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MINI HYDRA REVISED


MINI HYDRA REVISED

Our price:

517.83 PLN

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Weight: 0.45 kg

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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 - introduced in REVISED version)

  • 5 scart inputs ( RGB, s-video, composite)
  • 1 scart ouput
  • "Knight rider" style active scart detection
  • full ROHS
  • Extra protections for NCS CHIPS on each scart input
  • Improved signal detection histerisis / all cables shall work now/
  • AVR controller with firmware future updates
  • HQ plexi transparent ( made by me ;-) at my laser machine)
  • STEREO RCA audio output 
  • headphones JACK amplified audio ouput (adjustable volume via remote)
  • IR controlled
  • manual/automatic mode
  • DC/AC 5/2.1 mm power supply connector (asuggested 9V; polarity independent); optonal power supply sold separtely - please, check RELATED PRODUCTS tab above
  • Dedicted remote sold separately - soon; thus You can always use any NEC/ENEC compatible one You may already have - Please, check FAQ tab above

 

 

 

 

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 5 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)
  • right - scan for active source to the right from active one (if active is far right, no action)
  • middle - HD/LOW PASS filter - default ON
  • left right pressed - disables "knight rider led effect"

 

 

 

 


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 
  • run Your AVR programming software / select ATMEGA48 chip

 

 

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

 

 

2019-04-03 firmware

  • few bugs fixed

 

2019-03-27 firmware

  • audio un-muted on power ON at RCA/JACK STEREO
  • fixed some consoles sync detection and KEEP_ON_SCART state
  • many minor bugs fixes (and probably new made)...

 

Mini-hydra 20220516 firmware

  • eliminated humming at jakck output (thank to Christopher Dietz for support)
  • NES histeresis introduced

 

 

Q. Can you attach the Hydra Heads to it?

No. MINI has no logic or buffers for HEADS. Only HYDRA/HYDRA2

 

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.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 

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

A: Two words: POWER SUPPLY. Please, use decent one. 9-15V suggested 

 

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 hydra device as well and I wonder if that is possible?

480p component works well through 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:

 

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)