I am the seller for the Chinese Clone RGBS adapter, would you let me know what do you mean "potentially" damage your system? Any evidence ? The device is just a simple RGB amp, I really want to know how it can damage your system ?
It was sometime in 2017. Seller's name was 'choijustin'. The 220uF input capacitors were backwards. If they heat up enough and fail shorted, there is nothing to limit the current from the HuC6260 pins. HuC6260 RGB DAC outputs are easily damaged when overdriven. It is not my responsibility to help eBay sellers correct bad designs that are sold to consumers, nor is it to keep up with newer versions of those bad products. The units I tested, as well as the fact that you put "potentially" in quotes and refer to this as 'just a simple RGB amp' without even realizing it can ruin a console are why I will continue to warn customers away from this thing, as I always have.
@@RetroRGB Wait a minute. 1) There is No 220uf capacitors for my adapter at all ( since version 1 ) . Basically, my RGBS adapter does Not use 220uf capacitors. 2) If you read the picture of my adapter inside your movie carefully, all the capacitors are ceramic ( they are Non polarity ). It is impossible to install backward. 3) For some of my early model ( yes, may be back to 2017 ), *only* the sound portion are using electrolytic capacitors ( which has polarity ) and they are 47uf. I am pretty sure those capacitors are installed in correct position ( Not installed backward ). Out of 1000+ of adapter I has been sold, I canNOT swear Non of my adapter never has single of capacitor being installed backward ( since they are hand made ). **Assume** I made mistake and have some adapters install the capacitor by mistake ( yes, assume ), does it means the adapter is bad product? Can Samsung / SONY guarantee None of their product has any issue? In order to avoid any mistake ( assume I have ) I made, I change all the capacitors to ceramic capacitor ( which is the current version ) to prevent any human error happens. I made improvement to my product and try to avoid human error if possible. Should you use one sentence --> "those bad products" to describe ? I don't think this is fair Finally, please don't change my meaning --> 'just a simple RGB amp' without even realizing it can ruin a console What I mean is since the RGB amp is design/assembly properly, how can it ruin a console ? If you assume the thing is Not design/assembly properly, of course it will damage thing ( eg, you put 5v output back to the input pin, of course it will fail, Not limit to RGB amp but anything , right ? )
@@RetroRGB One more thing, I just double check with the circuit designer for this RGBS board. He confirms the capacitors in the sound portion ( 47uf ) is for separate/prevent the DC voltage on the board to enter into audio pins of PC engine extension port. He reminds me audio signal is Not an electric current, therefore, the capacitors ( 47uf ) in Not for DC current ( which carries +/- ) but only for separating DC current and only for audio signal ( which Not carrying DC current ) . In case the capacitors have been "installed backward by mistake", it won't hurt anything. However, to avoid confusion, he changed all the electrolytic capacitors to ceramic capacitor which does Not carry polarity.
Seems to me some of these overpriced american 'designed' retro products are just plain lazy design rip offs of the cheaper Chinese workarounds and with a few bells and whistles added... and they are still produced in Asia...
So, let me get this straight: Terraonion insisted that they would not release a board revision that would correct all the video and audio issues, leading people like me to buy their product. Now, they've secretly decided that they would release a revision that would solve all those issues, and they even admited in the schmups forums that they did not say a word in order to get rid of all of their Rev. 2 stock. So instead of putting all of their old stock on discounts and simultaneously sell their Rev 3, they decided that it would be better to sell it all to fools like me, and screw us all over. I feel hurt, honestly. I trusted and defended them, and now this is what I get.
To add to Bob's point about cutting the post on the SuperGrafx. If you don't cut the post, the pressure that is being applied at all times, will break the board. It breaks 72 traces just above the HuCard slot. The break can happen even if you are not inserting HuCards.
Haha the SDS3 snark was awesome! Well played Bob. I'm shocked and amazed that Firebrand and Voultar fixed the F%$#ing thing and that Terraonion actually incorporated those fixes into their new release. It's great to know that the community can have a spat but still move forward in a positive manner. My respect goes out to all people involved.
I’ve been eyeballing UGX-02 for years now and finally pulled the trigger. I think I can answer a few questions about it. :) He probably didn’t think anyone would care about RGB output because you can still add that to the base system instead. Honestly, that’s preferable to way SSDSys3 [mis]handled it. If his domain is digital and it doesn’t stop you from doing RGB yourself with Voultar’s board or whatever... good for Voultar! The game list was limited to 100 titles until they added “Block,” which was just a way to switch to the next page of 100 games and the next and the next and so on. It was added along with the ability to load HuCard ROMS, since that greatly expanded the number of titles that will fit on smaller SD cards. He very quickly got rid of the “Block” setting and now you change pages just by going through the list. You are actually able to combine a virtual HuCard with a virtual disc image... like using a Turbo Everdrive 2.5+ and patched System Card ROMs together with a stack of burned CD-ROM² games. :) Really old versions of the firmware have you turn it off/on before you boot so that you can insert the system card if needed without the system card hijacking the built-in menu at the initial boot (UGX menu boots up like an internal Super System Card). The firmware you have on there actually boots CD-ROM² and Super CD-ROM² without a real system card... just pick the JP Super System Card BIOS ROM from the list like it was any other HuCard you wanted to play and it simulates a built-in Super System Card. Yes, it has Turbo Everdrive 2.5+ functionality and can play HuCard ROMs. It will boot the JP Super System Card ROM and behave just like a Duo or Super CD-ROM² attachment with their internal Super System Cards. Just like a Duo, it even lets you get by with the cheaper Arcade Card Duo, which combines additional RAM on the card with RAM from the internal Super System Card. You know... instead of putting it all on a single card like Arcade Card Pro. Arcade Card Duo has no built-in ROM and has a separate boot procedure described on their site because of it, so it might even be able to launch without power-cycling. I’m not sure if it will still block the UGX from booting initially due to the card detect/present pin or whatever but, obviously, a Duo doesn’t have that problem. The untranslated part of the UGX site mentions some part of the process takes you to a list at boot anyway, regardless of having a HuCard inserted. It’s certainly possible that they have gotten rid of this requirement for Arcade Card Duo users like they have for Super System Card users. Unfortunately, I don’t own an Arcade Card of any kind yet. :(
Wow huge step up in production. I’ve never experienced real hardware turbografx, but you are making me want to pull the trigger on it. Keep up the good work!
