Saturn RGB scart problem....

[gcjae]

Im glad you could make sense of it!!!

The cable is sealed at the din end unfortunately.

[Duddyroar]

We're gonna get to the bottom of this eventually, I'm sure!

I tried my Japanese Saturn and Jelly-modded RGB SCART cable on my friend's TV and the RGB picture was in black and white, which means his TV obviously isn't up to the task. Interestingly, when I switched to VIDEO the picture game through in colour - but not crisp RGB - the colours bleed (as you would expect from a composite picture). How is this so, when I'm using a RGB SCART lead? Is it just a **** telly?

[phorenzik]

I have a similar problem. I have a white JP all region modded Saturn and it worked perfectly in RGB on my Tosh 36 inch CRT. However, I get a double image (ghosting effect) on my 19 inch Sammy LCD. It works perfectly on my 40 inch Sammy though.
I can't understand why it doesn't give me a stable image on my 19 inch Sammy. Everything else works fine on it.

[davyK]

We're gonna get to the bottom of this eventually, I'm sure!

I tried my Japanese Saturn and Jelly-modded RGB SCART cable on my friend's TV and the RGB picture was in black and white, which means his TV obviously isn't up to the task. Interestingly, when I switched to VIDEO the picture game through in colour - but not crisp RGB - the colours bleed (as you would expect from a composite picture). How is this so, when I'm using a RGB SCART lead? Is it just a **** telly?

It could mean that the TV just doesn't accept an NTSC RGB signal.

If the TV has multiple SCARTs make sure you use the 1st one as its usually the one that supports RGB.

It depends on the console output and the wiring of the cable - for example my PAL Dreamcast with an RGB cable gives me a nice crisp RGB image on socket 1 but only sound on socket 2! This must mean that the combination of cable/console won't generate a composite picture - only RGB.

On the other hand my PAL Saturn my with RGB cable gives me an RGB image on socket 1 and a composite picture on socket 2.

[Duddyroar]

My head hurts.

[chaoticjelly]

Ok I got a few Saturns out last night and took some measurements and I think we have got to the bottom of this..

On the PAL Saturn I tested, there is a pin for +5v. The pin for composite sync is +12v.

On the three JPN Saturns I tested (two white, one grey, and I have more if need be) the +5v pin is ok, but the composite sync pin measured +3.32v, +3.39v and +3.15v, so as you can see, much much lower than the level in a PAL Saturn, and a different value between each console!

The Play-Asia cables are wired up to composite sync only as the voltage for pin 16 of the scart (RGB switching), as specified earlier, the pin requires a voltage of 1-3v to switch into RGB mode, any less than this and the TV is set to composite, or I guess if on the borderline you'll get strange behaviour (perhaps like Duddyroar has experienced).

So the Play-Asia cables are unsuitable for JAPANESE Saturns, as if we just put this voltage straight into the pin, its just above the voltage required to switch into RGB and so presumably has funny behaviour.

I guess this is why the cable mentioned above that works, has a 15 ohm resistor, to reduce the voltage a little to be within the 1-3v spec.

I think the best solution would be to try the design of cable as shown by eviltim's console scart website http://members.optushome.com.au/evil...art.htm#saturn

Where the +5v is used, and the composite sync is not touched - this would make a cable that would work with ALL Saturns.

I guess the only advantage of using the composite sync with a PAL saturn is that you can switch pin 8 into 4:3 mode instead of 16:9 widescreen. But on a Japanese Saturn the cable won't work!

Now with the Play-Asia cables, you can't even modify it, because theres no wire going to the +5v and the mini-din end is moulded, what can do you do?

Well when I get my 10 pin mini din connectors I can just wire up like on eviltims site and it should work fine..

Cool

Does this make sense?

[Duddyroar]

You're a star mate...yes it makes sense!

Needless to say, I wanna be first in line when you start producing these all-singing, all-dancing RGB cables

Will you be able to mod my PA cable or will I need a whole new one? Sorry to be dense...

[chaoticjelly]

Sorry, im a bit tired, I said above that you can't alter the Play-Asia cable, I think a 15 ohm resistor on pin 16 would work, but you would have to switch to AV manually.

Confusing, isn't it?

[Duddyroar]

Well count me in for one of your leads mate.

[davyK]

Well guess what?

The Argos 3-1 switcher trick worked! Full screen colour RGB Saturn gaming ahoy...

Its amazing the difference it makes - I've been playing Radiant Silvergun and the Parodius series letterboxed for years and the amount of detail you can see (especially in the Parodius games) is astounding.

I have my freeview box and my white Saturn plugged into the 3-1 and all is well. I don't feel bad about having my freeview box on at the same time - it feels less of a clunky workaround than having to use another console.

The picture quality is excellent too - just a very slight bit of interference you see when you have a pure black background (really only noticable on blank loading screens really) - and it will do me until Raven sort me out.

All credit to firsty for the tip.

[Duddyroar]

Interesting! I may invest in one - they're about £10, right?

[davyK]

?9.97

Well worth a punt as you can always return it.

[bootmonster]

i did tell you damo