?

Keep your temper down 

There's nothing in my response even close to anger. 

[wolfman]

You suggested that someone buy a useless cable instead of buying a converter.  Why?  Do you not know such cables are a scam, surviving on the premise that it's not worth return shipping for a refund?

Well, I don´t know about those sales...can´t remember of a single item I bought to be of scam origin...

I am not that much into HDMI specs to know whether it still supports analog RGB signal or not at all.
I know that some laptops allow analog signal output via HDMI, so why shouldn´t there  be a TV accepting analog via HDMI in?

[Duo_R]

That won't work for what he is trying to do. Ok move on back on topic. lol