PCEngineFans.com - The PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 Community Forum
NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: Ayce on September 23, 2014, 02:09:13 AM
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I purchased my first PC Engine game... One that I dreamed about as a child. Street Fighter II' :dance:
I picked up the Avenue 6 pad and adapter so that I will be ready to play the game ... :cry: on my Everdrive. I know it's not the last Japanese Hu that I want to buy so my question. How difficult is the region mod to install? I've added s-video to my brothers 7800 and Ultra mode to my AES so I do have skills with a soldering iron.
The other question is ... Is there someone on the forums that is experienced in doing this mod who can do it for me, and how much?
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If you have a TG16, why not just use a passive converter?
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If you have a TG16, why not just use a passive converter?
Because a region mod is cheaper and far more reliable than a converter?
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I also can do the mod and have them in stock. (USA Based)
Since you have an Everdrive why would you not want to use it to back up your originals and not hack your system?
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If you have a TG16, why not just use a passive converter?
Because a region mod is cheaper and far more reliable than a converter?
How is opening up your console, breaking and soldering up a bunch of connections "more reliable" than sliding in something HuCard-shaped into the HuCard slot? I can't even fathom the logic. (The cheaper part is undeniable, though.)
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Many converters are pieces of shit that don't make proper contact half the time.
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Many converters are pieces of shit that don't make proper contact half the time.
That's a fair statement. At least you qualified it with "many" -- I was mainly objecting to the fact that ApolloBoy made it like it was a 100% always true fact. In theory, a converter could be made by desoldering the HuCard connector from a TG16 or PCE and slapping it on a PCB with the right thickness, and if the PCB isn't designed like crap, it'd be just as reliable as any internal mod that can be done.
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If you have a TG16, why not just use a passive converter?
Because a region mod is cheaper and far more reliable than a converter?
How is opening up your console, breaking and soldering up a bunch of connections "more reliable" than sliding in something HuCard-shaped into the HuCard slot? I can't even fathom the logic. (The cheaper part is undeniable, though.)
I definitely agree with this sentiment. As I said before, I dislike making any changes internally to a game console, including the Turbografx-16. I like it the way the system was originally designed. It's a Purist way of thinking. Plus, there is always a risk of damaging your system no matter how skilled you are. I know this because I installed modchips for people back in the day for PS1, Dreamcast, Xbox, and PS2. And as time goes by, a short in the solder connection(s) can also cause the console to just stop working altogether.
A converter acts as an external source, and if it breaks down, just go buy another replacement. I believe there will always be somebody who will be making a converter somewhere in the world. They don't make Turbografx-16 or PC Engines anymore. The systems will get harder and harder to find as time goes by due to people holding on to them and heavily broken consoles that get thrown in the trash, especially when the TG-16 was less known. Therefore, a shortage is more likely than say the Atari 2600 or NES.
You ask, "What if somebody makes a clone TG-16?" I say, so what? A clone system is not a TG-16 in my book. It wasn't made by NEC and will not have the same quality and antiquity. Have you ever heard of Clone systems of NES, SNES , and Sega Genesis that had the EXACT same video/audio processing as the real thing? It's always this or that...the audio is terrible. The video is blurry. The plastic is cheap. It can't play certain games. etc., etc.
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How is opening up your console, breaking and soldering up a bunch of connections "more reliable" than sliding in something HuCard-shaped into the HuCard slot? I can't even fathom the logic. (The cheaper part is undeniable, though.)
You've obviously never used any of the various region converters available.
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How is opening up your console, breaking and soldering up a bunch of connections "more reliable" than sliding in something HuCard-shaped into the HuCard slot? I can't even fathom the logic. (The cheaper part is undeniable, though.)
You've obviously never used any of the various region converters available.
ANY of them? Have you sampled them all? If not, then you've obviously made a completely baseless generalization.
See, this is why I commented in the first place. You absolutely cannot say that it's more reliable, because (a) there are people out there who really suck at modding and (b) some adapters are worse than others.
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ANY of them? Have you sampled them all? If not, then you've obviously made a completely baseless generalization.
I don't have to physically use each and every version to be aware that others have reported various problems with them, with some versions not surprisingly being more troublesome than others. And here's another baseless generalization: you implying that ALL converters are more reliable (nothing in your statement limited it to just the mythical perfect converter).
