New MiSTer Composite adapter - mAVster_MD2

[retrorepair]

Very strange, they're working fine for everyone else as far as I'm aware and all were tested prior to dispatch. That VGA cable *should* be ok, so long at pin 9 is connected either end (might be worth checking with a multimeter?).

Sounds simple but also make sure composite sync = 1 in the mister.ini and no scalers etc are enabled.

Does it not work at all or the output is black and white?

[retrorepair]

Also interested which output your testing and on what device? Shouldn't matter but you never know.

[dshadoff]

I'll check the cable for pin 9 this afternoon. There was no display at all, so this is certainly one of the potential culprits.
composite sync = 1 in mister.ini
(The Anotonio Villenas adapter would display properly for about a second, then totally blank for a second, and repeat).

I'm using a Commodore 1701 monitor which I also use with my PC Engine/TurboGrafx consoles... so that's the piece of the equation which I am most confident about.

I'm using the Genesis-style output, in conjunction with a cable I have used on a TerraOnion SSDS3 in the past.

[retrorepair]

I'm using the Genesis-style output, in conjunction with a cable I have used on a TerraOnion SSDS3 in the past.

Just to verify this part, are you using a genesis composite or rgb cable? I've never used an SSDS3 but though the port looks the same, is it definitely pin compatible?

[dshadoff]

Genesis Composite.

[dshadoff]

OK, I confirmed that my VGA cable does not pass the power through pin 9.
Any advice on a cable that does ?

[retrorepair]

It's actually quite unusual in my experience but I guess as it's not usually used it can happen.

I had success with this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232770800451

Any of the cheap cables with blue plugs worked for me too, actually any VGA cable I've thrown at it so think you got unlucky.

[dshadoff]

OK, I got the the adapter working, as I was able to finally find a cable that works (I did a purge about 5 years ago).
The picture is quite nice, and now I see what people are talking about with the dot crawl.
Rather than distract this thread further from your intended purpose, I'll start a new thread in the display section to describe this and compare against the other adapter.

[dshadoff]

Wow. just wow.

The VGA cable I had used to get this adapter working was borrowed, so I ordered yet another one... and it also failed to connect pin 9 from end to end.
This is really irritating.

Based on my average (4 out of 5 fail on the cables), this is likely to be an issue that other people may experience.

[retrorepair]

Wow, I think you've had a pretty serious run of bad luck because you're the only one that's mentioned this out of 30 odd people!

If you could share your bad cables (if there's anything that you can identify them by) it may help others to avoid them going forward.

[dshadoff]

Sure.

2 were already in my possession; 2 were purchased from Amazon.

From Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07JQ1M7MW
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0781876KT

Already in my possession:
VGA cable which came with Dell U3011 monitor (*)
generic VGA cable I found in my closet, don't recall where it came from.

Note that there are various cables on Amazon and other places which you can tell before buying, that they won't carry the power along pin 9; those cables would be the ones which don't have all 15 pins placed in the male connectors.

Pin 9 is in the middle row of pins, is the second pin in this row, counting from the indented side.

Searching Amazon for cables, about 30% of them are missing this pin, so avoid those.

Next, I'm going to try a gender changer.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0732SHF14

(*) Note that the cable which came with the Dell U3011 monitor was one which was missing pins (see above); all the other ones I tried had all pins.

[dshadoff]

Well, that's interesting.
The gender changer does conduct the +5V, and produces a different result than the previous "working" cable I was able to find.

Because of the position of the audio in socket on the mAVster_MD2 board matched with the shortness of the gender changer, I didn't have a cable at hand to pass audio from the MiSTer to the mAVster_MD2 board (awkward physical dimensions), so this round of testing was just about the picture.

...But the picture was much better than with previous "working" cable, and with lower impact of the dot crawl.
This is a big improvement, and I'll add to the comparison thread.

[elvis]

Thank you for adding a PAL option, matching crystal and selector switch. Mighty kind of you.

[shertz]

Add this one to the list of cables that do not work....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZL3HLO/

Which is too bad because I bought this as it's advertised it has nice shielding to the cable. This cable works fine on my VGA computer monitor. But it does not work with MD2. I can only assume they only connected the necessary pins for the video to work with VGA computer monitors but did not bother connecting pin 9.

[Murderface1982]

Will you be doing another run?? I'm pissed I missed this.

[shertz]

Will this work with Direct Video turned on using one of those DAC HDMI/VGA converters?

[retrorepair]

Will you be doing another run?? I'm pissed I missed this.

Yes, I've added a new pre-order to the webstore.

Will this work with Direct Video turned on using one of those DAC HDMI/VGA converters?

No it won't as I believe those don't provide power on pin 9 of the VGA connector. I think I may add an additional power source to this board, that way any 240p/480i signal over VGA would work.

