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--- blog:blog_retro_scart3 [2020/06/28 16:21] – [Changing Scart Cables] john
+++ blog:blog_retro_scart3 [2020/07/26 09:51] (current) – [Changing Saturn Scart cable] john
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+There are 3 possible routes that video can take to get to the screen:
+   * HDMI -> HDMI KVM -> Monitor
+   * VGA -> VGA KVM -> OSSC -> HDMI KVM -> Monitor
+   * Console scart cable -> scart extension -> Gscartsw -> OSSC -> HDMI KVM -> Monitor
+Almost all of the consoles use RGB Scart, but I only see ghosting/blurring issues with some of them. The main ones that need solving (because the fuzziness is so distracting) are:
+   * SEGA Saturn
+   * Sony HB-FX1DJ MSX2+
 ----
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 On the Saturn, interlaced modes hide the blurring/ghosting quite well, but that's down to the fact that the two fields are being overlaid on top of each other, cancelling out some of the ghosting of the previous field. My monitor (Dell U2410) does a decent job of deinterlacing the signal, so the OSSC is set to pass-through for 625i mode. In the above images all scanlines and post-processing is disabled.
-Using the same scart cable as before, changing the routing had a dramatic effect on the quality of the image - the new run is clearly pixel perfect and shows no sign of a ghost image or blurring. This obviously means that it isn't the console, scart cable, scart switch or OSSC at fault.
+Using the same scart cable as before, but changing to connecting it directly to the scart switch had a dramatic effect on the quality of the image - the new run is clearly pixel perfect and shows no sign of a ghost image or blurring. This obviously means that it isn't the console, scart cable, scart switch or OSSC at fault, but could be either the under desk route it takes or the longer extension it uses when connected that way.
 //Now if I can only find some way of determining what exactly is interfering with the signal when it runs in the cable basket.....//
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 //Next step is to try replacing one of the extended scart cables with another brand/quality.//
-===== Changing Scart Cables =====
+===== Changing Scart Extension Cable =====
 So I ordered a high quality, [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DW9N4ZI|fully screened Scart cable]] from Amazon:
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 It's certainly high quality; extremely thick outer cable, solid metal end covers, gold plated connectors and shielded individual wires.
-=== Saturn re-testing ===
+==== Saturn re-testing ====
-However, it's not appreciably any better:
+With the high quality extension cable, it's not appreciably any better:
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-=== MSX re-testing ===
+Need to try something else with the Saturn.
+==== MSX re-testing ====
+With the MSX, the picture quality is noticeably better, though some ghosting remains.
+From left to right:
+   * Original MSX cable and original extension cable
+   * Original MSX cable and high quality extension cable
+   * Original MSX cable and high quality extension cable + OSS filtering and gain changes
+   * Original MSX cable and high quality extension cable + OSS filtering and gain changes + 12% scanlines
+{{:blog:img_1481.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1486.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1487.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1492.jpg?250|}}
+{{:blog:img_1482.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1484.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1488.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1491.jpg?250|}}
+{{:blog:img_1483.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1485.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1489.jpg?250|}} {{:blog:img_1490.jpg?250|}}
+Although the interference remains, with some modifications to the OSSC filtering settings and some use of scanlines, the MSX output is //just about// bearable (actually, let's not be silly: compared to RF or composite, it's really good, just //not// perfect). The actual settings used are:
+   * Scanlines:
+     * On
+     * S1 Strength: 12%
+     * S1 Hybrid Strength: 93%
+     * S1 Method: Multiplication
+   * Video in proc:
+     * Pre-ADC Gain: 5
+     * R Gain: 20
+     * G Gain: 20
+     * B Gain: 20
+     * Video LPF: 9MHz (SDTV)
+   * Sync Opt.:
+     * Analog Sync LPF: 2.5MHz
+   * Output Options:
+     * 240p/288p proc: Line5X
+With these results, I'm fairly happy with what the MSX is now producing.
+===== Changing Saturn Scart cable =====
+Since changing the extension cable that the Saturn connects to made no appreciable difference, the only thing left to do with that system now (other than move it to be far closer to the monitor - which, without re-arranging all of the other nearby systems, isn't an option) is to try an upgraded Saturn scart cable.
+{{:blog:sega_saturn_rgb_scart_cable_1_retrogamingcables-1000x1000.jpg?200|}}
+Well the [[https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/sega/saturn/SEGA-SATURN-RGB-SCART-PACKAPUNCH-PRO-CABLE|RetrogamingCables.com cable]] arrived, and it certainly made a difference - all of the images below are with that cable and the original long scart extension:
+{{:blog:img_1498.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:img_1499.jpg?500|}}
+The Rhea menu looked good, so I tried loading a game:
+{{:blog:img_1506.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:img_1507.jpg?500|}}
+{{:blog:img_1508.jpg?500|}}
+The image clarity is now equally as good with the scart cable and extension as it was with just the original scart cable connected directly to the gscartsw, so that's really good news.
+But...
-With the MSX, the picture quality is noticeably better, though some ghosting remains:
+=== White Balance Issues ===
-//(original long cable and extension on left, replacement long cable on right)//
+However, this new cable has introduced a new problem; the white balance. More specifically the white balance sometimes shifts from bright white to slightly pink tinged. If you blink you can miss it, but it's cleared to see when you have an all-white image next to the same screen that is pink-tinged:
-{{:blog:img_1481.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:img_1486.jpg?500|}}
+{{:blog:img_1503.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:img_1504.jpg?500|}}
-{{:blog:img_1482.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:img_1484.jpg?500|}}
+//I really hope that it's just a loose connection somewhere along the chain, because to now have a pixel perfect image only to have everything tinged with pink every few seconds is just the icing on the cake!!!//
-{{:blog:img_1483.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:img_1485.jpg?500|}}
+**[Update: July 2020]** //Yep//, turns out that the new cable is a //much// tighter fit into the Saturn video-out port than the original, and it just wasn't pushed all the way in. Picture is now perfect, well, as much as an analogue RGB signal can be.