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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: db-electronics on October 25, 2014, 06:29:17 AM

Title: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on October 25, 2014, 06:29:17 AM
Hi guys, here's my latest creation - a sort of TurboBooster clone focusing video output for both TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine.

To be released very soon!

http://www.db-elec.com/home/News/dbgrafxboosterttptestedandfullyoperational
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: cjameslv on October 25, 2014, 06:34:53 AM
Hi guys, here's my latest creation - a sort of TurboBooster clone focusing video output for both TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine.

To be released very soon!

http://www.db-elec.com/home/News/dbgrafxboosterttptestedandfullyoperational


That's pretty cool. Is there plans for an outer shell?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on October 25, 2014, 06:36:57 AM
That's pretty cool. Is there plans for an outer shell?

Yes absolutely! That's why there's four screw-holes in the board. I'm getting those in next week but I was too excited about the Booster working that I had to share right away!
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: cjameslv on October 25, 2014, 08:37:29 AM
That's pretty cool. Is there plans for an outer shell?

Yes absolutely! That's why there's four screw-holes in the board. I'm getting those in next week but I was too excited about the Booster working that I had to share right away!

Lol for sure. Looking forward to seeing some pics of this thing all put together.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: ultrageranium on October 25, 2014, 10:32:02 PM
nice!
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: esteban on October 25, 2014, 11:43:32 PM
L'intriguing!!!!!!!!

(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/hany_in_the_sky.png)
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: esadajr on October 26, 2014, 01:01:49 AM
these will fly off the shelves! Thanks for the hard work!
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: Greg2600 on October 26, 2014, 04:53:53 AM
Ugh, and I just had my TG modded to use the GEN 2 SCART plug!  Great work as always though db.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: turbokon on October 26, 2014, 06:51:58 AM
Nice work!  Definitely a good alternate for those who don't their system modded.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: Gentlegamer on October 26, 2014, 07:18:04 AM
Have you guys seen the cable from retrogamecave? http://retrogamecave.com/#/shop/4577155957/turbografx-custom-cables/5907870

(http://retrogamecave.com/communities/0/004/011/929/170/images/4614753271.swf)

(http://retrogamecave.com/communities/0/004/011/929/170/images/4614776825.swf)
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: bancho on October 26, 2014, 10:07:36 AM
These should fly off the shelves!

If only these had come sooner. I just the other day did an RGB mod on a Ten-no-koe bank 2. I just need to do the cutout on the shell for the 21 Pin female scart socket.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/hive81/IMG_50692.jpg) (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/hive81/media/IMG_50692.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: ultrageranium on October 26, 2014, 08:57:34 PM
If only these had come sooner. I just the other day did an RGB mod

Which amp are you using? Is it the one from thgill?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on October 27, 2014, 04:33:11 AM
these will fly off the shelves! Thanks for the hard work!

Looks like I'll need to get some shelves!
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: gladders on October 27, 2014, 07:21:55 AM
Does this fit onto the Interface Unit?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: hoobs88 on October 27, 2014, 07:25:55 AM
Hi guys, here's my latest creation - a sort of TurboBooster clone focusing video output for both TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine.

To be released very soon!

http://www.db-elec.com/home/News/dbgrafxboosterttptestedandfullyoperational


What will the price be for this?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: bancho on October 27, 2014, 11:28:52 AM
If only these had come sooner. I just the other day did an RGB mod

Which amp are you using? Is it the one from thgill?

Yeah it was the amp he sell's. Really is a nice little amp. Gives great picture quality and allows for a neat clean install.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: ishiyakazuo on October 28, 2014, 02:30:30 AM
Does this fit onto the Interface Unit?
Nope.  Uses the same expansion port.  It's an either-or, at the moment.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on October 28, 2014, 03:27:48 AM
What will the price be for this?

Still evaluating this. I'll also probably offer different versions (i.e. one without RGB) for people who don't want it in order to reduce cost for those units.

Also looking into adding S-Video support...
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: ctophil on October 29, 2014, 09:14:36 AM
Very nice, DB-Elec.  Thanks for working on all these cool devices for the Turbografx-16 and PC Engine.  As you know, I purchased your import game converter for TG-16 and a happy customer.  I'll definitely get your new Grafx Booster as well.  :-) 

Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: esteban on October 29, 2014, 11:10:42 AM
I still think this is awesome. Opinion has not changed.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on November 14, 2014, 07:28:52 AM
I've decided to go for a second PCB spin before releasing. I'm adding S-Video support and improving a few other aspects of the current design (for instance, I've notice a slight flaw on my SYNC circuit). Anyway, nothing major...

In the meantime, I took a screenshot of CVBS and RGB for you guys. Surprisingly, the CVBS video straight from the console looks very sharp on my Trinitron - it's light-years beyond CVBS from any Nintendo or Sega console.

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/preliminarycomparisonofcvbsvsrgbondbgrafxboosterttp
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: graffias79 on November 14, 2014, 08:08:52 AM
In the meantime, I took a screen of CVBS and RGB for you guys. Surprisingly, the CVBS video straight from the console looks very sharp on my Trinitron - it's light-years beyong CVBS from any Nintendo or Sega console.

