New setup - SCART > ??? > SLG-300 > AWESOME!

Hey all, found forums a few days ago and have been really inspired by some of the stuff you guys are doing.

Now my confusion..

I picked up N64 and it wasn't looking good on my LCD tv so I did some research and found the SLG-3000 ordered it to get the scan-lines and hopefully help make everything look better.

Then I started reading about all the RGB modifications and have picked up the tools/kit to begin setting everything up. I am looking to run for the moment 4 systems into an SCART switch.. The thing is I'm not sure how to output from SCART into the VGA for the SLG-3000. I don't see any strait up converters (would have to be VGA with split audio).

So long and short, what is the best way to approach this setup/issue?

-Nilats

 

Normally VGA is used for computer resolutions. Old consoles you may have to upscale to 480p, depending on your monitor.

 

So was doing bit more reading and it looks like I jumped the gun a bit, I got the SLG-3000 (in the mail on the way) but it looks like I'd need a few more pieces. It looks like the easier setup is to pick up the SLG-in-a-box from ArcadeForge....

The alternate it appears is to pickup the individual components (Sync Strike and CGV2VGA scaler)...

Has anyone else used this before?

 

You could use a GBS 8220. That'll convert RGBS to VGA. You might still need a Sync Strike or similar sync stripper if you're using consoles that lack C-sync output.

 

I built the old version of this - before Sync Strike.

For RGB SCART input, it required a mod which consisted of building a separate circuit for stripping composite sync and separating the audio.
It requires a few parts and some soldering; the main parts: The GBS-8220 HD converter mentioned by la-li-lu-le-lo, female SCART socket, lead wire, 5V power supply, RCA audio jacks. Sync separator circuit parts: LM1881N, PCB board, couple capacitors, a resistor… and your SLG-3000.

As far as putting it all together; there are references online which is what I used.

This site has a good overall guide:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35423

This site shows you in more detail how to make a composite sync stripper:

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/composite-sync-stripper-lm1881/

If you are adventurous; you could go this route since you have the SLG-3000 coming. It's not difficult, just a little time consuming.

On the other hand; you can save yourself some work and return the SLG-3000 and get yourself the Sync Strike and the GBS-8220 board. Simple plug and play. It replaces what I had previously built in a much more compact design. Just connect your console via SCART and a VGA cable between the Sync Strike and the GBS-8220 and you're good to go.

I ended boxing mine as you can see from the pic of my scaler - there is more work evolved, but looks better than having loose wires all over the place. The sync stripper circuit - top left corner is actually in a rubber sleeve to avoid shorting it out. I removed it just to show you what it looks like.

 

Oh that looks awesome!

I am definitely going to make my own that is just too cool looking.

Thanks for the links and the pictures will show my progress when I get it going

 

Thanks ....

If you want to box yours, the box that I used is a Wisher model WCA-H2507. I wanted to share this with you as it took me long time to find a box that would work in the manner that I wanted to orientate the components inside with the front plate having the input (SCART) and the back plate for outputs (VGA, 2-Channel Audio jacks) and power plug input.

The GBS-8220 converter runs on 5V, but requires a minimum of 2amps to run. The power adaptor that I use is a TRIAD model: WSU050-3000 (outputs 5.0v=3.0a).

I bought the power adaptor from mouser.com; also, I acquired from there the SCART and RCA jacks, components for making the sync splitter with the exception of the PCB board.. I got that from Amazon... Sorry its been a while since I built this or I could provide you with mouser item numbers.

The GBS-8220 board was purchased from jammaboards.com and I also purchased some mounting feet used for arcade boards. Screw the legs onto the GBS-8220 and then hot glue the legs the Wisher case.

I for got to mention - you will also need an input jack for the power adapter. Wire the jack to the input power supply jack that is on the GBS-8220. If you can see from the pic, I actually used a the barrel end of another adaptor, cut the wire to the length that I needed and soldered the ends to the input jack on the back plate.

The GBS-8220 comes with a user manual so you will be able to recognize its features and how to use it. I believe jammaboards.com has a downloadable PDF of the board.

If you have questions ... let me know, I will try to help.

 

I will definitely keep you informed..

Placed orders for all the SyncStripper components and power supply from digikey.
Picked up the Female SCART and the GBS-8220 from amazon, only down side is the SCARTeta is mid November. Fingers crossed it doesn't take that long.

I like that case, I have an extra NES (front loader)case I am thinking of trying to work the connections all through that to make it blend in with the desk area. We will see how realistic that is when I get all the components and begin assembling.

 

I have everything up and running, when I plug the SNES in via the SCART cable and turn it on _SOME_ games show up a very dim image. Wing commander for instance shows up the first screens of text then it goes "signal lost" and the screen goes black. Other games will faintly flicker on and out I'm not sure what the issue is.

Everything appears to be wired in correctly I am not currently running the sync stripper into the board, could that be the issue?

Additionally I was reading about the need for a signal amp on some versions of the SNES and on the N64 so I am wondering if that is the case, looking at the board for the SNES it is a SHVC-CPU-01 (think its just the 1CHIP that require the amp.

Any ideas?

 

You need the sync stripper.

Retro consoles such as the SNES do not output separate horizontal and vertical sync which is needed by the GBS-8220 scaler. The sync stripper takes the composite input signal and separates/amplifies the sync output into Composite sync & Vertical sync.

SCART Composite to sync stripper (in); then, Composite sync & Vertical sync (out) from the sync stripper to GBS-8220 scaler.

 

Okay, I wired up the Sync stripper but I am 1 wire short on the white wire-to-board connector... I have wire to add it in but the little metal bit that holds the wire in the connector.. no clue what it is called but I need some.

Can someone help me out on that front? Would it be something radioshack would carry?

 

Sounds like you are referring to Molex pin connectors:

Digikey

http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/1561-series/10589

Radio Shack

(DEAD LINK) http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032286

If you have a digital caliper .. you can get a measurement on the correct size of the pin.