3:09 “all original consoles with the CD attachment require that a HuCard be inserted into the console for discs to play” At least one exception: The Super CD-ROM² attachment, which has a built-in Super System Card. That’s the one that plugs right on to the back without a separate interface unit/dock.
John Di Pietro Yeah, but none of the CD systems have a built-in Arcade Card. This part is where he was saying all CD-ROM² attachments need a separate system card inserted to play CD games and that operating without a system card was limited to the systems with built-in CD-ROM² drives (Duo, Duo R, Duo RX). Even Duo systems with a built-in Super System Card need a separate system card to play Arcade CD-ROM² games.
@@emmettturner9452 look at the name of the attachment. If that doesn't clue you in.... This is a great informative video. If you really want to pick it apart get a life.
neozeed1964 It’s for the benefit of anyone who might take the advice in the video and buy a Super CD-ROM², possibly with a useless Super System Card or Turbo Everdrive they don’t need. May I suggest you take your own advice and stop nit-picking? ...especially if you don’t actually have a correction to contribute and your nit is just inarguably useless commentary on how useful my arguably useful comment was. Can you see the irony? If this video is to serve as a reference then the corrections need to be available with it. Instead of objecting to UA-cam’s typically useless and vapid comments, you decide to object to the undeniably more productive ones that are using the comment system for its intended purpose. I find that amusing. As for the name: You don’t think it adds EVEN MORE confusion for it to have a similar name?! “Super CD-ROM²” software is not exclusive to the device either. That’s why I also physically described the attachment. Bob’s video is trying to clear up some of the associated confusion with all of this, which happens to be my goal too. Now this great video is even more informative. If that irks you so much you had to say something then, well, you have other issues. I’m not sorry for contributing. He also said that the UGX-02 requires a system card even though an update added the function months ago. Someone considering an UpperGrafx would want to know, whether you do or not, so I shared. They might be pretty disappointed if they bought one for no reason.
Great video Bob - you are really hitting your stride with these. The hard work you are putting into all of these recent videos definitely shows. Please keep up the great work - I appreciate it. Best wishes.
Excellent video Bob. I’m impressed. I just want to give Möbius Strip Tech and FBX a huge shoutout on the work they did to get the best picture and audio out of my SDSS3. I’m still amazed at how many people came together to fix the issues with that device. I know there can be a lot of drama (like I need to tell you) in the Retro gaming community but it is awesome when people come together to turn a bad situation into something amazing. Cheers
Another phenomenal and informative video. I bought a Turbo graphics when they first came out but then gave mine away some time in the late 90’s. So angry. Now I have to pay major $$ to get new equipment. This has answered so many questions. Thank you 🙏
I own a Core Grafx 2 and I bought a used, loaded Turbo Everdrive and a DB Grafx Booster and am satisfied with that. The Everdrive cost me 98 bucks with all the games on it and the PC Engine was about 130 bucks. Then the DB Grafx Booster was about 60 bucks. So about 300 bucks for everything. I also use the HD Retrovision Genesis component cables, so add an extra 60 bucks or so. I think it's a great choice for someone who doesn't care about the CD games like me. Very informative video Bob! Thanks for all you do for the gaming community.
I bought a Turbo Grafx 16 off my best friend in the mid 90's for $50.00 usd. I loved the hell out of Bonk, Adventure Island, and Splatter House. When I learned of the Turbo Mini I immediately pre-ordered it. Turns out this is my favorite mini system.
Wow! I had no idea that Terra Onion relented and finally decided to make another revision of the Super SD System 3. I’ve been refusing to buy their products because of how they treated you and their steadfast refusal to listen to community input (except support from their fans). This changes things. I’ll wait and see what the new UI brings to Darksoft’s Neo Multi, but I’ve got a feeling that I’m going to end up with a NeoSD Pro after this news. :)
Yes, the madnafen port is great, though the core for the Wii's Retroarch is better in every way, especially video quality. With wiimadnafen I can't get the picture to be as sharp with any video filter setting as on Retroarch (with filters turned off and the right AR settings, of course). Even then, the Wii either through RGB or Component running Retroarch is not quite as sharp as my RGB-modded PCE, but it's pretty close, and offers save states and perfect CD image loading.
Couple things: 1. Only the original PC Engine Duo/TurboDuo consoles need new capacitors. The Duo-R and Duo-RX models don't need a recap, as they switched to higher quality through-hole capacitors. 2. You can get stuff WAY cheaper if you're fine with buying from Yahoo Japan and using an import service. I was able to get a boxed mint PC Engine Duo for $150 after shipping (still needed new caps ofc)
yeah and not all caps need replacing, for instance the silver one he showed de soldering is not a problem cap, it was a surface mount solid electrolytic, you only need to swap out the through-hole electro caps, and tantalum caps( though not sure if these have those). lots of fake news and paranoia surrounding caps in devices in general.
