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av:playstation_2_rgb_sync [2006/01/24 16:10] – 66.90.200.118av:playstation_2_rgb_sync [2006/02/03 16:25] – 66.90.202.106
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   * **MacroVision** - Since the PlayStation 2 does not have a dedicated sync channel the sync has to be taken from either Composite Video or from the Luminance line used for S-Video using a sync separation chip (such as the popular LM1881). When a movie is played the MacroVision signal is inserted into the video signal. Part of what it does is include extra sync pulses that can be ignored by TV sets but not by recording devices such as VCRs. However, with the exclusion of the EL1883 and ISL59885 sync chips, all other sync separation chips cannot account for the extra pulses and your picture will get messed up. You will also need something like a GameShark or Region DVD program to turn off the Component Video Forceback then use the EL1883 to watch movies properly in RGB. A bit of a pain. By getting the sync signals from the motherboard you can outright avoid MacroVision without using any additional programs or modchips.   * **MacroVision** - Since the PlayStation 2 does not have a dedicated sync channel the sync has to be taken from either Composite Video or from the Luminance line used for S-Video using a sync separation chip (such as the popular LM1881). When a movie is played the MacroVision signal is inserted into the video signal. Part of what it does is include extra sync pulses that can be ignored by TV sets but not by recording devices such as VCRs. However, with the exclusion of the EL1883 and ISL59885 sync chips, all other sync separation chips cannot account for the extra pulses and your picture will get messed up. You will also need something like a GameShark or Region DVD program to turn off the Component Video Forceback then use the EL1883 to watch movies properly in RGB. A bit of a pain. By getting the sync signals from the motherboard you can outright avoid MacroVision without using any additional programs or modchips.
  
-  * **Sync-On-Green** - To take advantage of the Progressive Scan feature on some games (and on movies witn newer models of the PS2 (SCPH-500xx, SCPH-700xx)) the sync has to be included on the green line. Not every RGB monitor can do Sync-On-Green. And even if you manage to use a sync separation chip to get the sync signals you may find yourself with an overly green tint. Monitors that do not use SOG will mistake the sync as some form of brightness signal and you will get the green screen. Removing sync from a channel can be difficult. But by getting the RGB and sync from the motherboard before the sync gets mixed into green you can then be able to use any monitor you want when taking advantage of Progressive Scan.+  * **Sync-On-Green** - To take advantage of the Progressive Scan feature on some games (and on movies with newer models of the PS2 (SCPH-50000 and SCPH-70000 units)) the sync has to be included on the green line. Not every RGB monitor can do Sync-On-Green. And even if you manage to use a sync separation chip to get the sync signals you may find yourself with an overly green tint. Monitors that do not use SOG will mistake the sync as some form of brightness signal and you will get the green screen. Removing sync from a channel can be difficult. But by getting the RGB and sync from the motherboard before the sync gets mixed into green you can then be able to use any monitor you want when taking advantage of Progressive Scan.
  
   * **Sync Separation Chips** - By obtaining the sync signals from the motherboard you will no longer need to use any sync chip for use with the PlayStation 2.   * **Sync Separation Chips** - By obtaining the sync signals from the motherboard you will no longer need to use any sync chip for use with the PlayStation 2.
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 In addition, the sync signals may need to be buffered (using a 74hc244 chip) depending on the monitor being used. In addition, the sync signals may need to be buffered (using a 74hc244 chip) depending on the monitor being used.
 +
  
 ===== The Sync Mixing Chip ===== ===== The Sync Mixing Chip =====
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 If you follow either of the two sync signals you will eventually come to this small chip. This is where the two sync signals become Composite Sync. If you need Composite Sync it is not recommended you get it from here because of the MacroVision copy protection signal which also gets mixed in when needed. If you follow either of the two sync signals you will eventually come to this small chip. This is where the two sync signals become Composite Sync. If you need Composite Sync it is not recommended you get it from here because of the MacroVision copy protection signal which also gets mixed in when needed.
  
-It may actually be possible to find which of these remaining traces to this chip is the MacroVision signals then cut the traces to permanently disbale it by preventing it from reaching the mixing chip.+It may actually be possible to find which of these remaining traces to this chip is the MacroVision signals then cut the traces to permanently disable it by preventing it from reaching the mixing chip.
  
 You can make your own Composite Sync signal with two very simple components. First, run the Horizontal Sync through a 1N4148 diode (very common - can be found at Radio Shack). Second, run the Vertical Sync through a 820 Ohm resistor. Once the two signals have been conditioned this way then you can simply splice them together. You can make your own Composite Sync signal with two very simple components. First, run the Horizontal Sync through a 1N4148 diode (very common - can be found at Radio Shack). Second, run the Vertical Sync through a 820 Ohm resistor. Once the two signals have been conditioned this way then you can simply splice them together.
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 {{ av:ps50000.jpg }} {{ av:ps50000.jpg }}
 +
  
 ===== Theory of RGB Operation (SCPH-50000 unit) ===== ===== Theory of RGB Operation (SCPH-50000 unit) =====
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 In this model Sony did some major revisioning. They removed the Firewire port, quieted down the fan and DVD drive, and added Progressive Scan DVD playback. In this model Sony did some major revisioning. They removed the Firewire port, quieted down the fan and DVD drive, and added Progressive Scan DVD playback.
  
-Unfortunately, they also comlpletely redid how the video is done. They went to an all digital format which means that you cannot intercept the RGB signals coming from the GS chip like you could do on the 30000 units. All of the digital RGB signals go from the GS chip to a new chip: the CXM-4000. This is a Digital to Analog conversion chip (DAC) which converts all of the digital RGB signals to all of the other video formats.+Unfortunately, they also completely redid how the video is done. They went to an all digital format which means that you cannot intercept the RGB signals coming from the GS chip like you could do on the SCPH-30000 units. All of the digital RGB signals go from the GS chip to a new chip: the CXM-4000. This is a Digital to Analog conversion chip (DAC) which converts all of the digital RGB signals to all of the other video formats.
  
 Worse, I could not even find stable sync from this style of motherboard. Worse, I could not even find stable sync from this style of motherboard.
  
 {{ av:largerainbowline.gif }} {{ av:largerainbowline.gif }}
 +
 +{{ av:slimps2.jpg }}
 +
 +===== Theory of RGB Operation (SCPH-70000 unit) =====
 +
 +The reason that this unit is so small is the fact that Sony combined the two main chips (Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer) into one chip called the "EE+GS". Plus they decided to completely ditch the hard drive altogether and shrink the unit further.
 +
 +Like the SCPH-50000 units this PS2 also uses a DAC chip: the CXM-4015. However, unlike the SCPH-50000 units, I was able to find the sync signals from this motherboard.
 +
 +===== Acquisition of Sync Signals =====
 +
 +{{ av:slimsync.jpg }}
 +
 +The sync signals can be found very close to the EE+GS chip as shown in the above picture. One of the resistor packs is included as a landmark to help locate the signals.
 +
 +{{ av:largerainbowline.gif }}
 +
 +===== Conclusion =====
 +
 +Hopefully in the near future I can find hacks for the CXM chips that will allow users of the newer PS2 models to be able to fully use RGB Analog with no interference.
 +
 +It is also unknown at this time if anybody has been able to extract the DVD drivers from the SCPH-70000 units so they can be used on the SCPH-30000 units to give them Progressive Scan DVD playback capability.
 +
 +----
 +
 +Author and pictures: [[http://nfg.2y.net/forum/index.php?showuser=171|RARusk]]
 +
 +
av/playstation_2_rgb_sync.txt · Last modified: 2019/08/27 20:45 by 127.0.0.1