Round 4: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=63381 - accepting participants
(started early to include some people who were excluded from round 3)
Previous group-buys:
Round 3: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=63235
Round 2: (this thread)
Round 1: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=61658
Round 1: http://nintendoage.com/forum/messagevie ... did=179486
[edit 2018-09-13]
I've had several requests from people interested in joining the next round, including a surge of requests today. I'll try to get round 3 started tonight!
I've was too busy to update the thread for a while. We finished all of them quite a while back except for tacoguy64 and Quaze.
These all shipped a while back and tracking shows "delivered" for all of them:
- Delivered:
- Einhandr (1)
- Einhandr (2)
- zachjay
- ustor
- nmalinoski
- gentlemenace
- bag
- DoomsDave (international)
- wwoz9 (1) (international)
- wwoz9 (2) (international)
- jedegr (international)
- jvggopher9
- joek (took the place of everau)
- mawe
- danturcan (international)
- These are still pending:
- Quaze - waiting for N64 to arrive
- tacoguy64 - installed, awaiting USB-blaster to upgrade custom firmware of his existing RGB mod
tacoguy64 has a Tim Worthington RGB mod with custom deblur firmware. We knew ahead of time that we'd need to install borti4938's custom flex PCB to improve compatibility between the existing mod and UltraHDMI. It's installed and working. Borti4938 urged us to update the custom firmware to correct some known issues with that very-early custom firmware, so I've ordered a USB Blaster from China. I suppose I'll be doing using that to add RGB to a lot of N64s
quaze sent an immaculate N64 from Canada that arrived with a couple cracks and chips, so he doesn't want the mod installed in that system and is sending another. I've seen a few standard black N64s with plastic that is far more brittle than other N64s. This is definitely one of them.
jedegr and
everau these two international packages (kit-only) were returned without a real explanation. Postal employees weren't sure why. I sent jedegr's back to him again with a slightly higher rate and it reached him just fine. everau opted to cancel his order. A few people had asked me to let them know if anyone backs out from round 2, so everau's kit went to "
joek" on NintendoAge.
[/edit 2018-09-13][/b]
[edit 2018-08-21]
The UltraHDMI kits have arrived!
I unboxed them this evening and counted the inventory.
- Serial numbers:
- R1DC210571
- R1DC210572
- R1DC210573
- R1DC210574
- R1DC210575
- R1DC210576
- R1DC190577
- R1DC190578
- R1DC190579
- R1DC190580
- R1DC190581
- R1DC190582
- R1DC190583
- R1DC190584
- R1DC190585
[gap in the serial numbers]
- R1DC190587
- R1DC190588
In the morning, I'll record video as I test all of them to make sure we don't have any faulty boards. CZroe has a full day at work tomorrow but we will probably finish several installs.
[/edit 2018-08-21]
[edit 2018-08-17]
Just received an email shipment notice!
from: VIPParcel <
noreply@vipparcel.com>
to: [my email address]
date: Aug 17, 2018, 6:46 PM
subject: Shipping confirmation.
This ship notification is being sent to you by VIPparcel.com at the request of [RetroActive].
A package with a VIPparcel.com label is scheduled to be shipped on 08/17/2018.
If the "Shipped To" address information is not correct, please contact the Shipper.
Shipped from:
[RetroActive PO Box]
Shipped to:
[My correct home address]
Type of Service: USPS Priority
Also I received a couple more N64s:
tacoguy64 (Shmups) Smoke Gray S/N ending 530 [8/10]
danturcan (Email) Grape Purple S/N ending 008 [8/16]
[/edit 2018-08-17]
[edit 2018-08-06]
Received 4 N64 systems today:
-
Einhandr #1 (NintendoAge) Daiei Hawks S/N ending 189
-
Einhandr #2 (NintendoAge) Charcoal Black S/N ending 180
-
gentlemenace (Shmups) Jungle Green S/N ending 290
-
jvggopher9 (Shmups) Charcoal Black S/N ending 836
Signature confirmation is recommended. At least 2 times that I know of, USPS has attempted to deliver a package to Maple
Ct (a few miles away) instead of Maple
Dr.
[/edit 2018-08-06]
[edit 2018-08-01]
UPDATE: If you are getting installation service, it's time to send your N64 system to me!
Here's what GameTechUS said about the current production run on 2018-07-25:
https://twitter.com/GameTechUS/status/1 ... 6013741056
"
#UltraHDMI update! Marshall says the fab finally sourced all parts and has started production!"
I expect to receive ours
very soon.
