RGB Scart to VGA / SVGA /XVGA Scaler with SLG 3000

The device before you here is a scaler / line doubler, which can vastly improve the quality of an image coming from a retro console into an HD TV (LCD/Plasma/LED).

The unit is a modified CGA/VGA scaler and line doubler, courtesy of some very significant help from my good friend "Scanline" Faginrs500 (channel link below). The basic scaler unit costs about £50 and accepts various inputs, including component video, but not RGB Scart, as it needs a separate sync amplifier, which faginrs500 built for me into this modded version, along with an RGB Scart input and Scart audio output. Please see his detailed video for more information.

Overall, the picture from the scaler looks AMAZING. The video doesn't do it any justice but I hope you can see the difference. From a Sega Saturn the RGB scart image is transformed into a high grade, progressive scan monitor quality image, and with the SLG3000 scanline generator running next to it, outputs an image any arcade CRT VGA monitor would be proud of. Both the 640x480 image (for low res scanlines) or HD 1024x768 image, look bloody amazing. There are plenty of settings to play around with to optimise your image.

You will also find you need to be careful how your HDTV is set up. A bit of fine tuning is needed to get the image to display at the correct size. Which is suppose is part of the fun.

It made me realise how poor the scaling engine inside my Philips LCD is. This scaler is at the bottom end of the market but it really is unbelievable how much better the image comes out!

That said, of course, anyone with an interest in retro gaming, will probably know to get hold of an old CRT TV set, preferably with RGB Scart input, for a proper "retro" look, especially for low res games. There's no replacing that classic cathode ray image!

BTW I had fun making this "case" for the unit, which is a bit improvised and not up to professional standards, but it keeps everything in place (there are quite a few wires hidden under the PCB) and lets you plug the hookups into it.

The other thing you need to know (which I didnt' at the start of this project) was that this scaler is not abnle to sync the signal from many low quality RGB Scart leads - you must do a very minor mod to get the signal to input correctly. Fortunately Scanline gave me some good advice - which I forgot to write down and subsequently cocked up. In the end I got it working and am very pleased with the results.

Please check out fagin's excellent tech videos on this subject:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Faginrs500

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• VGA
• RGB
• Scart
• CGA
• scaler
• line
• doubler
• progressive
• HD
• gaming
• SLG
• scanline
• faginrs500
• futurematt5

[stuffiwrote]

Bought that PCB yesterday, hope it's good with a Dreamcast VGA. Enjoying your videos, thanks!

[futurematt5]

@stuffiwrote great, thanks for watching.

[alexgameroom]

Great video as usual there dude, still haven't got an SLG3000 as yet, but its on the cards (had to buy Muchi Muchi Pork first!) Gotta say, despite Gary's rather rude comment, the finish doesn't look that bad, that is coming from a man who's quite happy to have open PCB's and arcade boards lying around the place mind you but I'd be happy with that! Nice one

[futurematt5]

@alexgameroom v jealous of Muchi Muchi pork, I would have to say I came close to buying a 360 recently, but then realised I didn't have room for it. I found a nice sized project box but didn't know how to mount it in there properly so I used tape and whatnot! I would always rather something has a case or box, I don't like nudity when it comes to electronics!

[mtothem1337]

isn't it easier to just play using a emulator with scanline filters and convert an old controller to USB instead?

[MrFixer1983]

Very nice video indeed.



[Razo0444]

Hey friend, I just bought this converter. Not sure where to get the 5v psu for it? Can you tell me where you bought yours? Thanks

[doujindance]

Also I have bought this. Picture becomes unnatural deep color. And I felt delay responce. Cheep Chinese converter cannot beat XRGB3 conveter unit. But I think suit to material as handmade monitor.

[baikoleda1]

ahhh VGA not Cga

[hunkydoryorder]

Does this unit prevent Image Lag from a Wii to Lcd Tv ?

If so.. £$..

[Manifikobzh]

Hi, I've just made the same scaler (with a lm1881) but I've got big issues with my PC Engine: freeze, blackscreen... Even the auto button don't work. Have you any ideas about this problems?

[Teeg32]

Just to respond to the "get a CRT" idea. I do agree with you with that, and, here in the U.S. Goodwill sells CRT TV's in fantastic condition for only $5 to $40, depending on size. I personally got a 21 inch with all kinds of features for $20 a few months ago.

However, in NTSC land, about 1/2 of the TV's you could find have S-video connections, and about 1/10 have component. None have SCART. If it's older than the PS2, the best you can get is S-video. So converters can fill that niche.