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Hydra2

Hydra2

Our price:

719.00 PLN

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Weight: 0.7 kg

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  • for 2 pieces and more - 3% (697.43 PLN)
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DISCLAIMER:

"Be aware that in the context of retro gaming, there are two types of csync signals:  TTL and 75 Ohm.  Most displays and processors will require 75 Ohm csync, but some can accept TTL.  As a general rule, unless your setup specifically requires otherwise, your target goal is that the cables you use with your consoles will all be outputting a 75 Ohm signal and the target device will also be receiving a 75 Ohm signal."  RetroRGB 

 

Before buy, be sure You have proper 75Ohm sync cables.  

 

 

I DO NOT ANSWER  TO QUESTIONS ABOUT RETROGAMINGCABLES !

I DO NOT USE THEM and I DO NOT HAVE THEM

Please READ FAQ TAB above - ALL EXPLAINED !

 

 

Fully automatic SCART switch with full galvanic inputs separation ( BOLD - changes comparing to Hydra1)

  • 8 scart inputs ( RGB, s-video, composite) - easily expandable to 16 or 24 inputs with HYDRA HEADS device
  • 2 scart ouput -  now, You can connect Your 2 ouput devices !!
  • "Knight rider" style active scart detection
  • full ROHS
  • expandable with 2 additional HYDRA HEADS devices to offer outstanding 24inputs scart functionality
  • AVR controller with firmware future updates
  • HQ plexi transparent ( made by me ;-) at my laser machine)
  • STEREO RCA audio output 
  • IR controlled
  • manual/automatic mode
  • MICRO USB power supply (regular mobile phone charger 5V will do the job - please, use sth decent - approx 1A)
  • Dedicted remote sold separately - soon; thus You can always use any NEC/ENEC compatible one You may already have - Please, check FAQ tab above

 

SINCE 10.09.2019 - Revised version

    • DC jack - hydra2 can be powered by ANY POWER SUPPLY 8-12V
    • TTL SYNC can be switch on on both outputs the same time, even if one receiver is 75ohm capable only

 

 

 

Do not use garbage power supply – any decent micro usb mobile charger will do the work.. and please be careful with USB SOCKET 😉

 

 

How doees it work ?

      Imagine, You have many retro system in use. Amiga, Atari ST, ZX spectrum, etc... And You have only one classical TV/Monitor with one SCART INPUT. Each time, You want to switch system, You have to connect Your machine to Your monitor. Everytime, You do it - You damage scart socket inside. Those days are over. Connect up to 24 computers/consoles to HYDRA, then connect HYDRA to Your TV/Monitor and power on hydra. Since now, HYDRA will detect active scart input and forward all signals to Your monitor. Simple and efficent.

 

Please, remember:

 

NEVER connect / disconnect SCART PLUGS 

when HYDRA is ON

especially when CONSOLE/SYSTEM is ON !

 

 

You may ask why..

           Designing device, I put much effort  into ability to  passthrough many types of signals: from composite to component. To protect device and not to cut signal`s range, HYDRAs have additional ESD protection diodes, but for a short period of time when scanning for active scart, Hydra is defenseless. If You got hit that moment plugging powered on device, You will damage RGB chip with ESD voltage that may reach thousands of  volts (not dangerous for you, but electronics is fragile..). This chip may become very hot and protection will probably brick hydra till one of chips is replaced (NCS2564). Cost of repair is 10Euro !!!

 

Possible symptoms:

  • knight rider effect stops
  • one scart port doesn`t work
  • Interferences between ports
  • HD led doesn`t work anymore

 

 

USE SIMPLEST SCART CABLES POSSIBBLE 

  • No tricky electronics inside as NOT NEEDED. Hydra has built in all necessary features
  • Hydra loves composite video or luma at pin 20 of scart
  • When You have fun, Hydra does plenty of work – let it work
  • Hydra doesn`t like and will not lock on scart with TTL csync as it doesn’t follow scart 75ohm standard – nevertheless source connected directly to Your TV works OK

 

 

BUTTONS:

  • left - scan for active source to the left from active one (if active is far left, no action) /  next scart in manual mode
  • right - scan for active source to the right from active one (if active is far right, no action) / previous scart in manual mode
  • middle - HD/LOW PASS filter (led on/off) - default ON
  • left+right pressed - disables "knight rider led effect"
  • middle + right - Automatic/manual mode
  • CS1 / CS2 - TTL / 75Ohm switch sync ( do not use on 75Ohm receivers !)

