Re: RGB to VGA on a IIGS (again)

["Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Bryan Parkoff wrote:
> "Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote in message 
> avmdnR-b66K3L-DbnZ2dnUVZ_q_inZ2d@comcast.com">news:avmdnR-b66K3L-DbnZ2dnUVZ_q_inZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> > Bryan Parkoff wrote:
> >
> > > "mdj" <mdj.mdj@gmail.com> wrote in message 
> > > 1182608673.354371.135120@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com">news:1182608673.354371.135120@i13g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> > >
> > >
> > > > On Jun 24, 12:18 am, "Bryan Parkoff" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > "mdj" <mdj....@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > > > >
> > > > > 1182580110.751279.80970@g37g2000prf.googlegroups.com">news:1182580110.751279.80970@g37g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > On Jun 23, 3:57 pm, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > mcph...@yahoo.com wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I know this has been asked before, but I was wondering if there were
> > > > > > > > any new RGB to VGA upscaling converters out that were particularly
> > > > > > > > good for this task. The XRGB-2 is no longer available (and was
> > > > > > > > pricey).
> > > > >
> > > > > > > > I would like to do RGB rather than composite to VGA with a GS and a
> > > > > > > > viewsonic LCD.
> > > > >
> > > > > > > Right--if you start with composite, then the result can never be
> > > > > > > any better than that, no matter what format you convert to.
> > > > >
> > > > > > The 'simple' solution is to use an LCD TV with a SCART input on it,
> > > > > > and use Roger's IIgs->RGB cable. The results will depend on the
> > > > > > quality of the TV.
> > > > >
> > > > > > I tried this a while back with my TV (A 32" model, a bit inconvenient
> > > > > > placing atop an Apple II) and the results were quite acceptable. On my
> > > > > > Apple II though, I've now decided to regress to a green phosphor
> > > > > > monochrome display. For a non-gamer, this gives the best possible
> > > > > > results, but I would certainly like to find a small LCD TV that worked
> > > > > > well.
> > > > >
> > > > >   I would be surprised to see Video (NTSC) to VGA Converter 
> > > > > athttp://www.ramelectronics.net/html/video-vga-gvm-2000.html.  I am 
> > > > > sure 80
> > > > > column is unreadable on VGA screen unless digital filter is used isntead 
> > > > > of
> > > > > analog.  Do you agree?
> > > >
> > > > I'd imagine pretty much all these converters use some form of digital
> > > > storage.
> > > >
> > > > 80 column text tends to look a little odd, with alternate scanlines
> > > > interpreting the pixel widths slightly differently. Readable, but not
> > > > particularly clear.
> > > >
> > > > What's needed is a converter that can lock onto the Apple II's dot
> > > > clock...
> > >
> > >
> > > Matt,
> > >
> > >    I agree.  What if I want to use NTSC to VGA Frame Grabber?  I would 
> > > want to capture 80 column TEXT and double high resolution screen into JPG 
> > > / BMP format, but NTSC to VGA frame grabber picture may not look great 
> > > like Video to VGA converter.  You stated like 80 column text tends to 
> > > look a little odd.  It might does the same to do with double high 
> > > resolution.  What do you think?  NTSC to VGA Frame Grabber is shown on 
> > > http://www.sensoray.com/products/2250data.htm.
> >
> > Seems pretty expensive, given the abundance of 720x480 NTSC video
> > capture devices on the market--usually for less than $70, and often
> > bundled with low-end video editing (and frame capture) software.
>
>
> Michael,
>
>     It looks like NTSC to VGA Frame Grabber costs $266.00 and capture only 
> 640x480.  Do you think that it is better than other NTSC to VGA Frame 
> GRabber for just less than $70?

Not necessarily.  The only thing we know for sure is that it costs more.

Many recently designed video capture devices are based on new highly
integrated MPEG encoder chips, and produce better results than older
more costly solutions.

It might be worth checking some video reviews to see how they perform.

-michael

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