Messages

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R C884 value?]

10uf 16v. Got it.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R C884 value?]

About thirty cents.

Ba-dum-tisss.

OK. I am seriously still laughing....

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Duo-R C884 value?]

Can any of you guys tell me the value of Cap 884 in a Duo-R? Thanks!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Update 7805 to OKI-78SR-5 for heat reduction]

Well, I wasn't referring to leaking caps obviously. Leaking caps can damage other things. I have yet to see any  damage of any kind caused by the original 7805s. If they no longer work then of course you should change them but if they work I see no point.

Heat. The point is to eliminate (reduce) heat output. Heat is not really good for electronics, and you have two voltage regulators right at the sound circuit. Those 7805s are terrible as they are extremely inefficient and produce a ridiculous amount of heat. You could remove them both along with their heatsinks and seriously reduce just how hot the area gets during operation. Replace the caps is still an obvious part of Duo longevity, and I honestly think replacing the voltage regulators should be as well - despite the fact I haven't done it yet on mine.

I am rather shocked that you guys would oppose this, honestly. To me, it is a "duh. You obviously should do this" operation, and I am also shocked people haven't done it already. It is quite cheap and eliminates heat. Win-win

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Update 7805 to OKI-78SR-5 for heat reduction]

...heat...issues...?

my thoughts exactly

from the two 7805 near the sound circuit

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Update 7805 to OKI-78SR-5 for heat reduction]

I have done this on several of my consoles and figured the Turbo Duo was a no brainer. I just haven't done it yet. In fact, a Turbo Duo may benefit the most out of all consoles due to the heat issues it is known for. I may even do a temperature experiment with my unit and take measurements before and after the change and report here whenever I do the mod. One of you will most likely beat me to it.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R - Disc read issues, yellow HuCard screens, corrupt graphics]

So, it's not your connector but a dying Huc.

At least for Legend of Valkyrie. Guess it was a coincidence that the HuCard I grabbed to test and "knew it worked" after the cards that arrived with the system had problems...didn't technically work, itself.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R - Disc read issues, yellow HuCard screens, corrupt graphics]

for the Huc glitches, I'll go for reflowing Hu ic's, ram and connection port

Tried the same game that was glitching inside another console with the same results.

Haven't had to open a card before. I'll give the connectors one last scrub before desperate measures.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R - Disc read issues, yellow HuCard screens, corrupt graphics]

Sticky Hucards are a pain in the ass.  It took me 10 minutes of cleaning with a Qtip and rubbing alcohol to get fully clean.  Sounds like your Hucard connector has some goop in it.  You can use the coffee filter trick to try to clean it (wrap a coffee filter soaked in alcohol around a hucard and plug it in and out of the console).

Yeah. Probably a "first stop" as far as that goes. May have to goo gone them first and then use some rubbing alcohol. We'll see how bad it is.

It wasn't a Doujin Dance. It was just a random seller.

IMO its a myth that the Duo-Rs are more reliable.  I think this is just due to them not using the bad caps on it.  The Duo has a higher quality PCB than the Duo-r so after a recap and board cleaning, I would think the normal Duo would be the better system in terms of reliability.

Interesting. I used to think both always needed a recap. Then I read (in multiple places/forums) that "No. No. Just the regular Duo is bad and needs a recap." I can't help but wonder if you're right and it is just a myth.

I'll start with the obligatory cleaning and see how it goes...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Duo-R - Disc read issues, yellow HuCard screens, corrupt graphics]

Hey all -

Lots of irony here. Scored a Duo-R to replace my re-capped, lens-adjusted, otherwise-perfectly-fine Duo due to the Duo-R's "reliability." I figured I would go ahead and make that move before bothering to RGB mod a machine.

The Duo-R arrived from Japan yesterday, and here are the current issues. I just wanted to list them all and what I plan to do & see if you guys have anything to chime in about -

1: Moody lens. Mostly doesn't want to read discs - be they games or audio discs. "Set disc" and "load error" have popped up. Managed to get one audio disc to spin...and that resulted in tons of static during playback and eventual failure. Perhaps a little rail clean/re-grease will do it.

Caps aren't really an issue in the Duo-R like the Duo, right?

2: Most of the Hucard games that came with it boot to a solid yellow screen. I pulled out my copy of Legend of Valkyrie and it worked...however corrupted graphics started to display after awhile. Clean the HuCard port...or worry about more than just that?

The plastic sleeves on the HuCards that came with the unit are VERY sticky. I think perhaps this sat in a hot warehouse for 1+ week before it shipped to me.

