Would you mod your system with this?

johnnymad · 08/19/2014, 11:48 AM

Saw a video on YouTube about this product made for 3DO. http://www.stoneagegamer.com/3do-usb-adapter-panasonic-fz-10.html Would any of you do this or have it done to your system if they made one for PCE/TG?

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/19/2014, 11:56 AM

I wouldn't want one exactly like that, not as long as I have a working CD drive and/or replacements are available. However, I would be interested in a flash based CD replacement that would attach to the expansion bus of a TG-16 / PCE, meaning it would also have to have backup ram, adpcm, etc.

johnnymad · 08/19/2014, 11:59 AM

Quote from: guest on 08/19/2014, 11:56 AMHowever, I would be interested in a flash based CD replacement that would attach to the expansion bus of a TG-16 / PCE, meaning it would also have to have backup ram, adpcm, etc.

That would be very cool. Ever since I got my Everdrive, I've been wondering if there's some kind of way to store and play all the roms on the system. This seems to be the closest thing but I'm not really into permanently removing the CD drive.

roflmao · 08/19/2014, 01:59 PM

If I could get one of those added to my Express, I'd be all over it.

DeshDildo · 08/19/2014, 02:12 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/19/2014, 11:56 AMI wouldn't want one exactly like that, not as long as I have a working CD drive and/or replacements are available. However, I would be interested in a flash based CD replacement that would attach to the expansion bus of a TG-16 / PCE, meaning it would also have to have backup ram, adpcm, etc.

This... make it look like a turbo booster along with component out and that would be killer.

wildfruit · 08/19/2014, 02:59 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/19/2014, 11:56 AMI wouldn't want one exactly like that, not as long as I have a working CD drive and/or replacements are available. However, I would be interested in a flash based CD replacement that would attach to the expansion bus of a TG-16 / PCE, meaning it would also have to have backup ram, adpcm, etc.

Best idea ever

ctophil · 08/19/2014, 04:20 PM

Quote from: johnnymad on 08/19/2014, 11:48 AMSaw a video on YouTube about this product made for 3DO. http://www.stoneagegamer.com/3do-usb-adapter-panasonic-fz-10.html Would any of you do this or have it done to your system if they made one for PCE/TG?

I don't like modding any of my systems. I like them the way they are (mentality of a purist, lol). That's why I prefer a Turbografx-16 converter to play import games over getting it modded, although the prices are similar.

NightWolve · 08/20/2014, 10:33 AM

That's a helluva mod... Dunno why the 3DO got this kind of attention for such a thing, though...

johnnymad · 08/20/2014, 01:28 PM

Yeah. I mean, are there that many great games for the system? This, or something like the flash based expansion thingy, would be perfect for the TG and PCE. Just wish I had the chops to design it in the real world. It's already a thing in my brain.

Rosser · 08/20/2014, 07:20 PM

I read that there are people currently working on one for the PCE-CD and the Saturn. I believe the guys are from Eastern Europe/Russian. Have you read about the recent mods to the Dreamcast a PCB board that adds a usb drive to the back of the system and emulates the cd-drive.

DeshDildo · 08/20/2014, 08:28 PM

Quote from: Rosser on 08/20/2014, 07:20 PMI read that there are people currently working on one for the PCE-CD and the Saturn. I believe the guys are from Eastern Europe/Russian. Have you read about the recent mods to the Dreamcast a PCB board that adds a usb drive to the back of the system and emulates the cd-drive.

Whoa! I'm gonna have to look into that Dreamcast mod.

SephirothTNH · 08/20/2014, 09:14 PM

To answer the original question. Hell yes I would. I would prefer to have some method of keeping the cd rom attached too though.

The guy who made the gd emu posted that he was wanting to work on something PCE related so there is hope for something like this. No relation to the other dreamcast sd loader being talked about here.

MrFulci · 08/20/2014, 09:53 PM

That's a pretty cool mod. I wouldn't want to sacrifice my Duo's CD-Rom, however, I wouldn't mind a similar mod, that left a USB port somewhere, with a switch to switch between CD-Rom, or USB. I already have a switch for US/JAP HuCards, I could tolerate another for USB/CD.

NightWolve · 08/21/2014, 12:50 PM

NEC had that device for the HuCard slot of a TurboDuo to turn it into an external CD-ROM reader for your computer, so something could be possible without breaking the existing reader I would hope. Would be nice if it can be done without major soldering work.

wyndcrosser · 08/22/2014, 09:28 AM

Personally, if you go as far as getting an emulator device for the CD-Rom, you might as well just play the games on an emulator on your PC. I originally saw that for the 3d0 and almost jumped on it, but I thought I'd go too far away of why I kept or repurchased my old retro consoles.