Excellent coverage of the options - greatly appreciated you've gone to the trouble to make this video. I shall be sending people here when they request options for PC Engine / Turbo Grafx work :)
By far your best and most complete video ever. Thank you for all the info in one source! Can I ask for the one video I've been waiting for forever, calibrating the laser on a turbo duo with a scope.
Great job on the video Bob! Overall quality of content and video is awesome :) quick tip for video shots of closeups and products: start experimenting with manual exposure and focus. This way lighting and focus will be much more consistent. Keep up the good work!
Sometimes, I like the "auto-focus" look on the spinning shots, so in this video it was deliberate. Although the shot of me and the dual signal sucked...auto-focus kept "pulsing". That was a mistake...
RetroRGB Professional productions make those shots with a smooth focus “puller”, but that’s a whole other ballgame 😉 I’ve been following your channel for 2 years and it’s great to watch you improve, video production is hard!
It sounds to me like the UperGrafx and Everdrive would be a great combo. However with the cost of these devices plus the original console it is starting to sound like the MiSTer FPGA would be better value for money as it can also act like a lot of other systems and consoles.
Super SD System 3 is also pretty picky about the disc images it works with. Everyone on Neo-Geo Forum was sharing a set that was preconfigured, much like SmokeMonster sets, so a lot of people don’t realize it. They even banned MobiusStrip (temporarily) when he fell for one of their in-jokes while looking for it. A lot of people there completely forgot that the NeoSD required PC software to prepare the ROMs and jumped all over DarkSoft for their own initial setup difficulties. How does that saying go about pointing out the speck/splinter in someone’s eye without noticing the plank in your own? ;) It just seems that everyone turns a blind eye to this part for Terra Onion. Granted, UGX-02 is undeniably more clunky than SSDSys3... but all of that was functionality added after launch (launched as just a digital video adapter). Hard to complain when it was added free, though I really want to see it improved. It has actually improved a lot even since they added those features: You once had to change CD images in the system’s music CD player, so you needed to know what game was track 5, or track 11 or whatever. They finally added an on-screen game list but, of course, we still need that Windows software. :(
Damn the PC Engine (White, Grey/Blue and Grey/Orange) systems have sky rocket in price. I was buying them from Japan to add RGB internal mods about 2 years a go for like £35 shipped to the UK
FINALLY! I’ve been begging western UA-camrs to talk about UpperGrafx UGX-02 since December 2017. At that time, only GameTechUS’s video about the UGX-01 existed, and no one realized it was supposed to be an ODE or that it worked more like Hi-Def NES (replicates digital video in FPGA; doesn’t sample analog RGB). Yes: December 2017 was before the Super SD System 3 launched.
RetroRGB Yep. It was still frustrating to see everyone assuming that they had no choice other than SSDSys3 while Terra Onion was still refusing to acknowledge the issues, but I totally understand waiting. Mind if I ask who loaned you one? I might have a few questions for the guy/gal. :)
@@emmettturner9452 I was aware of the UGX-01 in development in 2017, but it did not advertise CD-ROM² support and was marketing itself as a DVI up scaler at the time. Meanwhile, the SSD3 was backordered and undergoing revisions until late January 2018 IIRC? I didn't see any mention of the UGX-02 until the last week or two and just ordered one. Apparently it is only the second one shipped to the USA, so I don't think that in 2017 it was really a viable alternative, it did not yet exist.
greyグレェ In 2017, CD-ROM² support was announced for UGX-01 but they never managed to get it to work. Needed more RAM or something, so they revised it to UGX-02 and offered refurbishment service to UGX-01 owners. They kinda got ahead of themselves and even added instructions for ripping your discs to the SD card! It’s obvious that they always intended this to play CD-ROM², since the unit had an SD card and a USB port from the start (only one or the other is needed for simple firmware updates). I remember being baffled by the GameTech video in 2016 since he didn’t even mention the SD card slot or that this was full-digital (not upscaling). It was clear that he was missing something BIG. Super SD System 3 was announced in Dec 2017 and began taking preorders. UGX-02 was supposed to begin shipping in 2017 but they ran into production issues. In the end, both SSDSys3 and UGX-02 began shipping in Jan 2018. Because of the botched launch where Terra Onion stopped shipping the first revision and recalled them, you could say that UGX-02 beat them to it... not that the UGX guys didn’t have their own problems with their launch but at least that was all BEHIND them in Jan 2018 (UGX-01 refurbishment thing and 2017 delay). ;) David Shadoff (prolific ROM hacker/translator) seems to be in North America and doesn’t seem to be the one who provided one to RetroRGB so it seems that there are at least two others. How either of those got here is anyone’s guess. According to Google Translate, their CD-ROM² page first went up just over two years ago: 2019/02/17: Update internal data update page , distribute upergrafx_20190210.pac. 2018/10/10: Update internal data update page , distribute upergrafx_20181007.pac. 2018/08/07: Update internal data update page , distribute upergrafx_20180806.pac. 2018/08/02: Added bug fix progress page 2018/07/14: Update internal data update and communication software page, add ROM image transfer page 2018/06/05: Updated order page (For countries other than Japan) 2018/03/26: Update internal data update page 2018/03/01: Troubleshooting FAQ The page of CD image transfer software has been updated. 2018/02/21: The notice of the repair of UGX-01 has been described. 2018/02/19: A page of internal data update has been created. A bug has been fixed. Description of INTERNAL RAM MODEL in the setting menu has been renamed. 2018/01/23: The release date of UGX-02 was set on January 29th. 2017/09/22: Release date of UGX-02 changed to pending due to manufacturing process trouble. 2017/08/25: Announcement of new version release, How to use CD-ROM2 compatible function , CD image transfer software was created. Along with that, the existing announcement was also changed. 2017/04/02: The page of CD-ROM2 correspondence plan was created. Kinda crazy how long it’s been getting ignored, especially in light of the SSDSys3 issues. The alternative was hiding right under our noses the whole time! I started the “Anyone else excited about Super SD System 3 for PCE/TG16?” in 2017 and you can see exactly where I totally switched gears and got more interested in UGX-02: Dec 26, 2017. This video was a year and some months later. I literally waited THAT long for a western impression. :) Looking forward to yours as well. Thanks!
