Dreamcast RGB problem

[krz1]

Hi everyone, first post here

I have a bit of a problem with my NTSC USA Dreamcast. I am using this RGB cable:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Official-Genuine-Sega-Dreamcast-DC-RGB-Scart-AV-Display-Lead-Brand-New-Rare-/261116289746?pt=UK_Video_Games_Cables_and_Adaptors&hash=item3ccbbe62d2

I was using it fine with no problems until recently when I connected it to a Thor 5 way SCART switch, I connected it along with my Saturn PAL, GC PAL, PS2 PAL, SNES NTSC U.. since then I get a black screen with a very faint image, mostly an outline of text I can see sometimes... I do get sound though. The other consoles work fine with their RGB cables. It's just the DC.

It gets weirder though as I can get a perfect RGB image from it but ONLY when my Saturn is connected to the same switch and turned on... as soon as I switch the Saturn off.. it's back to the black screen again. I have 3-4 SCART switches and it's the same story on each one. I've also tried connecting the DC directly to the back of the TV's RGB, but I got the same thing.

Anyone know what's going on?

[Lyris]

Sounds like the switch does not support RGB video or doesn't have that option turned on?

Dreamcast RGB SCART output doesn't have the Composite video active, it's RGB only. Most SCART devices kept Composite video active as a fallback.

[krz1]

All of my switches support RGB. The other consoles still display RGB fine (on any switch).

I was using the DC RGB cable on my switches fine for weeks until I finally hooked up the rest of my consoles to one of them to test. It's like something has gone pop in the cable? or the DC? No idea. Would it help if I posted pics of the DC+Saturn RGB cable pins?

Weird that having the Saturn on means I get a normal RGB picture on the DC.

[Lyris]

The other consoles still display RGB fine (on any switch).

I'm sure that'll be the case, since to my knowledge, the DC is the only console to output RGB in this way.

Weird that having the Saturn on means I get a normal RGB picture on the DC.

I'm a loss to explain that!

[mmmonkey]

Dreamcast RGB problem

Sounds like a problem with either scart pin 16 which enables RGB mode, or pin 4 at the console end of the cable. The Saturn must be supplying the correct volts on this pin to enable RGB mode on your telly, which is then using the RGB and sync from your DC when connected via the switch.

When you use it directly to the TV, does it switch the telly to the correct channel automatically? If it does, it's probably scart pin 16 that's at fault, if not, it's prob console pin 4.

Here's the pinout http://members.optushome.com.au/evil...cart.htm#dcast

If you're okay opening the scart plug up, do that and take a photo of it.

Pete