Topics

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Help with the RGB Amp (mickcris) - PC Engine Duo]

I picked up an RGB amp + 8Pin DIN + SCART cable from mickcris and needed some help with it. I'm pretty convinced that mickcris sells exceptionally well made stuff, so I'm assuming the problem may be on my end.

So I followed the standard procedure and tapped RGB from the HuC6260 chip, wired the signal through the provided RGB amp, and coursed the signal through to the 8Pin DIN I also got from mickcris. (See below)



The signal comes through, but these are my problems:

INTERFERENCE: there seems to be a bit of scrolling interference. Like snowy waves scrolling up and down. I'm using a switching generic power adaptor that outputs 9v, and I'm aware that the PAD-124 (official NEC power supply) needed 10v. I just ordered a PAD-124 and when it arrives, i can check back to be sure. But does anyone know if there may be another fix besides the power supply? Anyone had a similar problem?



GHOSTING: There also seems to be some problems with the integrity and clarity of the pixels? I also have a SEGA MD/Genesis which outputs in RGB, and comparing both MD & PCE Duo seems like night and day. Let me first say that I know that composite is much worse and the signal I get from RGB is much cleaner, so I'm not being ungrateful for this newfound clarity - RGB is amazing. But what I get on the Sega MD is pixel-perfect sharpness and incredible clarity, nearly like playing on an emulator into a monitor. The PCE Duo seems "ghostier" and I want to know if it's that: 1. The PCE's image processing for RGB isn't as good as the MD; 2. Are there capacitors on the board that need to be replaced (I already did a cap replacement on many of these old caps)?; 3. Could it be something with the components from mickcris?



SCART CABLE PROBLEMS: So I followed the photos and instructions given by mickcris and wired the right pins as properly as I could, but for some reason the SCART cable I got from mickcris doesn't work. I used another SCART cable I purchase from an eBay seller (retro_console_accessories) who provided me with my Sega MD/Genesis SCART cable. That cable works, and so I assume that the RGB pinout aligns with mickcris' pinout in his instructions. Sound and image both come out fine (with the noise interference of course). But it seems like the SCART cable from mickcris won't work. I followed his B-G-R label (see the 1st photo) from the instructions, so it's strange that another seller's SCART works, but his doesn't. Any help with possible differences in RGB 8pin DIN layout?

Any help would be most appreciated. Mickcris has been very helpful thus far, and he is a trusted member of this community. He advised me to post it here to get a discussion going and possibly find out where the problem lies through discussion. Thanks, everyone!!

[Buy/Sell/Trade / WTB/LF: CD Denjin: Rockabilly Paradise (MANUAL ONLY)]

Hello everyone!!

I'm in need of a manual for CD DENJIN - ROCKABILLY PARADISE (PCE).

For reference, this is the game:


It doesn't need to be in perfect condition. Just a decent copy will be fine.
If anyone has a copy lying around, please send me a pm!

Thanks so much!

[Buy/Sell/Trade / LF: New Adventure Island (manual only)]

Hey everyone!

I'm currently looking for a New Adventure Island manual (TG-16), and have been for several years now. eBay tends to inflate these quite a bit, and I'd much rather find one from people I sort of know better. I've (mostly) been happy with all the purchases I've made on items from the members, so I want to try to see if I can find one here. 

I do have the TurboChip already, and have owned this since I bought it as a kid. All I'm looking for is the manual.

Payment will be made via PayPal.
Delivery can be to either New York, US, or to Manila, Philippines. Seller's choice of the two as whichever is more convenient.

More details to follow when an offer presents itself.

For any questions, please post here, or message me directly for any offers or further inquiries.
Thanks to the mods & everyone again for allowing the post!

[Buy/Sell/Trade / WTB: Neutopia 1 & 2 [TG-16] (game + case + manual)]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently in the market for a copy of Neutopia [TG-16] and Neutopia 2 [TG-16]. I refuse to be gouged on eBay (>$38), so I wanted first to check here from people I trust (most of them, at least ).

So if any of you have a copy of these games, with at least the CD case and manual, please post back here or send me a personal/direct message with an offer. I'm a reasonable guy (as some people here who've dealt with me can attest to) so as long as the price and terms are fine, I'll be happy to deal with you.

Delivery to: NEW YORK, US (zip:11377) or MANILA, PHILIPPINES (zip:1219)
 (whichever is cheaper or more convenient overall)

Payment Terms: Paypal (upon mutual agreement of the sale + shipping price).

Hope to hear from anyone who might be able to help.