13:07 “Only possible because he PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 as well as the GameCube [DOL-001] are the only game consoles that present the digital video signals externally in a connector.” They don’t really have digital output, but what’s really happening is even cooler: The connector exposes enough of the bus between the CPU and VDP/VDC, VCE that the UGX-02 can replicate the video chip in FPGA. This is almost exactly like the Hi-Def NES and NESRGB, which replicate the NES PPU to get video that isn’t available anywhere on the board. Yes, it does A-D on some of the audio since it has to mix console audio with the digital CD audio it generates, but at least the audio it’s responsible for was never converted to analog and back.
The Upper Grafx creators response reminded me how I don't want to support people who don't like game history preservation and consumer protections and advocacy.
Take comfort knowing that we can always share preconfigured files for the UpperGrafx, it just isn’t popular enough to get the SmokeMonster treatment just yet. That’s the only reason people think loading up a Super SD System 3 or NeoSD is as easy as it is.
What’s going on with the display at 26:35 into the video? The wavy distorted picture at the top of the monitor. I had the exact same thing happen with a Sega Genesis 2 into a PVM. I switched out the RGB cable and it was fixed but I’m curious as to why it gets like that. I know it was a “slightly cheaper cable than the replacement but a drastic improvement. Just wondering if I can fix the cheap cable or just leave we’ll enough alone
You can get RGBHV from the UpperGrafx with an HDMI to VGA adapter. If it really supports original 59.83Hz output then RGB is a non issue, so I hope I’m wrong about the VSync settings (59.83 vs 60 = Buffered vs. Non-Buffered).
Excellent episode, thanks so much for your efforts Bob! It's a shame that it seems these device creators aren't more open to constructive criticism. This is the first time I've heard about the Uppergrafx but those shortcomings and that price point just make it unattractive for me (also I for one would have wanted the RGB output option as you mention).
Anybody know the exact tool in order to open the supergrafx? I purchased both a 3.8 and 4.5mm game bit screwdriver and neither fit. The 4.5 mm is still too small. Thanks..
Great guide! Even though I can't afford original hardware, I love knowing the particulars of the original hardware and modern accessories. It gives me a greater appreciation for my MiSTer.
For the Uper Grafx, just wondering -- at 12:40 the video shows a DVI to HDMI cable being used to bring the video into a monitor, but wouldn't you need a converter more like eBay # 112631637002 in order to get the analog line audio and DVI digital video to an HDMI device? I know the audio mentions a converter (but not the video), but I figured I would ask because I had to buy a similar converter recently. Just asking mainly because I haven't been able to get my monitors to play analog audio inputted when the HDMI interface is chosen for video input, so I believe the audio has to get converted to digital and then shunted into that HDMI cable somehow.
Nope. I should have clarified that the UperGrafx has an analog-to-digital audio converter built in, so audio is transferred over DVI. I probably left it out to not confuse people into thinking the video was A-D too....but I should have at least specified all you need is the cable and nothing else.
18:31 “Every single thing about this menu could be improved.” It still needs a lot of work but it was significantly improved over what you looked at. It’s had a controller-operated game selection for HuCards and disc images for months now, though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the site. You have to follow their Twitter updates and run the latest FW before it goes official on the website to get that. :( Technically, it’s experimental FW until the website gets it months later. I can see why you wouldn’t want to evaluate it with “experimental” FW, but users really do suffer if they don’t. Heck, same thing happened when they added CD-ROM² ODE! Even when they did add it to the site, the English version didn’t say anything for months and people continued thinking it was a video-only device!
Hi there it is January 9, 2021 I believe can you tell me how can I tell if I have an older version of the SSDS3 or the newest model that has all the fixtures in it I just got mine probably no more than six months ago can you let me know how I can tell if I have the newer one or the older one I would greatly greatly appreciate it thanks
Great video with lots of good info. So many choices it is just a shame there is not one truly ultimate solution. I do have a couple, hopefully constructive, critiques. When talking about Altered Beast you mentioned that some of the early games had system card comparability issues. I think it is literally the only game with that issue. Also the system 1.0 card was only released in Japan and replaced relatively quickly. I just hope that statement doesn't cause people to worry about sys card compatibly because of game bugs when that is not a thing other than this 1 game. The other thing is I don't think it is the best advice to just tell people to get the Pro arcade card. It costs a fair bit more than the Duo card. The explanation of the differences is: I if you turn on the system without a card in the slot and see the System Card screen you can use the Duo card otherwise you need the Pro card. Otherwise that was a great video, I really enjoy these deep dives. Keep up the good work, we are all counting on you.
I have original hardware for many consoles but I enjoy emulation for some of the more finicky consoles. I own a tg16 but i prefer to emulate. Retroarch with run ahead latency reduction and output to pvm offers an experience close to the $1000 options in this video for a fraction of the price. Input lag, in some cases, is less than original hardware and i have noticed no audio issues with the emulator I'm using. Only downside is slightly softer rgb than original hardware.
