55 min

Cathode Ray Podcast

- Technology

Big news this week that the S-Video MiSTer FPGA framework from Mike Simone has been integrated into the main MiSTer core. This means you can access EXCELLENT S-Video and Composite analog output using a fairly inexpensive adapter.

In this video I talk with Lu from Lu's Retro Source and I have a long form discussion about the framework and explain the ins and outs. Lu is also producing his own short, sharp, only-the-facts video coming very soon if you need to understand quickly.

Topics include

* Background on the S-Video MiSTer project

* Do you NEED an adapter at all?

* Explanation of the new vga_mode setting in the mister.ini

* Difference between Active and Passive YC adapters

* Whats up PAL / NTSC?

* Vendors selling adapters (full list below)

Follow Lu's weekly MiSTer updates on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LusRetroSource

Lu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lu_source

Note: In this video and text we use the terms "YC" and "S-Video" interchangeably.

Also note: This YC topic is VERY new. If we got something wrong or could explain a topic better, please let us know in the comments

0:00 Start

2:30 Summary of the S-Video & Composite updates to MiSTer

3:30 Background of the YC project by Mike Simone

8:00 Getting good YC without any adapter is possible

10:30 Explanation of the new video framework and the vga_mode=svideo ini setting

18:30 What about cores/systems which never originally output 15khz?

21:40 vga_mode=cvbs is a beta of composite output without needing an adapter

23:00 Buy an adapter or make your own with cables?

25:30 Active and Passive YC adapters, what is the difference?

31:00 Neither of us have done testing on direct video yet

33:00 Why do some adapters have a PAL / NTSC switch?

41:00 Why are vendors selling their own slightly different versions of the adapter?

44:00 Just how good is the YC & composite? Pretty f**ken good!

50:00 Overview of YC adapter vendors

Vendor list

(that we know of, pls contact me if you find another)

Antonio Vilena

Active YC Adapter

https://antoniovillena.es/store/product/mikes1-vga-composite-adapter/

Direct Video switch: No

PAL / NTSC switch: Yes

USB-C power: No (draws power only from 5v on pin 9)

Location: EU

Mister Addons

Active YC Adapter - $35

https://misteraddons.com/collections/parts/products/yc-active-encoder-board

Direct Video switch: Yes

PAL / NTSC switch: No

USB-C power option: Yes

Location: US

Ultimate Mister

Passive YC Adapter - 16,90€

https://ultimatemister.com/product/mikes1-yc-passive-board/

Direct Video switch: Yes

PAL / NTSC switch: Yes

USB-C power option: No (Not required for passive)

Location: EU

eBay seller 7407chrisl

Passive YC Adapter - $19.99 https://www.ebay.com/itm/325263425946

Active YC Adapter - $29.99 https://www.ebay.com/itm/325527354295

Direct Video switch: Yes

PAL / NTSC switch: Yes

USB-C power option: Yes

Location: US

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Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA