Anyone looking to sell or mod an AV Famicom with RGB out

[Rock Man]

I tried asking Moosmann but he's on vacation until Q2 2011. Not sure exactly when he'll be back. I figure it couldn't hurt to keep my options open.

I'm seeking a top loading Family Computer custimized for RGB SCART cables at minimum. With amp and Composite Sync if possible since they entice better performance out of video. I might consider Digital Optical Out depending on cost of the entire mod. I'm specifically looking to get an AV Famicom pre-mod because I've seen tutorials where they display video without interference bars unlike NES. Any improvement to my Nintendo experience is a plus. I'll never get rid of my front loading NES as it's my pride. However I also value Family Computer modification for it's finer results.

That said, I understand there are a few variables that need covering. Mainly inaccurate colors and graphical discrepencies. I saw screen comparisons between RGB and Composite Video running on NES. The colors are not bad at all to me personally, most of the time they're just brighter versions of their former selves. Megaman just gets more blue, trees become greener, Mario gains layers upon layers of red, platforms can be whatever. It doesn't screw up the color palette entirely so it's cool. Regarding games with missing elements or bad graphics. I hear it's only a hand full of games and since I don't plan on buying Paperboy on NES or any others from the lists I've seen (forgot all the names but from what I remember, those titles aren't my cup of joe) this makes the prospect of an RGB-modded Famicom all the more exciting.

If any of you have any AV Famicom + RGB you're willing to part with, I'll gladly pay you for it. If no and you have the tech skill to mod but are missing the system and/or chip? Let me know, I can provide the console and hopefully the chip. I know I can't provide a stand alone PPU chip from a Nintendo Playchoice 10 or Duck Hunt/Tennis Vs. Board. In theory I should be able to get it by purchasing the entire board (rather expensive but I'll find a cheap one), I'm hopeful who ever takes this job doesn't mind desoldering/detaching the Arcade chip and use it on the Fami. That reminds me would you get better quality/compatibility depending on which Arcade game the chip was used? For example would quality on Punch-Out and Super Mario Bros. 3 Arcade vary? I'd be really grateful if someone could help me out.

As some of you may well know, I'm prepared to use my XRGB-3 on it. So no worries about whether or not my TV takes SCART plugs.

[alamone]

I think the difference in RGB quality might be attributable to the RGB amp used,
also the specific revision of the motherboard. I'm almost complete RGB modding
a front loading NES (motherboard v10) and I will also be modding an AV famicom, I will
compare the results once I finish.

Also, AFAIK, there's no difference between the various PPUs you can use, as long
as you use one that actually works (e.g. VS Duck Hunt or Playchoice 10).
The chips are socketed so desoldering is not required, just carefully remove
the chip using an IC puller or flathead screwdriver. However, to mod the NES
or Famicom, you have to solder in a socket (if you want a socket) and you
have to desolder or clip the old PPU off.

[Rock Man]

Hey man check this out.

http://moddedbybacteria.freeforums.org/ ... 74-40.html

This is where I initially got the idea AV Famicom RGB modding would produce no jailbars. I've heard a couple of reports just like this one. Would you be able to sell those once you're done with testing?

[alamone]

Yeah, also this page seems to confirm that the old famicom has jailbars whereas new (AV) famicom does not:

http://baku.homeunix.net/RGB/newFC_oldF ... C_RGB.html

In any case, I'll decide what to do with my extra RGB modded system after
I see whether jailbars appear on the RGB modded NES or not.

[Zapf]

The acem guy i mentioned on the previous thread will do it, but it will take a while.

[alamone]

I may be able to do one since I have two PPU chips, but first I need a NES to FC (72-to-60) pin adapter
that actually works. The Yobo adapter from stoneagegamer is a POS: it is wired incorrectly,
and the gold fingers don't make good contact to the FC system side - you have to pull it out
"just right" and it's very finicky. I ordered a different adapter from ebay and I'm waiting for that to arrive.
Since I don't have any FC games, I can't do any testing until the adapter arrives. Also, I'll need
an extra AV famicom since I only have one to mod with, but those are readily available from YAJ,
or you can get ripped off from an ebay seller.

[alamone]

Well, the second converter arrived but it was also wired incorrectly,
a little work with the soldering gun and an exacto knife and now it works.
This converter at least has long enough goldfingers. However it seems
that the famicom I have is a bit wonky as it only seems to work about 10%
of the time. I've ordered two more sets of AV famicoms from YAJ and
once I test they're in good working order I'll probably RGB mod both of them.

[ZOM]

However it seems
that the famicom I have is a bit wonky as it only seems to work about 10%
of the time.

Replace 60-pin edge connector, should work like new.

