best place for JROK convertor

yeah fellas, i need to know the best place to get an RGB to NTSC conversion device that i can use in a supergun. i mean i know JROK sells em, and a few other places, but what's the cheapest place to get one that's fully assembled? and is it cheaper to build my own? and if so point me in the direction of some directions for one. supergoose, broken, i know you're out there.

comeon there's bound to be someplace that sells the RGB to NTSC convertors for less than what JROK does.

the simple answer? No. That is, on a cheaper, ready made encoder.

The complicated answer? Yes, you can build a cheaper one. BUT.

You will actually need to make it and it ain't easy, slick.

One way to make it is to cut out the encoder from a Saturn, including many of the necessary caps and resistors from that board. But you will need to add an oscillator and a sync separator to make it work for RGB in. This is doable and the cost for parts would be about $30-40, BUT unless you know what you are doing, it will be VERY difficult. The alternative is to find someone to make one for you, but that ain't easy either. Takes at least 1 hour for an experienced person and I haven't seen any good FAQs on this topic.

Many people make their own from the AD724 or AD725 chip, but that turns out to be quite a task. I myself make an S-Video encoder from a Sony CXA1645P from the ground up. I didn't include the composite out on mine, or the LUMA trap, but that should be easy to put in.

Here's my homebrew circuit next to a JROK 3.0 and a 3 inch long 8PDT switch. I'm thinking about offering them for sale for about $50

I'll have some available for sale here in 1-2 weeks...finishing production and stuff.

Come on dean, don't sell yours, I don't need the competition

Higgins, check your e-mail. And empty your damn PMs!!

ok, I'll send you an email back later tonight.

I can't delete the PMs, they're important! Stupid PM system

something in the $50 price range would be very nice
i never had any luck when i tried making mine with the ad725
not sure what actually went wrong

c.t.h said:

I'll have some available for sale here in 1-2 weeks...finishing production and stuff.

Come on dean, don't sell yours, I don't need the competition

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hmmm... you've piqued my interest, what's the earliest you'd have one done by?

Kim _Kaphwan said:

hmmm... you've piqued my interest, what's the earliest you'd have one done by?

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We're looking at a release date around the 29th.

c.t.h said:

We're looking at a release date around the 29th.

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alright, i'll see what my partner in crime says...

Kim _Kaphwan said:

alright, i'll see what my partner in crime says...

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Shoot, I don't mind waiting... the 29th isn't that far off. If it will be considerably less than a JROK (say $50 shipped and I'm there).
Would any of you accept paypal??? (it's faster for me, and I'll pay the 3%)

Oh, and can we reverse engineer these puppies.
LOL

Thanks.

Folks, the documentation for making the encoders is everywhere! There is no secret to doing it! Sony's technical documents for the CXA1645 and 2075 are very easy to find on the web. The JROK is one of those chips as it is pin compatible with them.

To build an encoder, just considering the cost or the parts alone is at least $20. If you're going to have an actual PCB made like the JROK, expect another $20 for that production, easy. Then the person making it will probably want a profit to make it worthwhile, so tack on another $20.

Translation, $50 shipped for a commercial encoder is a pipe dream. I can do it at $50 since I'm not making a PCB, so other than parts, the main cost is labor.

Breakdown of a CXA-based encoder, not including labor costs:

$10 for the chip (and that's IF you can find one not from a Saturn or PSX, which'll run you $20 at least)
$3 for the oscillator
$2 for the sync separator
$2 for the inductor (if you want the good Luma Trap)
$3 various caps and resistors, wires, breadboard, etc

= $20
then you have to buy all the equipment necessary
also you have to pay to ship all the parts you want

To build an encoder from scratch will take you at least 2 hours if you're at all good

So, unfortunately, don't expect the new encoder to be a lot cheaper than the JROK. If it's $60, that's a pretty damn good deal.

If anyone is interested in my encoder, let me know. I haven't included the YTRAP yet or composite as mentioned previously (since I only needed it for S-Video for Turbo Duo systems), and haven't tested it on an MVS system yet, but it should be better than a JROK since there is no YTRAP on those and also several of the grounds and caps aren't implemented.

Also, while I'm at it, I want to thank member Matt (Ross) for all his help on the encoder project!

I am first in line for the D-Lite encoder special!
And Matt (Ross) is an awesome guy. He's helped me on numerous occasions.

I'll stick with the jrok until I see some quality feedback

I would like to see some pictures of cth's encoders though...

well with any luck, his encoders will get here about the time my atomis wave does and I'll be all over it, like white on rice, in a styrofoam cup, in a bag, in a blizzard.

just for comparison I'll post some screen shots of the 2 side by side since I have a JROK 3.1 as well.

Arakon Kaizen said:

well with any luck, his encoders will get here about the time my atomis wave does and I'll be all over it, like white on rice, in a styrofoam cup, in a bag, in a blizzard.

just for comparison I'll post some screen shots of the 2 side by side since I have a JROK 3.1 as well.

Click to expand...

If I can get my svideo in on my laptop working right, I can do some screenshots too.