Analogue Interactive's Analog NT - $500 NES/Famicom Console

[BazookaBen]

Haha, just found out (via NeoGAF) that the Kevin Horton mentioned in the Verge article is in fact Kevtris. Don't know if he was involved with Analogue since the beginning, or if he came in later, but this is pretty cool.

So the Analogue NT will probably be the undisputed best version of the NES we'll see in our lifetimes. Well, unless they release a 4k HDMI update.

[FBX]

In my opinion if you already have a Framemeister, you'd save a lot of money getting an RGB-modded NES. I was initially interested in the NT until I saw that with all the options I'd want, the sucker would cost well over $600. It cost me less than half that to get a NES going with the NESRGB mod installed.

[low_budget]

Haha, just found out (via NeoGAF) that the Kevin Horton mentioned in the Verge article is in fact Kevtris. Don't know if he was involved with Analogue since the beginning, or if he came in later, but this is pretty cool.

So the Analogue NT will probably be the undisputed best version of the NES we'll see in our lifetimes. Well, unless they release a 4k HDMI update.

Before you declare a yet un-reviewed console the undisputed best ever, read this maybe?

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=983675

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthrea ... ood-Thread

You'll notice Chris Taber (christoph) pretty much gets kicked off every forum for promoting full blown commercial products to people who know how exaggerated and fluffed up the advertising claims are. His inability to come up with a real life release date for over a year while accepting pre-order cash didn't help.

The released motherboard pictures still do not show the NESRGB or whatever he's using for RGB and HDMI video output. How are people supposed to know the quality of their video hardware if Analogue won't show it?

He continues to lie on his website about having the only NES system using original hardware when the Super 8 bit pre-dates his system by over 2 years.



I've developed the "Super 8 bit" NES system that happens to work on the same principle as the NT, only the Super 8 was a fully functional product for sale over 2 years before the Nt. I designed and built this product myself without any outside contractors. Analogue merely copied my idea, added extra superfluous crap, and upped the price. Also bought sickening amounts of highly deceptive advertising.


I would like it if an unbiased, respected forum member would do a side-by-side comparison review of the Nt and the Super 8 bit. I'll provide a test unit, but I can't afford to let reviewers keep them. I am confident with my engineering skills and I know the Nt does not have anything on the Super 8 bit.
The extra features on the Nt are simply external accessories built in which you may or may not need.

The Super 8 bit is cheaper, smaller, feature packed, and made BY HAND in U.S.A. by somebody that cares, not a sweatshop in China.

It's just frustrating for me to have done so much work for so long, only to be overshadowed by a competitor that just doesn't seem to know what they're doing and people who bought pre-orders are paying the price.
I've never taken pre-orders, I've always had working product in hand before offering it for sale.
I've never exaggerated or failed to explain how my system works. I've even done a progress blog on Atariage from the early days. Sadly I regret this as it almost certainly gave competitors ideas.

http://www.lowbudgetify.com

[BazookaBen]

Well you're not the most unbiased source on this, so I'll wait to hear what others say. I mean, he's shipping them now, so the proof will be in the pudding.

And Kevtris was quoted directly in this article, so he's definitely still part of the project.

[Ed Oscuro]

I think that's pretty much all true.

Never had anything against cristoph myself except for the price. The advertising bit is certainly true, though, and the late releases also seem true (never went down that path myself, ever even wanted to).

[BazookaBen]

I don't think the price is unreasonable given the functionality and the effort that went into designing it. I mean, he's not going to be selling tens of thousands of these, so he needs to make a little money on the thing.

That said, it is out of my price range, and I've already made a Famicom adapter. Just need to do the RGB mod on my NES one day and I'll be set.

[ZellSF]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXsZ3LvdfCs

I'd be lying if I said that didn't look appealing (don't think I'll buy one though, sure as hell won't preorder).

[kamiboy]

It never fails to amaze me how retro gamers can at the same time be such reckless spendthrifts as well as miserable niggards.

This product seems more than worth the price of admission to me, all things considered. Speaking for myself I have several items in my filthy hoarding pile, both hardware and software, that I've spent or are willing to spend similar amounts on while knowing that outside of collecting dust and looking pretty, will never get as much use as one could get out of a system with a library as prolific as the NES'.

