PCEngineFans.com - The PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 Community Forum
NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: farankoshan on October 03, 2011, 05:14:08 PM
Title: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on October 03, 2011, 05:14:08 PM
Spotted this on youtube...
Apparently, the guy just got stereo wires, cut off the ends & stuck the pins on the TG-16 into the wire. Then wrapped the other end of the wires to an AV box (is that what that is?), which he installed into the back of the TG-16 back shell. Makes "some bit" of sense to me.
But will this sort of mod work?
I'm really on the fence about purchasing a new Turbo Booster (non-plus) for close to $70. And that keeps me within the nice NEC bubble of official-ness. But I'm cool to do mods if a process will work & won't screw up my enjoyment from my system. :)
What I want to know is: 1. Will this sort of job work? 2. Can someone tell me the EXACT pins I need to use (Video, Left sound channel, Right sound channel)? 3. What is the ground for? 4. What is this AV box called? I know of a lot of 2nd-hand stereo shops here that have bins filled with wires, boxes & AV equipment. It would help if I knew exactly what to ask and look for. ;)
As always, any bit of help with the above questions would be most appreciated. Any other info is fine, as well. ;)
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: bust3dstr8 on October 03, 2011, 05:34:21 PM
I was messing around with the expansion port last night trying to tap sound and RGB. I have a bunch of pins and extra AV cables around and can test this out in bit. If it works you can have the cable.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: thesteve on October 03, 2011, 06:00:50 PM
yes the mod works the "AV box" is nothing but the connectors. the ground goes to the shell of the connectors, the other pins to the center's
i have the connectors listed for sale
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: thesteve on October 03, 2011, 06:15:27 PM
heres the connector pinout http://www.gamesx.com/misctech/pcebp.php
you want (SNDR (sound right)) (SNDL (sound left)) (Vid (video)) (GND (ground)) to the shell on each AV connector
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on October 03, 2011, 06:19:47 PM
Does the connector pinout layout on the PC-Engine match the one on the TurboGrafx-16?
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: SignOfZeta on October 03, 2011, 06:30:18 PM
This is a pretty good idea. That is, making a Booster out of the stupid useless hollow shell thing they give you with the US system. Since boosters cost twice as much as systems now, this is the only way to go.
1) Yes 2) Sorry, don't know, its on the net somewhere though 3) Signal reference. Needed for...everything electronic, basically. All three signals will use the same ground
I wouldn't try to do this solderless. You're just begging for picky finicky unreliable connections that way.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: thesteve on October 03, 2011, 06:35:51 PM
yes the TG16 and PCE pinouts are the same
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on October 03, 2011, 06:42:07 PM
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: andrew23 on October 04, 2011, 03:36:59 AM
I've done that myself a while ago, it works well. Here's a pic: (http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt331/andrewmystery23/IMG_6835.html) Excuse the poor photo. :P
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: nat on October 04, 2011, 03:07:27 PM
I did something like this as far back as high school with my TG-16. The needed info on the expansion port has been on the Net for almost 20 years. I didn't actually mount jacks in the rear shell, but I did what bust3dstr8 pictured and just modded a standard A/V cable that plugged right in.
Be careful when you make your connections at the expansion port, it is possible if the wrong two pins touch while the system is powered up to blow out the fuse on the main board.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on October 04, 2011, 05:23:16 PM
Be careful when you make your connections at the expansion port, it is possible if the wrong two pins touch while the system is powered up to blow out the fuse on the main board.
This procedure just got all kinds of scary... :o
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: nat on October 05, 2011, 02:36:31 PM
It's just a fuse. It's there to blow up to protect the system itself. Worse case scenario, you'd have to replace the fuse after sorting out your issue.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on October 22, 2011, 03:33:17 AM
Thanks for the info guys!
Thanks to all the help on this forum, I was able to successfully guide my tech friend to make an AV mod for my Turbografx-16.
I opted to do a "behind the pinout BUS" mod, which uses some wires to "tap onto" the signal from behind of the pins. I'm now getting some awesome picture and sound quality out of my NEC machine. ;) The hardware store had some great heavy-duty screwed jacks, just none of the Yellow-Red-White jacks in stock, so I used some classic Dymo labeling to help differentiate. ;)
Thanks for everyone's help!
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: grahf on October 22, 2011, 01:31:41 PM
Sweet label. Makes it look like it was modded in the 80s.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on October 23, 2011, 04:59:50 PM
Sweet label. Makes it look like it was modded in the 80s.