Cheers! O:)

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / My Custom "Chibi" Richter Belmont Figure]

My latest custom figure: A "Chibi" Richter Belmont Figure


Using a Ryu figure from the kidrobot Street Fighter collection as a base, I painted an appropriately basic Richter Belmont vestment on top of it. The bandana was the one thing that caught my eye at the store (thanks to Secret Fresh, Manila!), and I knew that the transformation would be easy to accomplish with the proper colors & details.

Of course, no Richter Belmont figure would be complete without his trusty Vampire Killer. He may be a wee 4 year-old in these photos, but that family heirloom of a spiked ball & chain would definitely pique his curiosity sooner or later. This particular Vampire Killer is from the NECA produced Castlevania figure of Simon Belmont.

At least, even with figures, the Vampire Killer is still only passed among Belmonts...

-----
*Side note:
When I was post this piece of a little, kiddie Richter, I noticed how they could be photos from Richter's 4th birthday party, when he got his blue vestments. I then wondered when exactly Richter's game was released. So I checked wikipedia...

It's quite quaint that I complete a little kid version of my favorite vampire hunter, because today is the eve of his 18th birthday. No joke. On October 29, 1993, "Akumajo Dracula: Chi No Rondo" was released on the PC-Engine in Japan. I don't believe in coincidences.

Funny thing, this Fate, huh?

Happy birthday, Richter!



 Mrs. Belmont: "Look at him. Isn't he just the sweetest?"
 Richter: "MOM!"
 Mrs. Belmont: "It's okay, honey. These nice people just want to take a look at you in your birthday costume."
 Richter: "Okay. But they don't have permission to  touch my Vampire Killer.."



Mrs. Belmont: "Although he rarely uses it to play with, the Family's heirloom dagger is pretty much a sword for the little.."
Richter: "MOM!"
Mrs. Belmont: "..big! Big boy."

 

Mrs. Belmont: "He likes his bandana tight. Says it helps him fight monsters tougher."


/img2079j.jpg

Mrs. Belmont: "He always wants his glove on the hand that holds his Vampire Killer. Superstitious, I guess. And at only 4 years old!" (laughs)



Mrs. Belmont: "Whup, there he goes doing that pose again."



Mrs. Belmont: "He's been doing that pose ever since he got hold of our family's Vampire Killer; left hand high up in the air, clenching his teeth & being all tough. And it's always by a cliff, or a sheer wall. Almost as if he's on an adventure he hasn't yet begun."



Richter: "Mom! My Vampire Killer's stuck on the tree again.."
Mrs. Belmont: "You still have a lot to learn, little Rick. A lot to learn..."

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / My Custom Richter Belmont Figure]

Last year, my fascination & appreciation for the Castlevania series went into high gear, especially with the release of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood on the Virtual Console. And, with my recent hunger for many things Castlevania, I also acquired four Castlevania figures that were released from the highly-detailed action figure company, NECA. These were Simon Belmont, Dracula, Alucard & Succubus.

But, my fix was not quite sated, since my favorite Belmont was Richter, the hero from Rondo of Blood, and this figure was never ever made. Some custom jobs had been done in the past (some quite good), but a figure was never commercially made and sold. So, after scouring around for some old figures & elements to use, and using a bit of my modeling know-how, I attempted to instead...make my own Richter Belmont figure.

And here is how it went..

/dsc5514z.th.jpg
My Custom Richter Belmont figure.

/dsc5552.th.jpg
My Castlevania family
(...the shorter mortal in the middle is the coolest, mind you.)

For more photos, check out my album: /dsc5552.jpg



*Credits include:

- Konami, for creating one of the greatest video game franchises in history, Castlevania, and for proving that great men can topple monsters, and purge them from this world (using only a whip).

- Toru Hagihara, for helping to bring "Castlevania: Rondo of Blood" to the world.

- Mikio Saito, for his score from "Castlevania: Rondo of Blood", which served as background music throughout this whole project.

- NECA for inspiring me to make this figure with their own 4 figures, whose weapons and items are conveniently the same scale for Richter to "borrow" on his own "adventures".

- McFarlane toys for creating the Prince Dastan figure, based on the same character from the motion picture "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time", which served as my main base.

- Tamiya paints, abrasives, modeling putty.

- Madora's award-winning sanding skills, as well her loving support, help & encouragement throughout this project.

- Mediplast for their medical tape.

All names, brands & characters are properties of their respective licenses. All rights reserved.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / FS: Silent Debuggers (Hucard only) - Good Condition]

Hey guys!

