LaserDisc Database
https://forum.lddb.com/

Crystalio II
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=7604		 Page 2 of 2
Author:  lons_vex [ 23 Apr 2018, 09:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Just out of curiosity... (I have the 3800).
Did you buy a working unit, or was it junk?
How much did you pay again, including shipping?
Thank you, I hope you can solve your problems.
Author:  mimylovesjapan [ 23 Apr 2018, 09:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
I bought it as working unit. I get it for around 750$ including sending fees to Japan.
That was a good price for a working machine in my opinon.
If I cannot find a way to make it work, I will ask the seller to accept a return or a partial refund.
But as it is really hard to find a Crystalio today, I would prefer find a way to make it work ! especially since I live in Japan, and don't want to spend too much money in sending fees...
Author:  kencol [ 24 Apr 2018, 17:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Have you managed to get the OSD to show on your display? If you don't have a remote you can turn on the On Screen Display by using the front panel buttons on the unit. I'm going from memory here but if you press the Middle Button and scroll down to last menu option "System"? then select it and scroll to the 4th option down. Something like "OSD Control".

If the OSD displays then you'll have a better chance of troubleshooting.

If it doesn't display then head to the Output menu and make sure the settings are compatible with your TV.

Do you have the manual? It's still available here http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/support/downloads/manuals/
Author:  mimylovesjapan [ 25 Apr 2018, 00:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
No, nothing is displaying...
I fed it woth 480p throug HDMI, he recognize the signal, but no display.
He cannot recognize any 480i IN signal from the video RCA, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
But he could emit yesterday a green screen with artefacts, through RGBHV.
That means that daughter board is connected to the PSU. But it seems that the card is working bad...
Author:  mimylovesjapan [ 25 Apr 2018, 00:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
The seller refunded me a part, and accepted to let me the machine as "junk".
Then I can try to repare it by myself now.
I contacted Magic Pixel to ask How much it would cost to repare it.
I wait for they response !
Author:  mimylovesjapan [ 05 Jun 2018, 00:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Last news :
I could try last week a new PSU for the crystalio II VPS 3300, but it doesn't work...
Here is a little point again :

- PSU has no problem then.
- The HDMI IN 1, 2, 3, 4 are working,
- but not the HDMI 1, 2 OUT, neither Video analog IN, 1, 2, 3, 4 . (menu doesn't recoginze it)
- component out is giving a green screen with artefacts.
- Menu is working.

Someone could help me to continue my investigation ?
Author:  mimylovesjapan [ 28 Aug 2018, 15:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
OK ! good news !
After several month, I get improvement !

- I cleaned some circuits with alcool
- I changed all the flat flexibles cables with new.

I finally get a picture through RGBHV ! And also all the video/HDMI IN are working.
The last things not working are the HDMI out.
I use my OSSC for sending the RGBHV signal to my TV (HDMI)

In the menu, all seems to work.
I have, and will have some question to experienced people !

1. about DCDi and VXP : For the very good quality pressed movies, I can use VXP mode to get a very beautiful image. But when I use a normal or bad quality movie, I need to use DCDi mode, or I get lot of artifacts and blur. Is it normal ?

2. what exactly does the numbers selection of the film bias ? (default is 5, but it seems that 9 has some best results sometimes... ?)

3. I absolutely now nothing about comb filter configuration... Does someone has a simple tutorial about the comb filter settings ?

I wait for your help !
Author:  hexum77 [ 24 Feb 2019, 05:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
mimylovesjapan wrote:
OK ! good news !
After several month, I get improvement !

- I cleaned some circuits with alcool
- I changed all the flat flexibles cables with new.

I finally get a picture through RGBHV ! And also all the video/HDMI IN are working.
The last things not working are the HDMI out.
I use my OSSC for sending the RGBHV signal to my TV (HDMI)

In the menu, all seems to work.
I have, and will have some question to experienced people !

1. about DCDi and VXP : For the very good quality pressed movies, I can use VXP mode to get a very beautiful image. But when I use a normal or bad quality movie, I need to use DCDi mode, or I get lot of artifacts and blur. Is it normal ?

2. what exactly does the numbers selection of the film bias ? (default is 5, but it seems that 9 has some best results sometimes... ?)

3. I absolutely now nothing about comb filter configuration... Does someone has a simple tutorial about the comb filter settings ?

I wait for your help !


