HB-700D RGB Output

Supporter (11)

11-06-2022, 12:46

Hi! all,
I have just pulled my old Sony MSX2 out of the shed recently, I have cleaned it up, replaced the Ni-Cd battery with a new one, looked over the circuit boards, and because of a couple of cracked solder joints on the RGB Connector, refreshed those solder joints.
I have purchased a Scart2HDMI Converter as I no longer have a monitor, used to have a Sony one, and all I am getting when I turn the MSX on is a greyish black screen.
It's definitely getting a signal of some sort from the MSX because prior to turning it on, the screen is blue with a message 720p - Pal in the top corner.
What I am wondering is, seeing as this is a German model, would the RGB signal be at 60hz, and the HDMI output be the same ?
I do have an AV Out cable to suit the Sony on the way from Retro-cables which I will be ably to try out when it arrives.
Thanks

Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3851)

11-06-2022, 12:58

The AV out on the 700D is actually B/W. Display frequency on the 700D is 50Hz (if the machine is using the original ROMs). To determine if the SCART2HDMI has issues with 50Hz you can enter VDP(10)=0 in BASIC. The VDP will then switch to 60Hz. Let us know what happens after that.

Por mds

Supporter (11)

11-06-2022, 16:44

The TV Screen has gone blue and says no signal.

How do I reverse the last command ?

Por mds

Supporter (11)

11-06-2022, 16:50

Ok, I turned the MSX off and back on again and I'm back to the washed out black screen.

It actually turned the output off when I entered VDP(10)=1

Por meits

Scribe (6534)

11-06-2022, 17:25

VDP(10)=2

Por mds

Supporter (11)

11-06-2022, 17:48

Thanks, but no change with VDP(10)=2

Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3851)

11-06-2022, 18:09

VDP(10)=2 is the default for your MSX. I suspect your SCART2HDMI supports only composite signals. The F700D may actually be using B/W signal on the DIN8 output (this is actually used for SYNC eith the RGB. I don’t know the retail situation in NZ but this converter from
Amazon AU does support RGB. I’ve tested this model. It does not give the best possible results (for that you should look at RetroTink or OSSC) but at least it does produce a decent image.

Por mds

Supporter (11)

12-06-2022, 05:28

Hi! sdsnatcher, I only have a very basic scart2hdmi converter, it was only $15 aud, I have been on Aliexpress last night and have an OSSC converter in my cart, but it's $184.08 aud, which is quite a bit to outlay if it turns out that the problem lies with my Sony F700D

Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3851)

12-06-2022, 06:23

Well an alternative may be to find a cheap old 4:3 CRT or LCD. People are still selling those over here and they are usually somewhere between free and €30.

There is little reason to believe your 700D is not sending RGB correctly.

Por mds

Supporter (11)

12-06-2022, 07:02

Thanks for your help, I have been looking at the GB8200 converters on ebay and Aliexpress as well, you are probably right that the MSX is outputting an rgb signal, those vdp commands did cause changes, so obviously the the computer was transmitting the commands.

I will take the plunge and get either the OSSC or GB8200, I have a couple of accessories on the way from repro factory, and I have purchased a gotech drive, installed flash floppy and upgraded it to oled screen and rotary selectorand piezo speaker.
Have tested this on the Toshiba HX10 and it works fine.

Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3851)

12-06-2022, 13:14

Yeah, GB8200 should work as well but I have no experience with it. I think there is a custom firmware for it even that performs even better.