Messages

[Off-Topic / Re: Idiot of the month February 2018]

Chuck Schumer thinks they look delicious:

These pods were supposed to make household chores easier, not tempt our children to swallow harmful chemicals. I saw one on my staffer's desk and I wanted to eat it

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumption_of_Tide_Pods
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/schumer-newfangled-detergent-pods-candy-article-1.1155442

[Off-Topic / Idiot of the month February 2018]

Another month, another poll, another idiot.
Have fun!

[Off-Topic / Re: Idiot of the month January 2018]

Trump wins! Yay.

[General Gaming / Re: Xbox One]

Gamestop also exists in Germany.

The PS3 had HDCP activated not only for blu-ray video, but also in game mode. So you couldn't easily record your games via HDMI.

The X360 had none of that HDCP on the HDMI port. Recording? No problemo.

[Off-Topic / Re: Draw a game with MS Paint quiz]

Correct Bob, it's your turn now.

[General Gaming / Re: Looking For Info On Bullshit PS2 LCD Monitor]

I think I saw that same photo on Ebay as you did. Too bad it was just a little bit too small to identify the power supply's specs on it.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: UK Console power supply's on a PCE Duo]

No worries.


I just tried out that Sega 1602-18 power supply, along with a polarity reverse plug adaptor, with my Turbo Duo.

At no load, it supplies around 14 V. So I guess this could be an unregulated power supply.
With my Duo as a load, there's still 11 V measured on the fuse, when I switch the console on.
Still, all readings in the console after the voltage regulators are fine.

The voltage regulators are getting hotter to touch than when I use my lab power supply set at regulated 10 V. The 7805 voltage regulators will accept input voltages from 7 V to 25 V DC. So I guess there's more power to dissipate into heat with higher input voltages, since - another guess -  their efficiency drops with higher input voltages.

If somebody more tech-savy could tell me if my assumptions are right or wrong, please let us know.

EDIT: I'll measure the current draw tonight.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo Duo doesn't power up]

You are my hero.

[Off-Topic / Re: Draw a game with MS Paint quiz]

If you guys stay indecisive until Sunday, I'll post the next pic.

Where I live, it is Sunday night now.

[General Gaming / Re: Looking For Info On Bullshit PS2 LCD Monitor]

12 V DC is a given as you say, since these were often intended to be used within cars. And since this is a rather recent device, one could almost safely assume the polarity of the barrel jack would be center positive - as mostly older devices dating back up into the very early 90s would sometimes use center negative.

Just out of curiosity, is there any kind of indication on the label that says anything about the current that the device demands? I wouldn't be surprised if it ranges somewhere between 1.5 and 2 amps at 12 V.

If you have calipers at your disposal, you could also measure the diameter of the socket and the inner tip.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo Duo doesn't power up]

Thanks.

These are the readings _without a game_ inserted. Do I need to do another check with a Hucard inserted? Shouldn't be a big deal. However, I'll run into problems when having to do the check with a CD inserted, as I don't know how to probe on the ICs with the case closed.

Hope this helps.

IC 502 (OKI M5205):

Pin	Voltage (V)
1	5
2	0
3	5
4	0
5	0
6	0
7	0
8	0
9	0
10	2.5
11	0
12	0
13	5
14	2.5
15	5
16	2.5
17	2.5
18	5

IC505

Pin	Voltage (V)
1	7.76
2	3.23
3	2.98
4	5.53
5	7.7
6	0
7	0
8	4.97
9	0
10	2.75
11	0
12	5.53
13	2.97
14	3.24

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo Duo doesn't power up]

Since the red 3.3uF / 50 V cap near the CD-rom drive got a slightly damaged case when I resoldered it in, I decided to replace it with a simple radial electrolytic capacitor of the same rating.

Still, the redbook audio streamed from CD is weak in volume compared to sound effects and chiptunes.



