(If you don't know what RGB is, check out this primer.)
So, at some point last year I bought a used XRGB-2 for about $160. (I got the original 2, not the 2+. The original is supposed to be better for certain applications, like displaying Genesis graphics.) I also got Japanese-style RGB cables for Genesis, SNES, PSX and Saturn, $5 a pop. It was the beginning of a solid RGB gaming setup, but I had a crap PC monitor at the time, so everything went into the hardware closet to await future use.
Just recently I got a new PC thanks to a super deal from Dell (see the discount thread), and it seemed an opportune time to buy a new monitor. After reading tons 'o reviews over two days, I decided on the 19" Samsung 957 MB (Magic Bright). Well, I've since learned that monitor reviews and manufacturer specs are no substitute for seeing a screen in person. If I had seen it in action beforehand, I would not have purchased that monitor. Live and learn.
In any case, I now had an ideal setup to take advantage of the XRGB-2. Out from the closet it came, and I hooked it up to my first-gen PSX. (Then I flipped the PSX over so it would actually work.) I booted Castlevania: SotN, and after a few adjustments found that RGB lived up to its reputation for clarity and sharpness. But let me get back to that monitor for a moment.
The 957 MB, despite some shortcomings, has one very interesting feature: Magic Bright. Pushing the MB button toggles the monitor between three brightness modes. Normal computer use is best done in the dimmest mode, as fine text gets blurrier as the screen gets brighter. However, I've found the latter two MB modes to be perfect for RGB gaming; The extra brightness really brings out the vibrant colors that RGB is known for. It looks great. The monitor also works fine for TATE-enabled games, though flipping a ~53 pound monitor is a little annoying.
So, just to share the goodness a bit and give an idea of how it looks, I decided to take some digicam pics of games running through the XRGB-2. They're pretty poorly focused, really, but it's the best I could do with my roommate's pocket-sized camera. That said, they have that mysterious, "glowy" look of old-school game mag screenshots (see EGM circa 1991), which is actually pretty darn cool IMO. I put a * next to the pics that came out sharpest. As you'll see, the Genesis really shines when liberated from its crap composite video output.
Bloodlines #1
Bloodlines #2 *
Bloodlines #3
Bloodlines #4
Bloodlines #5 *
Bloodlines #6
Capcom Generations 5 #1 * (Saturn ver.)
Capcom Generations 5 #2
Capcom Generations 5 #3 *
Capcom Generations 5 #4 *
Capcom Generations 5 #5 *
Capcom Generations 5 #6
Capcom Generations 5 #7 *
Sonic #1 *
Sonic #2
Sonic #3 *
Sonic #4 *
Sonic #5 *
Phelios #1 *
Phelios #2 *
Phelios #3
Setup #1 (Wide view of desk)
Setup #2 (Closer view of XRGB setup)
I hope you find this interesting, and I highly recommend making the leap to RGB if it's practical for you.