See, this is why I commented in the first place.
Because you wanted to argue semantics? Bravo. Anyone with half a brain could see that ApolloBoy was saying that mods are better than region converters in general.
(a) there are people out there who really suck at modding
When someone talks about a mod, it's implied that it's properly installed. If you're going to include human error, you might as well include someone inserting a converter (or the HuCARD itself) upside down. 'Tis a pointless argument.
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ANY of them? Have you sampled them all? If not, then you've obviously made a completely baseless generalization.
I don't have to physically use each and every version to be aware that others have reported various problems with them, with some versions not surprisingly being more troublesome than others. And here's another baseless generalization: you implying that ALL converters are more reliable (nothing in your statement limited it to just the mythical perfect converter).
If I implied that, I apologize. What I meant to convey is that both methods can be equally reliable.
(a) there are people out there who really suck at modding
When someone talks about a mod, it's implied that it's properly installed. If you're going to include human error, you might as well include someone inserting a converter (or the HuCARD itself) upside down. 'Tis a pointless argument.
You could make that same argument about secondhand info about converters sucking, too. How do you know the person was using it properly? It's a matter of taking someone at their word.
In the end, all I'm saying is that converters maybe shouldn't be written off quite so fast. Personally, I'm not a fan of the idea of modifying classic consoles, and the converters do allow for the playing of a game without a lot of hassle (if the converter doesn't suck and is used correctly). I just wanted to point out that, for a TG16, such converters do exist, and for some people, it's less about the money, and more about keeping a console pristine.
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and more about keeping a console pristine.
You know it's totally possible to mod a TG-16 without making any holes, right? Hell you can mod a TG-16 for RGB along with a region switch and still not have to make a single mark on the console.
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and more about keeping a console pristine.
You know it's totally possible to mod a TG-16 without making any holes, right? Hell you can mod a TG-16 for RGB along with a region switch and still not have to make a single mark on the console.
Keeping the case pristine and keeping the console pristine are two different things...
Some people just don't like the idea of having messed with something that isn't in production anymore.
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I also can do the mod and have them in stock. (USA Based)
Since you have an Everdrive why would you not want to use it to back up your originals and not hack your system?
A couple reasons... First of all I'd rather play the real deal and not on the Everdrive. The Everdrive is a cool little device, but I just don't like using it unless I really have to.
The other reason is because the Everdrive cannot emulate the arcade card to play games like Fatal Fury Special or Art of Fighting.
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I would go ahead and mod it for sure. If you can do it yourself even better, as you get more satisfaction out of it..but if your not good at modding then i would get someone that is to do it! I feel a modded system brings out it's full potential and gives it more of a personalized feel. Granted this is coming from a guy who will open a sealed game just to play it :) I'm a player not a collector and i want to enjoy my games to the fullest.
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I would go ahead and mod it for sure. If you can do it yourself even better, as you get more satisfaction out of it..but if your not good at modding then i would get someone that is to do it! I feel a modded system brings out it's full potential and gives it more of a personalized feel. Granted this is coming from a guy who will open a sealed game just to play it :) I'm a player not a collector and i want to enjoy my games to the fullest.
Comrade, I have no beef with you (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.html)
We are the same, I, too, will open any sealed game I want to play (Magical Chase included...if I get that game I'm opening it...)
Your post, though, inspired a rant that I should put somewhere else. So, remember, this is not personal, I'm really just explaining why I haven't fallen head-over-heels for all the amazing mods folks have developed over the years...I never want a modded console to be my only console. Never.
RANT START ---------
I'm a player not a collector and i want to enjoy my games to the fullest.
The only part of your post I take issue with is the phrase "to the fullest"...
I will offer a counter-argument, where using original hardware = enjoying my games to the fullest.
I play my games, comrade, but I have a hard time modding any system.
A region mod makes a lot of sense (it is practical an convenient), but I would want the switch hidden in back.
I tell folks to get region mods because most folks don't want to have US and JP hardware cluttering up their home.
I actually like using all the different hardware, and I swap out the consoles I use ever 2-3 months.
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Other mods (video), however, I have a much harder time justifying for myself.
We have an old thread here, somewhere, where I explained that that I am OK with the
"imperfections" of the consoles I play.
You see, original hardware + TV = authentic experience for me. That's what I enjoy.
