Questions about Combo AV EX++ Supergun

[EOJ]

I'm not sure if this is the right subforum to ask, but I am in the market for a new supergun and I found this guy:

https://www.tops-game.jp/products/detai ... ct_id=5123
http://www.game-kanaya.com/osusumepaneru2/combo-v.html

I can read Japanese so I know all the features. I like that it outputs HDMI as well as traditional S-Video and RGB. You can even output HDMI and VGA at the same time.

I have two questions. First, if I connect the video to a normal LCD widescreen monitor, will the image be stretched? I can't find anything on the page that says 4:3 aspect ratio. Do all of these HDMI converters stretch the image or do some keep it 4:3?
Second, will such a setup (through HDMI) add a lot of input lag, or should I not worry about that? I can get a monitor with low lag, but might the unit itself add lag due to the HDMI circuitry?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[markedkiller78]

It looks like it has one of these scalers: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2598323557

Edit: the second link confirms it has a GBS8220. From what I’ve read it has 2 frames of input lag, but I could be wrong and it may be firmware dependant.

The hardware section on shmups.com is probably the best place to find info / ask

[Braintrash]

I have two questions. First, if I connect the video to a normal LCD widescreen monitor, will the image be stretched? I can't find anything on the page that says 4:3 aspect ratio. Do all of these HDMI converters stretch the image or do some keep it 4:3?

It uses a GBS-8220 converter board, so it's still 4:3, you are safe.

Second, will such a setup (through HDMI) add a lot of input lag, or should I not worry about that? I can get a monitor with low lag, but might the unit itself add lag due to the HDMI circuitry?

Concerning lag, I tried Shinobi and all my timings were right on LCD through HDMI (compared to play on CRT).

You can see plenty of pictures if you do a search on the Combo on the forum.

It's a good supergun, the most versatile on the market.

[EOJ]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a good unit.

Do you think this setup would be preferable to a more traditional supergun that is routed through a Framemeister XRGB (or something similar)?

[Braintrash]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a good unit.

It is.

Do you think this setup would be preferable to a more traditional supergun that is routed through a Framemeister XRGB (or something similar)?

Tough question.
The Combo has the advantage to be a all-in-one unit, but it is true the GBS is not the best upscaler available. My pick would be using an OSSC upscaler combined with the Combo, which has many little perks other superguns don't have. More expensive than the sole supergun, but that would be ultimate quality.

[EOJ]

Thanks for the info! Very helpful.

Probably a dumb question, but it lists both an 'HDMI converter' and an 'HD converter'. The 'HD converter' is the GBS unit (for VGA output), but they don't mention what the 'HDMI converter' is. The two are connected via a cable. So does the signal go through the GBS first, then output to the HDMI converter? I would assume so, but just wanted to make sure. Also, would this add more lag when playing through HDMI rather than just VGA?

HD converter (VGA):


HDMI converter:

[Braintrash]

Yes, it goes through the GBS and then the HDMI converter.
As I said earlier, noticed no lag using HDMI, but that's my feeling.

[DaveyD]

My guess is that they gutted something like this for the PCB.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GANA-Converter ... B01N2LZDP8

If you look at the PCB in that supergun it has a micro USB port for power that they look to have bypassed by soldering to the pcb, and then securing with some black goop. Also look to have swapped out the 3.5mm headphone jack for a different type of plug

[EOJ]

Thanks for the info.

I think I'm going to pass on this and just get another Sigma AV7000 + 9000TB combo, like I had 8 years ago. And then get a PVM monitor or a Framemeister + LCD setup.

[Eddierang]

EOJ, thank you for showing me the Combo AV EX++ as an option. Might look into getting one. I own a boardmaster supergun but I would like to check this one out.