Lotharek's Lair

"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

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