WTB PCE Duo-R

[OC2010]

FWIW, I think you're going the right route.  Get the system and play the HuCards and give it some time.  You might find that the upscaler situation has changed in the next few months.  Maybe the OSSC will be the new darling of upscalers.  I was kind of driven crazy by the Framemeister because each and every system required niggling little tweaks or had some minor oddball issue ("oh, it takes a few seconds when a Saturn game changes resolution from 240p to 480i, but on *my* TV it totally drops the connection and requires me to power cycle", etc.).  I went the CRT w/RGB route and that has its own challenges.  I've invested too much time and money into the setup, time that I could have spent playing the fucking games.

Thank you!

[khyron65]

I just wanted to add that saying a Duo-R is going to cost you $1000 is way off base.  You can find RGB, and Region modded Rs on ebay in the 350 - 400 range.  They come with the RGB cable you need, and to add a framemeister into that cost is a bit disingenuous IMHO.  The FM is going to work with all your gaming consoles and not just the Duo-R.  If you watch sales and time it right, a set up can be had for way less than you're thinking.

I hope you are right. But the Duo-Rs that I have seen recently on eBay have not been modded. The costs when I added them up yesterday looked like this:

PCE Duo-R -@ $300
Duo Card - @ $75
Region Switch mod - @ $50
RGB mod - @ $65
XRGB Mini - @ $370 (but you are correct it will help with the other consoles I will get)
SCART and other cables - @ $30
Multi tap - @ $40
Additional 6 button controller(s) if there isn't two (priced Avenue 6) - @ $40 per
Shipping - @ $75 if I have to do all mods after the fact and purchase from Japan

Total: @ $1045

This is how I got my number... Take away some of the shipping and add the mods in at $350 to $400 for the system and I'm still at @ $950- $1000. So, the system itself and the XRGB Mini for $1000? That's not what I meant and I'm sorry for the confusion. It's all the other stuff that make it function the way I want it to that add to the cost. I will be very grateful if I can get what I am looking for at better prices. I hope you are right!

Dude. You dont have to get all that shit all at once you know. A modded console is less then 400 bux and thats all you need to start. Also, once they been modded they all play the same. just get the cheapest DUO you can.

[OC2010]

That's what I was thinking, Johnpv.  That and for a guy that's broke and just looking to enjoy some games, he's going about  it in one of the most expensive ways possible.

I'm not broke, I'm just trying to not get ahead of myself. I need to continue to pay down debt while I do this, and I don't see much point in buying a system before I can use it how I wish. I am getting the Retro Freak to get to many games at a lower cost. But the main reason I look forward to getting the Duo-R is for the regular CD and Arcade Card games. I have always wanted one.

I would love help getting it cost less and it still work the way I am looking for it to. Any help is appreciated!

Unfortunately, I'm getting berated more than helped and I am not sure what I did to deserve it...

[khyron65]

That's what I was thinking, Johnpv.  That and for a guy that's broke and just looking to enjoy some games, he's going about  it in one of the most expensive ways possible.

I'm not broke, I'm just trying to not get ahead of myself. I need to continue to pay down debt while I do this, and I don't see much point in buying a system before I can use it how I wish. I am getting the Retro Freak to get to many games at a lower cost. But the main reason I look forward to getting the Duo-R is for the regular CD and Arcade Card games. I have always wanted one.

I would love help getting it cost less and it still work the way I am looking for it to. Any help is appreciated!

Unfortunately, I'm getting berated more than helped and I am not sure what I did to deserve it...

Once you get your Duo it will render the retrofreak obsolete. Are you factoring the cost of the retro freak then to your final price? Or are you going to try and recoup some of that money by selling it. My advice though right now is....do what you want but just tell everyone here you bought a Duo.

[OC2010]

I just wanted to add that saying a Duo-R is going to cost you $1000 is way off base.  You can find RGB, and Region modded Rs on ebay in the 350 - 400 range.  They come with the RGB cable you need, and to add a framemeister into that cost is a bit disingenuous IMHO.  The FM is going to work with all your gaming consoles and not just the Duo-R.  If you watch sales and time it right, a set up can be had for way less than you're thinking.