I hope to get to it later today. Thought I would drop this message on the pcenginefx guys here and see what you thought. Hopefully it is just a case of some standard maintenance. The Duo I recapped also required some trace repair. I hope none of that is awaiting me inside the Duo-R.

Thanks!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: REPAIR GUIDE - TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo/R/RX: Laser Swap & Adjustment Guide]

Seems slightly better. I still have some issues on the later tracks. The spin speed slows on the later tracks, and it seems like the cd gets a slight wobble (when viewed straight on from side of disc) when laser is on the outside tracks.

Thanks for your help.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: REPAIR GUIDE - TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo/R/RX: Laser Swap & Adjustment Guide]

I made an error in my explanation. Instead of the 30%-50% mark being the entire range of the issue, it is actually the approximate starting range where the issue becomes noticeable - the worst being the 100% (last tracks on the disc). Audible laser/lens noise can be heard at about the 50% mark of the disc (smallest degree of focus struggle, perhaps?) The further out on the disc it goes, the more issues it has. If I test the last track, it starts bouncing one or two tracks back and skips a few seconds/chunk of seconds/minute or two forward/backward.

The gears and rods appear to transport the lens OK from what I can tell. I applied the smallest bit of white lithium (spray) to them last night, however I do not think it made a difference.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: REPAIR GUIDE - TurboDuo/PC Engine Duo/R/RX: Laser Swap & Adjustment Guide]

Did a full cap replacement on my Turbo Duo and am gearing up to do my first laser adjustment. Out of the gate, the laser reads audio CD TOC, fires up the first track, plays well, and can track across the disk OK. That probably saves me a lot of pot tweaking.

It seems like the disc and laser might be making contact somewhere between the 30%-50% mark of the disc (inside ring being 0% and outside edge of disc being 100%). After getting a few tracks in, I can hear the disc making contact with something - which alters the rhythm of the spin.

If I track to the end of the disc, I can see what appears to be the laser either "bouncing off" of the disc or having major issues attempting to focus on the track. It spits out several seconds of severely distorted audio, and then returns to center.

I will probably attempt to tweak it today, but I welcome any thoughts from you guys that have done tweaks before. I haven't decided if I want to go to the trouble of hooking my oscilloscope up to it or not. 

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Hey Duo_R -

No updates on the guide. I collected a lot of information, got sidetracked in messing with SCART/Component video options for various consoles...and then had Hurricane Ike hit. ....someday...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Wireless TurboPads: Feasible?]

Hey 2X4.

That would really be a useful controller hack to have - wireless PCE. The problem is that the wireless part has to be designed for the console rather than the controller. If you hacked a PSX controller into bits and put them inside a PCE controller case, you would still essentially have a playstation controller in a new shell. Unless you have that converter that guyjin mentioned, you'll be in trouble when you attempt to hook it up to your PCE.

 

In theory, I don't see you having too much trouble getting the d-pad, select, start, X and O buttons of the PSX controller to line up with the appropriate PCE buttons. The question would be how do you hook up your switches for "turbo." It could be that the PSX-> PCE converter is designed so the L and R buttons cycle the turbo settings for PCE buttons II and I. That being the case, you may have to get creative when it comes to converting the turbo switches to work like you're hitting the L and R buttons on the PSX controller.

OR.....you could just not care about the turbo buttons.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TURBO DUO SOUND FIX!! (56k beware)]

Hey nat -

No. I just grabbed all the caps in the area just to be on the safe side. The only ones Radio Shack didn't carry were the 330uf (x 2) that are not labeled in the picture.
....plus I just got a new soldering station & was dying to try it out. 

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TURBO DUO SOUND FIX!! (56k beware)]

This thread has been a great resource. Thank you to all that contributed. It made repairing the sound issues with my Duo seem like child's play.

For the record, I replace the main caps mentioned in the images earlier in the page, but those weren't enough. As a general rule of thumb, it is probably a good idea to replace all your caps in that amp area - this has been mentioned before, but I just wanted to repeat it. That said, I'll give you the extra details on my issue.