I'm selling this game on eBay.ph (Philippines):

http://www.ebay.ph/itm/Silent-Debuggers-PC-Engine-Hucard-Good-Condition-/300612777467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_211&hash=item45fdeaf5fb

I'm offering the game to local collectors, but I noted in the description that I may agree to ship the game internationally if an interested buyer sends me an address & zip code before buying. If anyone from the community sends me a message with an offer, I can then check & reply with shipping costs. If agreed upon, will accept payment via Paypal & ship the item right away.

Just wanted to throw this out there. Cheers!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?]

Spotted this on youtube...

Apparently, the guy just got stereo wires, cut off the ends & stuck the pins on the TG-16 into the wire. Then wrapped the other end of the wires to an AV box (is that what that is?), which he installed into the back of the TG-16 back shell. Makes "some bit" of sense to me.

But will this sort of mod work?

I'm really on the fence about purchasing a new Turbo Booster (non-plus) for close to $70. And that keeps me within the nice NEC bubble of official-ness. But I'm cool to do mods if a process will work & won't screw up my enjoyment from my system.

What I want to know is:
1. Will this sort of job work?
2. Can someone tell me the EXACT pins I need to use (Video, Left sound channel, Right sound channel)?
3. What is the ground for?
4. What is this AV box called? I know of a lot of 2nd-hand stereo shops here that have bins filled with wires, boxes & AV equipment. It would help if I knew exactly what to ask and look for. ;)

As always, any bit of help with the above questions would be most appreciated. Any other info is fine, as well. ;)

[Buy/Sell/Trade / WTB: Turbo Booster]

I'm in the market for a well cared for Turbo Booster.
A TurboBooster Plus would be nice, but passwords for Neutopia don't really bother me too much..

Boxed with manuals would be nice, but NOT AT ALL NECESSARY.
As long as it works, and isn't damaged, I'd be good with that.
No AV cables necessary either, just the unit itself.

Please post back here for any questions, or PM me directly. ;)

Delivery: [US] New York 11377
             [PHILIPPINES] Manila 1219

Payment: Via Paypal only.

Thanks you guys! 

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Nekketsu Koushin Kyoku (4-players?)]

Do you guys know this game?

Nekketsu Koushin Kyoku




(Pics, c/o pcengine.co.uk...woohoo!)

Anyway, I own this game on Famicom, but as far as I know, it's just a 1-player game, with the 3 other contenders being controlled by the computer. I could be wrong, but I think playing with 4 other HUMAN players would be hard anyway (is there a multi-tap for the Famicom?).

Now, this game was also released as a PC Engine CD. Now, we all know that our beloved PCE has a multitap, so is this game playable by 4 HUMAN players?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Akumajo Dracula Peke workaround?]

You guys have heard of Akumajo Dracula Peke right? That mini-game hidden in Akumajo Dracula X that boots up if you don't have the right firmware/system card?





Well, I have a Super CD-Rom2, which doesn't need a system card to run games (not counting the arcade card if I wanna play arcade CDs, of course), and a copy of Rondo of Blood & wanted to know of there is a way to boot up the hidden minigame on my own.

I already know that the PSP compilation and YouTube can help offer that experience already, but I know it's already on my Rondo CD, so its just a matter of finding it and opening it up here.

Is it even possible?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Super CD-Rom2 Lens Replacement]

I've noticed a number of threads and posts here about PC Engine CD lens repairs, for briefcase units, duos and such. But there aren't any threads/guides for the Super CD-Rom2 to replace its lens.

Any help & pics in this thread would be most appreciated.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Super CD-Rom2 Unit: Sudden Freezing Problem]

I was playing Rondo of Blood just now, and I noticed between boss fights & stages, the unit would take longer and longer to read the CD. The game would freeze for a bit while it loaded, then resume shortly after. I got really worried, though, because the game finally did freeze indefinitely, and so I had to turn off my game.

[as this thread shows, I've already replaced the capacitors on my unit. => https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=9544.0 ]

Does this sound like a lens problem? Or are CD-Rom units (whether Super CD-Rom2s or regular PCE CD-Roms) meant to be played at shorter periods, no longer than 2 hours or so?

The game ran fine a while ago, but it just began hanging between stages longer and longer, so I got worried.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / LF: Someone to fix a Turbo Express]

I have a TurboExpress that needs to be repaired.

It didn't turn on (i.e. no audio/video/response) & hasn't for many years.
I initially thought that after replacing the capacitors, it would work right away. But to no avail, the unit still doesn't work with new caps. (Thanks to Red Ghost for his very helpful chart & diagram guide).