Hahahaha! I know right? :) I knew using a Dymo label would do the overall look justice. ;)
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: KnightWarrior on August 24, 2012, 05:22:03 PM
Can you get Component out of the pins??
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: thesteve on August 24, 2012, 05:34:55 PM
no
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: KnightWarrior on August 24, 2012, 05:37:15 PM
Aww :(
Thanks for replying
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: farankoshan on February 07, 2013, 03:09:29 PM
But even without component, the AV mod illustrated by the forum members here works like a charm. ;)
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on February 07, 2013, 04:47:32 PM
At first I got all excited when I saw a Nat post, but then I saw the post date and realized some a$$hole necroposted a totally dead thread for no reason at all. f*ck all... ](*,) :evil:
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: fsa on February 09, 2013, 03:19:15 AM
Here is the info for the tg16 expansion out
Diagram from the back of the PC Engine/TurboGrafx, right side up:
AR GG 01 VM 32 30 27 GG 17 20 22 23 13 11 10 08 GG 05 03 GG VV VN VR 02 CD 35 34 VU 29 26 15 19 21 VJ 14 12 VG 09 07 06 04 24 VT 37 36 VP AL VV VS 33 31 28 25 16 VL VK QQ VI VH QQ VF VE VD VC VB VA GG VZ VQ
The signals that are important for tapping the stereo audio, NTSC video, and NTSC RGB signals from the unit are:
AR -- Audio Right AL -- Audio Left VZ -- External composite video, connected to R145. Note -- this may need to be externally bypassed to ground with a capacitor to use directly as a video feed. Also used as a vertical sync signal for RGB connections.
GG -- Ground
VR -- Blue RGB signal VP -- Green RGB signal VQ -- Red RGB signal VN -- Horizontal sync signal
To connect the PCE or Turbo to a standard television set or VCR, use the following pin connections:
AR and GG \ Connect these to RCA cables, ground going to the "shield" or -- outer metal wrapping, and AR or AL going to the "signal" or AL and GG / center pin. These plug directly into your Audio In R/L on your TV or VCR.
VZ and GG -- Similarly, connect GG to the "shield" and VZ to the "signal" of an RCA cable. This connects to the Video In on your TV or VCR. For a clearer picture, connect a 0.1 uF capacitor between the two terminals on the side of the cable that connects to the PCE/Turbo.
VR/VP/VQ/VN -- If you have an older RGB monitor capable of horizontal sync at NTSC frequencies (around 15 kHz), you can use it as a monitor for your PCE/Turbo. Connect VR, VP, and VQ to the blue, green, and red inputs of the monitor. Connect VN to the horizontal sync input, and VZ to the vertical sync input. If the monitor only has a single sync input, use VZ. You should have an incredibly clear, crisp picture!
NOTE -- Most modern monitors will *NOT* sync this slowly. Monitors of the "Sony Multisync" variety of old (e.g. the "2A") are capable of syncing to these frequencies. Also, monitors marked as "Amiga Compatible" should sync to the NTSC frequency as well.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: TurboDude420 on February 25, 2013, 08:36:48 AM
Does anyone have any of the cables made I can buy? Would rather use composite than RF.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: Brickstin on May 02, 2013, 03:32:20 PM
Diagram from the back of the PC Engine/TurboGrafx, right side up:
AR GG 01 VM 32 30 27 GG 17 20 22 23 13 11 10 08 GG 05 03 GG VV VN VR 02 CD 35 34 VU 29 26 15 19 21 VJ 14 12 VG 09 07 06 04 24 VT 37 36 VP AL VV VS 33 31 28 25 16 VL VK QQ VI VH QQ VF VE VD VC VB VA GG VZ VQ
VZ -- External composite video, connected to R145. Note -- this may need to be externally bypassed to ground with a capacitor to use directly as a video feed. Also used as a vertical sync signal for RGB connections.
VZ?.... to R145? ... What?? I googled this and found this http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/k-files/r145.jpg (http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/k-files/r145.html)
A R145 Receiver? Sorry for my lack of knowledge but I don't know quite what R145 is can you please explain what you meant?
Quote
VZ and GG -- Similarly, connect GG to the "shield" and VZ to the "signal" of an RCA cable. This connects to the Video In on your TV or VCR. For a clearer picture, connect a 0.1 uF capacitor between the two terminals on the side of the cable that connects to the PCE/Turbo.
Connect a 0.1 UF cap between the two terminals on the side of the cable that connects?
