Sega Nomad - replaced the LCD

[Duo_R]

So I picked this nomad recently for a pretty good price. I originally wasn't going to mess with it, but I decided to do some mods over the weekend. I originally was going to replace my screen on my TE, but since I need a couple parts still I decided to do the Nomad first. It is an easier replacement since composite video is built in. 

I gotta say, the difference on this Nomad is unbelievable, not as dramatic as the TE (because the TE gets a huge screen size increase), but if you don't recall the Nomad original LCD is pretty terrible by today's standards.

While I was at it, I added in Pal and JP region switching (using stock buttons) and also a reset button (to play games like X-men). Next I plan on doing the Sony Lithium battery mod and possibly the S-video mod on this bad boy.

Can't wait to tackle the TE Express screen mod at some point, but this was a good first practice. Pictures do not do this one justice, it looks incredible. Now I can play Pier Solar on the go! 

One other thing I was kicking around - the screen I installed has the ability to have a 2nd video input. I was thinking of adding that feature in sort of like the TV Tuner on the Turbo Express. That way I can play some Sega CD Lunar on the Nomad.  Kinda goofy but would be fun to add that in.


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[Samurai Ghost]

Wow, that looks amazing!! The original screen is so washed out and blurry by today's standards, so I've always been reluctant to pick one up, but that is looking damn good! Might have to get one and mod it in the same way...

[PunkCryborg]

Looks awesome man! I want to do this to mine too but I also have a problem with the sound. Yeah the original screen is so bad it's almost unusable

[csgx1]

That looks fantastic and a big difference from the original screen.  I've been wanting to do a screen mod on my Nomad.  Your pics are going to motivate me to do it sooner rather than later.   

If you don't mind me asking, where did you source the screen from?

[Duo_R]

No problem i got my screen off of Ebay last year for about $30 shipped, there are some that are even cheaper than that now on dealextreme. The key is the clearance of space, this one just barely worked. I can try to find the model # later and share it. I had to relocate one cap to make it work.

Nomads are so cheap these days it is a no brainer to do the mod.

Update: The one I got is very similar to this one (although can't guarantee it is exactly the same):




http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5-TFT-LCD-Car-Rear-view-Reversing-Backup-Camera-Monitor-/320925525000?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item4ab8a6e408&vxp=mtr

[Samurai Ghost]

How hard was the mod to do? I've soldered stuff before and done some wiring but nothing too complex. Thinking about giving this a shot though..l

[Duo_R]

Its tricky but not the hardest mod I have ever done. There are some guides online that helps. The toughest part for me was getting the screen on straight and fitting it all together.

[Deletion]

A YT channel named RetroGameTech has several HQ videos about modding the Nomad including replacing the LCD: https://www.youtube.com/user/RetroGameTech/videos?query=nomad

[turbokon]

Nice, I did the same mod on my nomad a years ago or so.  Much easier then modding the TE as the nomad is already wired for composite out.

[Frank_fjs]

That looks fantastic, great job!

Nomads are so cheap these days it is a no brainer to do the mod.

They are? Every time I try to pick one up they always sell for ridiculous prices, which has sadly kept me from owning one.

[Duo_R]

Find one that works but has a scratched or cracked screen shouldnt be too bad.

[Samurai Ghost]

Yeah since you are replacing the screen anyway you might as well. I see them go for $40 or $50 all the time. Might get one and try this mod out!

[Duo_R]

Here is the tutorial i used, my LCD was different but it wasnt hard to figure out the pinouts. Model # on mine is LS-350B 3.5 inch backup monitor.


http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17415

[Samurai Ghost]

That doesnt seem bad at all! Just soldering a few wires and mounting the thing correctly. Next time I see a cheap nomad I'll snap it up! Thanks for posting the link!

[Sparky]

That doesnt seem bad at all! Just soldering a few wires and mounting the thing correctly. Next time I see a cheap nomad I'll snap it up! Thanks for posting the link!

Ya $35 would be the cheaper side I have seen and I had my screen modded as well from a local canuckler, really makes it that much more playable... Streets of rage 2 

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Looks nice, Duo_R..... even if it is a Sega machine.   Well done.

[soop]

I did the same mod with the same screen on mine, with the region mod.  You're right about the screen being a tight fit too.
That was the second mod I did, and I thought it was quite easy.

[Duo_R]

Thanks man, i am a little behind the times but the last couple years has kept me busy at work. Think of it this way: this Sega machine is going to be my guinea pig for the Turbo Express mods i will eventually do.

Looks nice, Duo_R..... even if it is a Sega machine.   Well done.

[thesteve]

lol i have only seen a nomad once
i started with the express

[Duo_R]

Your the man steve, i had plans to figure it out but life caught up. Hats off to you on the TE screen. But besides screen i got some other stuff i am going to try.

lol i have only seen a nomad once
i started with the express

[Duo_R]

Did you have the same exact screen? I think this one is pulling too much amperage because I haven't seen a gain in battery life.

I did the same mod with the same screen on mine, with the region mod.  You're right about the screen being a tight fit too.
That was the second mod I did, and I thought it was quite easy.

[Joe Redifer]

Good job!  The only thing that I might do is mask off the overscan portions on the screen.   If that doesn't bother you, no big deal.  But the colored borders always look odd to me.  It's kind of hard to see where the borders are when you're putting in the screen, but if the border could be marked and even overlayed with simple black electrical tape and then installed I think it would look a lot better.  Having as much black as possible around the screen is beneficial, that's why movie theaters have black masking around the screen.

