Messages

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

But yeah, I think it would be cool if someone like Steve did the simplest possible resolution doubler to go from 240p to 480p.

Someone already made a line doubler and used it on a Neo Geo. It would be the same concept for any 15KHz video signal really. It's not a project for the faint of heart...

wayback.mikejmoffitt.com/wp/?p=270

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Oh sorry, I misread that. Maybe a future rev?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Here it is, revision B with CXA1645 now supporting Modless S-Video and RGB on TurboGrafx...

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbgrafxbooster-redgreenbluechromaluma-ohmy

I've yet to do a comparison with a CXA2075 - that's on my list of things to do.

Furthermore, after a friend of mine asked: "Where's the S-Video?" I just knew the current dbGrafx Booster design was obsolete.

But where's the YPbPr/Component video ??? ;)

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19144.0

The RGB is output on a mini DIN9 connector (a.k.a Genesis 2 A/V connector). You can therefore use any Genesis 2 SCART cable to get the RGB signals.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Looks good!  Shame it doesn't do s-video, though.

Yes it does do S-Video.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Something that could greatly reduce the price would be if I were to use two 3x3 connectors instead of 1 large EXT connector. None of the signals in the middle of the EXT port are necessary for this application so it wouldn't impact anything. The only thing is that it would look a bit weirder.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Still no price?

I just need to plug in dollar amounts into my BOM spreadsheet, should be priced soon.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Your link is broken.

oops! fixed...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Here it is, revision B with CXA1645 now supporting Modless S-Video and RGB on TurboGrafx...

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbgrafxbooster-redgreenbluechromaluma-ohmy

I've yet to do a comparison with a CXA2075 - that's on my list of things to do.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

Yeah I saw that chart, even before I ordered with them. I just assumed I was ordering the henshin, though looks like I may have wasted $55. Do you know if there are any Henshin out there anywhere for purchase?

Yeah Retrotowers.co.uk doesn't have the PC-Henshin and they don't advertise it as such on their site either. Tell you what, I actually didn't bother keeping an older model (like the one you have) - how about you PM me and we'll do a switch-a-roo for a PC-Henshin?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

It's from Retro Towers, and I think it's just the converter (unless you made some new PC-Henshins). Maybe the converter doesn't work with SSC, but the PC-Henshin should, right?

I made a table to address this:

archive.db-elec.com/./pc-engine-to-turbografx16-converter

Basically, I have three versions:

TG-16 Converter (PCE on TG16)
PC-Henshin (PCE on TG16, PCE system cards on TG16)
Turbo PC-Henshin (PCE on TG16, PCE system cards on TG16, TG16 on PCE)

Edit: I believe the last time I sold to Retrotowers it was still only the TG-16 converter...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

Hey DB,
I got a converter from one of your approved sellers, but I'm having issues. I'm trying to use a japanese SSC3 to play CDs that require 3.0. I can access the card, but any game I try still says I need the "super system cd-rom2". Any clue what's going on here?

do you have the PC-Henshin or Turbo PC-Henshin because only the Turbo is supposed to work with those...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

I thought I read that you said the creation process for the PC Henshin took too long and was a pain to complete. i thought you were working on an easier process to make them.

Good to know, I'm certainly interested.

Oh! Yes they are absolutely a pain to make. I use two 20 position connectors which I machine in house in order to meet the specs of the HuCard pinout. It's lengthy work but I find it relaxing to work in my shop...

An alternative would be to have a custom connector made but I would need to buy at least 500 up front plus a hefty tooling fee - so obviously this is not a viable solution for the small TG-16 / PCE market...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

DB, do you still have plans of refining the Henshin build process, or are you going full bore on the Turbo at this point? I'm debating between Henshin and region MOD and just wanted to know if they'd be available again!

Not sure what you mean by refining the build process? But yes I will keep building more as time permits...

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: TurboGraf-16 and PC-Engine Physical Homebrew Releases]

awesome work ! can't wait to release an homebrew game using this project !
how will we program the flash on the card by the way ?

Right now I'm using a TL866CS eeprom programmer. Eventually I'd like to make a small Teensy project to burn the games.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: TurboGraf-16 and PC-Engine Physical Homebrew Releases]

Major update! PCBs are in and tested, looking good! Video and full story in link below!

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbcardfunctionalprototypewith3dprintedplasticholder

Now the next major obstacle is to mold the plastic holder for quantity production.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: TurboGraf-16 and PC-Engine Physical Homebrew Releases]

How close to original do you think the final product will look? Will people make repros using these and try to pass them off as legit?

I just received my prototype plastic which will serve as the PCB Holder for dbCards. While the shape will be identical, it will be impossible to pass off my products as legit copies. I know I can't prevent people from making repros, but the true intent here is to allow new games to be made by small devs. Here's a picture of my plastic prototype compared to a real HuCard:



Some major differences are:

• Plastic type, colour and texture are different
• dbCards include two mounting posts to align PCB
• Area available for game sticker is smaller than most HuCards
• My PCBs aren't in yet to demonstrate, but they will be green as opposed to black on originals
• On original HuCards, there is a plastic lip near the connectors, on my dbCards, the PCB will extend all the way to the edge.
• etc...

btw, PCBs have shipped, I expect to receive them in the coming 2 weeks!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: An alternative to region-modding your PC Engine]

It should be noted that db is now actually selling this thing... so it has transitioned from interweb discussion into something that can be inserted into your OBEY... for MORE OBEY.

