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[mkjones]

Ive had an RGB Scart cable for a while, I only played my xbox for like 3 weeks with the standard one becuase I kept on thinking "it MUST be better than this" with an RGB, as my Dreamcast had something like a 125% (IMO) boost in the way games looked when I got the RGB cable for that..

NOW, before I go on, I would like to say that I dont REALLY know how RGB Scart works? This is confusing me? From what I have read, it displays a PIXEL perfect representation of the game.

But cant anyone tell me, WHY is this better?? Becuase I seem to have a problem? Maybe im just nitpicking...

I sometimes notice that some games the EDGES of things look worse with RGB, for example, the Snooker table on WC Snooker 2004 looks VERY Jagged? as if its not being renderd correcty? I also noticed this with some of the larger cars in Midtown Maddness 3??

Also, some rooms in TimeSplitters 2 looked so jagged (I hope you get what I mean when I say 'jagged') my girlfriend even came out with "I thought this console was better than the Dreamcast? That looks crap!"

Now, what I am saying is, is there a DOWNSIDE to RGB Scart? I mean, if I use a regular, more blury connection, SURELY these edges and other things will be SMOOTHER? But some, more detaild objects will look WORSE?

For example..
I reolized with RGB Scart that HALO looked better, some small details like when MC dies he sometimes goes "see thru" seemed better.. and such.. but some of the rooms althogh more colourfull and vibrant seemed more "fake" becuase of the jaged lines?

Please, someone give me some insignt? Am I going mad?

[Exobex]

Yes you did spell it correctly!

Xbox generates RGB, TV uses RGB to feed the 3 separate Red, Green and Blue electron guns in the tube.

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RGB+sync+stereo audio
|
V
Composite video+stereo audio
|
V
RF signal, sent to TV via coax cable
|
V
Composite video+mono audio
|
V
RGB+sync+mono audio

The above list is typical for a PlayStation or Xbox owner using an RF lead.  Every conversion step adds noise and reduces quality.  Four steps of conversion result in picture and sound degradation.

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RGB+sync+stereo audio
|
V
Composite video+stereo audio, sent to TV via 3 coax cables
|
V
RGB+sync+stereo audio

The above list is typical for a PlayStation or Xbox owner using the supplied "three plugs and a SCART adapter" AV cable.  Every conversion step adds noise and reduces quality, however because you're no longer converting to and from the UHF RF signal, you've knocked out two steps, improving the picture and giving stereo sound.  This is why when copying VHS from tape to tape, you use the SCART or audio and video sockets instead of using the aerial lead.

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RGB+sync+stereo audio
|
V
Separate (S-) video+stereo audio, sent to TV via 4 coax cables
|
V
RGB+sync+stereo audio

The above list is typical for a PlayStation or Xbox owner using an S-video AV cable.  Every conversion step adds noise and reduces quality, however because you're no longer converting to and from the UHF RF signal, you've knocked out two steps, improving the picture and giving stereo sound.  In addition, by sending the colour (chrominance) and brightness (luminance) signals down separate wires, there is no interference between these signals, giving a better signal than that seen when using composite video.

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RGB+sync+stereo audio, sent to TV via 6 coax cables

The above list is typical for a PlayStation or Xbox owner using an RGB SCART cable.  The signal hasn't been converted at all, resulting in the sharpest possible picture.

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RGB+sync+stereo audio
|
V
Y+Pr+Pb (component video)+stereo audio, sent to TV via 5 coax cables
|
V
RGB+sync+stereo audio

The above list is typical for a PlayStation or Xbox owner using a component video cable.  Although the signal has been converted (into luminance plus two different colour signals), it's still sent down 3 separate wires (the sync. signal being combined with one of the others), resulting in the sharpest possible picture.  Well, sharpest for NTSC sets anyway. I read somewhere that there are some benefits to converting the signal rather than leaving it as RGB, but I can't remember what they are.  Computer monitors also use RGB (with separate horizontal and vertical sync), so the benefits can't be that good!

[mkjones]

Thanks for that, just wonderd why certain games look blocky?