I was experiencing somewhat crackling audio of the CD playback during the first minute or two of gameplay. It would clear up after that & seem just fine. In addition to the caps mentioned earlier in this page, I replace four other caps:

100 uf 10V
220 uf 16V
470 uf 16V
1000 uf 16V

Each were replaced with Radio Shack caps (I believe they're all 35V). The early crackle went away, and it seems like I had a much wider frequency range of playback (i.e. bass was much clearer). I have marked those caps on the "cap map." I hope those that created this image don't mind my modification:

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Picture request - entire shot of the back of TG16 + CD]

Thanks, Michael. It kinda gives me a rough idea....
I'm gonna keep my eyes open for a shot of the back. Appreciate your help!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Picture request - entire shot of the back of TG16 + CD]

Hey everyone -

Can someone supply me with or point me to a clear picture of the back of a TG16 with the CD connected to the expansion port?
I know it is an odd question, but it would help me with a mod I am planning. I need to know how much real estate I have back there with a CD attachment connected to the back.

Thanks!
CK

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Has anyone used the AD724 chip for S-Video?]

Hey all -

I was just wondering if any of you had tried messing with the AD724 for S-Video output from a Turbo console and what the end results were.

Thanks!
CK

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Those of you that ordered from Mouser or Digi-key or wherever, would you mind posting your part numbers that you used when ordering? If you have the e-mail or invoice filed away somewhere, do you mind dusting it off.

I am going to try to put together that S-Video FAQ and it might get paired with a how-to depending on how ambitious I am. Since I am going to gear this toward Turbo consoles, I might as well take the time to modify mine as I write the guide.

After I get a good idea of part numbers, I will probably order those exact numbers and then use them in the FAQ to make it easier on those that need a grocery list.

I personally started filling up a cart on digi-key...but I don't know if that is the route I want to go or not.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Alright. That's it. I'm writing an S-Video mod FAQ for multiple consoles - starting with the Turbo/PC-Engine. It's about time one gets made. I've been running around newsgroups, google, neogeo.com, atariage, benheck, and now pcenginefx too much.

If someone knows of one that has already been made, please let me know and I'll save myself some time.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Has anyone thought about designing a board for this and getting it printed? It would certainly help keep things neat and tidy when putting the board together.

It may also be helpful to have a "video game S-Video" FAQ as it seems there are plenty of systems you can use that 1645 with. I don't know if there is a FAQ out there yet or not. ....maybe I'll write one. I would be very tempted to fill it full of anti-1145 propaganda, though. I can't stand that chip....

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Got a Japanese Turbo Duo and some games. Have questions.]

nat - I am tempted to put your "Hamlet's thoughts on Compile - by nat" quote in my signature.

runinruder - Excellent pull! Man....I am tempted to just start my own Compile website. You might say I am tempted to compile a Compile website. .....wow. That was terrible. In any case - there should be a better "go to" resource for Compile. I pretty much have to just jump around to get my information (though Hardcore Gaming 101's write-up is useful).

Tatsujin - Ahhhhhhhh. You've got to find that CD! You don't have a box or storage bin somewhere that contains your "Tokyo game show stuff," do you? Do you recall picking up anything odd from the show that may have that CD stored with it? i.e. you picked up a few famicom games and stored them with your famicom stuff and that CD got tossed with it? Or maybe you put it inside an empty Turbo Duo, Sega CD, PSX case, etc...for safe keeping? You have a 3 disc RPG here somewhere....and inside the case is the Compile CD. It's taking up the forth spot usually occupied by only the manual....?

...just trying to help you think where it might be....

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Got a Japanese Turbo Duo and some games. Have questions.]

Goodness gracious - I'd have to sell my car if I wanted to buy Sylphia!

Tatsujin - Negative. It is sad that the company is gone now, and resources seem to be scattered everywhere across the globe. You've got the websites for companies founded by former employees plus fan sites that are based out of various places in Europe (Like this one for shooters). I am sure that official list is somewhere. Wish I had it saved. There actually are a fair amount of games to collect. If you go after various releases of the same game across different platforms and countries, you have a LOT of work to do. I have so much collecting in front of me, it is crazy.

I should have saved a list rather than assume it would always be there (on the net). That official list is "officially" 404'ed for me at the moment.

Interesting to note that Sylphia - a game I didn't pursue due to the lack of information out there for it compared to say...Zanac or Aleste - is actually a subject of a debate among various people. Is it or is it not a Compile game? Weird....

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Got a Japanese Turbo Duo and some games. Have questions.]

Carbon Tiger - Thanks for the write-up. That is a lot of good information. I remember seeing something about Neotopia. It was probably a post on a message forum and was most likely pcenginefx. I like your term "stupidly overpriced." There are a lot of items on ebay that fetch way too much money. People on message boards tend to be a lot more fair than ebay when it comes to buy/sell/trade. The ironic thing is that message boards oftentimes contribute to the hype that causes prices to go up on ebay. It's a funny thing - this internet world of ours.

