XRGB-3 Image Quality pictures

I'm hoping that someone can help me out here. I've recently bought a new XRGB-3 and am having some problems getting scan lines to show. I just can't get any at all. I have the B1 firmware installed and have the V and H Scanlines set to 175 but nothing at all. Here's a few pictures of the Bios versions.





Yakumo

 

Are you using DVI or VGA? You can only use B1 mode (and scanlines) over VGA.

Also, congrats on getting an XRGB-3. I'd really like to have one myself. Of course, it's hard to beat a CRT for retro gaming, but an XRGB-3 has the advantage of consolidating all your consoles around one display - and that makes it easy to move the whole setup around from place to place. It also takes up a lot less space.

 

Thanks. Yeah, I finally found out that scan lines are only over VGA. A bit stupid really. I'll have to find a VGA cable now

 

I have a million if you want to pay for shipping.

 

Thanks mate. I picked one up today from Hard Off for 250 yen. Pretty much what shipping would have been. Thanks for the offer though. I'm looking forward to giving it ago tonight. It's been a long time since I played my Saturn on a quality CRT. This is going to be the next best thing. Oh, I just though. I'll set up my Mega Drive next to it :thumbsup:

 

Finally got the XRGB-3 running tonight through VGA and I'm a very happy chappy. Although it does seem to freek out at screens featuring a lot of white. Any ideas about that?











Yakumo

 

Why the 3 and not 2X? I generally hear people going after that one.

 

Do you mean the XRGB-2+? The 3 has more options for inputs and outputs plus has more picture settings. Both cost around the same anyway on Yahoo Auctions so I went for the XRGB-3.

 

Yeah sorry 2+. Just wondering since in arcade circles people seem to more recommend the 2+ over the 3. I can't say personally since I don't own either.

=/

If you're not happy with scan line quality, maybe try also getting a SGL 3000. I hear great things about them.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/23/slg-3000-scanline-generator-brings-grimy-gaming-to-modern-displa/

 

http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/ (Good writeup on various aspects on tons of scaler's and the XRGB3
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6987&start=1830
http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php/XRGB-3
May be of use *shrug*

 

Oh, I'm very happy with the scanlines on the XRGB-3. The amount of control you have over them is perfect. You can even set vertical scan lines! I know about the SGL 3000. that is a very cool little box at an affordable price which I recommend anyone on a budget to look in to getting. I thought about getting one myself at first.

Yakumo

 

Yeah, it really looks awesome. I think I can say bye bye to my old CRT soon as well

 

Does it truly look as a good as a CRT?


Also: When it scales for example hooked up via VGA does it have selectable resolution so theoretically you could play at like 1080p scaled or something like that or ?

 

It is better than the normal family CRT screen that's for sure but better than a studio CRT? I'd say no. Still, it is a very good compromise. The pictures really don't do the scan lines justice. They look much better in real life. I'm going to cover the XRGB-3 on the next Retro Core so you'll be ale to see the intensity of the scan lines. It's magical watching the image go from a crisp VGA image to ultra heavy scan lines in real time as you alter the value of them.

As for resolution, well I keep the XRGB-3 in 640x480 mode however I did try it in full 1080p and do you know what/ The image looked exactly the same. So setting the resolution up mega high seems pointless. Although I only had a little play with the resolution settings so I need to look a bit more in to them.

Yakumo

 

If you are in B1 mode on VGA, you can only display the picture in VGA (640x480) resolution. B0 mode over VGA or DVI goes up to 1080p (1920x1080) in resolution, with a bunch of options in between. I don't think I'd want to play it in 1080p - the way it scales the image, each pixel looks like a little block. I think that'd bother the eyes after a while. It's better to smooth it out a bit.

Weird how I know all this even though I've never used one, eh?

 

That doesn't look any better than the cheap CGA -> VGA + DIY scanline generator which is far far cheaper. But as I had been saying - they look better than CRT to me (never used studio stuff, talking about normal home crt).

I'd still buy this is money was no object just because it looks better on the TV stand


You should get the "DIY solution" and do a comparison - I would be interested to know if the cheaper solution is as good vs the XRGB as some sites claim, as I know pictures do not always do justice.

 

Yep, there's no point in doing a test between the XRGB and say the cheaper solution because it's been tested and tried by many with the XRGB always coming out on top overall. I'm not knocking the likes of the SGL 3000 scan line generator, it's a fantastic bit of kit for a great price BUT you still need an upscaler and it's this which can cause trouble with some TV sets, some consoles and some resolution settings. I did look in to the cheaper solution for a long time however I finally went for the XRGB for the overall complete set up for future devices.

The link that Vosse posted is a really good read and one that everyone should check out when looking for an upscaler - http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/

Yakumo