Anybody else using cheap aftermarket extension cables with your Turbografx?

[mickcris]

No TG16 for me, but I got a couple of the generic mini-DIN cables (from TZD back in the day) for when I'm not using the wireless pads.

Is there such a thing as extension cables for PC-FX?  Its controller cables aren't so terribly short, but I wouldn't mind being able to sit a bit further away.

never seen one. unfortunately the 7 pin dsub design they used seems to have been unique to that system.  never seen another cable with the same connector on it that i can reacall.

the bliss box people got some connectors somewhere though.  not sure if they had them manufactured or i just dont know how to search for them
https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-bliss-box-has-started-the-kick-starter-for-the-4-play

[johnnykonami]

I have some old beige extension cables also, I think they might too have been from TZD.  I ordered from there a couple of times.  Wish they were black though!

[StarDust4Ever]

No TG16 for me, but I got a couple of the generic mini-DIN cables (from TZD back in the day) for when I'm not using the wireless pads.

Is there such a thing as extension cables for PC-FX?  Its controller cables aren't so terribly short, but I wouldn't mind being able to sit a bit further away.

never seen one. unfortunately the 7 pin dsub design they used seems to have been unique to that system.  never seen another cable with the same connector on it that i can reacall.

the bliss box people got some connectors somewhere though.  not sure if they had them manufactured or i just dont know how to search for them
https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-bliss-box-has-started-the-kick-starter-for-the-4-play

Funny you bring up the 7-pin Dsub (top left).


Hacking up a 9-pin Dsub connector by cutting off the edge would not work because of the oversize pins. They look to be designed similar to the NES controller pins, only stacked in triangular rather than square grid formation.

[wilykat]

Too bad, the 7 pin D sub (like Genesis minus 2 pins) were commonly used in Famicom clone systems. The larger Nintendo sized pins seems propriety and would have to be custom made.

[StarDust4Ever]

Too bad, the 7 pin D sub (like Genesis minus 2 pins) were commonly used in Famicom clone systems. The larger Nintendo sized pins seems propriety and would have to be custom made.

To be perfectly honest, every Nintendo system ever made had proprietary connectors, while Atari/Sega used 9-pin Dsub. You know, kinda like Apple devices all have proprietary plugs while Android devices by various manufacturers used industry standard. Sony Playstation and Xbox also had proprietary plugs before they went to USB.

I guess we can consider ourselves lucky NEC used two industry standard connectors for Turbo/PCe, or we would all be gaming on three foot cables! Pity the FX had that funky 7-pin controller but the lack of aftermarket controller extensions is all about supply and demand. Had the PC-FX been released globally, and sold tens of millions, someone somewhere would be making cables for it.

[SignOfZeta]

Honestly most standardized connectors from the 80s kinda sucked for consoles. D-subs were never designed to be unplugged so many times, the pins bend and break off too easily, and they can't handle any defection. And round DINs as small as the ones on a PCE get f*cked up in all sorts of ways. Replacing the PCE controller input is a common repair but a Gamecube? I've never even heard of anyone needing such a thing. For a game system you want to buy your kids once and never repair these things are far more important that a "standard" that's really only a standard in a different industry.

Nowadays connectors are designed with the humans that will actually be using them in mind. The shitty looking little USB connectors are incredibly reliable in actual use.

[StarDust4Ever]

Honestly most standardized connectors from the 80s kinda sucked for consoles. D-subs were never designed to be unplugged so many times, the pins bend and break off too easily, and they can't handle any defection. And round DINs as small as the ones on a PCE get f*cked up in all sorts of ways. Replacing the PCE controller input is a common repair but a Gamecube? I've never even heard of anyone needing such a thing. For a game system you want to buy your kids once and never repair these things are far more important that a "standard" that's really only a standard in a different industry.

Nowadays connectors are designed with the humans that will actually be using them in mind. The shitty looking little USB connectors are incredibly reliable in actual use.

Good point. I've seen old school PS/2 ports get trashed if a keyboard or mouse got yanked from it's socket. Big problem if your late 90s motherboard could not allow a USB keyboard to access BIOS.

One reason I actually like the largish DIN8 of the Turbografx. It's practically indestructable, even if the ports feel a bit tight at times.

EDIT: I finally got a good deal on a Turbo controller from a non-scalper, to go with my newly acquired Turbo Tap:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/112015907272

Seller doesn't seem to have any other gaming items for sale. A lot of weird medical crap though... :-"