NES RGB mod

[Salamander]

Picked up a French PAL NES for fun mostly out of curiosity of what is inside that RF box.  The socket and plug for this system resemble a multi-out connector on later Nintendo systems a whole lot minus that central key tab.  Its identical to the covered port on the FDS RAM adapter but has 2 pins less than the RAM adapters plug (10 instead of 12).  The cable isn't too common and it terminates into SCART.  From what I can tell it uses the Sony V7021 chip to convert composite to RGB.  I'm sure the picture is every bit as terrible.  If nothing else I think this would make a really cosmetically clean RGB console if you were to do the necessary changes to the xtal, ppu and cpu.  The rear of the bottom part of the case is even already marked for RGB!

[RGB32E]

Here are a couple of exciting things:

RetroZone HDMI-NES Prototype: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=47634



VileTim's RGBNES kits!  Solves the problem of needing to use an arcade PPU for RGB output.  Has an onboard RGB encoder, so it provides S-Video and Composite video as well!  $85 USD!
Shmups thread: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=47617

Only designed to fit in NES toasters and original Famicom systems.  An adapter is planned for other NES consoles (US top loader, AV Famicom, Sharp Twin, etc).

[Salamander]

A look at the other F-Labo kit this one without the sound components and using a CXA1645P over an M.  Footprint is a lot more compact (58mm x 63mm instead of 59mm x 88mm) but it has vertical clearance issues in a toaster DOH!  Cheaper too if you don't mind sourcing your own Sony encoder and don't want the sound. 

[imparanoic]

could this be the real modern day solution, apparently, not emulation based

http://www.retrocollect.com/News/analogue-interactive-announce-rgb-ready-nintendo-nes-console-cased-in-aluminium.html

[AlmostOriginal]

Release? Pcb pics? Price?

[rezendes]

I am having so much trouble with my NTSC Front loader NESRGB install.  I have checked that all the pins from the ppu are connected to the corresponding pins on the nes motherboard with a multimeter when the nesrgb board is in place.  I have asked Tim a few questions about what's happening and he says the crushed component is just a power supply bypass capacitor. It doesn't matter much. The EXT2 pin (which I ripped the pad off) on the motherboard is connected to ground so no big deal.  The 72 pin connector is brand new and working fine before I butchered my poor nes.  The sound and pallet switch both work great and games play fine (besides garbled graphics).  I made sure to solder J5 solder jumper...  Maybe there is something obvious that I did wrong or missed.  I feel like either my ppu has been damaged somehow or my nesrgb board is a dud somehow?  Please help



After attempting to check pins and resolder the ppu I now have taken a huge step backwards and have this:



Could pins be broken inside of the PPU from me bending the legs?

[RGB32E]

I am having so much trouble with my NTSC Front loader NESRGB install.

First thing I'd try is to try turning off the NESRGB (no palette selected) and see if stock composite video output still looks ok.  If it doesn't, then there's an issue with the PPU and/or it's connectivity.

[rezendes]

First thing I'd try is to try turning off the NESRGB (no palette selected) and see if stock composite video output still looks ok.  If it doesn't, then there's an issue with the PPU and/or it's connectivity.

Thanks for the idea, I will try it when I get a chance and report back with the results.  After that, I think I'm going to attempt to desolder the ppu and test it directly in the nes stock.

[rezendes]

Regarding the problems with my NESRGB install, I have Finally removed the PPU from the NESRGB (hours and hours and tons of frustration and ripped pads later).  I popped it into the socket on the NES and it works beautifully... My problem now is that I have a ton of ripped off pads on a NESRGB that may have already had other problems.  I'm trying to clean it up and see if I can save it, it looks bad though.

[rezendes]

After helping me directly through email, Tim sent me a replacement and I got it up and running great, except I have it in a socket (cut some plastic out of the bottom of the NES hidden under the expansion cover) and I cannot press a game down or else I get a grey screen. Probably because I didn't cut a hole in the metal shield and it's probably too much pressure on the ppu or moving something around. I may just leave it how it is because the 72 pin connector will last longer without pressing games down.

[Segasonicfan]

First, I want to say thank you for the people that documented this original mod, and to Viletim for coming up with a superior one.

I obtained a Playchoice chip modded NES in a trade and am having some issues.  I cleaned up the mod and it appears really solid now but this thing doesn't wanna read carts to save its live.  I cut the NES10 chip (pin 4) and bought a new connector and it STILL takes me 20+ times to boot a game.  Cleaned the board connector too.  I keep getting a solid pink screen.  Does anyone know if this mod might affect something?  I was thinking of resocketing the PPU and doing some reflow work next.  What a pain....is this ever related to bad caps?
Thanks for any help.

-Segasonicfan