So I wanted to ask if there's anyone who can offer to do one of two things:

1. Send me a thorough guide that I can give to a repair man over here to follow & repair my TurboExpress. Preferably something that covers all the possible problems, so that even if he may not be familiar with a TurboExpress, he will be able to understand what needs to be done. The cap replacement diagrams here are pretty thorough, so something along those lines. Again, the caps have been replaced already, so it's something else.  

2. Offer to fix my TurboExpress. This comes more of a welcome option for me, since this forum has some pretty talented guys here who are very accustomed to working with the unit. The thing is, I live in Manila, Philippines, so I would prefer if it was someone nearby (whether in the country, or in a nearby country), so that shipping costs don't kill me on top of repair charges. The setup will probably involve me sending my TurboExpress over to the tech guy, and have him fix it, then I pay him (via Paypal preferably) if the repair is successful.

I would appreciate some help in the matter from anyone in the forums with ideas to get this "black portable baby back on its feet."  

Thanks, guys!

[Buy/Sell/Trade / LF: Silent Debuggers (TG-16) [loose or complete]]

I'm looking for a copy of Silent Debuggers (TG-16/US), and a person willing to ship to the Philippines (Zip: 1219).

Game must be working and in fine condition. Turbochip is ok, but preferably with the jewel case, manual, and inserts. Box is not necessary.

Please PM me with offers (incl. Shipping) or post back here for questions.

Thanks!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / The Easiest CD Drive to fix?]

I just thought to throw this question out there to anyone who might be in the market for a PCE/TG16 Super CD player, and would want to know what he/she is getting into.
Given that all of these are nearly over 20 years old already, and finding parts for some units may at times be harder from unit to unit, I wanted to know which units would be the easier unit to fix & maintain in the long run?

(Since there was no region-locking for CD units, I guess all drives are fair game for this question)

PC Engine CD-Rom2
PC Engine DUO
PC Engine DUO-R
PC Engine DUO-RX
Super CD-ROM2 Unit
TurboGrafx-CD (US)
TurboDuo (US)
Pioneer LaserActive + PACN10

Maybe ranking these might help, too!
Please feel free to throw in other considerations, like rarity of certain units which might deserve consideration in the decision.

Thanks!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / PCE Super CD-ROM2 Sound Problems]

hey guys!

I'm a little bit of a noob here as a member, but have been benefiting for many years lurking around from many of your helpful tips & problem solvers. 

Anyway, I had a problem I was experiencing with my Super CD-Rom2 and thought to ask Sunteam Paul about it. He told me to post about it here since he wasn't entirely sure where the problem lay.

Here is a transcription of that message:

-------

Dear Paul,

I was wondering if you could help clarify something for me.

A few months ago, I lucked into a good deal for a Super CD-Rom2 in Hong Kong, & it now connects conveniently to the back of my existing Core Grafx II. The overall aesthetic works for me since both systems are the same shade of gray with orange colored labeling, plus the lens works just fine. There is one weird thing about it. I would hook up the 5-pin DIN AV cable to the Super CD-Rom2 unit, I noticed that whenever I just hook it up and boot up a CD game (Final Zone II), the sound that comes out is scratchy, mildly crackled & of really bad quality. However after about 20 or so minutes of keeping the system on, the sound improves to being perfectly fine. Why is this?

Also, after playing with it since then, I recently tried playing Super Darius on it and got the same "scratchy" result. However, there was one time when I accidentally left the AV cable connected to my CoreGrafx II instead. The result was a much louder & automatically clearer sound, without need for "warming up". Is this normal? I thought all the video/audio signal, once the cd-rom was connected, is fed from the Super CD-Rom2. Can the signal really be fed back to, and out from the CoreGrafx II? It seems to sound like CD quality music (of the Redbook audio quality, having verified the cd being played off a cd player afterwards), so am I really to believe that signal can be fed from both ports?

I'd really appreciate your help here. Thanks, Paul!

Franco Chan
Manila, Philippines

----------

I read on a few threads about a certain "warm-up" time that Super CD-Rom2's need as they get older, and how leaving the Super CD-Rom2 running a game for about 15-20 minutes can clear up the sound well. But when I tried turning on the unit (with a CD inside), with the AV cable stuck through the CoreGrafx II AV out, I got some clear audio. I just wasn't sure if this was possible at all... Or is this sound somehow inferior to the CD quality audio I could be getting from the AV out of the Super CD-Rom2.

Hope you guys can help clarify this.

Thanks for your help!