 

 

 

 

 

Soon - more info about remote codes learnig

 

Hydra2  8port scart switcher, may be “easily” expanded with 2 additional HYDRA HEADS devices to offer outstanding 24inputs scart functionality.

How does it work ?

       After establishing connection with flat cables between HYDRA (master unit) and HYDRA HEADS (slave unit), user  forces HYDRA to work with HEADS expansion and 8 additional scart inputs it offers.  BOTTOM SWITCH MUST BE SET IN 16P mode.

How about connecting another Hydra Heads to already connected one ?

Additional Hydra Heads unit may be added to previously  installed one to achieve 24 inputs. BOTTOM SWITCH MUST BE SET IN 24P mode.

 

 

 

 

Product gallery

 

 

FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE: Step by step (in progress...)

  • download last firmware 
  • obtain USBASP programmer (example)
  • download software for programmer (example)
  • connect usbasp (or any avr programmer) to KANDA connector of HYDRA 

 

 

if You have female connector at Your ISP6 adapter, dual angled 6 pin header will be needed.

 

 

  • run Your AVR programming software / select ATMEGA48 chip

 

 

  • load *.HEX file ( OPEN --> Hydra2_XXXXXXX.HEX)
  • flash it by WRITE ALL button/ ignore messages of wrong chip

 

 

 
 
HYDRA2 / WHYDRA2 firmware (12.01.2019)

Changes:

  • audio muting in manual mode in some cases
  • locking on device is more persistent and solid
  • few minor bug fixes 

 

 

 

 

Q.What happens if i have two active sources the same time ?

Nothing, First applied input is a master signal. You can switch to next one by pressing buttons ( previous/next) or switching  first computer off

 

Q: I have a PlayStation 1  have hooked up to it and it does not seem to work.I am using a very high performance scart cord from the hydra to the adapter and all of my scart cables are from retro gaming cables in the UK or retro gaming accessories from ebay.

A:  You have a sync stripper installed inside scart socket and "composite sync" signal exceeds voltage level, definied by scart signal standart. Please, have a look at table below - source: http://martin.hinner.info/vga/scart.html). Instead of desired 0.7 Vpp (on 0.3V) You get 4Vpp.  As Your TV may not care, Hydra may not detect Your signal.

What Can You do:

  • Feed composite video (or best luma) to scart pin 20 directly, avoiding elements on the way. 
  • MOD THE CABLE   
  • Use orginal cable
  • Add 470 resisorer before pin 20 of scart 

"Be aware that in the context of retro gaming, there are two types of csync signals:  TTL and 75 Ohm.  Most displays and processors will require 75 Ohm csync, but some can accept TTL.  As a general rule, unless your setup specifically requires otherwise, your target goal is that the cables you use with your consoles will all be outputting a 75 Ohm signal and the target device will also be receiving a 75 Ohm signal."

 

Please, remeber and keep in mind, that HYDRA may

not lock on scanning on input with composite sync of TTL LEVEL (4Vpp),

as SCART STANDART ASSUMES 1Vpp including sync

(http://martin.hinner.info/vga/scart.html)

 

Pin      Signal    Level     Impedance   
       
1 Audio Out Right 0.5 V rms <1k ohm
2 Audio In Right 0.5 V rms >10k ohm
3 Audio Out Left + Mono 0.5 V rms <1k ohm
4 Ground Audio    
5 RGB Ground Blue    
6 Audio In Left + Mono 0.5 V rms >10k ohm
7 RGB Blue In 0.7 V 75 ohm
8 Audio/RGB switch / 16:9 High (9.5-12V) AVmode
Low (0-2V) TVmode		 >10kohm
9 RGB Ground Green    
10 Comms Data 2         
11 RGB Green In 0.7 V 75 ohm
12 Comms Data 1    
13 RGB Ground Red    
14 Ground Data    
15 RGB Red In / Chrominance 0.7 V (Chrom.: 0.3 V burst) 75 ohm
16 Blanking Signal High (1-3V) RGB
Low (0-0.4V) Composite		 75 ohm
17 Ground Composite Video    
18 Ground Blanking Signal    
19 Composite Video Out 1V including sync 75 ohm
20 Composite Video In 1V including sync 75 ohm
21 Ground/Shield (Chassis)    