Yes, this = truth!

http://www.db-elec.com/home/products

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

I've decided to go for a second PCB spin before releasing. I'm adding S-Video support and improving a few other aspects of the current design (for instance, I've notice a slight flaw on my SYNC circuit). Anyway, nothing major...

In the meantime, I took a screenshot of CVBS and RGB for you guys. Surprisingly, the CVBS video straight from the console looks very sharp on my Trinitron - it's light-years beyond CVBS from any Nintendo or Sega console.

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/preliminarycomparisonofcvbsvsrgbondbgrafxboosterttp

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: TurboGraf-16 and PC-Engine Physical Homebrew Releases]

Project update: all ROM sizes now loading correctly on dbCards!

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbcardturbografx-16homebrewflashcartprototypefullyworking

Now that the electronics portion is working, I will focus on making the next rev more consumer friendly - i.e. look and feel more like a real HuCard. More to come!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: An alternative to region-modding your PC Engine]

I'm curious but where your Hucard socket come from ?
Thanks.

That's the hard part ain't it? I banged my head a few times before figuring out a workable and affordable solution.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

What will the price be for this?

Still evaluating this. I'll also probably offer different versions (i.e. one without RGB) for people who don't want it in order to reduce cost for those units.

Also looking into adding S-Video support...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

these will fly off the shelves! Thanks for the hard work!

Looks like I'll need to get some shelves!

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: TurboGraf-16 and PC-Engine Physical Homebrew Releases]

There is a simple casing solution in the works. As for pricing, it's dependant on ROM size; I'll most likely have hard support for 1Mbit, 2Mbit, 4Mbit and 8Mbit. ROMs smaller than 1Mbit will simply underutilize the 1Mbit chip - though I'll just say that Flash memory is pretty damn cheap so the price will be very good.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / TurboGraf-16 and PC-Engine Physical Homebrew Releases]

Hi Guys,

Aside from the db Grafx Booster TTP which I got working today, I also made much progress on this project:

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbcardturbografx-16homebrewflashcart4mbitprototypetestedandworking

dbCards will allow homebrew to have a physical release at a very affordable price. More to come as more develop and troubleshooting takes place!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

That's pretty cool. Is there plans for an outer shell?

Yes absolutely! That's why there's four screw-holes in the board. I'm getting those in next week but I was too excited about the Booster working that I had to share right away!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine]

Hi guys, here's my latest creation - a sort of TurboBooster clone focusing video output for both TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine.

To be released very soon!

wayback.db-elec.com/home/News/dbgrafxboosterttptestedandfullyoperational

The db Grafx Booster TTP (Twin Turbo Power) is a sort of Turbo Booster clone but without the memory features; it strictly focuses on the A/V output of the TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine. The name Twin Turbo Power comes from the fact that the db Grafx Booster adds two video output capabilities to the TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine: CVBS video (i.e. the yellow cable) and RGB SCART. It also gives TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine owners the ability to hear their games in glorious stereo audio!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: An alternative to region-modding your PC Engine]

When will these be available! I'm totally wanting one awesome work by the way, it's good to see and know that peeps are still making retro systems playability better and better!

Hopefully very soon, all I need is for my PCE to arrive and I can start testing these devices as I build them. I'll post here when the first batch is up for sale.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: All in one Turbo-to-PCE converter (and vice-versa)]

I would get this if the green pcb didn't stick out of the console. Is there a way to make it flush?

We need to fit two HuCard-sized objects in there for this to work - first the converter and second the game. It's not really feasible to stack them vertically perfectly because then the converter would be EXTREMELY tall in order to clear the console. Therfore, it has to stick out of the console.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: An alternative to region-modding your PC Engine]

Credits to Ishiyakazuo for the algorithm development! I'm excited for my PCe to arrive so that I can start testing and building more PC-Henshin Turbos!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

I have tried one of the convertors DB is making and it worked awesome for the import games, but my friend and I had no luck with Super System card 3.0 or Arcade Pro card. Decided to go full region mod on mine after we determined this

That's odd because I've heard from numerous other clients that the Super System Card 3.0 was compatible with my converter. No one, to my knowledge, had tested with the Arcade Pro Card yet - though if I remember correctly it also doesn't work with other converters.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

I'm going to have more for sale very soon, I like to think that my converters are not outrageously priced!

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

Does every single pin on the cartridge bus get routed to the connector (ie. 1-for-1, even though 8 of them are in a different order) ?

I routed every single line to the HuCard on my design.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

My guess is that the Arcade Pro Card checks the region bit in bit 6 of the I/O register - this is the fabled grounding of pin 29 mod (pin 29 being read in bit 6 of the I/O register).

