Current Audio/Video & System Weapon of Choice

[Elder]

I'm sure you guys have been asked this before, but I thought it would be interesting to see what your current audio video setup is, and which Turbo/PC Engine system you use for your daily fix.  Are you someone with an awesome Sony PVM, or are you rocking an upscaler and using your system on a modern HDTV? 

Since I asked the question, I'll go ahead and answer first   Several years ago my wife and I moved into a 4 1/2 apartment because we're saving for a down-payment on a house.  When we moved here I sadly had to put my old CRT in storage as it was just too darn big.  When that happened I looked everywhere for a solution to play retro games on my HDTV in such a way as they wouldn't look like ass, and very quickly stumbled upon the XRGB line of products.  I picked up an XRGB-mini for an outstanding price from a super nice gentlemen from Japan, and have been loving it ever since.  I used it for all my retro systems, with glorious scan lines and all.  It still impresses me just how clear some of these older systems look. 

In order to play North American TurboChip games I use my original TurboGrafx-16 from way back when, along with composite cables from Retro Game Cave.  Sadly I haven't been able to locate my Turbo Booster Plus, as it, along with countless other games are still in storage.  The composite cables work surprisingly well, and I think it's safe to say that the composite signal through the XRGB-mini looks better from the Turbo than all the other retro systems I've tried.  I use RGB whenever I can, so for my Genesis + CD, SNES, Saturn, and even my original PS.  I've been afraid to get my original Turbo modded because I've had it for so long and it would crush me if the thing got destroyed in transit.  For PC Engine and all CD-based games I use the PC Engine Duo-RX.  I love that thing, still have the original box and all. 

So that's my current weapon of choice, what's yours?  Are you rocking a wicked RGB-modded system, do you still have a glorious CRT the size of a small house? 

[jelloslug]

I have a Sony KD-34XBR960 set for my retro stuff.  I have not found a "modern" set that works properly with old systems so I decided to get the newest "good" tube set I could get.  Fortunately my friend gave me this set because it need a logic board repaired.  For less that half of what a cheap LCD set would cost I now have a great TV that will work with anything from a 2600 all the way up to modern stuff.  The storage is a mixture of Ikea and custom pieces that match the store bought units.  You can't walk into Ikea and buy a TV stand that will hold a 280lb TV anymore so I have to make a stand to hold it that matched the cabinets.

[Black Tiger]

I have a 27" Sony CRT (with s-video) I bought new in 1998(?) in my computer room for recording game footage and a 27" RCA(?) which supports component, that I bought new a year or two ago in my game room. I also have a couple 21" CRTs in my spare room.

I'll never play 240p consoles on an HD TV if I can help it. I'd rather just play emulation.

[synbiosfan]

I have a 2003 27" Toshiba with component & s-video. I have an old 20" Zenith that only has composite but it still sounds amazing.

I need to keep an eye out for a better backup!

[Ratix]

i'll bite

this is my current setup i don't have much connected right now mainly because i don't want to have everything dragged out, cords everywhere, and i don't use my home theater as much as i used to so to keep everything neat its all put away.
this TV is perfect for playing the old systems on. its not very blocky, not to fuzzy, and takes up the entire screen. great response time for all games except light gun games. everything that get connected to the tv gets it sound crystal clear on my AV center from sony. 24-bit processing. burned out the COAX digital audio port so im using regular stereo analog. i don't have anything fancy for RGB all the old systems are connected through composite or RF depending on the system.

The turbo looks great on this TV. its connected through the turbo booster for the tg16.

i have two CRT monitors still. one is a commodore video monitor model 1702. a very small and convenient monitor for when a shindig occurs and its needed for games. the other is a dynex TV digital ready which acts as my direct capture device since it has av outputs. its nothing special no bells and whistles here i just play the damn games when i can.

[Elder]

Awesome stuff guys.  Lots of CRT goodness . I miss my CRTs, but I've literally got no room whatsoever in this place.  The wife has her design studio here so space is ultra right.

For those that didn't mention it, what system do you use for you games?  A PC Engine, vintage Turbo with CD, perhaps a Duo?

[Opethian]

PVM-14L5 w/ some bose computer speakers

feels good man

[Elder]

PVM-14L5 w/ some bose computer speakers

feels good man

Damn straight lol.

[jelloslug]

Awesome stuff guys.  Lots of CRT goodness . I miss my CRTs, but I've literally got no room whatsoever in this place.  The wife has her design studio here so space is ultra right.

For those that didn't mention it, what system do you use for you games?  A PC Engine, vintage Turbo with CD, perhaps a Duo?

My TG-16 and Turbo CD-Rom that I bought in 1989-1990 with money I made washing dishes at a restaurant.

[ifkz]

I'll bite too:


This 1984 vintage TV was found at a local Goodwill in my area and operates with old antenna screw terminals.  I have used a "75 to 300 Ohm UHF/VHF Matching Transformer" connector mated up with a RatShack RF box that accepts the Duo's composite video.  The picture is actually sharp, the color guns give the image a great patina.  My first color TV was a 19 inch RCA with the exact same silver paint that is on the sides and top of this set.  My first ever TV was a dial based model like this that gave out a black and white picture.  I simply could not pass it up, it has personality.

My TurboDuo project is coming along, just today I ordered a complete cap kit for the motherboard.  I have great hopes for the CD door and laser assembly too (PCEFX members are trying to help me out).  I would love to post a picture of this rescued Duo playing Ys I & II on my TV should things go well.

[imparanoic]

Video - KDL-40EX400, with xrgb2 plus
Sound - Nakamichi AV10 home cinema amplifier

[TR0N]

Older consoles just a CRT philips 27 inch tv for modern a LG hdtv.Much as i like to have a xrbg mini that upscaler is rather expensive.Though i do have one monitor for the older consoles to,that being a commodore 64 1702.

[pulstar]

I'm running all of my old systems through a Phillips CM8833 Mk II monitor. Really nice pictures on these old monitors especially through RGB.

[geise]

Sony 14" PVM built in 2004.

Sound is through some really nice Creative Lab PC speakers with a sub woofer

[esteban]

I'll bite too:


This 1984 vintage TV was found at a local Goodwill in my area and operates with old antenna screw terminals.  I have used a "75 to 300 Ohm UHF/VHF Matching Transformer" connector mated up with a RatShack RF box that accepts the Duo's composite video.  The picture is actually sharp, the color guns give the image a great patina.  My first color TV was a 19 inch RCA with the exact same silver paint that is on the sides and top of this set.  My first ever TV was a dial based model like this that gave out a black and white picture.  I simply could not pass it up, it has personality.

My TurboDuo project is coming along, just today I ordered a complete cap kit for the motherboard.  I have great hopes for the CD door and laser assembly too (PCEFX members are trying to help me out).  I would love to post a picture of this rescued Duo playing Ys I & II on my TV should things go well.

I love that you are using that TV and the antenna terminals. I remember thinking that I had to "carefully" screw everything together to ensure "maximum contact" and get the best signal.