Retrofitting HDMI/Component video

Discussion in 'Modding and Hacking - Consoles and Electronics' started by APE, May 13, 2009.

  1. APE

    APE Site Supporter 2015

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    I'm looking at trying to do some retrofits for older consoles to either use HDMI and/or Component video (stupid American TVs). I realize you need a circuit to encode RGB to component and I'll wager you need the same for HDMI. I was hoping someone could point me to a place to either get these diagrams or a place to buy the encoders premade (preferably the former, DIY is far more fun!).

    And of course when I'm finished there will be pictures galore as well as guide work. Got myself a Mouser catalog in the mail yesterday and I've been going nuts ever since.
     
  2. Calpis

    Calpis Champion of the Forum

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    RGB to component is simple enough: http://elm-chan.org/works/yuv2rgb/rgb2yuv.png

    A HDMI converter is something you have to design yourself to have any chance at building. Basically you need some fast ADC to sample the picture the fastest they can, detect the active pixels then clock those out of the TMDS interface. (It will look bad anyway.)
     
  3. feder

    feder Gutsy Member

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    Calpis, for some reason the link you posted doesn't work. I'm interested in the circuit.
     
  4. aryssoR

    aryssoR Peppy Member

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    right click and 'save as'
     
  5. windjammer

    windjammer Spirited Member

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    Let me get this straight.... Even new TVs marketed in the states don't have RGB Scart?
     
  6. XxHennersXx

    XxHennersXx I post here on the toilet sometimes.

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    No. we don't use scart. We went from composite, to component. We've had composite for YEARS (and before that used RF) and now component/HDMI.
     
  7. APE

    APE Site Supporter 2015

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    We sadly are morons.
     
  8. Dark Seraph91

    Dark Seraph91 Enthusiastic Member

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    I have video editing hardware at school called casa blancas that use scart, its a bitch to find the adapters for it.
     
  9. Arkanoid

    Arkanoid Gutsy Member

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    Same here but now we updated to Imacs and those are even more of a pain in the ass. DAMN 1 BUTTON MOUSE!!!!!!
     
  10. bobzee

    bobzee [undefined]

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    I assumed that the newer HDTV's in the US would have at least one of everything.

    I bought a 19" Bravia, and it's got VGA, 2xHDMI, 2xScart, Y/C, Composite, RF &Component.

    I'm off to hunt for the specs of the US equivalent now.
     
  11. Taucias

    Taucias Site Supporter 2014,2015

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    Nothing uses scart here, so putting it on a TV would not make sense. Usually you get a couple of component inputs instead, which is superior.
     
  12. Borman

    Borman Digital Games Curator

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    Any modern mac has a two button mouse, just have to push the right side rather then the left.
     
  13. retro

    retro Resigned from mod duty 15 March 2018

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    Your best bet would be to buy or make an RGB to HDMI or Component converter. The easiest way would be to get some SCART leads for your consoles on the Interwebs, and then plug them into such a converter with a SCART input.

    These adapters are pretty expensive, though! To be honest, you'd be better off getting a broadcast monitor off eBay with RGB inputs!

    If you really want one, though, I've seen a couple of units....

    http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?origin=gbase15.3&prodID=B148592

    http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/unbranded/rgb-scart--component-to-hdmi-720p-hd-convertor/HDUS.html

    Why is it that Brits seem to think SCART would be everywhere? SCART is a French connector (Peritel) that is only really used in Europe. As has been mentioned countless times on this and other gaming forums, RGB TVs are rare in the US!
     
  14. APE

    APE Site Supporter 2015

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    I'd imagine Brits would think SCART is everywhere because it is so useful as a connector and makes sense really. It's really rather moronic that we use so many different types of connector for the same thing, especially with trash like composite/RF being the former standard when RGB was completely possible. Just seems like a bad decision to eliminate the possibility of a better picture when you could make profit off selling (yet another) cable.
     
  15. bob

    bob Robust Member

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    Yea Here you need a new cable to do anything you brits are lucky for an all in one solution
     
  16. Christuserloeser

    Christuserloeser Rapidly Rising Member

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    No. It allows better resolution than 240 scanlines = 480i but it's not RGB so...

    That said, SCART is now obsolete anyway. Due to HDTVs being incompatible with 240p/480i you got no real use for it anymore. It's like the S-Video of Europe.


    @ APE: If you got the money to experiment try this: http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=scart+hdmi+converter
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2009
  17. sayin999

    sayin999 Officer at Arms

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    Honestlu hdmi is like scart for us but its pure digital. As for why we don't use scart, could be due to the movie studios.

    There the ones that decide what formats and inputs would be used. I myself want get a broadcast monitor to play in rgb but the shipping is brutal! Granted I once did see a sony pvm 2030 on craigslist in my town but didn't jump on it sadly.

    Itls funny too cause my brother does work with video equipment like that for videos and shoots and I tell him that those monitors are sought after for their rgb for classic gaming and him and his friends think its hilarious prople would buy them for that purpose.
     
  18. Oldgamingfart

    Oldgamingfart Enthusiastic Member

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    My parents brought an RGB SCART equipped TV in 1986, and it still works! It's great for retro games, as it's stereo as well. Plus the tube is a long-life Videocolor (Italy) one which last forever and were used in some early 90's Arcade machines.
     
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