I hope you are right. But the Duo-Rs that I have seen recently on eBay have not been modded. The costs when I added them up yesterday looked like this:

PCE Duo-R -@ $300
Duo Card - @ $75
Region Switch mod - @ $50
RGB mod - @ $65
XRGB Mini - @ $370 (but you are correct it will help with the other consoles I will get)
SCART and other cables - @ $30
Multi tap - @ $40
Additional 6 button controller(s) if there isn't two (priced Avenue 6) - @ $40 per
Shipping - @ $75 if I have to do all mods after the fact and purchase from Japan

Total: @ $1045

This is how I got my number... Take away some of the shipping and add the mods in at $350 to $400 for the system and I'm still at @ $950- $1000. So, the system itself and the XRGB Mini for $1000? That's not what I meant and I'm sorry for the confusion. It's all the other stuff that make it function the way I want it to that add to the cost. I will be very grateful if I can get what I am looking for at better prices. I hope you are right!

Dude. You dont have to get all that shit all at once you know. A modded console is less then 400 bux and thats all you need to start. Also, once they been modded they all play the same. just get the cheapest DUO you can.

I can play many things I want to for about half the price of the Duo-R with the Retro Freak, and many other systems' games as well. That's why I'm waiting on the Duo-R at this time. No need to drop all the cash I want to for the functionality I am looking for right away. I have a ton of games available to me with the Retro Freak. The Duo-R is a system I always wanted when I was younger... I've waited this long. I also only have HDTVs and have no desire to own a CRT.

[OC2010]

Once you get your Duo it will render the retrofreak obsolete. Are you factoring the cost of the retro freak then to your final price? Or are you going to try and recoup some of that money by selling it. My advice though right now is....do what you want but just tell everyone here you bought a Duo.

I will keep the Retro Freak because I will still have the Nintendo and Sega systems available to play on it as well. I owned almost all the Sega Systems, some Nintendo and I had friends that owned all the rest of the Nintendo. I want to have access to their libraries as well, but don't want to take up all the space with all the systems as I once did. The man cave a small space... but it's mine! 

[khyron65]

Once you get your Duo it will render the retrofreak obsolete. Are you factoring the cost of the retro freak then to your final price? Or are you going to try and recoup some of that money by selling it. My advice though right now is....do what you want but just tell everyone here you bought a Duo.

I will keep the Retro Freak because I will still have the Nintendo and Sega systems available to play on it as well. I owned almost all the Sega Systems, some Nintendo and I had friends that owned all the rest of the Nintendo. I want to have access to their libraries as well, but don't want to take up all the space with all the systems as I once did. The man cave a small space... but it's mine! 

ok then lol, that now makes sense!

[crazydean]

I still don't see the purpose of systems like the Retro Freak. For one, you are still missing all the disc-based games. Also, isn't it just an emulator? It would be much cheaper to just emulate on your computer. It's effectively the same, no?

[OC2010]

I still don't see the purpose of systems like the Retro Freak. For one, you are still missing all the disc-based games. Also, isn't it just an emulator? It would be much cheaper to just emulate on your computer. It's effectively the same, no?

Actually, it will rip the game straight off the cartridge and place it on the machine itself onto a microSD card as well as play any of the same devices' ROMs you have on a microSD. The main unit is actually just an interface for the cartridges to a pocket-sized unit that is removable so that it is portable. You can take all of your games, with 2 USB inputs for controllers of your choice and/or their adapter for the classic ones, and with the HDMI output play them anywhere you can plug it in. Pretty sweet concept! All you need are the microSD cards with your games on them, plug it in and go. Cheaper to emulate on your computer? Yes. As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

I am hoping they come out with some sort of CD game support with an update, which is what a few reviewers have also wished for. They have been great with updates to firmware up to this point according to the reviews... So, maybe? It would be fun to play things like "Nights into dreams..." again on it, of course any of the NEC CD games, and the Dreamcast catalogue. If I could eventually take everything anywhere without lugging anything but some controllers, a few cables, and a pocket-sized console, that would be very nice!

