Micomsoft XRGB-Mini FrameMeister

For anyone with a relatively high budget and a desire to see their games at their best on their HDTVs, Micomsoft has released the next edition to their XRGB line, the XRGB-Mini FrameMeister.

These are the specs, as reported by NCS:

• Inputs: D-Terminal, HDMI x 2, D-Terminal, Mini-Din 8, micro-SD, mini-USB, Composite Video, Audio L+R, S-Video
• Outputs: HDMI (Please note VGA is no longer supported in this model)
• Output Resolution: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• Onscreen Menu: English language only
• System Firmware Update Possible
• Remote Control included

It's more expensive than past XRGB units, but they dry up quickly.

ouch

I've never used a high-end scaler like this before, but I was surprised to read somewhere that these things have... V-Sync settings? Makes me really curious to see exactly how much delay that causes and what kind of tearing you'd get with that feature off.

If my only option was to use an HDTV, I would very likely own one of these, but as it stands I play just about everything on either my monitor or my SDTV and don't see a reason to change.

I was excited until I clicked the link and saw the price. Holy fuck.

lol at $520 to play Genesis games.

Seriously. Just emulate the fucking things.

$500 is a small price to pay to turn your $1,000 TV into a $100 TV.

3x combo!

The exchange rate is a killer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by A Robot Bit Me

$500 is a small price to pay to turn your $1,000 TV into a $100 TV.

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:tu::tu::tu:

Not that long ago, TNL would've erected the most massive boner over this device.

I could see getting pumped about it if money were no object and I had some ridiculously calculated HDTV setup that I could in no conceivable way avoid using for playing video games.

When I look at it right now, though, I see a box that, when it comes to playing old hardware on an HD display, gives that old hardware many of the benefits of emulation as well as emulation's biggest downfalls (the timing differences). Wouldn't it be a better idea to get some baller Wells Gardner monitor at that price?

I think it's pretty awesome but I'm not spending more than $50 on it. Same reason I've never owned any XRGB.

For me the change to HDMI is actually a detriment. My XRGB takes up the VGA slot that nothing else will ever use anyway. By switching to HDMI, I'd be one slot short for the PS3, Apple TV, and OnLive. Obviously I could get over losing OnLive, but I still am not "upgrading" for 2x what I paid for mine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diff-chan

Not that long ago, TNL would've erected the most massive boner over this device.

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Behold the massive boner (of 26 posts) from 2007.

Once again, the subject of the sentence is "TNL" when it should just be "Yoshi".

Desu ne.

People ask about these things from time to time, and I had no clue there was a new one coming out, so I figured someone might be interested.

What? I wasn't trying to call you out or anything.

The thread's fine. It is interesting. You don't need to defend yourself over it.

You've been here before, yes?

i also like this thread

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dog$

Behold the massive boner (of 26 posts) from 2007.

Once again, the subject of the sentence is "TNL" when it should just be "Yoshi".

Desu ne.

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I was thinking more like 2002. Old school, nigga.

I'm excited about this like I'm excited about a Lambourghini. It's awesome, i'd love to have one, but at that price they can keep it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Diff-chan

Not that long ago, TNL would've erected the most massive boner over this device.

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We are smarter now.

I had an xrgb-2.

Dumb as fuck.

I still have an old Sony RGB monitor.

I still have my XRGB-2. Love it, but see no reason to upgrade the latest model. Lack of VGA support in the new XRGB-MFM hurts it a bit in my book.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tain

I could see getting pumped about it if money were no object and I had some ridiculously calculated HDTV setup that I could in no conceivable way avoid using for playing video games.

When I look at it right now, though, I see a box that, when it comes to playing old hardware on an HD display, gives that old hardware many of the benefits of emulation as well as emulation's biggest downfalls (the timing differences). Wouldn't it be a better idea to get some baller Wells Gardner monitor at that price?

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I use an XRGB-2plus on a plasma and the input lag is negligible to the point where you won't notice. WG monitors are crap, doubt you can get a really good brand new CRT anymore. Even the brand new CRTs I got for arcade and retro PC stuff aren't as good as the heyday of CRTs from the 90's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

For me the change to HDMI is actually a detriment. My XRGB takes up the VGA slot that nothing else will ever use anyway. By switching to HDMI, I'd be one slot short for the PS3, Apple TV, and OnLive. Obviously I could get over losing OnLive, but I still am not "upgrading" for 2x what I paid for mine.

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You can buy a 8-1 HDMI switcher from Monoprice for $70. My issue with the new design is that it doesn't have an optical audio in which makes it difficult to use with my A/V setup since I have 4 retro systems modded for digital audio.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shou

I use an XRGB-2plus on a plasma and the input lag is negligible to the point where you won't notice. WG monitors are crap, doubt you can get a really good brand new CRT anymore. Even the brand new CRTs I got for arcade and retro PC stuff aren't as good as the heyday of CRTs from the 90's.

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Good to know, I really don't know much about CRTs in general. I figure the sync options on an XRGB would have to be pretty great for the device to exist in the first place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

For me the change to HDMI is actually a detriment. My XRGB takes up the VGA slot that nothing else will ever use anyway. By switching to HDMI, I'd be one slot short for the PS3, Apple TV, and OnLive. Obviously I could get over losing OnLive, but I still am not "upgrading" for 2x what I paid for mine.

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You don't have an A/V reciever?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GohanX

I was excited until I clicked the link and saw the price. Holy fuck.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by GohanX

I'm excited about this like I'm excited about a Lambourghini. It's awesome, i'd love to have one, but at that price they can keep it.

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So..uh...yeah, I got one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tain

I could see getting pumped about it if I had some ridiculously calculated HDTV setup that I could in no conceivable way avoid using for playing video games.

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Because this. At least the yen is weak and it dropped the price significantly.

How significantly?

eBay has some for $400-540. I about choked when I saw that a couple are even going for $612.50.

Here's a good review of the Framemeister.
Sadly, you can't use an oddball PCB like 54 Hz Raiden Fighters on the MFM right now, unless Micomsoft has updated the firmware. Hope you have your old XRGB-2 or 3 handy for that.

I ordered mine from Solaris Japan. Had it in a week for less than Ebay pricing. This thing is absolutely fantastic with 240p stuff! I've tried the SNES and a TG16 through RGB and it looks great, and a Saturn through component and it's good as well but not as good as if I were using an RGB cable. It's not that great at 480p stuff that I've tried through component though, so it doesn't do much for the Wii. On the flip side, the Neo Geo X, surprisingly, looks pretty damn good after fiddling with the color and scanline adjustments.

I'm not hardcore enough for PCBs, the Raiden Fighters Xbox 360 collection is good enough for me.

After messing with this thing a few days in a variety of systems and adjusting the options, I'll say that this thing is awesome, but not perfect.

It was obviously made for 240p content, and that is where it excels. Simply put, I have never seen my 240p systems look better on anything. The only thing that would be better is a good pvm I think. One bad thing is that the genesis still displays junk at the edge of the screen. You can adjust it somewhat, but you can't eliminate it entirely. The extra stuff you see at the edge of NES stuff on an hdtv can be completely adjusted out, however.

For 480p content it doesn't do quite as well. It's still good, but the Wii in particular still looks better on my old SDTV. Virtual console games don't look very good, but the actual Wii game I tested looks fine. The OG Xbox fares a bit better. Setting the system to 480p widescreen, and emulators set to simple 2x and enabling scanlines on the mini yields great results consistent on all emulators.