If the Arcade Pro Card does in fact work on a system with the pin 29 mod it would confirm this hypothesis...

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

Does work on PC engines?

No, PC Engine games do a region check in software, my converter cannot patch that.

I do not believe this is true, most converters and switches work on PC Engines but you have to ground a pin on one of the chips inside the system. Your converter might work, just try to find info on which pin and give it a test!

Sorry it's the other way around, my mistake, TG-16 games do a software read of the pin you speak of and detect whether or not they are running on a US or JAP console.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

Good question!

This project is part of a global domination scheme! Haha no!

Actually, this project is part of a larger group of projects which I am working on for the TG-16. I needed to test whether or not adding a propagational delay on the databus had adverse affect - old ROM chips are pretty slow and I was worried that more delay might be bad. These chips cost pennies, are fun to solder, and once I created the PCB I didn't bother to make a new one without the ICs because I am always short on time!

Also, to prove a simple point that I can make a product with 2 PCBs, a custom connector, take the time to solder it by hand, include 3 ICs, and not charge an arm and a leg...

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

This is pretty cool.  Will you be offering these for sale anywhere but eBay?

Yes, when I find the time to do so I would like to setup a simple store front on my website. I guess someone could always request a purchase through email and I'd send invoicing through Paypal if someone was looking to avoid eBay...

Right now, eBay is giving me alot of exposure (at the expense of their OUTRAGEOUS final price fees!) so it's not all bad.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Re: New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

Does work on PC engines?

No, PC Engine games do a region check in software, my converter cannot patch that.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / New Homemade PCe to TurboGrafx-16 Converter]

Hey guys, just wanted to show you all my creation:

wayback://db-elec.com/home/pc-engine-to-turbografx16-converter

https://www.amazon.com/Turbo-PC-Henshin-Mod-Less-Region-Converter/dp/B07CVLJ42Z/

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

I added a couple of pictures of the converter with SF2 on my website to better answer your questions. Check it out:

http://www.db-elec.com/home/pc-engine-to-turbografx16-converter

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

I have Street Fighter 2, it works in the converter. I can make an updated video if you'd like?

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB - Sega Genesis Power Base Converter]

Will more of the Power Base Convertors be made available?  I planned on getting one but SAG appears to have run out...

I'm currently building 100 more units for Stone Age Gamer, I should be done this weekend - if all goes he'll have those by the end of next week. Then of course he has to put them in shells, make labels, etc... give it a couple of weeks and they'll be for sale again.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

Yeah I'm also beginning to wonder if I should just remove the switch and have the user pull out the converter when you play a US game. Either way, the switch and ICs to reverse the databus are not contributing much to the cost.

I get my PCBs made at http://smart-prototyping.com/index.php?route=common/home. I've ordered over 1000 boards of different designs from them without a hitch. Turnaround is pretty quick too, I think 3 weeks is the max it ever took to get a batch of boards at my doorstep.

The one drawback from Smart-Prototyping, when it comes to the TG-16, is that they don't make 0.093" thick board (which is the thickness of the HuCard).

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Any value to making a converter to play US games on Japanese consoles?]

Not really, because JAP games already work on TG-16, so if a converter can make all consoles look like US consoles then it would be agnostic to the voltage level on pin 29. You can even go a step further and read the region of the game on the header and set the particular region value accordingly (which is, I'm sure, how the Turbo Everdrive does it).

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Any value to making a converter to play US games on Japanese consoles?]

Isn't the TurboEverdrive completely region free?

A converter would have to detect when the code is trying to read the region bit in the IO register and change the compare value from '1' to '0' to fool the console. It's like a game genie really...

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB - Sega Genesis Power Base Converter]

They sell out too damn fast right now. I can barely keep up (I unfortunately also work a full-time outside of making electronics).

I should have more available in about 2 weeks or so - status to be updated on my website.

I'm also working on a mod-less RGB SCART adapter for the PCe/TG-16, hopefully this will be successful as well!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / MOD - Any value to making a converter to play US games on Japanese consoles?]

There's alot of talk about homemade converters to play Japanese games on US consoles - I've made a semi-professional one myself...

But what about the reverse? Is there any value to creating a modless means to play US games on a Japanese console? I know there are mods you can do to achieve this, but some people are weary of cutting up their consoles - or like myself - want to keep my consoles in original condition.

Thoughts?

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB - Sega Genesis Power Base Converter]

The only real upgrade is that it now fits in a Genesis shell. For the rest, I just changed to a more readily available connector, changed the switch to the right side to accommodate 90% of the population, and used a longer shaft switch so that it could be pressed from outside the shell.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB - Sega Genesis Power Base Converter]

I'm developing some new hardware for the TurboGrafx-16 now.

Sorry to see you're parting ways with your Power Base Converter.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

Send me an e-mail and we'll discuss it further...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: MOD - Homemade converters]

Bulk pricing? Or just a one off?