Black & White Menu Core on Composite with CRT

[jordanthornquest]

Hello folks,

I'm using a MiSTer with a Digital I/O board. I'm using the following signal chain:

1. Digital I/O HDMI out
2. HDFury 3 HDMI input to VGA output
   • I've also tried the Rankie 1080p Active HDMI to VGA Adapter
3. MiSTer Addons YC Active Encoder Board VGA input to Composite output
4. Sony Trinitron KV-9PT40 Composite input

Here's my MiSTer.ini.

I'm currently running into an issue where the [Menu] core is only showing in black and white whenever I'm viewing a normal image background. If I view the static snow background, the [Menu] core renders in color. By extension, running video playback on the MiSTer using MiSTer_SAM renders in black and white, as well.

Game cores appear to render in color, with no other visual issues.

Any ideas on how I can fix this?

[bricabrac]

I have the same issue so would be interested in the resolution as well. Although my setup is much simpler with Analog IO board and active YC encoder.

In my case besides the menu the colour is hit or miss in games too. Especially in PS1 core where e.g. in TR1 FMVs render B/W but game in colour, FFVII in game is B/W but menu in colour, while Crono Cross is B/W only. It all seems to be related to resolution particular part is rendered.

[gamesfan]

Your Mister.ini is really dated, with the YC encoders you need to set the videomode, see this INI.

https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_Mi ... MiSTer.ini

Taken from Mister addons.
https://misteraddons.com/products/yc-ac ... oder-board

MiSTer.ini settings:
vga_mode=svideo (never use cvbs setting)
ntsc_mode=0
composite_sync=1

[jordanthornquest]

Your Mister.ini is really dated, with the YC encoders you need to set the videomode, see this INI.

https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_Mi ... MiSTer.ini

Taken from Mister addons.
https://misteraddons.com/products/yc-ac ... oder-board

MiSTer.ini settings:
vga_mode=svideo (never use cvbs setting)
ntsc_mode=0
composite_sync=1

Hmm, after updating my MiSTer.ini, I am seeing the same results. Here is my updated MiSTer.ini.

Anything I might be missing?

[gamesfan]

Are you using a new Mister file?
Update_all should grab it, but it should work out of the box

[jordanthornquest]

Are you using a new Mister file?
Update_all should grab it, but it should work out of the box

Yes! I'm using the new MiSTer.ini file I shared above. I ran update_all.sh after doing so and rebooted the MiSTer. The [Menu] core is still in black and white and incorrectly cropped (the MiSTer logo in the top right is partially cut off).

Game cores are still working correctly.

[saiyaman23]

Hi, I'm having the same issue. Were you able to solve it?

[MikeS1]

The problem exists if the menu is trying to use the scalar for whatever reason, if you make sure its off, you will have color in the menu core.

Things to check
vga_scaler=1

If using direct video and fb_terminal=1 (for some reason).

[Catwalk9445]

The problem exists if the menu is trying to use the scalar for whatever reason, if you make sure its off, you will have color in the menu core.

Things to check
vga_scaler=1

If using direct video and fb_terminal=1 (for some reason).

Hi! I'm having the same problem. I have the analog board and the active Y/C adapter.

I have this at the bottom of the MiSTer.ini file so I can have wallpapers and use the scripts with the CRT, but the menu is black and white.

Code: Select all

[Menu]
video_mode=512,42,62,64,224,11,21,6,10689
vga_scaler=1

Is there any workaround or it's just impossible to have?

Thank you!

[ape]

Same problem, has anyone figured this out? I notice the same thing (black and white output) when I try to use the scaler on the 486 or x68000 cores for example either with direct video output or when connecting the y/c module to the analog I/O board.

[Flandango]

Try, as MikeS suggested, turning the scaler off with

Code: Select all

vga_scaler=0

Unfortunately I don't have the means to test this myself.

[ape]

Understood, but in order for wallpaper to work the scaler must be enabled, right? Is this just unsupported on CRTs as Catwalk9445 suggested? I found this thread where sorgelig said as much but it’s from several years ago:
https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Menu_MiSTer/issues/10