Amiga.org

Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Havie on April 01, 2012, 09:14:04 PM

Title: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Havie on April 01, 2012, 09:14:04 PM
Hi
 
I picked up a cheap TV to VGA monitor convertor which I thought would work well with my Amiga 1200.  I have connected it up via composite and it works well (picture in picture on Windows side or full screen on Amiga side).  Problem is, as you all know, composite is very fuzzy!  
 
The other input the box takes is component and I did a bit of searching and there are various schematics for RGB to component (I have an Amiga to scart RGB cable).  The I had a bright idea and thought I could use my old Sony Harddisk DVD recorder which inputs RGB scart and can output component - (Sony RDR-HX525 DVD Recorder with 80GB Hard Drive).  Problem is that it does not work.  I have connected the box up and it will display films stored on the hard disk, DVDs and the menus though the TV box on the monitor but whenever I connect the Amiga via scart and turn it on, I just get  a white screen.  Any helpful suggestions would be most useful as I got very excited about getting component working and having a much better picture.
 
Thanks in advance for any help.
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Zac67 on April 02, 2012, 07:29:12 AM
Are you sure the DVD recorder accepts RGB on Scart? Most of them just use (crap) composite just like your old VCR did.
The specs I found here: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dvd-recorder/rdr-hx525/tab/technicalspecs#tab mentions only composite and s-video...
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: darkage on April 02, 2012, 07:41:50 AM
For a cheap solution why not grab a GBS8200 from evilbay ?   Accepts a number of input including RGB and scales to a number of VGA resolutions..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CGA-EGA-RGB-VGA-GAME-Video-Converter-Board-1-VGA-Output-Game-Convert-GBS8200-/280849297947?pt=AU_Components&hash=item4163ec321b
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Havie on April 02, 2012, 08:25:59 AM
Quote from: Zac67;686499
Are you sure the DVD recorder accepts RGB on Scart? Most of them just use (crap) composite just like your old VCR did.
The specs I found here: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dvd-recorder/rdr-hx525/tab/technicalspecs#tab mentions only composite and s-video...


I was fairly certain you could input via scart as I had sky box connected and I remember reading a lot about it only having scart in and composite out. I will find the manual. This could explain why it doesn't work.
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Havie on April 02, 2012, 08:31:47 AM
Quote from: darkage;686501
For a cheap solution why not grab a GBS8200 from evilbay ?   Accepts a number of input including RGB and scales to a number of VGA resolutions..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CGA-EGA-RGB-VGA-GAME-Video-Converter-Board-1-VGA-Output-Game-Convert-GBS8200-/280849297947?pt=AU_Components&hash=item4163ec321b


I have seen these but have no idea how to connect to Amiga. Are these the same as these!?

 http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=200724109892&index=1&nav=SEARCH&nid=76680568240
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Havie on April 02, 2012, 08:44:02 AM
Quote from: Havie;686508
I was fairly certain you could input via scart as I had sky box connected and I remember reading a lot about it only having scart in and composite out. I will find the manual. This could explain why it doesn't work.


Have checked manual and it says that the recorder accepts scart through line 3 but can't record (I'm sure I had no problems recording sky - the purpose for buying!) but maybe it's some sort of kludge, hence why the Amiga confuses?
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: darkage on April 02, 2012, 11:47:12 AM
Quote from: Havie;686509
I have seen these but have no idea how to connect to Amiga. Are these the same as these!?

 http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=200724109892&index=1&nav=SEARCH&nid=76680568240


Those are exactly the same convertor.  (the GBS8200)  
Just someone puts it in a box and charges 70 GBP more! + Shipping..

They are pretty easy to get going, just need to make a custom RGB cable and provide +5v and the way you go..  pretty good for 20 GBP.  or 30USD where ever your from )
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Havie on April 02, 2012, 01:09:48 PM
Quote from: darkage;686519
Those are exactly the same convertor.  (the GBS8200)  
Just someone puts it in a box and charges 70 GBP more! + Shipping..

They are pretty easy to get going, just need to make a custom RGB cable and provide +5v and the way you go..  pretty good for 20 GBP.  or 30USD where ever your from )


Could I adapt mt current RGB cable?
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Zac67 on April 02, 2012, 09:13:32 PM
Well, the linked page definitely says:
Quote
RGB Input Rec. (LINE1 SCART)      NO

There are lots of devices - especially recorders - that may be able to loop through RGB but few being able to actually record it. You've probably recorded Sky from composite - in movies the difference is not as obvious as with computer graphics. (There are lots of people connecting their DVD player or sat STB with composite and they're happy with it.)
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: darkage on April 03, 2012, 12:56:19 AM
Quote from: Havie;686523
Could I adapt mt current RGB cable?


Just need to wire 23 pin RGB connector to VGA, thats all.

Some diagrams here -

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=20468
Title: Re: RGB to Component Out Using DVD Recorder - Help!
Post by: Havie on April 10, 2012, 09:13:35 PM
Update - had another play with the recorder, Amiga and Panasonic TV and finally got somewhere (not where I wanted to get though!).  
 
The recorder does input RGB but only passes it straight out again so yuo can get an RGB picture on the telly.  It doesn't process the signal and thus it does not send it through component.:anger:
 
Did get a picture by plugging composite into a scart adaptor and sending this out of the recorder through composite into the TV box.  The picture was slightly clearer but colours had crawl. So do I go for slightly less ghosting and colour crawl or more ghosting and better colour?
 
Or do I bite the bullet and go for a TV to replace the monitor - may drop resolution slightly (monitor is 1440x900) but can then connect Amiga via SCART and PC via VGA.