Definitive PCE/Turbo RGB solutions (with csync)? -2016-

[cr4zymanz0r]

People all across the internet have been discussing PCE/Turbo RGB for years, which has led to all kinds of variations where one mod seems to work fine for one person's equipment, but not for everyone, etc.. This makes it hard to sift through all the information now and know which methods are correct all around, and which ones aren't

Currently my only RGB modded PCE system is a PC-Engine Duo-R. It was originally a doujindance special from probably 5 years ago where one of the colors started to fail, then failed completely. As it was still years ago, I just slapped together a simple transistor amp mod similar to the one at the bottom of this link (http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/pc-engine-rgb-mod/). I plugged it back in and it worked, so my ignorant self considered it fine. From what I've read this method has the video signals at improperly high voltages and probably other things wrong as well. I'm by no means an expert on proper analog video circuits, but I'm much better soldering and can understand the stuff in general now rather than it just seeming like the right magical mix of components gives you working RGB.

1.) So what are some proper methods for getting correctly spec'd RGB? I fully understand where to tap RGB from the system and ways to get it out of the system. What I need to know is what is in between to get the signals correctly amped/boosted/terminated/whatever. If all I need are a small number of cheap components per a signal, then I would maybe prefer that over a more expensive pre-made solution (though I am open to a good price-to-convenience ratio solution).
a.) One solution I've seen posted is this http://www.gamesx.com/grafx/pce_rgb.jpg . Looks like just a more complex version of the mmmonkey transistor amp, but I'm hoping the additional components in this one bring it to correct voltages and such. Is there anything wrong with this solution?
b.) There's this premade solution http://www.tg16pcemods.com/rgb-amp.html . It doesn't account for csync, but otherwise is everything fine about it?
c.) Any other 'proper' RGB mods?

2.) Most people seem unconcerned about tapping csync from PCE hardware since composite video based sync (CVBS) seems to work fine in most applications. Well, I recently got a professional AV switch that only works with csync and/or horizontal + vertical sync, so CVBS is out of the question for me now. I know where to tap the signal, but I don't know what needs to be done to properly amp it to the correct levels. Will the transistor method from the gamesx link above work fine? Are their reasonably priced pre-made PCE RGB solutions that account for csync as well? I'm aware I could probably use a LM1881 sync stripping solution on CVBS to get csync, but I prefer to use csync from the console if it's actually outputting it (though I would be interested in technical reasons for if a LM1881 solution is 100% as good as console native csync, if it isn't, or other caveats).

Also, whatever methods turn out to be 'correct' I'd be interested to know the technical reasons why they are correct so I can learn as well. "Well, the X resistors connected to Y bring the voltage level down to the proper Z spec" or whatever the explanation might be.

[Guspaz]

The dbGrafx Booster is a popular option, since you simply plug it in the back:

http://db-electronics.ca/product/dbgrafx-booster-ttp/

Doesn't work if you want to use a CD though.

[waiwainl]

Using the dbGrafx Booster too.

Be careful and don't buy the retrogamingcables.co.uk cable. It doesn't work See this link

[cr4zymanz0r]

that doesn't work on any model Duo.

[RGB32E]

What is the proper method for getting correctly spec'd RGB?

Have you seen this thread?

1. Install an AV-DRIVER with 1.7x gain, buffer CSYNC using the AV-DRIVER.
ORDER: http://etim.net.au/shop/shop.php?crn=21 ... how_detail

2. Apply the 'jailbars' fix. Add 4.7uF ceramic (type is important) to the two 5 volt rails that power the Hu6260 (generates the analog RGB output). While the guide only shows PCE/TG16 variants, the fix applies to all consoles containing the Hu6260.
GUIDE: http://etim.net.au/av-driver/pcebars/

3. Use a quality RGB cable and enjoy!

[cr4zymanz0r]

Have you seen this thread?

1. Install an AV-DRIVER with 1.7x gain, buffer CSYNC using the AV-DRIVER.
ORDER: http://etim.net.au/shop/shop.php?crn=21 ... how_detail

2. Apply the 'jailbars' fix. Add 4.7uF ceramic (type is important) to the two 5 volt rails that power the Hu6260 (generates the analog RGB output). While the guide only shows PCE/TG16 variants, the fix applies to all consoles containing the Hu6260.
GUIDE: http://etim.net.au/av-driver/pcebars/

3. Use a quality RGB cable and enjoy!

I'd seen the product, but not that thread talking about the specific PC-Engine settings though. The price seems a bit high since it's got numerous configurations for different hardware, and an audio amp that I don't need for a Duo-R. Given that it's from viletim though I'd assume it's a 'correct' solution. I just wonder if any of the more affordable options are as well.
I'd have to look further into that jailbar fix though. I don't recall my Duo-R having the issue, but it's been a while since I've used it heavily so I might not remember.

[kamiboy]

All PC Engine models have the bars. If you want an affordable RGB solution check the sale section, there is a guy selling PCE amps.

[mvsfan]

My favorite turbografx solution is the rgb kits by Low_budget. it installs over the bottom of the expansion port pins, and thus has a lot less wires than any other mod. i also notice no interference with it the video just looks great. but it only works on the pc engine or TG16, not the Duo.

[cr4zymanz0r]

Well, I built this amp (http://www.gamesx.com/grafx/pce_rgb.jpg) and it works, but it's way too dark. Playable, but looks barely amped at all.

At this point I'm just ordering the amp that mickcris sells here on the forums but will use the csync portion of the circuit above, since the amp I'm buying (and seemingly every pre-made amp except viletim's) doesn't account for csync.

[mvsfan]

Thats the old transistor amp. Its one of the oldest turbografx rgb mods. Much improvement has been made since then.

[cr4zymanz0r]

Thats the old transistor amp. Its one of the oldest turbografx rgb mods. Much improvement has been made since then.

Yeah, it just seems that for the most part PCE/Turbo RGB amps are black magic. There's 5 or more different versions/variations, and little modern information stating which ones work well, don't work well, appear to work well but are a bad idea, work but with minor issues, etc. (even more so if you want native csync as well) . The mmmonkey one with transistors with no additional components appeared to work well that I did back in my super noob days, but from my understanding it offers no protection if something happens to go wrong and can potentially fry something. Someone like viletim would probably know which mods are good/bad/decent, but he seems to be a pretty busy guy.

Silly me thought the gamesx transistor mod with the additional components would be the same results but do it correctly to connect the components. "The More You Know" ®