15 pin RGB to D-Terminal cheap solution needed.

I've just bought a RGB modded Mega Drive that uses a 15 pin VGA style connector. It won't work on my TFT because the output is 15mhz and TFTs run at 30mhz or higher. So I'd like to use this on my TV but of course my TV doesn't have VGA style inputs but it does have full HD D-Terminal inputs that my Wii and DVD player use. Is there any way to get this Mega Drive running via the D-Terminal for a cheap price?

Yakumo

 

Why would a megadrive that has a 8 pin DIN socket that outputs RGB need a conversion? Unless someone was lazy at soldering?

The cheapest RGB to YPbPr convertor I can find is about $50 but you'll need a component to D-Terminal lead (which I've seen in places like Sofmap and the like).

There is also this on Ebay australia.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Hantrex-SCART-RGB-to-Component-YUV-Convertor-VGC_W0QQitemZ260246715509QQihZ016QQcategoryZ109861QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Sounds like someone didn't want to use the Neo Geo RGB cable.

 

if memory serves ? the newer megadrive dropped the rgb connector

 

Nu.

Just use a DIN8 / Mini DIN9 to 21PIN RGB connector cable. :nod:

 

Megadrive 2 has RGB...
EDIT: I'm not so sure about the vga...

 

Here's the Mega Drive in question.



It was probably made this way because no modern Japanese TV or even in the last 10 years has a 21 pin scart or none apart from 1 Sony Vega model. Stupid idiots they were for removing 21 pin RGB connectors. Why on earth did they remove them?

Anyway, I guess the guy who made this thought connecting the MD to a monitor was more practical.

That's ok finding a component to D-Terminal cable. A shop near me sells Hitachi ones for only 500 yen. I use one to connect my DVD player to the D-Terminal.

OK, I'll take a look at that Ebay auction in Australia. Looks really cheap but it all depends upon shipping.

Yakumo

 

Look out if you buy a VGA to Component cable ! Most require the video card to actually be put in 'component video' mode. So I doubt if these cables would work with you're console.

 

I thought it was the 15 pin low density version, the one they use on Japanese monitors. However, a lot of projectors and a number of HDTVs do accept a 15Khz signal through the VGA port, you may want to check your LCD manual to see if it will do a 15Khz signal.

The Supergun I am building has a VGA port because my HDTV in Japan will work nicely at 15Khz.

 

B/c nobody really used them, unfortunately.

 

I just checked the monitors specs on line but it looks like it won't do 15khz. Here's what it can do.

31.5～69.0kHz（Digital）、31.5～81.1kHz（Analogue）

So my TFT is out. And with the news from c_rpg that those converter boxes need the video card to be set in composite mode that makes things harder :-( Maybe it's easier to buy a cheap old monitor but then again I really don't have the space.

It'sa shame that Japanese TV's don't have standard 21 pin RGB any more because the Mega Drive looks so crap through composite and even pretty turd though s-video:noooo:

Yakumo

 

That convertor will convert RGB SCART to Component, you might need another Megadrive and a RGB SCART cable but it will work. The Megadrive SCART socket outputs Composite Video as a Composite Sync.

 

Well you could still find some cheap used CRT monitor in Sofmap or something, and use it there...

 

It may not even be "VGA" because while csync is usually transmitted on the hsync line when there isn't a dedicated line, there is no formal standard for csync over "VGA" so who knows what the modder chose. You also can't even use a VGA -> component transcoders because they'll expect TTL level sync signals which is not what the MD puts out.

For prospective RGB players in NTSC land, I'd suggest just getting/making a J21RGB/SCART to component adapter so one device will fit all. The link Jamtex posted is dirt cheap, go for it.

 

Most HDTVs and Projectors that do accept 15Khz over a VGA port will accept C-Sync over the H-Sync pin. So far a Sony, NEC, Sharp and Sanyo HDTVs and Projectors have all worked well with this, so I'll assume that's the case here.

 

I think everyone is dodging the best (even though most expensive) solution. Get an XRGB2, and connect it to your HDTV via VGA cable. Connect any of your old machines via RGB. Turn on fake scanlines. Enjoy.

 

That is a bit like buying a Ferrari to pop down the shops with when a Ford Ka would do the job. I bought that $19 RGB SCART to Component convertor, I'll take shots of a Megadrive through Composite, RGB SCART and Component Video through a HDTV and if I feel like a laugh RF.

 

If such a product exists for 21 pin RGB, that'd be great. I don't think it does though. And, of course, the lines will be doubled with no filter to simulate low res. Yeah, it's pricey, but they can be had for less than 10,000 yen if you're patient.

 

I've got my eye on a XRGB-2 Plus right now. Hope to get that. It is more expensive but in the long run I can run the SFC in RGB as well then. Plus if I get a Saturn RGB cable then that can also run through the X-RGB box as well. In fact the Dreamcast could as well via the VGA box. That should blow away the shitty s-video I'm stuck with at the moment. I hate playing the DC on the TFT. Yeah, it looks so cool but I'd rather relax on the sofa with a big screen than sit on a chair in front of a monitor.

Yakumo

 

I found an odd looking convertor made by kutronics at a junk sale which converted 15.625Khz/50Hz RGB to VGA 31Khz/60Hz RGB, it had a scart input socket and a 15D output socket and ran from +12V DC

It worked but the picture looked "odd" and a little rotated by about 1 degree ? so I was very curious to see what was inside

After drilling and cracking open the case I could not belive what was inside

The RGB input was connected to a LCD screen ! and in front of the screen was a VGA camera chip doing the conversion !!!! (this explains why the output looked a little weird and rotated LOL!)

I wish that I had taken some pictures of this thing before I stripped it for parts

I have never been able to find another device like this