Recommendations for better encoder for boardmaster supergun

[Eddierang]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for video encoders? I want a better quality picture than what the stock video encoder PCB puts out. I thought about getting one of those cga/ega/vga to vga encoders since I own a NEC XP 29 monitor but wasn't sure what the verdict on those were.

[Rossyra]

If you are talking upscaler, Micomsoft XRGB2+ or XRGB3 is probably your best bet

[Eddierang]

Yeah I thought about that too but do I need to have a special 21 pin RGB cable made to hook up from the boardmaster to the XRGB3 or does it come with the cable already?

[Rossyra]

You're gonna need some sort of custom cable whatever you use I reckon - better keeping it RGB than go down some crappy S-Video route.

No upscaler is perfect though, so don't expect it to be as sharp as say a video-doubled MAME image.

Some of the Japanese Superguns come with 21-Pin RGBs already, I take it your Boardmaster didn't?

[Eddierang]

That is correct, mine didn't.

[Eddierang]

I see Mak Japan sells them though, I'm guessing that I would have to go third party to get one from them unless someone has an alternative site. Neoamusement maybe?

[penrhos]

Get a japanese RGB-21 cable (looks like scart but is wiired differently) and a Micomsoft XRGB-2 (best version if using PCB's) and feed VGA from the XRGB-2 into the Screen.

[Eddierang]

XRGB-2s are hard to find though, is the XRGB-3 a good substitute? I know they are charging close to $500 on ebay for them

[SuperDeadite]

Depends on what you want to play. XRGB3 can run many games well. But there are many boards that will only work on the standard gray 2.

Or just wire up you boardmaster to a real RGB monitor and then you won't need anything.

[Ramza]

Depends on what you want to play. XRGB3 can run many games well. But there are many boards that will only work on the standard gray 2.

Or just wire up you boardmaster to a real RGB monitor and then you won't need anything.

Interesting. So the XRGB-2 runs arcade boards that the XRGB-2+ / 3 can't? Any more infos on which hardware doesn't work?

[Rossyra]

News to me, I thought the only differences were in they modes they operated.

Fantastic upscaler site here:

http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/"

[SuperDeadite]

Depends on what you want to play. XRGB3 can run many games well. But there are many boards that will only work on the standard gray 2.

Or just wire up you boardmaster to a real RGB monitor and then you won't need anything.

Interesting. So the XRGB-2 runs arcade boards that the XRGB-2+ / 3 can't? Any more infos on which hardware doesn't work?

That's correct. The XRGB-2 was the last model to officially support PCBs. The 2+ and 3 do not support them. I forget the details, but the 2 has greater tolerance for weird non-standard sync/refresh rates. For example, Konami's Xexex. It runs perfectly on my XRGB-2. If connected to my 2+ or 3 (B0 or B1) I get a black screen of nothing.

[penrhos]

I've got a pair of XRGB-2's but need to get a PSU and cables for the spare one so it's usable....

Once I've got them then it'll be up for sale on the forum.