Getting the best out of your old consoles

o1s1n

Ron DMC wrote: »

Actually seeing as I've lost my cables for Megadrive and SNES, is there any particular type of cables I should get for them as replacements?

I take it all Nintendo composite cables are the same? Any particular type give a clearer picture?

RGB. RGB for all your consoles.

Snes RGB -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNES-Super-Nintendo-PAL-UK-EU-Gold-RGB-SCART-cable-lead-/360285589959?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL

Megadrive 1 RGB (Also has a stereo out cable for the front of the console, back only does mono) -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Megadrive-Genesis-1-STEREO-RGB-SCART-cable-TV-lead-NEW-/200497095416?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameAccessories_VideoGameAccessories_JN

Megadrive II RGB. The Megadrive I & II have different sized ports. So you need different cables for each

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sega-Megadrive-II-2-stereo-RGB-SCART-cable-TV-lead-1-5m-/200497095429?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameAccessories_VideoGameAccessories_JN

Ron DMC wrote: »

And the Megadrive only has one hole marked A/V out. Is this the right port for this, because it was definitely RF before from that same hole?

Yep, same hole for all video out. Just make sure you get the correct sized RGB for the model of Megadrive.

KeRbDoG

EnterNow wrote: »

How much are they charging for that? All the nomads mods are here, the switchless mod looks very straight forward.

Just ordered up a Nomad from the US and ordered the replacement screen, me needs a new project

o1s1n

KeRbDoG wrote: »

Just ordered up a Nomad from the US and ordered the replacement screen, me needs a new project

You bought a Nomad? Nice! Bit of a snap decision though? Hope you paid a fair price!

KeRbDoG

o1s1n wrote: »

You bought a Nomad? Nice! Bit of a snap decision though? Hope you paid a fair price!

Better question, what is a fair price for one?

o1s1n

Mine was 100 delivered from America 4 or so years ago without the battery box. I found the battery box a few months later in another auction for 20 euro.

That was a fair enough price then. I'm not sure what they go for these days though.

Did yours come with the battery box?

KeRbDoG

o1s1n wrote: »

Mine was 100 delivered from America 4 or so years ago without the battery box. I found the battery box a few months later in another auction for 20 euro.

That was a fair enough price then. I'm not sure what they go for these days though.

Did yours come with the battery box?

77 euro delivered without a battery box I think. Not mentioned in the description, sure twill see

Ron DMC

Ron DMC wrote: »

And the Megadrive only has one hole marked A/V out. Is this the right port for this, because it was definitely RF before from that same hole?

It would be the same port, the Mega Drive had its RF modulator hardwired into the RF cable (along with a switch to change it between PAL G and PAL I).

o1s1n

KeRbDoG wrote: »

77 euro delivered without a battery box I think. Not mentioned in the description, sure twill see

That's a great price. The Retrogen must have brought down the price of the Nomad somewhat.

The battery box is a bit redundant given how quickly the batteries die. It's still nice to have though.

Augmerson

While alot of you have covered the crucial topic of how the games should be viewed best on your tee vee (RGB>>>SCART>>>AV) I think we should also talk about how to take care of your console physically.

There are then two types of consoles we are mostly likely to be using. Those using the cartridge medium and those using the CD-ROM medium. I think what prolongs the life of any console is the condition you keep it in. Keep it free of dust, out of direct sunlight and in room temperature conditions is good. I also think if you have 6th generation consoles like the Dreamcast, Gamecube and PS2, you might want to have a can of Compressed Air handy, just so every now and again you can clear the extractor fans of any excess dust.

Anytime I get a new used console, I will take some time to clean it off first. Get some baby wipes (non alcohol cleansing wipes, really good) and clean the exterior. Also some cotton bud tips (the kind you stick in your ear!) and clean out the delicate parts, like say under the lid if it's got a CD tray.

KeRbDoG

Received the Sega Nomad, it even came with a battery box
Awaiting the replacement LCD screen now.

Myrddin

KeRbDoG wrote: »

Received the Sega Nomad, it even came with a battery box
Awaiting the replacement LCD screen now.

Any chance you can photo document the mod, for the modding forum? Would be cool to see that one coming along

o1s1n

EnterNow wrote: »

Any chance you can photo document the mod, for the modding forum? Would be cool to see that one coming along

Ah! Never thought of taking photos when I did that myself.

KeRbDoG - remember to get one of those DS screen covers from Dealextreme too! Just so you'll never have to replace the screen cover again. If anything just to save the Nomad case from damage when they're removed.

Myrddin

o1s1n wrote: »

Ah! Never thought of taking photos when I did that myself.