Guys, please let me know what I can do. Remember, this is a fully recapped Duo, so I'd rather look for the components that are in the redbook audio signal path, instead of doing just another recap.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: UK Console power supply's on a PCE Duo]

I just wrote an addendum to that Mega Drive PSU to my post further above.

About those multi plug cables, well.... I wouldn't use them. Even if you've got your console switched off, there's still voltage present inside the case up to the fuse and the power switch. Hooking several consoles to the same single PSU is asking for trouble.

If I would need to save sockets on a multiple socket outlet, I'd rather use one single universal switching power supply with a good safety margin on wattage rating. And then only connect one console at a time with an adaptor plug of the correct voltage and polarity.

[General Gaming / Re: Xbox One]

My Jasper chipset X360 bought in 2009 or 2010 is still going strong and has been used thoroughly.
The current user interface with the tiles is a smart idea, but there are problems. The ads are annoying, and there's little way of customization. Compare this to gorgeously customizable home screen of the Windows Phone interface to understand where Microsoft missed the mark.

Years later, I bought a Slim PS3. It gets used as a Blu-ray player and Youtube machine mainly. That interface is OK.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB Batman New & Sealed for $100]

You're welcome.

[Off-Topic / Re: Random Pictures Thread]

Fake.
If you do the math, 180.000 kB / 4,61 kB/s = 39.045 s = 650.76 min = 10.85 h
Also, the percentage rate in the top bar is wrong if you compare it with the bar graph.

Still, funny to be reminded of a time 20 years ago.


By the way, I like that your avatar pic is from the ending of Sexy Parodius, if I remember correctly.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Yamatoku-Classic Combined Shipping]

Agreed. They call it a "service" for the recipient not having to go to the customs office by himself. Even though I didn't even asked for it. Although doing customs stuff by myself would usually add at least one week for the customs slip to be created and posted, and another week to find free time to go there within opening hours. If the parcel isn't an urgent one, I'm fine with having to wait.

Next time, I will just use regular registered shipping without express mail service.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Yamatoku-Classic Combined Shipping]

Customs duty threshold in Germany is something like €20 for the total price including shipping costs. If you go higher, you've got to pay 19% VAT on the total price.
Once you go over €150, there are additional customs charges depending on the type of item.

If you choose standard shipping, you might or might not receive a customs slip first, for collecting your item from the customs office and paying the fees. Chances of getting stung have been 50/50 for me if an item happens to exceed the €20 threshold.


However, choosing express mail service (EMS, DHL Express, etc.) often stings you with additional handling charges you've got to pay to the mailman.
I bought my girlfriend some Zelda spiritual stone necklaces from Sanshee.com (US) last year, total amount was €60 including DHL express shipping. Dumb me, thanks to the express service, DHL collected the 19% VAT plus the handling charges right at front of my door, which meant spending another €30.

[Off-Topic / Re: Funny Sounding Words.]

AC DC: Thunder's truck.

Hammerfall sound like they are singing something like "Bulbasaur" in the beginning of Hearts on Fire.

Please also have a video search for "Fishmaster" by Nightwish.

Great topic by the way. Misheard lyrics can be really funny.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB Batman New & Sealed for $100]

Buy a used copy and say you opened it. Problem solved.

lol, yes.  Anyone have a used copy for sale?  Even those go for $50 - $60 it seems.

[Off-Topic / Re: Draw a game with MS Paint quiz]

If you guys stay indecisive until Sunday, I'll post the next pic.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB Batman New & Sealed for $100]

If so, there's no point in buying a sealed copy.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB Batman New & Sealed for $100]

Trying to save on shipping and the last game I ordered from Japan got lost in the mail.

Joker strikes again.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB: Magical Chase Manual]

I'd like to buy 100 dollars at the price of 60 dollars, please.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Shoutbox]

Giant pixelated erections in 240p and scanlines.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Shoutbox]

I had no idea there was a game called Masturb Joe in Alpha Zones.
Is he related to Keith Courage and Joe Redifer?