 

 

 

 

Q. ...all my consoles with cables from RETROGAMINCABLES , most of them with sync on luma. Will I need to mod all my cables like the ps1 one in order for them to work with the hydra? Here's the list of cables:

  • Snes: sync on luma
  • ps1: sync on luna
  • ps2: sync on luma
  • saturn: packapunch sync on luma
  • megadrive 2: packapunch sync on luma
  • master system: packapynch csync
  • og xbox: sync on luma
  • gamecube: sync on luma

A.  RGC in past were supplying  csync cables not attenuated - recently their cables follow standart. They used to output csync 4V TTL  (now 0.7V what is OK). Any doubts - ASK RGCables please !  they have hydra to test please.

  • I do not use / do not have  all RGC cables to test.
  • I use only orginal ones supplied with console or cables made upon designs wide spread around web ! 

What I suggest:

  • USE orginal cable (in most cases) --> conclusion: if the RGC cable is compatible with porginal one, will work with HYDRA. Luma as sync - ok

 

Q: Hydra1 was making  "click sounds" when scanning. Does Hydra2 the same ?

A: No, HYDRA2 mutes outputs during scan

 

Q: Hydra acts strange. doesn`t detect inputs, sound is disturbed, video blurry...etc

A: Two words: POWER SUPPLY. Please, use decent one.

 

Q: Hydra gives "jumpy" picture. I have SNES and my cable is pal one.

A:  HYDRA has built in signal termination - 75ohm resistors to gnd. If Your cable has this feature, picture will be darker and may be jumpy. Remove passive elements on RGB lines.  please, read next one answer

 

Q: Hydra is very problematic with my systems.

A: No. it is not. problematic are Your cables. Please, keep in mind, that hydra has built in many features, like sync stripper for signal detection on scart, signal termination, low/high pass filters. Please, use regular and simple cables to connect Your systems.  For best effects, please considering direct RGB connection, composite video connection and sound to scart socket. ONLY EXCEPTION is RGB switch - 16pin of scart input. it must be pulled high by resistor from 5V to make hydra switch into RGB MODE. How to get proper signal from You system - http://www.retrorgb.com/csync

 

Q. I want to send component through the whydra2 as well and I wonder if that is possible?

480p component works well through the W-Hydra2 with proper adapter ( https://www.amazon.de/Scart-Svideo-Comp-Kurzad-umschaltbar/dp/B0014HB7T6) - Thaks Jonas to  for deep tests and report !!

 

480p (reported as 525p 50Hz on ossc) works
480p (reported as 525p 60Hz on ossc) works
720p (reported as 750p 50Hz on ossc) works
720p (reported as 750p 60Hz on ossc) works
1080i (reported as 1125i 50Hz on ossc) works
1080i (reported as 1125i 60Hz on ossc) works
1080p (reported as 1125p 50Hz on ossc) works
1080p (reported as 1125p 60Hz on ossc) works

 

 

 

Q: How to use my remote control with HYDRA ?

A: First, Your HYDRA must learn codes of Your remote.  PRESS AND HOLD middle button during POWER ON to enter learning procedure. Hydra will be flashing wih leds accordignly, expecting proper button being pressed to assign codes sent by remote for followng actions (below manula from MINI HYDRA, but ruless are the same..)

 

SCAN RIGHT FOR NEXT ACTIVE SOURCE

   

 

SCAN LEFT  FOR NEXT ACTIVE SOURCE

 

MANUAL SELECTION OF SCART PORT 1

 

MANUAL SELECTION OF SCART PORT 2

 

MANUAL SELECTION OF SCART PORT 3

 

MANUAL SELECTION OF SCART PORT 4

 

MANUAL SELECTION OF SCART PORT 5

 

SD/HD FILTER TOGGLE BUTTON

 

LEDS  TOGGLE BUTTON (leds on / off)

 

VOLUME UP

 

VOLUME DOWN

 

MUTE / AUDIIO OUTPUTS  ACTIVE

 

MONO/STEREO (when mono input applied, both audio out channels will equal)