You just stated Two terminals: Which Terminals are you referring to? Cap between GG and VZ in the wiring of the RCA Cables? im kinda lost as to where your stating to install this.
I need a better explanation as I am a bit confused x.x.
Quote
VR/VP/VQ/VN -- If you have an older RGB monitor capable of horizontal sync at NTSC frequencies (around 15 kHz), you can use it as a monitor for your PCE/Turbo. Connect VR, VP, and VQ to the blue, green, and red inputs of the monitor. Connect VN to the horizontal sync input, and VZ to the vertical sync input. If the monitor only has a single sync input, use VZ. You should have an incredibly clear, crisp picture!
NOTE -- Most modern monitors will *NOT* sync this slowly. Monitors of the "Sony Multisync" variety of old (e.g. the "2A") are capable of syncing to these frequencies. Also, monitors marked as "Amiga Compatible" should sync to the NTSC frequency as well.
Would this RBG wiring work on Component RGB?
Thanks in advance, Brickstin
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: CGQuarterly on May 02, 2013, 04:20:50 PM
The turbo doesn't output component. You can wire an HDMI cable up to the expansion post, but you have to completely strip one end and connect each wire individually. PM "Professor Professorson" about it. He has the schematics.
Chris
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: PunkicCyborg on May 02, 2013, 04:25:50 PM
VZ?.... to R145? ... What?? I googled this and found this http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/k-files/r145.jpg (http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/k-files/r145.html)
A R145 Receiver? Sorry for my lack of knowledge but I don't know quite what R145 is can you please explain what you meant?
Would this RBG wiring work on Component RGB?
To make things a lot simpler, just connect a wire from the pin where VZ would be on the expansion port to the middle pin on a RCA jack for video. The capacitor is not necessary. You can either come off the pin on the connector on the back and make a cable or open up the console and follow where that pin connects to the pcb and solder a wire on there to your jack. Dont forget to run a ground to the other pin on the back of the rca jack. The RGB could be tapped to make comonent but there is more wiring involved. You'd have to make a circuit to convert the RGB signal to component which is a lot more complicated. Start with the simple composite mod first. Hope that helps :)
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: Brickstin on May 06, 2013, 04:50:07 AM
The turbo doesn't output component. You can wire an HDMI cable up to the expansion post, but you have to completely strip one end and connect each wire individually. PM "Professor Professorson" about it. He has the schematics.
Chris
Very interesting o:... So wait if it doesnt Do Component out.. Then on the other website here http://www.gamesx.com/misctech/pcebp.php
the pins on the right say Blu Gm Red, Thats not component? Thats why I asked the question I thought it was the RGB out so you can try and get the signal sent to a component. But it would work on a actual PC Monitor hmm.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: Brickstin on May 06, 2013, 05:39:39 AM
VZ?.... to R145? ... What?? I googled this and found this http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/k-files/r145.jpg (http://www.vk2bv.org/museum/k-files/r145.html)
A R145 Receiver? Sorry for my lack of knowledge but I don't know quite what R145 is can you please explain what you meant?
Would this RBG wiring work on Component RGB?
To make things a lot simpler, just connect a wire from the pin where VZ would be on the expansion port to the middle pin on a RCA jack for video. The capacitor is not necessary. You can either come off the pin on the connector on the back and make a cable or open up the console and follow where that pin connects to the pcb and solder a wire on there to your jack. Dont forget to run a ground to the other pin on the back of the rca jack. The RGB could be tapped to make comonent but there is more wiring involved. You'd have to make a circuit to convert the RGB signal to component which is a lot more complicated. Start with the simple composite mod first. Hope that helps :)
oh i got that part of what goes where on the wiring part it just i the cap part i was confused about mainly. I wasnt sure where to connect that up to. So the Yellow cord, wire to middle pin of RCA to VZ, get the ground shielding connection of the RCA Yellow outside round cylinder and connect that to the ground pin; But put on a cap in the RCA wiring between VZ - to GG (ground). because I would love the clear picture instead of the base picture?
I guess describing on what to do is a little more hard for me but im rather easier to understand the wiring set up if there was a wiring diagram xD.
I found this guy who did a RGB mod to Scart.
http://mmmonkey.co.uk/console/pce/rgb.htm
I thought it was interesting.
Title: Re: Will a non-soldered TG-16 AV mod work?
Post by: esadajr on May 20, 2013, 07:13:37 AM
after doing this mod, button I is not working right, no matter what controller I use, it registers like I'm pressing the button partially or won't register at all.