WTB: Scandoubler / Flickerfixer

[ferrara]

Hi to all fellow Amiga-users
After 4 years of reading, decided to finally register here.

I'm interested in getting a Scandoubler / Flickerfixer for my A4000D setup, so that I can move on to a standard SVGA-monitor / TFT -solution on my setup. And an internal device would be naturally the most desired one

I would pay by Paypal or EU Bank Transfer (if inside EU, of course).

Many thanks in advance.
-Toni Caven (ferrara.c64.org)

[skurk]

Software Hut is apparently working on a new batch of scandoublers.  Send them an email and let them know you're interested.

Other than that, there's an internal one on eBay at the moment.  Only 5 hours to go, so be quick.

If you have a LCD TV, try this SCART cable from Amigakit.  I'm using this one on my A600, and it gives a picture quality almost as good as scandoublers.

[edit]
Oh, and welcome!
[/edit]

[Fixer]

skurk wrote:
If you have a LCD TV, try this SCART cable from Amigakit.  I'm using this one on my A600, and it gives a picture quality almost as good as scandoublers.

I've been wondering what would happen if you plugged AmigaRGB straight into an LCD TV using Scart, and then tried the interlace modes for higher resolution.

Would the deinterlacing and digital processing on the LCD TV get rid of all that annoying flicker?

Has anyone tried this?

[skurk]

Quite honestly, I haven't tried an interlaced mode yet.  I guess it'll flicker like before, but I can give it a try tonight and let you know how it looks.

[Fixer]

Thanks mate. :-)

[skurk]

Just gave it a test run in 640x512 laced and, as I expected, it flickers like the 1084.

The TV I tested it on is a cheap 15" Matsui.  I also have a 32" Philips, but I don't think the missus will allow me dragging all this equipment around. :-)

[murple]

I think Software Hut has been "working on a new batch of scandoublers" for years... I wouldn't get too excited over the possibility.

[skurk]

I emailed them July 15th, and got a reply saying that they're working on it.  About a month later the "Sign Up Now for a Toastscan Scandoubler" announcement was printed on their front page, so I do actually believe they might have something going on here..

[Everblue]

Do external scandoublers/flickerfixes work with LCD monitors? Or the frequency would be too low for an LCD to pick it up (most LCDs ignore anything under 50hz).

[motrucker]

Make sure you get a unit that is both Flicker Fixer AND Scan Doubler!
With just a scan doubler, your display can still flicker like crazy, specially if you try to use interlace modes.
Be careful!

[Donar]

Do external scandoublers/flickerfixes work with LCD monitors? Or the frequency would be too low for an LCD to pick it up (most LCDs ignore anything under 50hz).

Like with the internal ones your best bet would be to use a NTSC mode so you get 60 Hz.

[Everblue]

I dont think you can force whdload games to run in NTSC?

And if you manage you probably get games running too fast/funny music.

[murple]

Both my scan doubler/flicker fixers are internal, and both look like complete crap on an LCD. They look fantastic on CRT, but LCDs have all kinds of vertical lines and checkerboard patters which are apparently caused by clock frequency differences or something like that. They work on LCD, but frankly I'd rather use plain old Amiga RGB than a SS/FF on an LCD.

[Damion]

Fixer wrote:

skurk wrote:
If you have a LCD TV, try this SCART cable from Amigakit.  I'm using this one on my A600, and it gives a picture quality almost as good as scandoublers.

I've been wondering what would happen if you plugged AmigaRGB straight into an LCD TV using Scart, and then tried the interlace modes for higher resolution.

Would the deinterlacing and digital processing on the LCD TV get rid of all that annoying flicker?

Has anyone tried this?

That's a good question. Naturally, refresh flicker will be eliminated, but flicker produced from alternating "fields" (interlaced video) will still be present on older/cheaper LCDs. Better LCD TVs DO have deinterlacing hardware built in (f.e, an LCD TV which states "displays all signals at 480p" should deinterlace), although the methods and quality vary. I'm getting ready to do some experimenting (with either a neobitz or a jrok board) so hopefully I'll have a little more info to share in the near future.

[Crom00]

I've spent for too much time & money any man should have to spend on displays and have learned the following...

There are  problems with using lcd's for Amiga scan doubled displays. Heck.. trying this with big box Amigas fitted with a graphics card like the retina or CV64 can be a hassle.

Why? your video output must match the LCD monitors "optimum" resolution. Anything else is a comprimised solution with some undesireable artifacts...

For instance, I have a Dell 19" that runs at 1280 X 1024 optimum resolution. If I try to run any lower resolutions from my PC's graphics card I get a blocky pixelated effect or soft edges. Sure this montior handles this problem beter than most... but  I want a sharp LCD display dammit!

The same thing happens with my Macbooks display to anything lower than the recommended resolution. Soft hazy edges or unwated pixel artifacts...

However a CRT VGA monitor connected to an Amiga  (with a scanboulber or flicker fixer) handles any Amiga res scan doubled screen just fine, no soft edges, or blockiness.

So if it's a matter of having one display for all your consoles and PC's, I'd go for the LCD route and live with the blockiness.

I deal with this.. I have my Xbox1, PLaystaton2, Dreamcast, Amiga, Xbox360 and PS3 connected to a Hanns G 22" montior. I route the consoles through a component switchbox, and the VGA through another switchbox.
Of all the systems the XBOX HD games,Xbox360,and PS3 look the best because they can do the native 1080i/P that this montor dislays. The dreamccast, Amiga and ps2 look "jaggy or pixelated"


With all that said the best Amiga montior I have was the Toshiba Timm, 20" crt TV, RGB, and VGA. It did 15.75 Klhz. I had 2 of them and recently sold off the last one.

The Hanns-G is the closest I've found in price point and versatility.

If I could do it all over again, I'd find a modern display that can swith ascpect rations from 4:3 and 16:9, and display the Amigs native 15.75 klhz video. I've had the scan doublers but they're so expensive I just sold them off...

So if you're willing to invest the time you can find a montior capable of handling all your needs. One guy on Ebay sold an Amiga 1200 bundle with an HD lcd monitor capable of doing both VGA and Amiga 15.75 klhz RGB.

Make sure you can return the monitor for a full refund.

Sorry for the long post but I've been though this dilema, trying to help...