Best video so far! I only wish there was also a bit of info on the IFU-30/briefcase. They look the coolest IMO. And something I've always wondered is whether IFU video output, whether the original composite or through an RGB amp installed on it, also has jailbar noise, and what the fix is for the IFU as opposed to PCE/CoreGrafx units.
You will still need to modify the console to eliminate jailbars. In fact the IFU RGB mod needs additional filtering to produce the same video quality as the console on it's own.
@@MobiusStripTech Oh wow, I didn't know that. Thanks! I know Voultar designed a board specifically for the IFU, but it doesn't seem to be available for purchase. There's a lot of questionable mods out there for the IFU, so hopefully more standard mods become available for the neat little briefcase.
@@Izquierda he is still planning on releasing the IFU board. I believe he recently said he found another change that needed to be made for fitment. Due to a change in one revision of the briefcase.
@@MobiusStripTech Yeah there's the IFU-30 and the IFU-30A. The power button looks a bit different, and the box design was different too. I suppose there were small changes in board design then. When Voultar releases the board I'll reach out to see if you're available to get it installed in my IFU since I'm located in the US. Thanks again for all the info!
16:38 “VSync Frequency is kind of important because if you leave it at 60Hz it’ll be compatible with everything whereas if you put it at 59.83Hz it might not be compatible.” Despite being presented as a VSync frequency selection, I don’t think it actually changes the output frequency. I think it just changes the buffering. It should really say Buffered and Unbuffered based on how it was explained to me back in 2016 with the UGX-01. Recall that there were three different ways that something like a Hi-Def NES or Super Nt can adapt those systems to output 60Hz for properly-spec’d HDMI: 1) Speed up or slow down the system ever so slightly so that output is already generated at 60Hz (Unbuffered 60Hz; incorrect speed; near zero latency). This is the one the looks perfect but isn’t the right speed. 2) Buffer lines and duplicate/drop a frame when the display output and system get 1 frame apart (Buffered 60Hz; original speed; average half-frame of latency). This is the one that judders or drops frames but is the correct speed. 3) Allow screen tearing so that the system and the display do not need to sync up (Unbuffered; original speed; near zero latency). This is the one the looks worse but is the correct speed and lowest latency. Hi-Def NES and Super Nt can re-clock the entire system to output 60Hz (entire system will run slightly too fast/too slow). UpperGrafx can’t because it’s external and the clock is generated internally. Makes sense that it only has two of the three options (missing option 1).
I'm happy to see your video, RetroRGB ! So the Super SD System 3 needs to be fixed . When you are an European, the 300 EUR 's Super SD System 3 is more like 370 EUR (thanks or the import taxes.. yes, Andorre isn't in UE... it's a foreign country ... ah ah...). Now, I learn that Terraonion fucked up the video and a the audio system ??!! really ...!!! So more modifications ... and more to pay... :-o. I understand now why the Super SD System 3 isn't available for few months now.... Let's hope Terraonion will revise the board ....
If the SSD3 got it's issues sorted out and also offered digital out with HDMI, I think that would be point where I'd finally be willing to drop down the cash for one. As it is now, it's tempting but $300 is still a lot of money when it's not a complete all in one solution yet. I might even be willing to spend $350 if I knew this was the definitive end all solution for my PCE
Does the legit CORE GRAFX have a slight buzz on the sound, or do I need a cap' replacement? It's nothing that bad, but you can hear it if you pump the volume up.
All analog audio will have at least some buzz at higher volumes. Video game consoles more than audio equipment, cause they were designed for a general audience, not specifically audio gear. But if you know how to safely replace capacitors, it's always a good thing.
Not using ISO files does suck, but can you not mount the ISO file as a virtual drive in Windows and then tell the software that it's your optical drive?
Good video Bob. I'm leaning towards buying a base PC-E with the SSDS3. I don't think I can justify the extra spend for the suprgrafx for so few games that aren't really that special or enhanced.
13:44 “The UpperGrafx requires the Super System or Arcade Card...for compatibility with those games.” You’ll be happy to hear that almost right after the HuCard update, UGX-02 got built-in Super System Card support. They even let you pair it with the MUCH cheaper Arcade Card Duo in systems where you previously needed an Arcade Card Pro. It’s unfortunate that we have to follow their Japanese Twitter posts regularly to know the latest since the website is always months behind and it takes a while to move from experimental firmware to final FW. It’s a shame that the language barrier is keeping so much of this from The West. I only know because Twitter has built-in translation and I stubbornly hit “See Translation” on everything they post. ;)
Yep. UGX-02 only just got released in February 2019 though. Apparently I was only the second person in the USA to order one. Arrived today, seems great so far.
