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LCD monitor and LCD TV Solution (RGB)

600 bytes added, 21:05, 21 August 2022
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(colour) CRTs have a pixel mask to produce red, green and blue from a single electronic beam. On a CRT there is no such thing as a sharp pixel. When you compare the same picture on a CRT and a LCD, you will see, that the picture on the CRT is much more blurry - but also smoother. It's personal preference if you like one more or the other. Or you don't bother. But some people would never replace their beloved CRT for an LCD, just because of the pixel mask.
 
{|
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| [[File:ModernLCD AsphaltCRT.JPG|thumbnail|none|Pixel mask of a CRT]] || [[File:ModernLCD AsphaltLCD.JPG|thumbnail|none|The same game on a LCD]]
|}
== How to connect to a modern LCD ==
For most of them, all you need is to connect 5 pins of the CPCs 6pin DIN connector to the right pins of a VGA connector - and that's it.
{||-| [[File:CPCVGAconnectorPinouts.png|thumbnail|none|CPC and Plus to VGA - pinouts]]|| [[File:ModernLCD CPC2VGA1.JPG|thumbnail|none|CPC to VGA (female) adapter]] || [[File:ModernLCD CPC2VGA2.JPG|thumbnail|none|CPC to VGA cable]]|}
A known example for a perfectly working monitor is the BENQ 702A. More examples can be found hereon the internet (see links below), but be aware, although the [https://pinoutguide.com/Video/VGAVesaDdc_pinout.shtml VGA standard should accept Csync on pin 13], some monitors expect separate v-sync and h-sync signals. In those cases, an adapter, that splits c-sync into h-sync and v-sync would be required.
=== Converter options ===
SCART to HDMI converters are the cheapest and most simple solution. Make sure they (really) support RGB and not only composite video, like the cheapest SCART to HDMI converters usually do. RGB SCART converters start at around 30€ (2022). They will usually work and you will probably first think, that this is perfect, but they usually add a hefty lag to your screen, easily 120ms or 6 frames.
 
[[File:ModernLCD Scart2HDMI.JPG|thumbnail|none|Typical Scart2HDMI box]]
[https://youtu.be/7VOsOuQ5mhM?t=587 Avoid Scart to HDMI converters for gaming]. It's fine if you only want to do a bit of BASIC programming or play adventures, but it's not good for action games.
===== GBS8200 (VGA) / HD-VC9900 (HDMI) =====
These converters have originally been made to convert signals of arcade boards to modern LCD monitors via VGA (GBS8200) or HDMI (VC9900).  [[File:ModernLCD GBS8200GBSControl.JPG|thumbnail|none|GBS 8200 with GBS Control mod]] They do support the signal of the CPC but without any further modification, the conversion quality is limited. It adds up to 2 frames of lag, which might be just acceptable, but many famous games and demos won't work due to synching problems. All this improves a lot, once you add the GBS control mod to it. That's basically adding a microcontroller to the original board, that takes over control and adds features and flexibility that are [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfR0XI5czI&t=879s close to the Framemeister and OSSC]. Also the lag shrinks down to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfR0XI5czI&t=783s less than a frame], at least if your monitor does not add much lag on top.
See [https://github.com/ramapcsx2/gbs-control GBS Control for GBS8200] and [https://github.com/ramapcsx2/gbs-control/issues/165 VC9900]
* [https://github.com/ramapcsx2/gbs-control GBS Control for GBS8200]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VOsOuQ5mhM Screen Lag - explanation and comparison video]
* http://15khz.wikidot.com/ List of 15KHz compatible monitors
* https://15khz.net/ similar list
[[Category:Hardware]]
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