RGB-out solution for FS-A1GT?

Supporter (10)

15-01-2022, 18:46

Just pulled the trigger on an FS-A1GT! And it only cost me one of my kidneys! Joke’s on the seller though - I still have a whole other kidney left. I’m currently trying to figure out how to best integrate the GT into my existing setup while I’m waiting for it to ship from Japan. To this end I have 2 main questions:

1. What is the best SCART cable to use for the FS-A1GT
The plan is to connect it to a gscartsw (SCART switch) which is connected to a PVM and a Retrotink 5X. I was hoping it would just be a generic 8-pin DIN cable, but this this wiki page makes it sound like I need a specific type of 8-pin DIN, and also I’m scared of screwing up my hardware by mixing up JP21/ EUROSCART standards. I get most of my cables at RetroGamingCables, but they are unfortunately sold out of the MSX ones. Is there a specific SCART people that people here use or maybe a preferred vendor or something like that?

2. Is the jailbar fix worth doing?
I came across this page while researching the SCART cable situation. It seems like an easy enough fix, but it looks like it changes the pinout? Would that have any impact on the correct cable to use?

And finally on a completely unrelated note - has anyone tried the audio fix in the link above?

Thank you!

Edit: Thanks for the explanation on fixing links Grauw!

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Van Grauw

Ascended (10768)

15-01-2022, 19:28

Congratulations!

vraskin wrote:

1. What is the best SCART cable to use for the FS-A1GT

The plan is to connect it to a gscartsw (SCART switch) which is connected to a PVM and a Retrotink 5X. I was hoping it would just be a generic 8-pin DIN cable, but https://www.msx.org/wiki/RGB_%288-pin_DIN_45326%29 makes it sound like I need a specific type of 8-pin DIN, and also I’m scared of screwing up my hardware by mixing up JP21/ EUROSCART standards. I get most of my cables at RetroGamingCables, but they are unfortunately sold out of the MSX ones. Is there a specific SCART people that people here use or maybe a preferred vendor or something like that?

You need the most common one listed on that wiki page as Mitsubishi (Japan), National/Panasonic (except the FS-A1WSX), Sakhr, Sony and Yamaha computers + Sanyo MSX2/2+ computers.

I can recommend retrocables.es.

vraskin wrote:

2. Is the jailbar fix worth doing?

I came across this page while researching the SCART cable situation. It seems like an easy enough fix, but it looks like it changes the pinout? Would that have any impact on the correct cable to use?

Only if you actually have jailbars, of course. I did, and the fix worked well. It’s also very easily reversible, just basically changing a jumper setting (using a droplet of solder). The only change is that it outputs composite sync instead of composite video, but that’s still standard for SCART and not an issue unless you want to connect a composite video only monitor.

vraskin wrote:

And finally on a completely unrelated note - has anyone tried the audio fix in the link above?

I have, I wrote a detailed review here.

Overall it is a good improvement to the balance, SNR and FM clarity. Some think it reduces the low pass filter on the OPLL FM chip by a little too much. In that case you can tweak the value of C17 / C18 to be more like the Panasonic WX / WSX machines (which are considered reference by many). In my review I compare different values.

vraskin wrote:

Edit: I give up fighting with the linking functionality - it really doesn't seem to like the underscores

Check the msx.org URL 3nc0d%6Fr here:
MRC Troubleshooting FAQ: When I paste a link, it isn't correctly transformed into a clickable link.

Van vraskin

Supporter (10)

15-01-2022, 20:31

Thanks for the quick response! Ordered the cable and also the sound mod kit. The latter was a no-brainer after listening to the examples in your post - it sounds way better.