I have to agree with this.  The Duo and TG-16 emit about the cleanest CVBS signal I've ever seen from a game console.  I had my Duo S-Video modded and the only thing it really cleaned up was the dot crawl.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 02:02:17 AM
Here it is, revision B with CXA1645 now supporting Modless S-Video and RGB on TurboGrafx...

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbgrafxbooster-redgreenbluechromaluma-ohmy

I've yet to do a comparison with a CXA2075 - that's on my list of things to do.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: Necromancer on July 10, 2015, 03:10:43 AM
Your link is broken.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 03:17:39 AM
Your link is broken.

oops! fixed...
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: sirhcman on July 10, 2015, 03:32:47 AM
What will the price be for this?

Still evaluating this.

Still no price?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 03:36:32 AM
Still no price?

I just need to plug in dollar amounts into my BOM spreadsheet, should be priced soon.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: bozo55 on July 10, 2015, 04:17:36 AM
This looks awesome :clap:

Is adding memory a future plan or is that unfeasible?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on July 10, 2015, 04:18:57 AM
Looks good man. Will be a nice solution for people wanting svideo on unmodded Tg, Coregrafx, and Supergrafx systems.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 04:28:03 AM
Something that could greatly reduce the price would be if I were to use two 3x3 connectors instead of 1 large EXT connector. None of the signals in the middle of the EXT port are necessary for this application so it wouldn't impact anything. The only thing is that it would look a bit weirder.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: Jibbajaba on July 10, 2015, 11:31:21 AM
Looks good!  Shame it doesn't do s-video, though.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 11:35:41 AM
Looks good!  Shame it doesn't do s-video, though.

Yes it does do S-Video.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: Necromancer on July 10, 2015, 11:52:47 AM
Hooked on phonics did not work for Jibba.  :lol:
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: NightWolve on July 10, 2015, 02:11:33 PM
Here it is, revision B with CXA1645 now supporting Modless S-Video and RGB on TurboGrafx...

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbgrafxbooster-redgreenbluechromaluma-ohmy

I've yet to do a comparison with a CXA2075 - that's on my list of things to do.
Quote
Furthermore, after a friend of mine asked: "Where's the S-Video?" I just knew the current dbGrafx Booster design was obsolete.

But where's the YPbPr/Component video ??? ;)

https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19144.0

Sadly, it's mostly S-Video that's now gone obsolete in new TVs, so really, you'd rather have YPbPr but even then a % of them reject a 240p signal, so you gotta test the set - no guarantees.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 02:15:23 PM
Here it is, revision B with CXA1645 now supporting Modless S-Video and RGB on TurboGrafx...

http://www.db-elec.com/home/lab-posts/dbgrafxbooster-redgreenbluechromaluma-ohmy

I've yet to do a comparison with a CXA2075 - that's on my list of things to do.

Quote
Furthermore, after a friend of mine asked: "Where's the S-Video?" I just knew the current dbGrafx Booster design was obsolete.

But where's the YPbPr/Component video ??? ;)

https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=19144.0


The RGB is output on a mini DIN9 connector (a.k.a Genesis 2 A/V connector). You can therefore use any Genesis 2 SCART cable to get the RGB signals.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: NightWolve on July 10, 2015, 02:25:27 PM
YPbPr/Component, not RGB. ;)

https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=13231.0
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 10, 2015, 02:27:17 PM
Oh sorry, I misread that. Maybe a future rev?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: wilykat on July 11, 2015, 05:11:23 PM
Since some TV do not like 240-anything over component, maybe a way to add a simple 480i upscaler on the component converter to make it more compatible with most modern TV?

Or would one need to buy a $300 upscaler to get good component?
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: Jibbajaba on July 11, 2015, 07:27:54 PM
Hooked on phonics did not work for Jibba.  :lol:

Lol.  I clicked on the link in the OP, which didn't have s-vid support.  Now I see the newer link with it added in.

I am definitely down for one of these whenever it gets released.  I was going to RGB-mod my little PC Engine, but I would rather just wait for this and save the RGB amp for something else...
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: NightWolve on July 11, 2015, 07:59:34 PM
Since some TV do not like 240-anything over component, maybe a way to add a simple 480i upscaler on the component converter to make it more compatible with most modern TV?

Or would one need to buy a $300 upscaler to get good component?

Correct, all you need is a resolution doubler/scaler to up it from 240p to 480p (or 480i) and that would guarantee more 9X% compatability with new LCD HDTVs, but that's a more complicated circuit. You don't have to go $300 bucks for that though, there are cheaper scalers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Premium-Composite-RCA-Component-YPbPr-VGA-HDMI-To-HDMI-Switcher-Scaler-/251903127544

That seems like one, but the quality, the lag and all that is gonna vary from what I hear. At $300, you're thinking of the best known ones like the Framemeister.

But yeah, I think it would be cool if someone like Steve did the simplest possible resolution doubler to go from 240p to 480p.
Title: Re: Modless RGB and A/V Upgrade for TurboGrafx-16 and PC-Engine
Post by: db-electronics on July 13, 2015, 01:05:55 AM
But yeah, I think it would be cool if someone like Steve did the simplest possible resolution doubler to go from 240p to 480p.


Someone already made a line doubler and used it on a Neo Geo. It would be the same concept for any 15KHz video signal really. It's not a project for the faint of heart...

http://mikejmoffitt.com/wp/?p=270