KeRbDoG - remember to get one of those DS screen covers from Dealextreme too! Just so you'll never have to replace the screen cover again. If anything just to save the Nomad case from damage when they're removed.

I think the dog man is replacing the actual lcd unit itself, like in that link I posted further back. Did you replace the plastic from the shell, or the whole jobbie?

Good idea re those DS screen covers man, how do they look when applied in terms of light reflection/nasty shinyness?

o1s1n

EnterNow wrote: »

I think the dog man is replacing the actual lcd unit itself, like in that link I posted further back. Did you replace the plastic from the shell, or the whole jobbie?

Oh right! ****, that'd be well cool. It makes such a massive difference. Would love to see that documented too. Video of it working would also be very much appreciated

EnterNow wrote: »

Good idea re those DS screen covers man, how do they look when applied in terms of light reflection/nasty shinyness?

They look as they should, invisible! can't see them at all. I had to turn it sideways and get the light to hit it a certain way for it to show up in those pictures.

I'm also pretty sure I put the other one that came in the pack (the DS does have two screens afterall!) on that modded Gameboy DMG-1 I bought a while back.

Be worth getting for all your handhelds.

Myrddin

o1s1n wrote: »

Be worth getting for all your handhelds.

Definitely man, and it's a no brainer if they are that transparent - I'll look into that one cheers.

Is that the Chip Tunes Gameboy someone posted pics of? I vaguely remember someone posting up pics of a modded gameboy...

o1s1n

Yep, That's my baby It actually has more mods than that overclocked Megadrive!

It has -

Backlight installed (on and off switch too..although you can't really see anything when it's off)

Half speed clock slowdown switch - doesn't have much use gameplay wise, but as far as music it's really really excellent. Everything instantly goes down an octave. You can get some crazy deep crunchy sounds.

Pro sound out jack - does exactly what it says. Sounds amazing.

Kick start switch jack and pedal - when you're making a track in LSDJ, the start button plays a track. This jack links to a pedal on a cable so you can just stomp on that to start a track..or pause your game

Then last of all, a shoulder button added on the right side.. Again, in LSDJ, to navigate screens you have to hold down select and press directions. It's a pain as it's awkward to reach to. Instead now I just hold down this extra button exactly where my right index finger is. It really saves a lot of trouble.

Amount of tracks I've completed with the thing - zero.

I know, I'm a disgrace!

Myrddin

Nicely told man

That backlight thing is interesting, is it a standard gree-screen gameboy? How does that look with a light behind it??

o1s1n

Yeah, it's a standard big DMG 01 green screen. It's one of the 'play it loud' black ones.

The guy had two for sale. I bought the red backlight one but he accidentally sent out the green one instead.

I was sad/annoyed at first..but then thought that it was probably for the best as staring at a red screen for hours on end isn't going to be very comfortable.

It looks great. Really sharp and bright. One thing I noticed though is that it works best when you invert the display with the contrast. It kind of sucks a bit for games in that regard but for LSDJ it's exactly what you need.

Must bring it out and show you sometime.

Myrddin

o1s1n wrote: »

Must bring it out and show you sometime.

Yeah definitely man, be interested in seeing that. So game-wise the backlight isn't much of an enhancement, it's more for the LSDJ software?

o1s1n

I'd rather play games on it this way with the backlight then play it normally without. You can see everything. Without, well..you can't really see anything.

I would imagine that contrast issue is unique to mine. If you installed a backlight it shouldn't be a problem having it work normally. You should give it a shot

If I can find some batteries I'll bring it out this evening.

Myrddin

o1s1n wrote: »

I'd rather play games on it this way with the backlight then play it normally without. You can see everything. Without, well..you can't really see anything.

I would imagine that contrast issue is unique to mine. If you installed a backlight it shouldn't be a problem having it work normally. You should give it a shot

If I can find some batteries I'll bring it out this evening.

Cool, if it makes a difference to the viewability then it's def something I'd look at doing. Have you any idea what type of illumination it is? Led, ccfl?

o1s1n

I'm not too sure. Think the guy said LED. It's been a while since I dug it out.

Here's a picture of the light in the dark to give you an idea of how bright it gets -



Found another old pic. The network adapter on the side lets you connect a keyboard up to it to use as a synth

Myrddin

Ha, that is one HEAVILY modified unit man. Cheers for the night pic, it's well done if it's leds...as the light spread looks completely even. Actually it must be leds, I've never seen green ccfl's, and if they exist I'd say they'd be mad money.

KeRbDoG

EnterNow wrote: »

Any chance you can photo document the mod, for the modding forum? Would be cool to see that one coming along

Damit only took a hand full of photos. Threw up a thread in the modding forum.
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=67706092