N64RGBVDC: cheap RGB mod for PAL N64

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elmimmo
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:55 am

N64RGBVDC: cheap RGB mod for PAL N64

Post by elmimmo »

I stumbled onto this recent mod which the author has called N64RGBVDC.

Introduction (in Spanish):
https://youtu.be/Yv1dDJPmAAs

Installation video:
https://youtu.be/tCnYbc-Gqtc

25€ but currently out of stock. Compatible with PAL Nintendo 64 consoles, which is cool considering that RetroRGB.com’s currently listed compatible mods are about 3-4 times more costly.

Anyone in the know can throw an opinion on expected quality and potential drawbacks?

I am not affiliated and do not know the author in any way.
Last edited by elmimmo on Sat Feb 12, 2022 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RocketBelt
Posts: 196
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:46 pm

Re: N64RGBVDC: cheap RGB mod for PAL N64

Post by RocketBelt »

Looks like a cheaper way to get basic RGB with no frills out of PAL consoles and later NTSC consoles, but its still a fiddly install needing an experienced solderer, not something you'd bodge in yourself with a cheap soldering iron.

With regards to quality, I would speculate that if it works as he says it does, it should be the equivalent of putting an RGB amp into an early NTSC console. I use one of these, a sync-on-luma RGB cable, and an OSSC in line triple mode with scanlines.
DRC
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:43 am

Re: N64RGBVDC: cheap RGB mod for PAL N64

Post by DRC »

I purchased and installed one into an NTSC N64. It works well, and looks good.
I also have an early NTSC console with basic RGB amp, as well as an older Tim Worthington mod with deblur.

I see no difference across all three played on a CRT, aside from the deblur function of Tim's board. The N64RGBVDC was a much simpler install than Tim's board.
captaineos
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:20 am

Re: N64RGBVDC: cheap RGB mod for PAL N64

Post by captaineos »

I'm in Australia so the cost of Tim W board is not a problem / I'm no gangsta but it's cheap enough to not think about it. I think we really need a region mod for the PAL consoles too - that I'd pay for. Will check the link now.
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Xan
Posts: 867
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:04 pm

Re: N64RGBVDC: cheap RGB mod for PAL N64

Post by Xan »

Maybe slight offtopic, but what irks me is that he is selling a basic THS7316 board that omits the 22µF-100µF cap, which the spec sheets of both THS7316 and THS7374 call for in order to minimize 50/60 Hz line interference. In fact I don't think I've ever seen a THS7316 board that had the cap, but THS7374 boards seem to regularily include it. Anyone got an idea if not having the cap could be noticeable?

Or I guess the other option is he omitted the 0.1µF instead, hard to tell from the picture what size that is. Either way there is only one MLCC visible on his board.
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