I am not saying I haven't been tempted, but I'd want to get a cosmetically damaged console to modify.
And, to be honest, it would be done for the sake of curiosity.
When I listen to records, I don't complain about the occasional pop.
When I listen to cassettes, I don't complain about the hiss.
Composite + CRT TV = quite nice.
Hey, sometimes there is a slight buzzing, but it's always been like that with old TV's.
One of these days, when I have the $$$, I will get a few mods done...it will satiate my curiousity.
I will use it, surely, but it will simply be part of the rotation.
I still use original Gameboy, for example. It's part of the rotation.
Why? Because I really enjoy all the nuances of playing games as I played them 20-30 years ago.
I am not trying to change you, comrade, but merely offering my own fetish. Some folks have a fetish for a "pure" video signal.
I have a fetish for an authentic experience, as "flawed" as it may appear to others.
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Comrade, I have no beef with you (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.html)
We are the same, I, too, will open any sealed game I want to play (Magical Chase included...if I get that game I'm opening it...)
Your post, though, inspired a rant that I should put somewhere else. So, remember, this is not personal, I'm really just explaining why I haven't fallen head-over-heels for all the amazing mods folks have developed over the years...I never want a modded console to be my only console. Never.
RANT START ---------
I'm a player not a collector and i want to enjoy my games to the fullest.
The only part of your post I take issue with is the phrase "to the fullest"...
I will offer a counter-argument, where using original hardware = enjoying my games to the fullest.
I play my games, comrade, but I have a hard time modding any system.
A region mod makes a lot of sense (it is practical an convenient), but I would want the switch hidden in back.
I tell folks to get region mods because most folks don't want to have US and JP hardware cluttering up their home.
I actually like using all the different hardware, and I swap out the consoles I use ever 2-3 months.
-------
Other mods (video), however, I have a much harder time justifying for myself.
We have an old thread here, somewhere, where I explained that that I am OK with the
"imperfections" of the consoles I play.
You see, original hardware + TV = authentic experience for me. That's what I enjoy.
I am not saying I haven't been tempted, but I'd want to get a cosmetically damaged console to modify.
And, to be honest, it would be done for the sake of curiosity.
When I listen to records, I don't complain about the occasional pop.
When I listen to cassettes, I don't complain about the hiss.
Composite + CRT TV = quite nice.
Hey, sometimes there is a slight buzzing, but it's always been like that with old TV's.
One of these days, when I have the $$$, I will get a few mods done...it will satiate my curiousity.
I will use it, surely, but it will simply be part of the rotation.
I still use original Gameboy, for example. It's part of the rotation.
Why? Because I really enjoy all the nuances of playing games as I played them 20-30 years ago.
I am not trying to change you, comrade, but merely offering my own fetish. Some folks have a fetish for a "pure" video signal.
I have a fetish for an authentic experience, as "flawed" as it may appear to others.
Fair enough, i understand everyone is going to have a different view on what they consider the best experience for them. I was expressing my views and of course that is just me. That's what makes a community so diverse yet together is the love of a system and everyone will express it in their own way. I appreciate your response.
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Like I said, it's really not you, I am just too lazy to make a new thread or dig up the old one. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.html)
I always think in going to re-use/recycle my posts elsewhere, but I rarely (never) do.
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RANT START ---------
I play my games, comrade, but I have a hard time modding any system.
I actually like using all the different hardware, and I swap out the consoles I use ever 2-3 months.
You're a lot like me, Esteban. If you read my post above, I don't like modding any system either. Back in the day, I did mod my PS1 once just to practice on soldering skills and to see if I could do it. But since then, I took out the modchip and have not modded anything else. I sorta regretted doing that, since it modified my pristine, original console. But that was just part of growing up. These days, even if people paid me $100,000, I wouldn't modify any of my consoles.
I also do a lot of rotating with my consoles. I do this for two reasons. One: Gives me a variety of games to play to keep it fresh. Two: Keep the consoles in very nice working condition, which means I don't wear out my classic consoles from overuse. For example, all consoles that I bought brand new back then are in flawless condition (looks like they just came out of the box and all buttons/doors function as new). These systems include the NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, Nintendo DS, Sega Saturn, PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360. Unfortunately, the rest of the consoles I have are used when I bought them, since I didn't get them until much later through Ebay or some local game store. So, they are not even close to the condition of my original consoles bought when they came out.