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[save2600]

Anyone here try hacking a monitor cable to provide component video out yet on an A2000? Seems doable with the RGB nature of component video. Not sure how the sync lines would work - if they would need a circuit such as a sync separator or not. I know my Hitachi plasma set does not want to deal with PAL signals, but I have a true multi-region front projector (Mitsubishi) that properly displays any goofy signal (15khz+) I've thrown at it...

[tone007]

I tried it once using some pinouts I found online, it didn't work.

Not to say I did it correctly or anything.

[alexh]

You cannot "hack a cable" to make the Amiga produce component video. You need electronic hardware not present in Amiga to convert to a different colour space (YPbPr). These electronics are relatively expensive for what they are (and not that good quality) so you are going to pay through the nose for it. An RGB->Component converter will cost around $80-$90

IMHO the main options open to you are:

1) Try 15KHz Analog RGB in through the VGA socket. You might need a sync dongle (23-pin to 15-pin adapter).

2) If your TV/Projector doesn't support 15KHz via VGA then you could get a scandoubler such as the Indivision 1200. Amazing quality and workbench resolutions as high as 1024x768 but they are even more expensive than an RGB->Component converter at the $180 mark

3) If your TV/Projector doesn't have VGA then you could try S-Video? Slightly better than composite and pretty easy to get hold of for around the $20-30 mark for a NeoBitz adapter board

BTW: Amiga already provides both separate and combined syncs.

[save2600]

alexh:

Damn fine question (and I bet it would work), but the reason I'd like to use a component cable is because I'd like to use a more reasonably sized monitor! lol Most LCD's and even some cheaper CRT TV's have component video in. Already have the Indivision AGA card for my A1200, but would like to hook my A2000, which is in the same room as my 50" Plasma (no vga in) to play games, etc.

[alexh]

You could look out for an AMBER A2320, Araxon or Petsoff scandoublers. All big box equivalents of the Indivision 1200. They will be expensive though at the $180 mark.

You could still try the Sync Dongle... maybe it would work? Worth a go first as they are only $3-5

The $80 RGB to YPbPr adapter I am talking about is called the Cypress CSY-2100. I've never used one but they have reasonable reviews. Expensive though at £50 ($86). Won't solve your PAL problem either. There is another one called the APTUS1 but it is slightly more expensive.

P.S. I edited my post above at the same time you sent your reply :-)

[save2600]

Thanks alexh for the tips and input. I used to have a Microway AGA card for my A2000 - but it did not handle PAL modes at all and I sold it. An Amiga and its accompanying display that can't get along with PAL, are little more than paper weights to me.

[alexh]

The Microway AGA card supports PAL just fine. It was your monitor which did not support 50Hz horizontal refresh.

The RGB->Component adapters I mention above will not scan-rate convert so if your TV does not support 50Hz component they will be useless to you.

Your only real solution is a Cypress CM-345S at about $150 or a Cypress CM-397 at about $99

Both are expensive external scandoublers which will scan rate convert PAL 50Hz screens to 60Hz (at a sacrifice of smooth scrolling). Quality will not be great because they are external, certainly not as good as an Indivision 1200.

My personal solution to an Amiga under TV is an X-Box 1 with HD component cable running WinUAE-X in 720p :-)

Plus XBMC is a great networked HTPC.

[Damion]

Alexh is right, I tried my hand at one of the popular color space converters (JROK), it was expensive, and the image quality was terrible. :/

It fit nicely in the A520 case, but that's about it.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee190/o-D-o/DSCF1362.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee190/o-D-o/DSCF1358.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee190/o-D-o/DSCF1359.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee190/o-D-o/DSCF1384.jpg

[save2600]

That modded A520 looks sweet, but you're saying the quality is not that great? I've seen those rgb convertors about the arcade biz. Any chance it upconvert PAL signals to NTSC?

[alexh]

save2600 wrote:
Any chance it upconvert PAL signals to NTSC?

Nope. Scan Rate conversion you need a frame buffer.

[Damion]

Nope, frequency remains the same. The other popular converter (neobitz) may be better, I don't know. The JROK was unacceptable on every television (CRT and LCD) I tested it with.

[blanning]

I think I've done what you're describing. Although I don't know much about this.

I have my 2000 (ntsc) attached to a jvc studio monitor through RGB connections. I have an adapter that converts the 23 pin connector to vga, then another connector that converts vga to RGB, hsync, and vsync. I set the studio monitor to sync on green and left the two sync BNCs disconnected.

Obviously I can hook the composite video from the 2000 to the same monitor. The RGB setup is much better-looking as expected. Although I can't wait to plug something into the denise or video slot and use a flat panel. Jens says he's thinking about an indivision type device to go in the denise socket. I'll definitely be jumping on that if he makes it.

brian

[save2600]

Yeah, count me in too Re: Jens producing a Denise/Indivision for the A2k. That would constitute a 'no brainer' purchase. And oh... the composite video out on my 6.4 revision mobo outputs its signal in B/W. Even if the signal wasn't blurry, almost completely worthless as it is.

[alexh]

Onboard is always b&w on Amiga's with no TV modulator. You need an A520 to get colour composite.

[rkauer]

alexh wrote:
Onboard is always b&w on Amiga's with no TV modulator. You need an A520 to get colour composite.

Or toss a Y-C (S-VHS) encoder inside that Amiga. The circuit is pretty small. The CXA1645 (successor of the CXA1145 found on A600/1200) is the logical option.