フレームマイスター Framemister Xrgb mini/ English firmware/39000 yen shipped

I'm thinking about getting hold of a Framemeister, as my Dell monitor doesn't have an RGB SCART input, but I've got a few niggling questions before I pull the trigger:

- How would it display on a 2560x1440 monitor? I'm going to be using it with 240p sources mostly - NES, Famicom and N64 for the tilmebeing.
- I've heard it has issues with 50hz - how do these manifest?
- Does anyone know of a suitable 220/240V PSU for it?
- Thinking further ahead, is there a setting which would be suitable (if not perfect, obviously) to keep it on for many different consoles if I was to use a SCART switch like superg's? I've heard that each console requires a degree of tinkering with the settings.
- Lastly, scanlines aside, would it be worth getting if I already had a decent upscaling AV receiver/amplifier?

 

The Framemeister won't output at 2560x1440 resolution but you can go full HD 1080p in either PAL 50hz or NTSC 60hz so you shouldn't have any issues at all as for as your display in concerned.

I have no idea about any 50hz issues since I've never used any 50hz equipment on mine but from people I sell to in Europe all seems to be fine.

I see you live in the UK so if you can, take your Frammeister PSU down to Maplins as they have a good replacement that works fine with the Framemeister. A few UK customers did just that.

The Framemeister really does need a pre-set option for a few different systems but I'm afraid it doesn't

Regarding your last question - YES! The Framemeister will give you a far better picture than what you are using right now. I've used cheaper upscaling devices in the past, even from the likes of Hori and they all look terrible compared to a Framemeister.

 

I'm having trouble understanding what SCART cables and/or adapters I need for the XRGB Mini.

I want to hookup a US Saturn Model 2 and Genesis Model 1.

Even more complicated is how I should connect my Dreamcast. I have a VGA cable, but no VGA connection on my TV.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

P.S. I assume the D-Terminal to Component adapter is the best choice for my XBOX/PS2/Wii?

 

Long time lurker, first time poster here. But I hope I can still answer these questions. If I'm mistaken in anything, someone please correct me.

Anyways, the XRGB Mini comes with an adapter that is used for JP-21 cables. These are 21-pin cables that look like SCART, but is not. It's a Japanese 21-pin RGB cable. You will need to buy SCART adapters for the XRGB Mini, as a mismatch of cables will not work, and might damage the connected hardware. I know a lot of people, myself included, who bought this adapter on eBay from a seller named retro_console_accessories. This seller constantly sells XRGB adapter to Euro SCART. I believe this seller has two types of adapters, one is passive, and one with sync stripper. The passive one is just a straight connection from a SCART cable to the XRGB Mini. I'm not familiar with what the sync stripper adapter does, but from what I gathered, this one is usually used for SCART switches[?]. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can answer this.

As for the SCART cable you'll need for the Saturn and Genesis Model 1, any Sega Saturn SCART cable should work but the Genesis Model 1 requires a SCART cable specifically for the Model 1. The different SCART cable for the Genesis Model 2 will also work with the 32X and Sega CDX. The ebay seller retro_console_accessories frequently sells all the SCART cables for these consoles. I believe the website retrogamingcables sells them as well. Remember, when ordering RGB cables to order SCART cables, not ones named JP-21.

As for your Dreamcast via VGA, you'll need to find an adapter that would change the VGA to your preferred video output. But be aware this will likely result in a picture quality that isn't as good as VGA. I know a few people who have recommended connecting VGA to the Kenzei, the device made by the same guys who had the popular Hanzo [the Dreamcast VGA box], and reported great picture quality. But I haven't seen it in person yet, so I can't say for sure. I will say if you are looking into getting a VGA to RGB SCART adapter, don't bother. You might as well just connect the Dreamcast via SCART directly. Though I'm not a fan of the colors via SCART on a Dreamcast.

Finally there is a D-Terminal to Component adapter that's used for the XRGB Mini. So if you want to use component cables for your XBox/PS2/Wii with your XRGB Mini, you will need to get this adapter.

 

Alright if you are going to use Euro SCART you need an adapter for the XRGB-mini:

I recommend ordering these first couple items from retrogamingcables.com

Euro SCART to XRGB-mini adapter cable

Genesis Model 1 RGB cable with stereo lead cord


Unfortunately Retrogamingcables doesn't have a saturn cable, but you can find one via Ebay or elsewhere if you like

Saturn RGB Cable sold by Retro_Console_Accessories on Ebay



You can get a Dreamcast SCART cable instead of an adapter box if you like as well, but...

For Dreamcast adapters I suggest contacting Beharius and checking out his thread for his new product, TORO.

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?42388-Dreamcast-VGA-box-amp-Scanline-generator
http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?53612-TORO-Advanced-Video-Box-for-the-Dreamcast!&highlight=toro
http://www.beharbros.com/

Yes, the D-Terminal cable is the only input for component and will be the best signal you can get with XBOX/PS2/Wii.

