Getting true VGA from Playstation 2

Hello there, I have been researching and found this forum thread as well as a link from RetroRGB to Gamesx.com both below.
http://psx-scene.com/forums/f20/ps2-vga-hack-kiss-sync-green-goodbye-;-42592/
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:playstation_2_rgb_sync

I was just curious, if my motherboard was one that allowed me to gather the RGB signals along with the hv sync signals separately could I just connect those wires to VGA? I currently have a Matrix Infinity installed. Just trying to avoid the overpriced Linux VGA cable and RGsB. Thanks for any info!

 

if you can't get H+V sync, you could try a sync separator like the LM1881

 

So your screen does not support SoG? The cables exist, so that you can connect your PlayStation 2 (without anything else) to a screen that supports SoG.

However, the PlayStation 2 must still output a VGA signal, which is not a video mode that is usually used by games. You can use GSM to override the video mode selected, but your mileage may vary because of how GSM works.
These mods are simply alternatives, for those who own screens that do not support SoG and don't want to use a sync stripper (LM1881).

I'm not sure if you know this, but RGB is not VGA. So if your running program does not use a VGA mode, then your screen will likely be unable to display the video input. Unless it is some special screen that supports those low-frequency RGB modes.

 

Well I was planning to enable VGA in the Matrix Infinity bios settings, change the output to RGB instead of component color space then run it through my OSSC. My television has VGA input but doesn't support SoG, no. I was mainly curious how games that support 480p looked in pure VGA signal compared to component since from my understanding the more signals are kept separated the less noise and image degradation. But anyway, this is just out of curiosity.

 

So I have a GH-019 motherboard inside a SCPH39001R and after a lot of sleuthing around google I found this topic with a link to all the service manuals including one for my board.

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/ps2-hardware-documentation-and-service-manuals.20058/page-3

I used the VGA pinout below as reference (made sure to connect the wires on the proper pins as if I was viewing the image from the backside instead of the front). Connected ground to the copper on the side of the motherboard. I connected the RGBHV signals to the spots labeled as such on the motherboard. I get a green tinted image, any thoughts? I know in some mods you amplify signals but I'm not sure how. I also made sure to enable RGB in the system settings and set my modchip to VGA instead of NTSC.

Any ideas would be welcome! The plus side is I no longer have to switch video modes blindly as both VGA and component show an image while in transition.

I'm also hoping I can configure OPL to play 480p compatible games through VGA and the rest send through RGB Scart. Maybe, still crossing my fingers on that one.

 

After studying the service manual more it appears there are possibly better points as the RGB signals leave IC211 into RB298. I'll try these points tomorrow after work.

EDIT: Since these points are exiting IC211 I imagining they would give the same results as the original points.

 

Did you disable SOGEN (SoG ENable)?

 

No that totally spaced my mind but I will give it a try tomorrow as well thanks!

 

Does 390xx really have SoG En pin? Cause true VGA works only on very first PS2.

 

So if you capture the signals before it enters the SOGEN chip (IC206 iirc) you don't need to disable SoG as far as the above tutorial mentions. As for the GH-019 board I was trying to use. It does away with the middle man all together and according to the schematic sends the signals straight from the GS chip to the IC211 which appears to have combined all the older chips into one. The only RGB signals I see on the board that are available before entering IC211 are three spots RB244, RB245, RB246 but each color signal is split up into 8 signals and I have no idea whether its possible to capture them all and combine them properly.

Anyway, I found a SCPH-30000R console with a GH-015 board. The motherboard doesn't match the above tutorial but after studying the schematic I found the proper points and acquired a semi stable picture. The wires I'm using aren't properly shielded and I imagine I need to amplify the signals for it to be a strong VGA signal. My OSSC doesn't like the signal as it is but my old TV displays a solid picture at least (with some minor flickering and feint scrolling diagonal lines between screens). I'll upload images of the points I used so if anyone with a GH-015 board feels like continuing on go right ahead. I'm going back to component my curiosity is fulfilled.

 

If you did the mod according to l_oliveira's diagram, then you wouldn't need to mess with the signal levels because it only configures the DVE (IC206) to not use not use Sync On Green.

Consoles starting from the G-chassis seem to have the CXM4000R (IC211) instead, which is the RGB DAC.
It seems to have pinouts for H-SYNC, V-SYNC and C-SYNC too, but has no visible control for SOG.