greyグレェ It’s actually been available for over a year now and I’ve been struggling to spread awareness this entire time. I’ve been following the developments since before the Super SD System 3 launched. David Shadoff has one as well as whoever owns the one Bob tested here. I tried to buy the UGX-01 Game-Tech.US had back in 2016 so I could get it refurbished into UGX-02 but he said he couldn’t sell it to me. :( Someone replied to his tweet about it in 2017 to clarify that UGX-01 was expected to be able to run CD-ROM² games but it seemed to fly under everyone’s radar. I strongly considered getting one with my tax refund a month ago but ultimately decided to wait. The creator is the same guy who made the Kazzo Famicom/NES cartridge dumper/programmer. He happens to be visiting the United States right now. :)
@@emmettturner9452 Ah, my misunderstanding then, the February update was presumably just a firmware revision then, not the product release. I only noticed the UGX-02 via Instagram on a Japanese retailer that hit a hashtag I was following a few weeks ago, and did not notice the UGX-01 had CD-ROM² ODE support at all, so I had thought about it but not too deeply until I saw the UGX-02 and jumped at it after some contemplation. I am pretty happy with it so far! The video signal looks excellent and it pipes the audio over DVI-D which seems to function without issue using an HDMI adapter. I tested it with a SuperGrafx and alas, it doesn't handle the second VDP so a layer of sprites doesn't display, so I think the documentation of what is Unrecommended seems accurate. I don't feel as if I was misled into buying a product promising a lot and under delivering. However, that caveat should be made clear, particularly for non 日本語 readers I suppose? I haven't tested CD-ROM² support yet. I downloaded the recommended imaging tool and will fire up a Windows machine to contend with that for the next phase of testing.
greyグレェ Yeah. UGX-01 was a false start. UGX-02 is what UGX-01 was always intended to be. They did recently discuss adding HuCard support to UGX-01, since the RAM there is big enough for that at least. UGX-01 also had screenshot and HuCard dumping. Dumping was officially unsupported though (legal reasons?). Because it replicates the VDP in FPGA in order to generate perfect digital graphics without capturing analog, I asked them if it could conceivably replicate two VDPs to work with SuperGrafx or possibly even add SuperGrafx support to any other PCE/TG16. They said it was possible to do a second VDP for SuperGrafx with a bigger FPGA. I don’t want to push for a UGX-03 but the thought excites me, especially if it could run SuperGrafx games on systems with one VDP. :)
Hey, so any word if they've fixed the issues with the Terraonion add-on? The last thing I want to do is pay 300 + shipping for a product then have to send it out to someone to mod. I want plug and play simplicity.
I ordered a white PC Engine core or the first version. PSU says 100v. USA uses 120v. Anybody know a good step down converter? I also ordered a PAL gamecube and it says 230v 50Hz.
@@RetroRGB Hey! Thanks for responding. I'll look into it. I zero'd in on "composite" when you were talking about it and completely missed the mention of s-video. Got a TG16 on the way so that's real helpful.
TurboBooster from DB Electronics is a good solution, but I had never seen that Ebay RGB cable with the amp built into it. I want to buy a second PC Engine for my HDTV, and that would be a great option.
Excellent and extremely thorough analysis. I have just subscribed. So I have my original Turbo Duo from '92 and haven't used it in years. I am wary of using it after hearing about the capacitor issues. Before I begin to play games on it again, I would like to have the caps replaced, an 8-pin RGB/SCART connector installed, stereo RCA jacks installed, and the jail bar fix. I own an OSSC for playing on an HDTV. Can you recommend a reputable, professional modder to have this done for me in the U.S.? Thanks!!
Is there a reason you want to make your own? You will spend considerably more money on buying cable to make your own than it would cost to buy pre-made cables. Individually shielded coaxial cable with the proper number of conductors and 75ohm impedance is expensive. Especially in small quantities.
Awesome video. But I think you should have been more clear about what video the consoles output natively without mods. Would have been helpful to me as I have never seen any of these consoles in person. Or did I miss something?
Hi is there anything out there like plug and play with the full library of games to play on my turbografx 16.i just want to put in and have the full library of US games. Thank you for your time.
@@RetroRGB hi I'm sorry. I don't know what one I need to play all games for the US version T/G 16. I saw you say the everdrive. Is the everdrive preinstalled all the games. Or do I have to go online and have to download all of them. I really just want to just put whatever unit into my T/G 16 and go. With no installation whatsoever. If you do mine letting me know what is best for my needs. Could you recommend one Specifically for what I am looking for. Thank you so much
4:05 “If you need an Arcade Card...try to hunt down the Pro edition.” There’s a very easy rule of thumb: If your system has a built-in Super System Card (turn it on with no card to check), you only need Arcade Card Duo because some of the memory is built in. Otherwise, you need Arcade Card Pro, which has all of the needed memory on the card. I’m not even sure an Arcade Card Pro will work properly on a system with an internal Super System Card, but you definitely don’t want to buy a Pro if you only need a Duo. The price difference is crazy because there aren’t enough Pro cards around for the older consoles that need them. It might even cause bus fighting, like running a Turbo Everdrive as a Super System Card without using the patched BIOS files. Even if a Pro card does work on a system that only needs Duo card and doesn’t risk damage over bus fighting, the Pro is already way too expensive... so please add the rule of thumb to the description or pin your own comment about it. Thanks!
Maybe someone can answer this, as I don't really know for sure. If a PC Engine or Duo was RGB modded with a standard 8 pin din output (the same as the Neo Geo); could one use the Neo Geo HD Retrovision adapter to pull RGB out of the PC Engine and use the Genesis YPbPr cables, or are the pins connected differently? If so, would it be possible to modify the pinout to make the adapter compatible?
This will not work. The Duo with 8pin DIN is a completely unique pinout. There are unofficial adapters that may work with your Duo. However you need to know about the possible incompatibilities with your mod.
@@MobiusStripTech Alright, thank you, that's what I suspected. I wasn't explictly referring to modifying the pinout on the console end, I was referring to modifying the pinout on the adapter itself. But this does clear up my suspicions, so thanks, was just curious.
By the way, you said you bought the device and tested ( which potentially damage your system ). Would you let me know when you bought it in Ebay? I can check the record because I didn't hear any complain from you thru Ebay saying it "potentially" damage your system. Hope you will reply.