If a game exists in English, I wouldn't mind trying to land the English version. Of course when games go for that much money, it is tough to fork over the cash for something you plan to give a try.

So I'm still trying to figure out exactly how you feel about YsIV. j/k. Seriously though - That English patch thing sounds really cool. Roms get patches all the time, but it's not like people can write out their own ROM to play a NES or SNES game or something on the official hardware. Patching an RPG for English and then loading it up on the "real thing" sounds totally sweet.

I actually do own Valis 3, but it is for Genesis. Is there much of a difference?

That's quite a list you provided. Appreciate it - once again.

Necromancer - Like what I saw/experienced with Blazing Lazers. I must have done my research before I picked up the game since I bought it when I didn't even have a system to play it on yet! (At the time)

Tatsujin - Sylphia, eh? Wikipedia kinda sucks as far as Turbo stuff is concerned. I usually try it out first before simply hitting google. Sylphia looks gorgeous. If the animation & gameplay match the art style, this one looks like a winner. It already gets the pre-approved thumbs up from me since the name "Compile" is associated with it.

There sure are a lot of turbo games that had a great palette. That was actually one thing that made me do more investigation into TD - the colors. Some of the games remind me of the Sega Genesis...except with much better use of color (and hardware color capability).

And what a unique concept for a shooter game! Perhaps I just haven't seen them all, but fairy shooter doesn't seem like it has its own sub-genre yet.

Ninja Spirit - I'm a guy that likes to buy games both to play and collect. I don't really go after emulated hardware or software, really. I don't leech all my games etc. Now that said...I did let curiosity get to me & "acquired" Rondo of Blood as I knew about its popularity long before I picked up any NEC hardware. Wow! I am adding this to my "must buy" list. The only issue is the continuous search to find it for a good price. I was hoping the PSP release would drive the cost down. I'm going to keep my eye out.

Rondo has really enjoyable music. I found myself turning up the volume quite a bit while playing, and the game just looks incredible. One thing I did find out when I fired it up today though (and started at a loud volume) - my Duo seems to take a bit to "warm up" and clear up that redbook audio. Guess I have some capacitors to replace, eh?

One last thought to share after seeing your name - I also own Ninja Spirit. Do I need to add it to the "to play" list? The list seems to grow longer each day.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Got a Japanese Turbo Duo and some games. Have questions.]

Wow! Talk about shock.

You guys aren't going to believe this (and I am embarrassed to admit it), but I actually HAVE Blazing Lazers! I acquired a few games from a member of another forum a while back. I actually got them before the TG16 got here. Well I pulled them out and what do you know but BL was jammed in there with them! (5 games...no case. All are in baseball card like plastic sleeves).

It's game time.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Got a Japanese Turbo Duo and some games. Have questions.]

Great information, guys. Thanks.

I figured there were probably some general recommendation threads of some sort. Wanted to let everyone in on where I stand - what games I picked up so far, etc.

It's really good to hear that gunhed/bl is good. Compile has never let me down. I recently played Zanac Neo for the Japanese PS1 & wow! What a throwback to classic style...yet with updated graphics and animation.

nat - You've guilted me. I should own it. Haha! Recent purchases were this Turbo Duo and an MSX2. I'll bump BL up on the priority list. Is it fairly hard to come by "boxed" complete TG16 games? I suppose that is more of a general question, but I wouldn't mind getting an elite-complete copy of BL since it falls into my Compile collecting realm.

SignOfZeta - Definitely appreciate your recommendations. pcengine-fx.com was one of the first places I hit up when I started looking into NEC consoles. Seems like one should get a degree for memorizing The compatibility guide. I knew acquiring a U.S. turbo was probably the easiest (and cheapest) way to get started. It's good to get your input on where I stand on the compatibility front at the moment.

esteban - Ahh man. They should have you doing commercials for these games. Very nice descriptions.

And looks like Gate of Thunder and Lords of Thunder are universal winners.

Thanks for the input, guys. My wallet is weeping.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Got a Japanese Turbo Duo and some games. Have questions.]

Hey all -

My NEC console experience started just recently. I picked up an original, U.S, barebones TurboGrafx-16 a few months ago. I didn't get the best set of games with it, but I did get some I enjoy - two of these being Alien Crush and Devil's Crush.