[yxkalle]

I hope this doesn't mean Analog has bought the sole right to Kevtris' HDMI adapter, I'm more comfortable with the price point and looks of a modded Famicom/NES. Call me cheap, but $600 is more than I can spend on a video game system I already own.

[RGB32E]

The Nt outputs every single NESRGB output.

Yes, the HDMI adapter is an RGB > HDMI upscaler developed exclusively for the Nt. It's special because of its quality and features at $49. It has a scanline generator too. We'll have video and comparisons up soon. I've spoken with Fudoh and I'll be sending him our upscaler to evaluate. The XRGB was pointed out because it is a worthy solution as well.

// ^ Quote from Fri May 09, 2014

1. Does the Nt still use the NESRGB in any capacity/configuration or is it HiDef NES only now?
2. Is analog audio mixing (non-HDN) performed on the main PCB?
3. HDMI audio is only mixed from the HDN emulation of audio (no ADC embedding option)?

[BazookaBen]

1. Does the Nt still use the NESRGB in any capacity/configuration or is it HiDef NES only now?

On Analogue's website it still says it outputs analog RGB/Component/S-video, and it still has the HD-15 connector. The Hi-Def NES doesn't do any of that, right?

[yxkalle]

On Analogue's website it still says it outputs analog RGB/Component/S-video, and it still has the HD-15 connector. The Hi-Def NES doesn't do any of that, right?

Isn't the DB-15 for Famicom controllers and peripherals?

[BazookaBen]

No, HD-15, also know as the VGA or D-sub connector.

[yxkalle]

No, HD-15, also know as the VGA or D-sub connector.

Oh, sorry. Time to get new glasses.

[low_budget]

Sadly, this means more delays for those looking to buy one of Kevtris's excellent HDMI NES mods.

Chris Taber don't give a fuck about what he deprives the modding community of. More profit for him.

[BazookaBen]

You are coming off a little salty dude.

[BONKERS]

Can't say I blame'em. If it any way has delayed the release to us normal folk of HDNES. I can see why one would be salty.

And given the shoddy craftsmanship of their previous products (Paying 500+$ for wood essentially), another point I couldn't blame for being salty.

[RGB32E]

1. Does the Nt still use the NESRGB in any capacity/configuration or is it HiDef NES only now?

On Analogue's website it still says it outputs analog RGB/Component/S-video, and it still has the HD-15 connector. The Hi-Def NES doesn't do any of that, right?

I'd imagine their site should be updated soon? There's a chance that the HDNES outputs analog RGB, but it's not something Kevtris has mentioned in any of his videos. Even if analog RGB output was available from the HDNES, one would still have to add a RGB encoder for the other outputs. From the pictures of the Nt, composite and S-Video would have to use pins on the HD15 connector? Perhaps the HDMI version will only have HDMI and RGB outputs in addition to native analog audio output.

And given the shoddy craftsmanship of their previous products (Paying 500+$ for wood essentially), another point I couldn't blame for being salty.

You have any links for this? I recall someone having a question about a CMVS unit on this forum within the last year? Was it a sync issue with the XRGB-mini, or something else?

[BazookaBen]

I'm pretty sure the NESRGB will be in every unit, and the Hi-Def Nes is optional.

I'm also curious about how they're doing all the video signals over the HD15 connector. Because with the NESRGB, if you get the Component adapter, doesn't that mean you no longer have RGB unless you install some sort of a switch? I guess for S-video and Composite he could just route them to one of the unused pins, but then you're probably dealing with non-standard cables, since I'm unaware of any HD15 standard that includes anything besides RGB or Component. Would that mean you basically have to buy cables from Analogue at that point?

[ApolloBoy]

Because with the NESRGB, if you get the Component adapter, doesn't that mean you no longer have RGB unless you install some sort of a switch?

No because the component board connects to a different area on the NESRGB (it sits right next to the video encoder).

[Skips]

I asked Tim Worthington in an e-mail about a year ago about the Anal NT's use of the NESRGB. Tim said Cristoph was not using the NESRGB in his units. Did this change sometime between now and then that caused him to abandon his own solution?

*edit*

Never mind I see he is just using the HDNES kit now. Too funny, I guess like his CMVS units he just decided to borrow and use the ideas/products of others to bring us an overpriced unit yet again.

