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Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - tmuir - 29-03-2025

I was hoping to receive my Microbee on Friday, but its now looking like Monday or Tuesday before it arrives, but I'm thinking about what I will need to get to be able to use it.
My bee is fitted with a MB1217 colour board and I'm wondering if that is compatible with the Microbee Upscaling video converter sold here.
https://microbeetechnology.com.au/vga-video-converter.htm
I'm guessing at a minimum I would need to make a cable up to go from the MB1217 to the upscaler, but the fact they say its only for the Premium and Premium plus models I'm not hopeful.
If I can't use this are there any other alternatives?
I would prefer if I can use it with a modern monitor.

[Image: 7.jpg]

RE: Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - MbeeTech - 31-03-2025

It would be possible to make up a cable, but it depends on which version of the colour board you have as to the complexity of the solution.
The later version of the colour board (1217-04-01) includes the hardware to combine the 2 levels of R, G & B  (ie R, R2, G, G2 & B, B2) into analogue
outputs for RGB.  It seems from the photo that you have this version.  The input to the UpScaling Video converter normally requires H Sync + V Sync
but it will (in most cases) work with composite sync on one of the H or V Sync inputs.


Here is the pinout of the colour board output :

   

Here is the pinout of the DB9 for the Upscaling Video converter :

   

RE: Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - tmuir - 31-03-2025

Thanks for that, I went to look at buying one this afternoon and just noticed there is no in stock in the store, I didn't notice that before.
I'm assuming there won't be any more in stock soon so will look at other options.
Thanks again

RE: Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - MbeeTech - 01-04-2025

(31-03-2025, 10:54 PM)tmuir Wrote: Thanks for that, I went to look at buying one this afternoon and just noticed there is no in stock in the store, I didn't notice that before.
I'm assuming there won't be any more in stock soon so will look at other options.
Thanks again

I am doing another small batch sometime soon, because people have been asking.
However it's a low priority at the moment.  The bulk of available time (when not running customer assembly jobs) is
spent on getting the new kit computers ready to launch.

We had actually retired the product (the UpScaling Video converters) because they are problematic to manufacture.
That's why you won't currently see them in the online store.
It is pot luck buying the GBS-8200 boards that go into the product (that we then add our front end board to) as to how well 
they work and how much time we have to spend applying mods to them to get the output nice & clean.
As people keep asking for them though, and until I get time to redesign the UpScalers from the ground up so as
to not need to buy in pre-built GBS-8200's, I'll do the odd batch every now & then.

RE: Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - tmuir - 01-04-2025

Thanks for letting me know.
I'll keep an eye out for when you next do them.

RE: Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - CheshireNoir - 01-04-2025

Ewan, could you source the two core chips the GBS 8200 boards use and just "roll your own"?

Not sure of the complexity or availability, just curious.

(I've done a few "GBS Control" mods to 8200s and want to get one of the ones with integrated HDMI and GBS Control that as well)

John

RE: Microbee Video converter and MB1217 - MbeeTech - 01-04-2025

(01-04-2025, 02:45 PM)CheshireNoir Wrote: Ewan, could you source the two core chips the GBS 8200 boards use and just "roll your own"?

Not sure of the complexity or availability, just curious.

(I've done a few "GBS Control" mods to 8200s and want to get one of the ones with integrated HDMI and GBS Control that as well)

John

The main scaler chip (TrueView 5725) is available, but the other part on the board is an MTV230V microcontroller with it's own firmware, which is
A) read protected, and B) copyright.  Besides that, the board layout is poor and only 2 layers.
I have started the design, but as mentioned, low priority.  

I've tried GBSControl on one of them and although I got it to work, it was very fiddly.

Thanks for the suggestion though.