I am also going to start offering cables with the pcb to avoid any confusion with cables with have pin 9 connected and those which don't.

[shertz]

Will you be doing another run?? I'm pissed I missed this.

Yes, I've added a new pre-order to the webstore.

Will this work with Direct Video turned on using one of those DAC HDMI/VGA converters?

No it won't as I believe those don't provide power on pin 9 of the VGA connector. I think I may add an additional power source to this board, that way any 240p/480i signal over VGA would work.

I am also going to start offering cables with the pcb to avoid any confusion with cables with have pin 9 connected and those which don't.

You may also consider on future revisions of an option of using some kind of external power maybe even using a USB charger for people who want use mavster with direct video.

[dmckean]

I would love to see a powered version that does it's own c-sync conversion to use with other sources.

[retrorepair]

You may also consider on future revisions of an option of using some kind of external power maybe even using a USB charger for people who want use mavster with direct video.

The original design had it, I think it will likely return.

[retrorepair]

I'm thinking this will be my last run of this board, between component sourcing issues and wanting to spend more time with my family this project is easy to let go of.

For anyone on the fence, this is just a heads up.

https://misterbits.fwscart.com/product_ ... 14892.aspx

[Bahn Yuki]

Does this work with other sources? I have an rpi 4 I can get rgbs out of but I can't get svideo. This would be great as a rgbs to svideo convertor

[telengard]

Any still available? Site says sold out.

Late to the game, was hoping I could connect my MiSTer to my 1702.

[shertz]

Any still available? Site says sold out.

Late to the game, was hoping I could connect my MiSTer to my 1702.

Unfortunately the mAVster is the only one known that works with the 1702. I've seen converter boxes on eBay but have no idea if they work with mister or the 1702.

I was really hoping Antonio would fix the issue with his converter but I don't think that's going to happen

[Doodlesmurf]

Retrorepair,

Received my adapter today, and I have adjusted INI settings and the VGA 5V jumper as instructed. I'm connecting to a crt through an MD2 composite cable set. The screen does appear, however its quite dim and has a green tint, is this a common occurance?

Very excited to see my childhood games in composite glory, thanks for putting this together!

[shertz]

Retrorepair,

Received my adapter today, and I have adjusted INI settings and the VGA 5V jumper as instructed. I'm connecting to a crt through an MD2 composite cable set. The screen does appear, however its quite dim and has a green tint, is this a common occurance?

Very excited to see my childhood games in composite glory, thanks for putting this together!

the dimness is common with this adapter. Adjust your brightness and contrast on your CRT. Thats what i did and got it to look good.

Toggle the Sync On Green switch on the IO board to see if that helps. I've noticed that if I have it turned ON, the picture looks better. Go figure.

[dshadoff]

I noticed a difference in brightness between using a regular-length cable, and using a very short adapter. Chances are, the cable doesn't transmit the power effectively, leaving the adapter slightly weaker.

There was talk of a version of this adapter being produced, which uses an external supply - that might be better for this (or use a short cable, so that the composite adapter is closer to the MiSTer).

[Doodlesmurf]

Thank you for the information! SOG on the board does offer more accurate colors for my setup as well.

I'm comforted it's not just my setup, but a bit disappointed. I was sure it was me; going as far as reflowing my IO board and the mAVster just in case an errant resistor was to blame.

I wonder if the difference in cable length is altering:
1. RGB signal strength, in which case could I use THS7316 between the IO and the mAVster to improve results?
or
2. power to the CXA1145 in which case a simple jumper between pin 9 on IO and mAVster boards should do the trick.

[Caldor]

Does the MiSTer have RGB support? Pretty sure f.ex. the Commodore 1084S monitor uses RGB as video input, but its running at 15khz. The MiSTer has a setting specifically for upscaling from 15khz and I suspect if you disable that, the MiSTer should be able to support this monitor with a regular IO board? If you have a HDMI or VGA to RGB?

But I have been unable to find anything that confirms that its possible to use old Amiga monitors with the MiSTer.

[Doodlesmurf]

Thanks for the advice! Alas this is a composite only broadcast monitor and not an RGB or VGA monitor, I should have been more clear.

Are old Amiga monitors TTL RGB like CGA instead of analog? I wouldn't mind TTL RGB support for my old Tandy 1000 monitors . But first I'd like a composite signal like I grew up with, without having to recalibrate my display when I switch between Mister and other consoles. So the trouble shooting continues!

Jumpering 5V and/or ground, bypassing the VGA cable has no effect. This may be VGA cable quality dependant but an external power source doesn't seem beneficial.

I've ordered a few THS7314 and 7316 to see if RGB signal loss on the cable is responsible but I doubt it. Other CXA1145m implementations seem to suffer the same problem with solutions usually involving tweaking capacitor and resistor values. That'll be the next step.