[/edit 2018-08-01]
[edit 2018-07-05]
Einhandr (2 systems, NintendoAge)
zachjay (NintendoAge)
ustor (Shmups)
Quaze (NintendoAge)
nmalinoski (Shmups)
gentlemenace (Shmups)
bag (NintendoAge) received Ice Blue S/N ending 436
tacoguy64 (Shmups)
DoomsDave (Shmups)
wwoz9 (2 systems, referred by round 1 participant "OptOut")
jedegr (Twitter)
jvggopher9 (Shmups/Twitter)
everau (Email)
mawe (Email)
danturcan (Email)
[/edit 2018-07-05]
Detailed list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing
Previous UltraHDMI group-buy:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=61658
http://nintendoage.com/forum/messagevie ... did=179486
The previous UltraHDMI group-buy went smoothly and everything wrapped up MUCH more quickly than anyone expected. CZroe and I had to take care of some things at home and we're finally ready for "round 2." I still haven't built a web site, but we'll just handle it through the forum the same way as before. I hope to launch WeStillPlay.com sometime in 2018.
The only change for round 2 is the tweaked shipping cost. I take a slight loss on each kit after fees and such, but that doesn't matter to me since most participants choose the discounted install option. Keeping round numbers makes it easier to process.
Working as a team, my twin brother (CZroe) and I have performed ~90 UltraHDMI installs to date and many Hi-Def NES installs. Even since our last group-buy, N64 fans are clearly still desperate for UltraHDMI. Three of our eBay listings ended for $1,000.00+
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132502449882 $1.000.00 (02/11)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132518768280 $1,077.00 (02/25) 24 hour auction
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132523502365 $1,007.03 (03/01)
In each case, we started the listing for $0.01
Hopefully this group-buy will satisfy another chunk of UltraHDMI demand so you won't have to pay eBay prices. I don’t want to exclude anyone. If you're part of a local retro gaming group on Facebook or another forum, let them know. Let's try to get as many participants as possible this week and I'll order the kits direct from RetroActive.be on Tuesday July 3rd. In a chat with UltraHDMI creator MarshallH, he told me: "Turn time is 5 weeks." It should be within 7 weeks if we consider all the shipping around. I’ll pass along any updates I get from RetroActive during the process. Until the order is sent, participants can back out and I will refund ASAP.
- $130.00 UltraHDMI kit (required to participate)
- $50.00 install service + extras
- $5.00 mini-HDMI cable
If you are confident in your tools and precision soldering ability, buy the kit and install yourself. I can install for $50 and toss in some extras.
USA Shipping:
$10 UltraHDMI kit + extras
$20 N64 console with UltraHDMI upgrade installed + extras
If you're ordering multiples, you can save on shipping. At least four kits with extras can fit into a USPS small flat rate box. Two N64 consoles with extras will fit into a USPS medium flat rate box (no power adapter or controller).
I ship from Newnan, GA 30263 (United States). Each kit is insured @$150 and each upgraded console will be insured @$250. Signature confirmation required.
For shipping outside USA:
I will contact you before kits are ordered to work out the cost of shipping.
Extras included with install service:
- In-game reset feature: Allows you to reset the system with a button combination. Older UltraHDMI installs cannot get IGR by simply updating to 1.06+ fw. An internal wire must connect to the reset button.
- 3D-printed cartridge tray for NTSC systems: Allows North American N64 to fit and play Japanese games with 100% compatibility, or vice-versa. Your original unmodified cartridge tray will also be returned.
- Custom power LED color: Choose green, blue, yellow, white, or original red.
Each UltraHDMI kit or installed system will be tested before packing and shipping. The latest firmware will be installed (currently 1.07A). If you order a kit with no install, it will be shipped as soon as I receive and test them. If you’re getting install service, I’ll process the list of participants in order from first to last. For installs, send only the console. I don’t need the controller, power supply, or anything else. N64 systems will be prepped and ready for installation so I can begin installs as soon as the kits arrive. If MarshallH can send the flat cables first, I might even have the soldering part done before the UltraHDMI boards arrive.
After performing dozens of these installs, I am confident I can install / test / pack / ship 5 systems per day.
To participate:
- Shoot me a PM or email
.
- Tell me if you’re interested in kit+install or just the kit.
- Tell me if you want a mini HDMI cable.
- Tell me your name and return address.
I will provide my mobile phone number, street address, and email.
I’ll keep a public list of participants here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing
Make sure you're looking at the "Round 2" tab.
The group buy is open until I submit the order on Tuesday. Then I will post each status update in this thread.
We'll probably keep this one going continuously. After I submit an order to RetroActive, I'll keep a list of anyone else that wants to be included in the next order. If there's anyone that hasn't paid at least $130 for the kit at the time an order is submitted, I'll just move them to the list for the next order.