[Off-Topic / Re: Draw a game with MS Paint quiz]

The rules are like this:

1st RULE: You do not talk about Draw a game with MS Paint quiz.

2nd RULE: You DO NOT talk about Draw a game with MS Paint quiz.

3rd RULE: If someone says "stop" or goes limp, taps out the fight is over.

4th RULE: Forget about rule 3.

5th RULE: One quiz at a time.

6th RULE: Only ONE guess at a time per post by every participant.

7th RULE: If somebody mentions several games within the same post, only the first guess will be entered.

8th RULE: No shirts, no shoes.

9th RULE: Quizzes will go on as long as they have to.

10th RULE: The first participant who guesses the correct game wins.

11th RULE: If you win a quiz at Draw a game with MS Paint quiz, you HAVE to draw a new game.




As per rule 6, 7 and 10, it's Necromancer who has to follow rule 11 now.

[Off-Topic / Re: I'm bald.]

I still have full hair that at one time was so long that it touched my butt.
However, it began turning grey in some places since my current relationship started seven years ago.

[Off-Topic / Re: Would you hit it?]

...would you hit it?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: UK Console power supply's on a PCE Duo]

(Pic source: konsolenkost.de)

Hah! I just found an original PAL Sega Mega Drive power supply model no. 1602-18 (for 220 V / 50 Hz regions) among my spares.
10 V DC
1.2 A

Along with an adaptor for the Turbo Duo power inlet, this should do the trick.

EDIT: Well, this power supply is a bit like Schroedinger's cat. It does and it doesn't.
Why? Because it has a reversed polarity on the plug: Positive voltage on the outer ring and ground being on the tip.

Do not use it.

Unless you have another adaptor handy that reverses the polarity to positive tip and outer ring ground. I did built such an adaptor by myself, since I had the parts available among my spares anyway.

[Off-Topic / Re: Random Pictures Thread]

[Off-Topic / Secret of Mana's music makes my ears bleed...]

...at least as long as there are those atrocious drums involved. The rest of the tracks are fine.

[Off-Topic / Re: Draw a game with MS Paint quiz]

Gredler, still alive?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Turbo games you should like that you don't. My example (Forgotten Worlds)]

I don't like Air Zonk as much as people make me feel I should.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What is a good pc engine controller?]

Poser ;)

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Just stumbled onto the My Life In Gaming video]

I aim to please. He's pure gold.

[Fighting Street / Re: Tongue]

Who ate all my cum??

It's a mystery.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: UK Console power supply's on a PCE Duo]

Db electronics is way more capable in measuring the bus than I am. I don't even have an oscilloscope yet. I have no reason to doubt him.

I do not worry about the power supply itself with flashcarts.

What I'm just doing is figuring out what kind of safety margin is reasonable when choosing a Turbo Duo power supply on your own. To avoid malfunction of the console and overloading the supply.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: UK Console power supply's on a PCE Duo]

I don't own an Everdrive, but I got a poor man's PCE flash cart I can dig out and test. I can also use my DMM and see if it has a min/max function for detecting peaks.
However, this is about total current draw of the console, not the current draw between cart bus and the cart itself.

Also, there had already been measurements made by db electronics on the current draw of everdrives, so there's no need for me to repeat that.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Just stumbled onto the My Life In Gaming video]

I like their RGB tech videos since they go deep into details and do actual screen comparisons, e.g. between signal types, console revisions, etc. But the face of that one fat guy is so hideous, a little something in me dies everytime I see him on the screen.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: UK Console power supply's on a PCE Duo]

For shits and giggles, I measured the current draw of the Turbo Duo when playing games, using my lab power supply set at 10 V DC.

For Hucards, Blazing Lazers draws around 700 mA constant after a couple minutes of playtime.

For CDs, loading Gate of Thunder draws slightly more than 1 A at peak. If I set the power supply for a strict maximum current of 1 A, the Turbo Duo will refuse to finish the loading process, as the supply is switching to constant current mode.

[Fighting Street / Re: Tongue]

My dong on your tongue.