So flash forward to today - I scored a Japanese Turbo Duo with some games. Some games...I don't really know anything about. I don't know Japanese, and that doesn't help with these games. That's okay though...as I am sure there are plenty "don't need to read text" games out there that are worth playing.

Here is the list of games -
Populous The Promised Lands
<something> Neo Metal Fantasy
Aya Psychic Detective Series vol 3
Legend of Heroes II
F1 Project
Psychic Storm

Some of those have heavy reading. Psychic Storm is one of those "pick up the controller and go go go" games. Do I need to pick up English versions of any of those games mentioned? I'm all ears.

I also picked up a HuCard game - Wonder Momo. I already knew about this one and picked it up due to its "uniqueness."

Other questions:
1: Has anyone played the game Gunhed or Blazing Lazers? I've recently started collecting Compile games & have yet to experience that one (or "those two" depending on how different they are between the U.S. release of B.L. & the Japanese release of Gunhed)
2: While I am not all that familiar with Valis, are there any versions of that worth picking up?

If anyone wants to post their personal "Japanese Duo? Well then you've got to play...." list, please feel free. I am a big side scroller guy, and I obviously like the vertical scrollers if I am collecting Compile games. I'm an RPG guy at heart, but I can't do much with the Japanese language unless this thing plays U.S. CD games as well.

One last question - Do I have all the bases covered? Do I need a U.S. Turbo Duo as well or am I set with a Japanese Duo and U.S. TG16?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: RGB to S-video]

Hey flooby.

I am certainly not an authority in this area by any means. As far as the TG16 is concerned, I have owned one for less than a week at this point. That said, I'll get the ball rolling in this thread before some of the other guys come to your rescue.

Which RGB to S-Video converter are you using? You said "commercial pre-made" - is it internal or external? If is is external and you are pulling the RGB information directly from the video chip, you would certainly need to amp your RGB signals as they are not up to spec. I saw that you posted in the "complete DUO S-Video mod" thread and mentioned acquiring CXA1645 chips. Did you see the link that nat provided to this page? It mentions building the amp for each signal. With that up to spec, your converter would probably convert it naturally.

As for your brightness issue - I do not think sync would cause you to have a darker picture. I would think if the sync signal wasn't good enough it would either look "weird" or the picture would roll. Someone else can clear that part up for you.

Here's a link to another gamesx page - Adding RGB.

Hope some of that helps. I am sure some of the other guys here will jump in and help.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Oh awesome. Things are looking good so far...

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Hey D-Lite, thanks for your input. Looks like pcenginefx has a really great community here.

So did you use an LM1881 to pull out your c-sync? Seems like it is a useful chip to have around.

Do you know what "state" the TG16 RGB circuit is in at the point it reaches the expansion connector? I know that all these video game consoles liked to put some components in the SCART cables rather than have each RGB output be ready to plug. The Genesis output needs a 75 ohm resister and 220 uf cap before it hits "standard" RGB output. My external converter most likely expects the signal to be "pre 75 / 220" as it plugs directly into the Genesis DIN port, so my experiment requires I essentially match the native RGB output of a Genesis in order to use the adapter.

Any thoughts?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

I've actually talked via e-mail once before with D-Lite. I had some bad luck with the CXA1145 chip in my Model1 Genesis...

Hmmm....the Genesis uses a single composite sync that carries the combined Horizontal and Vertical Sync information rather than the separate sync info like the TG supplies. I assume these can be combined by tying them together - possibly with some resistors in the mix. Not certain.

Is that expansion connector a "standard connector" of any one type by chance? I don't have the TG16 yet. I look forward to getting it and investigating mod possibilities. That's quite a bit of useful signals on that expansion connector.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: complete DUO S-Video mod]

Odd place for my first post, but -

I just bought into the TG16 world for the first time this week. The original U.S. TG16 should arrive any day now. It's pretty exciting. I have never owned a TG16 OR played a TG16. I remember the commercials for it - going to Babbage's and seeing it out on display. Never played it.

That day will come to an end soon as it gets added to the collection of game consoles and games. One thing I make a hobby is improving video output of VG consoles. I'm not a guru in the area at all - I just have an interest in it.

nat - I would like to hear about your experience modding the core TG-16. I have an external RGB -> S-Video solution for the Sega Genesis, and I wouldn't mind rigging up a cable on the TG-16 that allows it to use the Genesis adapter. I am not sure if the level of RGB output is the same for the TG16 compared to the Genesis or not. If so, it should be an easy mod.

Look forward to talking TG video output with you guys,
CK