[Zapf]

What was the other adapter you bought. I have the one in the clear black shell, and it works fine for everything but mmc5/gauntlet/cvIII. I was thinking of getting another so that I could mod that and still have the old one for when I get a powerpak (I heard it works fine with that one)

[alamone]

Replace 60-pin edge connector, should work like new.

Where would I find a replacement 60 pin connector?
Also, unlike the NES where you can just pull out the 72 pin,
it looks like it's soldered directly to the PCB on the famicom?
Further info would be appreciated.

What was the other adapter you bought. I have the one in the clear black shell, and it works fine for everything but mmc5/gauntlet/cvIII. I was thinking of getting another so that I could mod that and still have the old one for when I get a powerpak (I heard it works fine with that one)

Mine is also translucent shell, it has writing on both sides indicating the direction of the cartridge.
I got it from ebay (the guy is selling them for $35 each, a bit steep).
FC Pins 49 and 48 were NC, so I connected them to NES pins 58 and 57.
I also did the resistor audio mod (10K across FC pins 46 and 45 and 10K across FC pin 46 and NES pin 54) to get MMC5 working.

[ZOM]

Where would I find a replacement 60 pin connector?
Also, unlike the NES where you can just pull out the 72 pin,
it looks like it's soldered directly to the PCB on the famicom?
Further info would be appreciated.

Tototek sells 60 pin connectors, they also carry edge connectors for the Genny and Master System. $4 a piece each.
Naturally, there's desoldering work needed to replace these things - not too hard even without the right equipment since the pieces are big enough and there's not a whole lot to mess up as long as you're a bit careful and don't go overheat any components that are near it. Additional to the iron, a bit of desoldering braid and some plyers will help to detach the connector.


EDIT: forgot to mention, before you attempt this you might want to take a closer look at your connector first and check if any pins are wonky or look otherwise out of place. If you spot something you could try to put the pin back into place with a jeweller's screwdriver(or something equally small). If it won't work or if there are too many screwed pins, it's recommended to just replace it.

[alamone]

Naturally, there's desoldering work needed to replace these things - not too hard even without the right equipment since the pieces are big enough and there's not a whole lot to mess up as long as you're a bit careful and don't go overheat any components that are near it. Additional to the iron, a bit of desoldering braid and some plyers will help to detach the connector.

I'm looking at the connector on the PCB and it looks like a pain to remove.
There's that blue plastic support that's blocking access to the pins and I don't see
an easy way to remove it. Are you supposed to remove the edge connector
without removing the blue plastic?

[ZOM]

The blue plastic is part of the connector, you need to replace the whole thing if you plan to do so.

[Drakon]

*bump* I can make one for you. Here's what I'm building right now:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=37055

If you want me to buy all the parts and put it all together for you then you'll probably be spending around 600$. But for that money you get very nice looking internally generated rgb, s-video, composite video, pseudo stereo sound with added bass (even supports advanced audio from famicom games with custom chips unlike other stereo sound mods out there). Everything will be wired up to the multi av port at the back and work just like a ntsc snes. And you'd also get a chip swapped that makes the rgb system work with a powerpak. The reason the price is high is because those rgb chips are expensive, the av famicom is also expensive. If you can supply me with either the rgb chip or an av famicom or both then the price will significantly drop (I only charge 150$ labour for slapping everything together plus another 20$ labour if you want the powerpak compatibility chip installed).

Anyway if you're interested just shoot me a pm either here on on my small forum:

http://consolemods.freeforums.org/

I get notified by e-mail when someone pms me on my forum so if pming me here fails then you can always contact me there.

[Zapf]

Are you saying it would be $600 with you supplying the ppu, and 170 if we supplied it?

edit: I feel like I'm still seeing sorta signifcant jailbars in your rgb pics, and weird quality in some of the all black bgs. Is that the jpeg compression?

edit2: oh, those are s video. you should invest in a capture solution for 240p rgb or component. or save your comparison shots as pngs

[Drakon]

Are you saying it would be $600 with you supplying the ppu, and 170 if we supplied it?

edit: I feel like I'm still seeing sorta signifcant jailbars in your rgb pics, and weird quality in some of the all black bgs. Is that the jpeg compression?

edit2: oh, those are s video. you should invest in a capture solution for 240p rgb or component. or save your comparison shots as pngs

no longer supplying rgb ppus I just sold my last spare one. I charge 150$ to install everything except for the chip that makes the system powerpak compatible. Also the kit I use costs 140$. If you want the system to work with a powerpak it's an extra 25$.

the av famicom isn't 100% jailbar free but it's 10x better than a rgb nes. The jailbars don't show up on my tv:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjhnZ6a6 ... ideo_title

(by the way this is an old video from before I wired up the improved audio)