 

Thanks for the excellent info! So, just to be clear - EURO SCART is what I want for my NTSC consoles? This part was throwing me off bc I was thinking EURO was for PAL consoles only.

The Genesis cable asks me to choose Composite Video or Composite SYNC - not sure what that means or what I need?

I'm still a little confused on the Dreamcast. You mentioned using SCART, but wouldn't that be inferior to VGA? Wouldn't the Hanzo box still require a converter between my TV? I've tried so many VGA2HDMI converters for the Dreamcast, and failed - which is why I ended up here.

Also, can you recommend a decent Multi SCART adapter, as I plan to add more SCART sources in the future?

 

What does composite up scaling look like using this.
and is there a list of all the input connectors, we don't have scart over here...

oh oh and does it have a zoom function, it'd be great with my gamegear (when I can afford to buy this updcaler haha)

 

I'm a XRGB Mini newbie, but everything I've seen (even composite and s-video) appears to be upscaled/enhanced over it's native source.
Scanlines really make older consoles look more accurate on newer LCD displays.
Although, once you spend this kind of money on a upscaler - you might as well shell out the extra few bucks on better RGB cables, where available.

I've been using this site to see what consoles support RGB. Some just need a simple cable - others will need modification.
http://retrorgb.com/index.html

Also would like to know about ZOOM feature for PSP ;-)

 

The Framemister has 21 pin RGB, composite and Component (D-Terminal) inputs. For out put you have HDMI. Everything looks better through a Framemister but of course with composite the source isn't fantastic so the end result won't be either. It's still a million times better than native composite from the console though.
The Framemister also has various zoom options

 

- Euro SCART is just how it is wired and it will work with consoles as long as they have a way to output RGB. Sorry about the confusion, there are two types of SCART: Euro (usually referred to as SCART) and JP21 (which is not as commonly used by everyone, but some people need it)

- Composite sync should work fine for the Genesis cable.

- SCART is technically one step down from VGA, however I don't mind the little differences between them as they both produce an awesome picture. If you used something like the TORO then you can have both VGA and SCART connections, or as I said earlier just get a SCART cable for the Dreamcast.

I am currently using a Bandridge 5 way SCART switch and I don't know what others recommend, but I hope to get my hands on one of SuperG's 8 way custom built SCART switch:

This is the SCART switch I have

gscartsw: automatic 8:1 SCART-RGB switch

After testing a few of my consoles with composite the signal looks decently good (for being composite :/ ), but with S-video it looks pretty damn great for some of the older systems I haven't got a SCART cable for yet.

 

Seems like a lot to spend on a switch - at least the money's going to a board member.

From what I can tell ghosting and most other issues come from auto switches - maybe I could go with a manual switch - it could be good exercise

Until I can decide, might just connect the Saturn via RGB and use S-Video with my Dreamcast - my older consoles are in storage atm

 

Hi Yakumo,

Do you have these in stock? Looking to buy one and a DT cable.


Thanks

 

Sorry, they are sold out all over Japan at the moemnt. I've got an order of 50 units on the way from Micomsoft which they think will be ready by mid November. I am taking pre-orders though. I've got about 12 units left if you'd like one. The D-Terminal to Component cables I have in stock right now. They cost 1000 yen when bought with a Framemeister.

 

Hey guys, I wonder if someone can help me. I have a PAL SNES which I am trying to plug into a framemeister.
The SNES is connected to the framemeister by a PAL SNES output to scart cable that I got off ebay and then a scart to rgb cable with a sync stripper which I got from here:
http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/...ni-adapter--euroscart-with-sync-stripper.html

The framemaster is connected via hdmi cable.

The issue is that I am only getting sound out of the TV and no picture. Can anybody offer a solution to this for me?
I also have a scart to rgb cable without a sync stripper but that one doesn't even play the sound.

All connections are snug and the framemeister works if I input the snes into the av ports.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated, and I'm sorry if this isn't the appropriate thing to post in this forum, if that's the case please point me in the right direction. Thanks

 

are you sure that the sync stripper gets power?
you could just use a normal cable without a stripper, it would work just fine with the framemeister nowdays, a stripper was only needed in the past with past firmwares AFAIK

 

Also check the sync level on the Framemister. I have the same issue with my Dreamcast. I get sound but no image until I move the sync level up 2 spaces.

 

Is there a way to choose 1024x768 or an option for overscan? I ask because my TV is stupid and over scans everything unless its at 1024x768. I really need a new TV

 

Hey, thanks for your suggestions. I have updated my firmware to 1.11 and the scart cable without the sync still does nothing... No sound or picture.

Clearly the sync cable isn't getting the power it needs, how do I fix that?

Also, and this question probably will sound extremely stupid... But while setting the sync level, do I need to turn the machine on and off every time I set it to a new level? I have tried a few different numbers and as I have been getting no results I am not sure if what I am doing is effective in any way.
Which chord should I be playing with the sync level with? The one that I am getting sound with right?

Thanks again

 

I can't make my french pal snes to work on framemeister.
Problem may come from here:

It may be a clue, I'm not sure about that.

 

You need an adapter