Did you ever end up getting the HDMI OUT to work?
Author:  mimylovesjapan [ 24 Feb 2019, 11:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Dear hexum77,
I sold it last year to pbiancardi. I think he managed to get it work through his lumagen.
Maybe he can give you more details.
Author:  exinferis [ 03 Sep 2020, 20:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Hello,
I did not want to start a new thread, so I´m asking here:
The Crystalio II, once plugged into the wall, stays on permanently. I don´t like the idea of having a device always "on". So, is it possible, or better, is it advisable to use a powerstrip with a switch (which I do at the moment) ? It has a harddisc, and everytime I connect the Crystalio II to the power supply the harddisc starts to spin. Somehow, it does not feel right to unplug the scaler in this way. Opinions ?
Another thing I found out, since I got it used: The optical out is not working. Does someone has the same problem ? The coax out is alright, but I like to have my set-up working.So, any idea ? Changing an optical out should not be the problem, hardware wise - but if it´s like a bug in the software, I´d save my time and energy.
Besides that, this machine is awesome and makes LD look really nice on an LCD.
Author:  lons_vex [ 03 Sep 2020, 22:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
I leave mine plugged in all the time, connected to a UPS.
The harddisk always spins up when I switch it on, even if it is connected all the time.
I have never used the optical out, so cannot comment on that.
Author:  substance [ 04 Sep 2020, 00:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Keeping it plugged in is less stress to the hardware unless you won’t be using it for a long time then it is best to unplug it. I used optical out on mine and worked well. I would start with a factory reset before I change any hardware. I don’t remember the instructions anymore but I am sure I posted them here somewhere in the past. You want to do the forced reset with the usb drive.

Also, not a bad idea to use a surge protector. I am not a big fan of UPS as most are square wave generators. There are some pure sine wave ones but those are generally the expensive and large models.
Author:  sonicboom [ 05 Sep 2020, 19:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
exinferis wrote:
The Crystalio II, once plugged into the wall, stays on permanently. I don´t like the idea of having a device always "on". So, is it possible, or better, is it advisable to use a powerstrip with a switch (which I do at the moment) ? It has a harddisc, and everytime I connect the Crystalio II to the power supply the harddisc starts to spin. Somehow, it does not feel right to unplug the scaler in this way. Opinions ?

I recently restored/repaired/salvaged the PS in my 3800. In doing so I also decided it would be best to put it on its own power strip that I can manually turn off to disconnect power when not in use. Like yourself, I personally also do not like this particular unit to be always on considering the crappy power supply that is known to overheat or catch fire.

Maybe this isn't ideal but neither is a fire. Perhaps the best solution is to put in a better rated PS AND keep it on a power strip.

You can follow my journey here: Crystalio II VPS-3800 Power Supply Replacement

Oh and my optical output is working fine so not sure about that...sorry.
Author:  exinferis [ 12 Sep 2020, 09:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
Hello guys, thx alot for all your input.
@lons_vex: I had to google what a UPS is, alright ;-) but I´m not sure if I need this kind of hardware (pretty expensive as well...)
@substance: Yes, a surge protector is maybe a good idea, with all this old stuff I have here. Thx for telling me about the reset - will do that some day, but right now, I´m glad that (nearly) everything is working.
@sonicboom: I was reading about a dead power supply here earlier, (another thread) thx for the link. This is very interesting and will be surely helpful. Thats the downside of collecting old hardware - for some it´s part of the fun to repair this stuff, but to me it´s a pain. Getting the right replacement is hard enough.. So, well, I guess I don´t want to have a fire as well, I will use it with the the power strip.
At the moment I´m watching quite some LDS again, as it´s so much fun with the Crystalio (watched DEAD PRESIDENTS recently, which has a great transfer as well..). But there are times this machine will not be used for weeks.
Author:  exinferis [ 02 Oct 2020, 18:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
This may be a stupid question, but....the remote that I have for the Crystalio, it has no backlight - and the buttons are really hard to read. So I wonder, is my remote maybe not working or does it come without a backlight ?
Author:  audioboyz1973 [ 02 Oct 2020, 19:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
The backlight is not automatic.

You need to press the button very top LHS with the light bulb symbol. When pressed you'll more easily see it's labelled "Light"
Author:  lons_vex [ 02 Oct 2020, 22:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Crystalio II
If the batteries are not strong anymore, the backlight will not work even if you press the button :P
Page 2 of 2 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/