Just go on YouTube and search "Retro Freak console review." You'll get plenty of opinions from collectors.

[wildfruit]

I still say just get a regular duo. And hold on the アーケードカード. That's plenty to be getting along with.

[SignOfZeta]

This is one of the most tedious threads I've participated in in my 10 years on this forum. Never say noobs can't bring anything to the table that we haven't seen before.

[OC2010]

This is one of the most tedious threads I've participated in in my 10 years on this forum. Never say noobs can't bring anything to the table that we haven't seen before.

No one is making you stay a part of it. You can leave whenever you wish. What is tedious? You insult, I answer. People ask legit questions, I answer. If you don't like it, then why are you here? This is a forum... go elsewhere if you don't like it. I thought we were all fine until you started insulting me on page 2. I don't know what I ever did to you...

I understand that I screwed up by asking about a PCE Duo-R in a US TG16/Duo area of the forum. I apologized for that once I realized it. If that is what has your panties in a bunch, please get over it and move on. I'm sure you are a nice guy once people get to know you. Believe it or not, I am not angry at you. I am tired of the insults, but that is all. Let's move on in a friendly way. We will continue here, you can go, I'll see you around and hope to catch you in better spirits next time.

Truce?

[crazydean]

As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

Not to be a dick, but is this something that you actually do? Personally, I haven't taken a system to a friend's house since I was like 14. Also, doesn't a raspberry pi do this? Or a hacked Wii or hacked Xbox?

You speak of how convenient it is to load all of your games onto a system, but that's essentially what an Everdrive does, except you don't have to use an emulator. I guess the all-in-one console just seems shaky to me. If I want the real deal, I would just spend the money and get a Duo. If I wanted "good enough", then I would just get a hacked Xbox or raspberry pi and save some dough.

[OC2010]

As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

Not to be a dick, but is this something that you actually do? Personally, I haven't taken a system to a friend's house since I was like 14. Also, doesn't a raspberry pi do this? Or a hacked Wii or hacked Xbox?

You speak of how convenient it is to load all of your games onto a system, but that's essentially what an Everdrive does, except you don't have to use an emulator. I guess the all-in-one console just seems shaky to me. If I want the real deal, I would just spend the money and get a Duo. If I wanted "good enough", then I would just get a hacked Xbox or raspberry pi and save some dough.

I see what you are saying here. I think that the convenience of the all-in-one is the biggest thing. It saves me space and is rather convenient being pocket-sized. But I haven't gone into this blind. I am getting my reviews from collectors who were skeptics, many of which did not like the Retron 5 for various reasons. Most are happily endorsing it to the point of buying it themselves to make their gaming lives more convenient as well.

I do still have gamer friends and we get together from time to time to game at each other's places. But family life does admittedly make it much more difficult for us to find the time. We would likely do it more if things were more portable and I had more to offer at my place. Just two new consoles isn't as much fun as an entire library of Nintendo and Sega that goes back 30+ years... Also, I like to bring games on trips when I have to stay in hotels without much to do. This could be great to have then.

[ToyMachine78]

As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

Not to be a dick, but is this something that you actually do? Personally, I haven't taken a system to a friend's house since I was like 14. Also, doesn't a raspberry pi do this? Or a hacked Wii or hacked Xbox?

You speak of how convenient it is to load all of your games onto a system, but that's essentially what an Everdrive does, except you don't have to use an emulator. I guess the all-in-one console just seems shaky to me. If I want the real deal, I would just spend the money and get a Duo. If I wanted "good enough", then I would just get a hacked Xbox or raspberry pi and save some dough.

The Pi is excellent for this! I take mine on vacation and on other trips all the time. You really can't beat it.

[nopepper]

If you are going with the Retro Freak, then so be it, but you would be missing out on the fantastic CD library of the PCE/Turbo world. Otherwise, I think that you can get into this world for a bit less than you were anticipating...