DeshDildo · 08/22/2014, 09:58 AM

Quote from: wyndcrosser on 08/22/2014, 09:28 AMPersonally, if you go as far as getting an emulator device for the CD-Rom, you might as well just play the games on an emulator on your PC. I originally saw that for the 3d0 and almost jumped on it, but I thought I'd go too far away of why I kept or repurchased my old retro consoles.

This is a very valid point but eventually there won't be any parts left to repair the CD ROMs on these old consoles. I just had to look for a replacement laser for the stand alone CD ROM and unless I wanted to spend around $80.00 (for a used one in most cases). I had to go to eBay and seek out a good used Discman from the early 90's and rob the part. Using a mod like this at least uses the real hardware to run a rom, not just an emulator.

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/22/2014, 10:08 AM

Quote from: wyndcrosser on 08/22/2014, 09:28 AMPersonally, if you go as far as getting an emulator device for the CD-Rom, you might as well just play the games on an emulator on your PC.

Uh, this makes no sense. Do you also equate using a flashcart to playing roms on a computer?

wyndcrosser · 08/22/2014, 09:17 PM

Realistically, yes flash carts still emulate mappers etc. do I use them? Of course, but hell I have a z64 and a game doctor sf7. There's no feeling Nerco like putting in a legit cd or cart/chip when playing a retro system. The artwork is key too. I miss manuals most of all... Psp vita and 3ds games make me sad as a gamer. I'm assuming you don't?

NightWolve · 08/22/2014, 10:07 PM

The result of this sort of emulation would just be faster read time though, game data from the CD image would be transferred that much faster to that 256 KB/384 KB system RAM for execution, etc.

Emulating an actual CPU, a GPU, Sound CPU, etc. all the main parts of the actual console that process the game for playing on your PC is what introduces all the inaccuracies that people might complain about and why they prefer real hardware. Emulator authors NEVER even finish all of that work, it's never 100% because it involves reverse engineering your way to the goal, without many of the inside design docs of the company that created the console and so forth.

This sort of component though, a CD reader emulator to intercept read control from the physical CD reader to the USB add-on should be something that a programmer(s) could completely finish because it's not as highly complex as say emulating a whole CPU, etc. So yeah, I'd say the concern of this emulation here somehow not giving you a 100% identical experience to the real CD reader is unnecessary.

wyndcrosser · 08/22/2014, 10:27 PM

Oh, I'm not fighting you on the fact of that it will play and may play even better than the original cd drive. My thoughts is it's just not the same. Now, if you're a collector and play TurboCD games occasionally then this would be for you. Again, realistically it's personal taste. I wish there were more 3D0 games I could get into to make this worth while.

Nightwolve, have you been working on anymore translations?

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/25/2014, 11:45 AM

Quote from: wyndcrosser on 08/22/2014, 09:17 PMThere's no feeling Nerco like putting in a legit cd or cart/chip when playing a retro system.

Maybe you could keep a toaster nearby, so you can stuff the game in and pretend.

I'm not collectardy enough to enjoy playing a game less because it's loose, missing the spine card, or whatever. Fun games are fun games.

Quote from: wyndcrosser on 08/22/2014, 09:17 PMThe artwork is key too. I miss manuals most of all...

Why would I get rid of my games if I bought such a device? When I got a flash cart, I didn't sell any hueys.

esteban · 08/25/2014, 11:52 AM

Quote from: guest on 08/25/2014, 11:45 AM
Quote from: wyndcrosser on 08/22/2014, 09:17 PMThere's no feeling Nerco like putting in a legit cd or cart/chip when playing a retro system.
Maybe you could keep a toaster nearby, so you can stuff the game in and pretend.

I'm not collectardy enough to enjoy playing a game less because it's loose, missing the spine card, or whatever. Fun games are fun games.

Quote from: wyndcrosser on 08/22/2014, 09:17 PMThe artwork is key too. I miss manuals most of all...
Why would I get rid of my games if I bought such a device? When I got a flash cart, I didn't sell any hueys.

Oster with a bunch of nice features: extra wide bagel slot, defrost, composite out, etc.

Nazi NecroPhile · 08/25/2014, 12:23 PM

No s-video mod?

esadajr · 08/25/2014, 01:18 PM

it would expand the life of the system until it completely and totally dies, so why not?

esteban · 08/25/2014, 06:25 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/25/2014, 12:23 PMNo s-video mod?

You know me, I haven't delved into any of those modifications...I don't want anyone drilling holes into my stainless steel.

Ayce · 08/27/2014, 05:56 PM

At that price no way. I'd rather buy blank CD-r's and burn the games.