====== GSCART Scart Switcher (and OSSC tests) ======

Following on from the [[blog:retro_scart|poor results]] I had with the Hydra-W 16 port scart switch I decided to try the [[http://www.gretrostuff.com/store/gscartsw/|GSCARTW]].

{{:blog:gscart-.jpg?600|}}

The gscartw has 8 inputs and 2 simultaneous outputs. As I need at least 16 ports, I'll have to get two of them... though my previous (costly) experience with the Hydra has made me wary and I'll get a single unit for now, test it with everything and then buy another unit.

A reminder of what I observed with the **Hydra-W**:

//Will sync and display an image//
  * Amiga 500
  * Atari STe
  * Gamecube

//Will not sync or display an image//
  * Amiga 1200
  * Atari Jaguar
  * BBC
  * Master System
  * Megadrive
  * MSX2+
  * Saturn
  * SNES
  * ZX Spectrum +3

//Untested//
  * Amstrad CPC
  * Neo Geo AES
  * PC-Engine
  * PC-Engine Turbo Duo
  * ZX Spectrum +2 (recent acquisition since buying the gscartw)

The results listed below are with the exact same systems and the same cables as with the Hydra-W.

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====== Testing ======

===== Amiga =====

=== Amiga 500 (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1168.jpg?400|}}

Kickstart 1.3 starts up and the screen is perfect. This also worked on the Hydra.

----

===== Atari =====

=== Atari 520 STe (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1163.jpg?400|}}

Works perfectly, as it did with via the Hydra-W. Again, there is a slight amount of ghosting (though its //very// faint), but this is widely accepted to be an internal issue with the ST/STe. This also worked on the Hydra.

=== Jaguar (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1170.jpg?400|}}

Jaguar boot logo appears fine and the the test cartridge (Cybermorph) loads up and displays the title screen correctly. Great stuff. This did //not// work on the Hydra.

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===== Nintendo =====

=== Gamecube (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1171.jpg?400|}}

Displays correctly on the monitor. OSSC reports 625i signal. This also worked correctly on the Hydra

=== Super Nintendo (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1189.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:img_1190.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:img_1191.jpg?300|}}

Looks stunning. Syncs to the gscartw perfectly and displays beautifully via the OSSC; I've never seen a SNES look this good. This did //not// sync to the Hydra.

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===== MSX =====

=== Sony HB-FX1DJ MSX2+ (NTSC) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1164.jpg?400|}}

As a reminder, this wouldn't sync to the Hydra-W, with the gscartw it works perfectly. Excellent quality image.

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===== SEGA =====

=== Master System (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1178.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1182.jpg?200|}}

The SMS syncs to the gscartw and displays correctly through the OSSC. This would //not// sync with the Hydra.
//Note: I do have an issue with this particular SMS though; you can see in the second image areas of interference that scroll up the screen. I also had the same issue when connected directly to the OSSC, so it's not the gscartw that is causing it.
//

=== Mega Drive (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1183.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:img_1184.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:img_1187.jpg?300|}}

The Mega Drive syncs to the gscartw and displays correctly through the OSSC, excellent! This would //not// sync with the Hydra.

=== Saturn (PAL) ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1177.jpg?400|}}

Saturn works over RGB SCART cable through the gscartw to the OSSC. This //wouldn't// work with the Hydra. 

//Unfortunately this test also showed that my Rhea optical drive emulator addon has stopped working since it was installed, which is very odd :( - Update: June 2020 now fixed, it was a faulty internal PSU!//

//The Saturn exhibits ghosting on the screen - something [[blog:blog_retro_scart3|I'm trying to resolve]]//

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===== Sinclair =====

=== ZX Spectrum 128K +2 ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1172.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1174.jpg?400|}}

Works great - really clear image (probably the best I've ever seen from a Spectrum). Both the 128K ROM and the DivIDE+ firmware load and display perfectly. As a reminder my 128K +3 //wouldn't// display on the Hydra-W.

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===== Sony =====

=== Playstation 1 SCPH-5551 ===

**Result:** Working via gscartw to OSSC

{{:blog:img_1395.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img_1397.jpg?400|}}

Works great; syncs and displays fine. The Playstation, however, is a tricky one as it has so many display modes and resolutions. On boot or within the PSIO screen it is displaying a 625i interlaced signal; something the OSSC doesn't really do well with (even in bob-blend mode); I'm fortunate enough that my screen (Dell U2410) supports 480/576i, so it's easier to set pass-through for interlaced modes. In progressive mode (the OSSC lists 262-264p for the couple of games I've tried) the OSSC works great, as expected.
====== Summary of Findings ======

As I test each system I will update the totals below.

  * Number of systems working to gscartw: **11**
  * Amiga 500
  * Atari STe, 
  * Atari Jaguar
  * Nintendo Gamecube
  * Nintendo SNES
  * SEGA Master System
  * SEGA Mega Drive
  * SEGA Saturn
  * Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128K +2
  * Sony HB-FX1DJ MSX2+
  * Sony Playstation 1

  * Number of systems not working to gscartw: **0**
  * -