[Off-Topic / Re: MOTHER FUCKING HOME OWNERSHIP! I want to fight my house!]

Indeed, the old one had a mechanical program select wheel, I don't know if there was a motor or clockwork involved for further automatically turning the wheel once the program got started. The new one's program selection wheel is a simple rotary selector, no motors involved, just to mimic the old wheels, with LEDs showing the current status. It could have used simple push buttons for every program instead, with next to none electronic difference.

[Off-Topic / Re: MOTHER FUCKING HOME OWNERSHIP! I want to fight my house!]

Aaaaaand the washing machine is dead after six years of service in a two-person household. According to the service technician, repairing it would be expensive enough to make just buying a replacement more reasonable. The electronics are to blame, but he said the mechanical parts aren't that far from the end of their life, too.

He would have gladly get paid for a full repair, but was honest enough to reveal that it would be done at my own risk, so after talking to my better half we declined and just paid him for diagnostic inspection.

With wet eyes, I remember my first washing machine that I bought second hand in 2003 and gave me nine years of reliable service until the drum refused to spin. At that time, it must have been already around 15 to 20 years old, although the store I got it from might have serviced the machine before I bought it from them.


Let's see what a new machine can offer me. I'd rather pay extra for a long life thanks to robust parts, than for a plethora of unnecessary functions at the cost of reliability.

[Off-Topic / Re: Old School Gamer Magazine]

Seieienbu, I agree with you.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Just stumbled onto the My Life In Gaming video]

I wouldn't be surprised if the bigger YouTube gaming channels have been bribed into doing positive reviews by receiving free copies of PCEworks bootlegs.

EDIT: Looks like Mlig even admitted it in the YouTube comments:

My life in gaming
We were only sent the package to review

Source: https://youtu.be/TLTTN9wFsgs&lc=UgirUr2ouOn6D3gCoAEC.8P97FGPLmn68PA4W_vLlOq

Also, this:

My life in gaming
THIS SET WAS RECEIVED AS A PROMOTIONAL ITEM

Source: https://youtu.be/hYUV1rIkL3I
(Video description)

Prrrffffrrrrrdfgggrrff.




If you dig up other YouTube channels, you'll often find similar descriptions of how they got these items sent to them for review.

Fucking shill reviewers. They help exactly NONE of their audience by doing such things. The only one that profits from these promotional reviews are the companies and people behind the advertised products. These YouTubers and bloggers call themselves "influencers" when agreeing to such business procedures. When in fact they are nothing but tools for somebody else to make money.


Do it like AvE... use the money you get via Patreon to buy things to review on your own, and tell your audience your honest thoughts. Stay independent from advertising and promotion.

(starts at 7:00)

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo Duo doesn't power up]

Looks so much more tidy now with the new flexible wiring on the AV port. I also took the time to clean the PCB from the brownish flux residue using "Kontakt LR" flux remover.
I've now found the cause for the shorts. Do you see the black wires near the tantalum caps in the lower left? Just where they go down the PCB to the underside, their PVC coat is slightly worn. Thus they are just ever so slightly touching the metal shield once the PCB sits on the screw mounts.




Using a Proxxon Micromot 50/E, I cut away a portion of that metal shield and sanded it.




The black leads got additional isolation using elec-chicken's tape.



It werkz!




I tried both Hucard and CD games. They play fine, BUT there is one issue left.

The volume for Redbook CD-audio is pretty low. Either I've managed to damage one of the caps, or there is a potentiometer for turning up the CD-audio volume. Please let me know what you guys think I should look for when examining the board next time.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What happened to darkcityproductions.com? PC Engine fan page]

No, I am not dead.

But I still have a boner.

Quote of the month.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: [Fixed] Turbo Duo doesn't power up]

I'm making good process on replacing the RGB mod wires. I was afraid of it at first, but now I'm even able to solder them to the legs of the graphics chip.

[Off-Topic / Re: Draw a game with MS Paint quiz]

Sapphire.