New Homebrew VGA Cable allows vga mode on some games

[<G>]

lordgeny has released another revision of his ps2vga project. This time with better improvements to the design that allows more games to be used. He also mentions that others need the help of the blaze vga boot disc. Hopefully a homebrew alternative of some sort will show up soon. You can check out some screenshots at http://psx-scene.com/forums/f19/new-ps2vga-diagram-work-games-24593/#post164865 and the ps2vga project homepage at http://ps2vga.tk

[Joehax]

any idea why the vga adapter cannot be used without booting from from the blaze CD?

I own the blaze vga adapter and its a shame you need the CD to boot because then HD loader doesnt work :P

[Gradius]

I'll try to explain in simple terms.

Blame PS2 and Sony for that. Or the actual monitors.

The native resolution on PS2 is 320x200, on that resolution the frequency is same as TV, or 15.734kHz (NTSC) on horizontal. Since the monitors nowdays, can only handle around the double of that, somes starting at 30kHz on horizontal.

For example: my Samsung 753DFX can handle 30kHz on horizontal (minimal) until 70kHz.

Can you see the picture? The monitor cannot shows anything in due the horizontal frenquency on PS2. What Blaze does with his CD boot? Simple, they switch the screen resolution on PS2 to 640x400, at that resolution the horizontal frequency is over than 30kHz, and now you can see the video on your sweet monitor.

This is why you cannot play everything with Blaze, only some games will works.

The other solution was by doubling the horizontal resolution, but this is pure artifact and you'll always loss in the quality of picture. Of course, by doing this you can see anything, from PS2 to monitor, but with sacrifice on quality.

The simple "workaround" will be crack Blaze proggie and inject the code on HD loader. The another solution will be doing a reverse engineer on code and doing an "open source" like from theses found out.

Pretty old monitors, like NEC 3N, Amiga and Atari monitors, can handle 15kHz on horizontal. You can check the list on http://playstation2-linux.com

Gradius

[Joehax]

Ah ok, thanks for your response.

Would it then be possible to enter a "blaze code" to make it boot the HD loader and then the game?

[Gradius]

Yep, enter a code for HD loader is another possibility too.

Gradius

[<G>]

I'll try to explain in simple terms.

Blame PS2 and Sony for that. Or the actual monitors.

The native resolution on PS2 is 320x200, on that resolution the frequency is same as TV, or 15.734kHz (NTSC) on horizontal. Since the monitors nowdays, can only handle around the double of that, somes starting at 30kHz on horizontal.

For example: my Samsung 753DFX can handle 30kHz on horizontal (minimal) until 70kHz.

Can you see the picture? The monitor cannot shows anything in due the horizontal frenquency on PS2. What Blaze does with his CD boot? Simple, they switch the screen resolution on PS2 to 640x400, at that resolution the horizontal frequency is over than 30kHz, and now you can see the video on your sweet monitor.

This is why you cannot play everything with Blaze, only some games will works.

The other solution was by doubling the horizontal resolution, but this is pure artifact and you'll always loss in the quality of picture. Of course, by doing this you can see anything, from PS2 to monitor, but with sacrifice on quality.

The simple "workaround" will be crack Blaze proggie and inject the code on HD loader. The another solution will be doing a reverse engineer on code and doing an "open source" like from theses found out.

Pretty old monitors, like NEC 3N, Amiga and Atari monitors, can handle 15kHz on horizontal. You can check the list on http://playstation2-linux.com

Gradius

you dont even need to crack the blaze disc. the routine to change video modes is very well known. The games that do not work with the blaze disc are due to developers not using or use modified example routines in the official libs to set the video mode.

having this run from hdloader is not possible at all. your better off patching your games with the vga routine before installing them on hdloader.

[juandelacosta]

well please share this info < G >

[Gradius]

The idea on patching the games into VGA, and then installing on HD loader isn't bad, but you need to patch HD loader first in order to see that app on monitor too.

Just patching the games into VGA (resolution) isn't enough, you need to apply vertical scale, or progressive scan, or both, like Blaze does, or the games will appear overscan on monitor (not centered).

The VGA (640x400) routines for PS2 must be on Linux kit. I dunno about vertical scale and progressive, I need to install PS2 kit, buy a HD and Network Adapter to check out better. Or checking Blaze code. Let's research for it.

Gradius

[Pnkrck83]

Any new information on this topic? I would love to know some more about this vga patching bussiness.

[Pnkrck83]

Bump