PC Engine Video issue

[Matskat]

Hey all,

I have a PC Engine + CD-ROM2 setup (the briefcase \ IFU)...

Recently while playing, the graphics began to cut in and out. For a few weeks it seemed that jiggling or re-seating the PCE in the interface unit did the trick.

I have not turned it on for a week, and last night I had a hankering for Dracula X - lo and behold I get sound and no video. I reseated the PCE to no avail.

I even tried cleaning the pins on the PCE unit.

ANyone had similar video issues with the PCE + IFU? Before buying an overpriced PCE unity on eBay I thought I'd seek help here.

ANybody have any suggestions? Anybody know of a repair guide? Anybody know of a reputable PCE repair guru located in the USA?

If I can fix it myself I'd love to, but if worst comes to worst I'll have no issue sending it off for repair.

I'm really trying to NOT crack and buy a Duo-R after all the money I've sunk into this briefcase (what with System cards and controllers and AC adapters, etc)

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[drunkninja24]

If you haven't checked it out already, this forum would be a good resource:

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?board=19.0

There's probably a few guys there who may know their way around a PCE fairly well too that you could hit up.

[Matskat]

What up, ninja!?

Yeah - I looked around there but don;t have an account so I have not posted. I searched and found nothing....

Offtopic - have you seen Gameloft's MLP:FiM game for Android yet?
Looks to have some hori shmupping stages in it...or so it appears...

[Fudoh]

I assume you take video from the interface unit ?

Do you have a RGB mod on your PCE system ? If you don't, you could add one directly the the PCE unit. This way, you wouldn't use the video from the interface unit anyway, so it wouldn't really matter if the connection is somehow flaky.

If you just want composite only, it's even easier (if that's a classic white PCE you have), since you have a RCA connector already, which you could simply transform from RF to composite video. Again no need to use video output from the interface. Transforming the RF RCA connetor internally to composite video is extremely easy.

[Matskat]

I assume you take video from the interface unit ?

Do you have a RGB mod on your PCE system ? If you don't, you could add one directly the the PCE unit. This way, you wouldn't use the video from the interface unit anyway, so it wouldn't really matter if the connection is somehow flaky.

If you just want composite only, it's even easier (if that's a classic white PCE you have), since you have a RCA connector already, which you could simply transform from RF to composite video. Again no need to use video output from the interface. Transforming the RF RCA connetor internally to composite video is extremely easy.

Yeah, old white PCE. No RGB. I don't have any way to display "normal?" RGB - although that brings up a question:

I got a PictureTel 36" CRT a while ago - it has s-video, rca composite and VGA ports - but the VGA ports are labeled RGB. VGA cables plug in fine.
How would I output RGB through a d-sub VGA port? Mind blown. But the fact it's labeled RGB interests me.

How would any of those PCE video mods affect using the CD side? I'm interested in the RF to Composite, just in case (if it's easy, why not?)

I got it working BTW! I lightly sanded down the pins connecting the PCE to the IFU. No picture issues, looks better than before.

[Fudoh]

I got a PictureTel 36" CRT a while ago - it has s-video, rca composite and VGA ports - but the VGA ports are labeled RGB. VGA cables plug in fine. How would I output RGB through a d-sub VGA port? Mind blown. But the fact it's labeled RGB interests me.

you have to figure out if it requires a 31khz signal (true VGA) or a 15khz signal. If you connect a real VGA source (Dreamcast, or a PC set to 640x480), then you would need a linedoubler to connect a system like a PCE. If you connect a VGA source and get a rolling picture (or two pictures displayed next to each other), then it should accept a 15khz signal (e.g. RGB from a PCE).

How would any of those PCE video mods affect using the CD side?

not at all. You can always just take the video from the PCE. Just audio needs to be taken from the interface, so the chip sound from the PCE and the red book audio from the CD are properly mixed.

I'm interested in the RF to Composite, just in case (if it's easy, why not?)

If you open up the PCE you'll find a little RF modulator box. You just have to remove or bypass this and connect the composite video pin from the extension port to the RCA connector directly.

[Matskat]

I'm interested in the RF to Composite, just in case (if it's easy, why not?)

If you open up the PCE you'll find a little RF modulator box. You just have to remove or bypass this and connect the composite video pin from the extension port to the RCA connector directly.

Jesus that was easy. Thanks fudoh!

The "RGB" on my rig is 31hz - DC & PC through standard VGA, and my Saturn via an "ebay" RGBS \ CGA \ EGA to VGA scaler displays my Saturn with no issues. No native 15hz it looks like...

So a linedoubler would allow me to use those ports with RGB in the form of d-sub? Like if I were to RGB mod my PCE?

[Fudoh]

With a RGB mod you could use your PCE like your Saturn. While the CGA/VGA eBay converter isn't the greatest, it's still better than composite - at least I would say so.

[Matskat]

With a RGB mod you could use your PCE like your Saturn. While the CGA/VGA eBay converter isn't the greatest, it's still better than composite - at least I would say so.

I got a special RGBS cable for my Saturn that terminates in what appears to me to be standard VGA - but if I hook it up directly to the "RGB" inputs on the monitor I get no picture. Is that because the monitor does not take 15hz? That's why I got the scaler.

Also: The scaler makes my PS2 through composite -> VGA look spectacular in comparison to any other option I've tried. It's pretty amazing to a noob, in terms of experiencing how good a console CAN look if given the right hardware. I've ordered a scanline generator to put in between the scaler and my CRT - stuff looks TOO good...it needs scanlines That cheap ass scaler provides IMHO big bangs for bucks.

I may look more into RGB - I've been apprehensive because I can't afford an XRGB of any type and it looks like VGA is the best option I have on any of my CRTs.

So fudoh, maybe I'm not seeing the full range of what that ebay scaler can do. I've read your different threads and I bought my scaler based on what you've written. Maybe I should go back and read more.

I might need to buy another ebay scaler too....