[thesteve]

well said joe
on mine i run image fight and mask the border with electrical tape before mounting the screen

[Duo_R]

It hasn't bothered me but that is a great idea.

Good job!  The only thing that I might do is mask off the overscan portions on the screen.   If that doesn't bother you, no big deal.  But the colored borders always look odd to me.  It's kind of hard to see where the borders are when you're putting in the screen, but if the border could be marked and even overlayed with simple black electrical tape and then installed I think it would look a lot better.  Having as much black as possible around the screen is beneficial, that's why movie theaters have black masking around the screen.

[soop]

It hasn't bothered me but that is a great idea.

Good job!  The only thing that I might do is mask off the overscan portions on the screen.   If that doesn't bother you, no big deal.  But the colored borders always look odd to me.  It's kind of hard to see where the borders are when you're putting in the screen, but if the border could be marked and even overlayed with simple black electrical tape and then installed I think it would look a lot better.  Having as much black as possible around the screen is beneficial, that's why movie theaters have black masking around the screen.

You can only see it from an angle, so I'm not too worried.

As for the battery life, I think I get about 4 hours, but I modded mine almost straight away, so I can't compare.  Looks like the exact same screen.

[turbokon]

Just by doing the TE LCD mods, I got two different version of the LCDs even though the outside looks the same with 3.5" lcd but one screen is slightly smaller and brighter then the other.

[Duo_R]

OK i tapped 5v for the screen and it seems to run fine on it. Also seem to be getting more battery life. Need to do a benchmark test soon.

[Duo_R]

Did the benchmark test, got just over 5 hours. Check out the tine lapse video.

This LCD is thirsty compared to some of the results people have had with the Lithium battery mod
 But i cant complain about 5 hours and an improved screen.

Also added SMS mode since i will soon be getting one of the Everdrive flash carts.

[Duo_R]

update:

tapped the CXA1645, now has S-video output. Also installed a battery charge indicator, going to use the same one on the Turbo Express. Green power LED when battery is good turns red when down to 20% battery. The stock "low battery" LED comes on when there is only about 2 minutes of game play left so doesn't really work well (probably because the Lithium batteries don't have a large gradual voltage drop as they get low).

Next up - possibly game port so I can hook up a controller to this bad boy.

[soop]

Nomads already come with a controller port

[Duo_R]

I want to make a port for player 1, the port only works for player 2

Nomads already come with a controller port

[soop]

Ohhh

[KnightWarrior]

The thing is when you turn the Nomad on you get the AV the upper right

[turbokon]

The LCD used have two video inputs. If you can find one that only takes one input, you won't have that problem. So far I found only the 2.5lcds that have one composite video input and that doesn't display the "AV1".

[Duo_R]

your talking about the new LCD? Yeah it appears for a couple seconds, not a big deal really.

The thing is when you turn the Nomad on you get the AV the upper right

[Duo_R]

Controller port built - and it works!!!

[SNKNostalgia]

Is there a way to get an LCD screen replacement to work with RGB or even S-video at least? I keep seeing composite video is only mentioned.

[Duo_R]

If the screen supported it no problem, but at this size most don't. My PS1 screen does RGB but it is 5".

Composite on a new LCD is a major upgrade from the stock screen.

[SNKNostalgia]

Is the composite in a Nomad due to the CXA1645 much better than the Genesis 1 and 2 models? If so, then that level of composite video is definitely superior. Up there with the Sega Saturn composite out I would hope.

[Duo_R]

Yes it has a CXA1645 which had good composite output

[Duo_R]

Ok installed the P1 port in the controller. Troubleshooting though because Up / Down doesn't work now....

Also if you look at the middle of the system you can see the reset button (it's silver colored). You can also use an OR gate for switchless, but it just isn't the same when playing X-Men and you have to "reset the computer." Gawd that had me stuck forever.... lol

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UPDATE: ok it works properly now, I found out that the onboard controls have to be disabled. At first I thought they didn't because everything worked fine. So here is how it works:

In the place of the brightness controlls is now a slide switch. Sliding to the right turns off the screen, and enables DB9 port. Sliding to the left enables screen and onboard controls. I figured if I am playing on the go I won't really need another controller hooked up, but at home if playing on the Big TV, save some battery and use a nice 6 Button controller.

[Duo_R]

OK some finished pics of the additional mods.

Here you can see the P1 controller port, and also the physical reset button. Also the brightness wheel was replaced with an on/off switch for the LCD, for improved battery time when hooked up to a TV. The reset button is resessed enough that it won't be accidentally pushed. You have to give it a good press with your finger.

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And here you can see the S-video port and also the LCD buttons to control the brightness and screen settings:

[HercTNT]

I love portables, and at some point i want a nomad with a new screen. Your work is outstanding Duo!!!

[Duo_R]

Hey thanks a ton, i really appreciate that. Will do another vid soon showcasing how all the new mods work. We took this system to my in-laws and my kids and their cousins were all fighting over the two controllers. Its cool to see them retro game as a break from their normal Wii gaming habits.

Time to get a Sega Multitap next time for some Bomberman action!

[turbokon]

Nice work bro!!! I only did the LCD mod on my nomad. The extra controller port is a nice touch. I will eventually do that on mine.

[esteban]

Dear Lord, that Nomad is better than my Genesis console (as far as flexibility and options).

Goddamn.

[HercTNT]

someone give me an amen.

[Duo_R]

just for reference here is how you enable SMS mode, credit goes to TmEE from the Sega-16 forum. I didn't do the other mods listed here (as referenced earlier I made a physical reset switch.

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