@@bobthompson7545 unfortunately no. The units stoneagegamer has are all rev2/3. You would still need the add-on boards. At which point you would have the equivalent of the new revision.
@@MobiusStripTech well that blows!! mabye i'll return for a refund and wait for the new board to come to Stone age. I can't see spending ANOTHER 100 bucks to have it modded etc. thanks for the heads up.
I am the seller for the Chinese Clone RGBS adapter, would you let me know what do you mean "potentially" damage your system? Any evidence ? The device is just a simple RGB amp, I really want to know how it can damage your system ?
It was sometime in 2017. Seller's name was 'choijustin'. The 220uF input capacitors were backwards. If they heat up enough and fail shorted, there is nothing to limit the current from the HuC6260 pins. HuC6260 RGB DAC outputs are easily damaged when overdriven. It is not my responsibility to help eBay sellers correct bad designs that are sold to consumers, nor is it to keep up with newer versions of those bad products. The units I tested, as well as the fact that you put "potentially" in quotes and refer to this as 'just a simple RGB amp' without even realizing it can ruin a console are why I will continue to warn customers away from this thing, as I always have.
@@RetroRGB Wait a minute.
1) There is No 220uf capacitors for my adapter at all ( since version 1 ) . Basically, my RGBS adapter does Not use 220uf capacitors.
2) If you read the picture of my adapter inside your movie carefully, all the capacitors are ceramic ( they are Non polarity ). It is impossible to install backward.
3) For some of my early model ( yes, may be back to 2017 ), *only* the sound portion are using electrolytic capacitors ( which has polarity ) and they are 47uf.
I am pretty sure those capacitors are installed in correct position ( Not installed backward ). Out of 1000+ of adapter I has been sold, I canNOT swear Non of my adapter never has single of capacitor being installed backward ( since they are hand made ). **Assume** I made mistake and have some adapters install the capacitor by mistake ( yes, assume ), does it means the adapter is bad product? Can Samsung / SONY guarantee None of their product has any issue?
In order to avoid any mistake ( assume I have ) I made, I change all the capacitors to ceramic capacitor ( which is the current version ) to prevent any human error happens. I made improvement to my product and try to avoid human error if possible. Should you use one sentence --> "those bad products" to describe ? I don't think this is fair
Finally, please don't change my meaning --> 'just a simple RGB amp' without even realizing it can ruin a console
What I mean is since the RGB amp is design/assembly properly, how can it ruin a console ? If you assume the thing is Not design/assembly properly, of course it will damage thing ( eg, you put 5v output back to the input pin, of course it will fail, Not limit to RGB amp but anything , right ? )
@@RetroRGB One more thing, I just double check with the circuit designer for this RGBS board. He confirms the capacitors in the sound portion ( 47uf ) is for separate/prevent the DC voltage on the board to enter into audio pins of PC engine extension port. He reminds me audio signal is Not an electric current, therefore, the capacitors ( 47uf ) in Not for DC current ( which carries +/- ) but only for separating DC current and only for audio signal ( which Not carrying DC current ) . In case the capacitors have been "installed backward by mistake", it won't hurt anything. However, to avoid confusion, he changed all the electrolytic capacitors to ceramic capacitor which does Not carry polarity.
I got 2 of these Chinese eBay RGB adaptors, work perfect in RGB Scart on CRTs in the UK... they are excellent value for money imo .. ✌️💥
Seems to me some of these overpriced american 'designed' retro products are just plain lazy design rip offs of the cheaper Chinese workarounds and with a few bells and whistles added... and they are still produced in Asia...
So, let me get this straight: Terraonion insisted that they would not release a board revision that would correct all the video and audio issues, leading people like me to buy their product. Now, they've secretly decided that they would release a revision that would solve all those issues, and they even admited in the schmups forums that they did not say a word in order to get rid of all of their Rev. 2 stock.
So instead of putting all of their old stock on discounts and simultaneously sell their Rev 3, they decided that it would be better to sell it all to fools like me, and screw us all over. I feel hurt, honestly. I trusted and defended them, and now this is what I get.
Yep Teraonion suck the big one ..
To add to Bob's point about cutting the post on the SuperGrafx. If you don't cut the post, the pressure that is being applied at all times, will break the board. It breaks 72 traces just above the HuCard slot.
The break can happen even if you are not inserting HuCards.
Haha the SDS3 snark was awesome! Well played Bob. I'm shocked and amazed that Firebrand and Voultar fixed the F%$#ing thing and that Terraonion actually incorporated those fixes into their new release. It's great to know that the community can have a spat but still move forward in a positive manner. My respect goes out to all people involved.
Id like to say that RetroRGB have the best videos on UA-cam, but unfortunately quality cant be measured.
I’ve been eyeballing UGX-02 for years now and finally pulled the trigger. I think I can answer a few questions about it. :)
He probably didn’t think anyone would care about RGB output because you can still add that to the base system instead. Honestly, that’s preferable to way SSDSys3 [mis]handled it. If his domain is digital and it doesn’t stop you from doing RGB yourself with Voultar’s board or whatever... good for Voultar!
The game list was limited to 100 titles until they added “Block,” which was just a way to switch to the next page of 100 games and the next and the next and so on. It was added along with the ability to load HuCard ROMS, since that greatly expanded the number of titles that will fit on smaller SD cards. He very quickly got rid of the “Block” setting and now you change pages just by going through the list.