You can purchase a doujindance RGB and region modded Duo R for about $350, from ebay. Then a framemeister for ~$350 (I recently saw one used in shmups for less than 300, so check there), and you are pretty much set. I think you will find that the Framemeister will justify itself very quickly, as you will be able to play Genesis/MD and Super Nintendo, by just buying a couple of cables, straight OOTB. If you look at it that way, you can divide the cost by the number of consoles you will be using it with, and make you feel a little bit better about your investment!

If you dont care for the real game packaging, etc., then get an Everdrive, burn all your CDs, and you are good to go. Heck, I'd suggest going this route before plunging knee deep, as this way  you can try out some games before you spend the insane prices some are going for nowadays.

Also, you can get taps for ~$15 and extra controllers for about the same. The Arcade Card can be had for $30, but you can take your time and wait for a good deal to pop up, as there are going to be plenty of games to explore before you will find the "need" to get into those.

Having everything consolidated in a single unit does have some obvious appeal, but I personally find a lot of enjoyment playing from real hardware. Plus nostalgia is part of the satisfaction of owning this RETRO RETRO RETRO stuff.

Ask any questions and I'm sure there will be helpful people/advice in between all the douchebaggery. Also, make sure to play Lost Sunheart once you make your purchase and lets talk about it!

[CrackTiger]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

[jtucci31]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

Yeah. Doujindance mods seem to be more work than they're worth. I'd be cautious

[SavagePencil]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

Yeah. Doujindance mods seem to be more work than they're worth. I'd be cautious

I didn't use him (them?) for mine, but what are the issues with doujindance mods?

[nopepper]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

Can you please elaborate on what is wrong with them? If not doujindance, can you recommend other installers? Keith Courage?

I've owned a doujindance Duo R for a couple of years and have not had any issues, other than having some faint jailbars, but they don't bother me enough to consider other alternatives.

Thanks.

[jtucci31]

Well the RGB just didn't work well at all and I wanted that specifically for RGB. Normal composite and S-video still looked good. And the laser was iffy when I got it and had to get it replaced

[SignOfZeta]

What are you using for display? My experience with RGB and the PCE is that it's pretty easy to get something going that will display on an analog system but XRGB and other devices weren't so happy.

[nopepper]

Well the RGB just didn't work well at all and I wanted that specifically for RGB. Normal composite and S-video still looked good. And the laser was iffy when I got it and had to get it replaced

What do you mean "didn't work well at all"? You didn't get any picture through RGB?

Mine came with a new laser and it has been rock solid. Prior to getting this one, I used to have another, unmodified Duo R, and that one definitely exhibited all the symptoms of a shot laser, so I'm experienced with that issue. If yours came with a new laser and it was still flaky, then I would understand the criticism. Otherwise, IMO, it's some of the expected wear and tear with these old consoles.

Anyway, it's great to bring these topics up so potential buyers are aware of them when reviewing their options for RGB modded Duo consoles. I would still like to hear from some of the other experienced members here, to see what the prevalent issues with doujindance mods are.

[jtucci31]

I hooked it up to a 14" Sony PVM and the RGB image was very heavy on one color. Tested it on many other PVMs at DragonmasterDan's place as well. He can attest to it. It was more of just a good machine for S-video and composite.

[nopepper]

That's unfortunate.

I will make sure to qualify my recommendations of doujindance mods in the future. Thankfully, in my case, his mods have been great.

[SignOfZeta]

I hooked it up to a 14" Sony PVM and the RGB image was very heavy on one color. Tested it on many other PVMs at DragonmasterDan's place as well. He can attest to it. It was more of just a good machine for S-video and composite.

Well, yeah, that just sounds like shitty work.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

To keep stuff in place for overseas shipping, doesn't he glob a bunch of glue around as well?  That alone would keep me from buying his stuff, as it'd make future repairs a lot more work.

[bob]

with real mods that we have here stateside who have talents, who would bother with this garbage?
i know, general statement.  maybe i am making it too easy.