[panzeroceania]

@skips

IIRC they aren't using nesrgb boards from Tim, they're making their own using his design, let me know if that's incorrect

[BazookaBen]

No because the component board connects to a different area on the NESRGB (it sits right next to the video encoder).

Ok, so that really makes me wonder where on the HD15 connector he's putting all these outputs, and what sort of cables would you need.

I asked Tim Worthington in an e-mail about a year ago about the Anal NT's use of the NESRGB. Tim said Cristoph was not using the NESRGB in his units. Did this change sometime between now and then that caused him to abandon his own solution?

I've seen a couple people mention on here or maybe NeoGAF that it uses the NESRGB, but that may have just been speculation based on the fact that it's the only RGB encoder for sale at the moment.

Never mind I see he is just using the HDNES kit now.

No, it definitely has analog out, so it has something else in there.

[kamiboy]

I've often wondered why Nintendo, when looking at the spiraling interest in retro gaming, with prices in tow, has not thought of doing something similar to this. Which is to say, release new NES/SNES revisions with modern outputs, as well as release newly manufactured carts.

I guess it is easier to put a ROM up for sale on their e-shop. But i think they stand to make more money selling physical products. Hell, now even Gamestop is hopping on the retro bandwagon, so retail space will not be a problem.

[CkRtech]

I've often wondered why Nintendo, when looking at the spiraling interest in retro gaming, with prices in tow, has not thought of doing something similar to this. Which is to say, release new NES/SNES revisions with modern outputs, as well release newly manufactured carts.

This has been something in the back of my mind for awhile. I am a collector of various things including toys and video games. I have already seen the toy manufacturers pull their molds out of the vault and reissue old toys at modern day retail prices (and sell them easily). It is possible that we are nearing that point for games.

[BazookaBen]

I've often wondered why Nintendo, when looking at the spiraling interest in retro gaming, with prices in tow, has not thought of doing something similar to this. Which is to say, release new NES/SNES revisions with modern outputs, as well release newly manufactured carts.

I'm wondering if they still have design documentation necessary to manufacture the old CPU's and PPU's. Companies were pretty bad losing that back in the day.

[yxkalle]

My guess is that they can't make any money selling games that way, unless they re-released some. They probably makes more money with Virtual Console that they ever could hope to make with a new NES.

[CkRtech]

My guess is that they can't make any money selling games that way, unless they re-released some. They probably makes more money with Virtual Console that they ever could hope to make with a new NES.

Well, I think they could probably make limited editions of newer NES hardware (Mario NES, Zelda NES) as well as special releases (i.e. Super Mario Bros. 30th anniversary boxed NES game) and make quite a killing off of it. It would probably end up still being NOAC inside, and they would have to decide if they want to support it or not - which is probably the "eh" part of why they haven't done it.

[kamiboy]

If Nintendo came out with a new NES revision that was not utter garbage, at a reasonable price, and started manufacturing NES carts of old coveted releases again I am certain it would garner them more attention and success than their current console offering, and at a fraction of the cost. I bet old friends like Konami and Capcom wouldn't say no to free money either, as the work has already been done, all they would need to do is manufacture more copies.

The zeitgeist is there, even a new generation of young gamers is intetested in retro gaming and there are currently not enough physical copies in circulation to satiate demand. So the market is there but Nintendo is often a weird company when it comes to capitalizing on the zeitgeist.

[RGB32E]

Well, I think they could probably make limited editions of newer NES hardware (Mario NES, Zelda NES) as well as special releases (i.e. Super Mario Bros. 30th anniversary boxed NES game) and make quite a killing off of it.

It would probably end up still being NOAC inside, and they would have to decide if they want to support it or not - which is probably the "eh" part of why they haven't done it.

No, I'm fairly confident Nintendo doesn't want to regress their business model, regardless of "how awesome" the idea may seem. Besides, given the gamma and color reductions they enforce on their VC stuff, I wouldn't want Nintendo to even make such a thing given the HW designed by NTD over the past decade... Ultimately, between the NESRGB, AVS, HDNES, and Nt I see no reason for such shenanigans.

EDIT: If we're lucky, Nintendo might announce such a return to carts on an April 1st as a gag!