You are actually able to combine a virtual HuCard with a virtual disc image... like using a Turbo Everdrive 2.5+ and patched System Card ROMs together with a stack of burned CD-ROM² games. :)
Really old versions of the firmware have you turn it off/on before you boot so that you can insert the system card if needed without the system card hijacking the built-in menu at the initial boot (UGX menu boots up like an internal Super System Card). The firmware you have on there actually boots CD-ROM² and Super CD-ROM² without a real system card... just pick the JP Super System Card BIOS ROM from the list like it was any other HuCard you wanted to play and it simulates a built-in Super System Card.
Yes, it has Turbo Everdrive 2.5+ functionality and can play HuCard ROMs. It will boot the JP Super System Card ROM and behave just like a Duo or Super CD-ROM² attachment with their internal Super System Cards. Just like a Duo, it even lets you get by with the cheaper Arcade Card Duo, which combines additional RAM on the card with RAM from the internal Super System Card. You know... instead of putting it all on a single card like Arcade Card Pro.
Arcade Card Duo has no built-in ROM and has a separate boot procedure described on their site because of it, so it might even be able to launch without power-cycling. I’m not sure if it will still block the UGX from booting initially due to the card detect/present pin or whatever but, obviously, a Duo doesn’t have that problem. The untranslated part of the UGX site mentions some part of the process takes you to a list at boot anyway, regardless of having a HuCard inserted. It’s certainly possible that they have gotten rid of this requirement for Arcade Card Duo users like they have for Super System Card users. Unfortunately, I don’t own an Arcade Card of any kind yet. :(
@9:28 That's some great customer service. I'd say it's on par with the now-classic "clicky thumbsticks is very hard to make."
Wow huge step up in production. I’ve never experienced real hardware turbografx, but you are making me want to pull the trigger on it. Keep up the good work!
I’m still lusting after a PC ENGINE White and a Super Grafx!
3:09 “all original consoles with the CD attachment require that a HuCard be inserted into the console for discs to play” At least one exception:
The Super CD-ROM² attachment, which has a built-in Super System Card. That’s the one that plugs right on to the back without a separate interface unit/dock.
Arcade card is needed for some games still
John Di Pietro Yeah, but none of the CD systems have a built-in Arcade Card. This part is where he was saying all CD-ROM² attachments need a separate system card inserted to play CD games and that operating without a system card was limited to the systems with built-in CD-ROM² drives (Duo, Duo R, Duo RX).
Even Duo systems with a built-in Super System Card need a separate system card to play Arcade CD-ROM² games.
@@emmettturner9452 look at the name of the attachment. If that doesn't clue you in.... This is a great informative video. If you really want to pick it apart get a life.
neozeed1964
It’s for the benefit of anyone who might take the advice in the video and buy a Super CD-ROM², possibly with a useless Super System Card or Turbo Everdrive they don’t need.
May I suggest you take your own advice and stop nit-picking? ...especially if you don’t actually have a correction to contribute and your nit is just inarguably useless commentary on how useful my arguably useful comment was. Can you see the irony?
If this video is to serve as a reference then the corrections need to be available with it. Instead of objecting to UA-cam’s typically useless and vapid comments, you decide to object to the undeniably more productive ones that are using the comment system for its intended purpose. I find that amusing.
As for the name: You don’t think it adds EVEN MORE confusion for it to have a similar name?! “Super CD-ROM²” software is not exclusive to the device either. That’s why I also physically described the attachment. Bob’s video is trying to clear up some of the associated confusion with all of this, which happens to be my goal too. Now this great video is even more informative. If that irks you so much you had to say something then, well, you have other issues. I’m not sorry for contributing.
He also said that the UGX-02 requires a system card even though an update added the function months ago. Someone considering an UpperGrafx would want to know, whether you do or not, so I shared. They might be pretty disappointed if they bought one for no reason.
@@emmettturner9452 didnt read the book you posted but if you got time for that.... heh
Great video Bob - you are really hitting your stride with these. The hard work you are putting into all of these recent videos definitely shows. Please keep up the great work - I appreciate it. Best wishes.
Thanks!
Excellent video Bob. I’m impressed. I just want to give Möbius Strip Tech and FBX a huge shoutout on the work they did to get the best picture and audio out of my SDSS3. I’m still amazed at how many people came together to fix the issues with that device. I know there can be a lot of drama (like I need to tell you) in the Retro gaming community but it is awesome when people come together to turn a bad situation into something amazing. Cheers
Could you please tell terraonion to send be a rebate for the 2 extra mod boards i need?
Another phenomenal and informative video. I bought a Turbo graphics when they first came out but then gave mine away some time in the late 90’s. So angry. Now I have to pay major $$ to get new equipment. This has answered so many questions. Thank you 🙏
Bro I traded in snatcher scd for credit toward a ps1... Think I got $25. We did what we did.......
I own a Core Grafx 2 and I bought a used, loaded Turbo Everdrive and a DB Grafx Booster and am satisfied with that. The Everdrive cost me 98 bucks with all the games on it and the PC Engine was about 130 bucks. Then the DB Grafx Booster was about 60 bucks. So about 300 bucks for everything. I also use the HD Retrovision Genesis component cables, so add an extra 60 bucks or so. I think it's a great choice for someone who doesn't care about the CD games like me. Very informative video Bob! Thanks for all you do for the gaming community.
I wish someone would make an alternative similar to the SD System 3 that actually works as it should out the box with save states.
I'm very disappointed in the creators of some of these devices but thank you so much for showcasing them
Overpriced and under developed junk for 'modern' retro gamers not happy with the way old school games should play... Mostly...
Excellent video. I’ve got a DUO so I’m definitely going to get it re-capped and get the RGB mod. Thanks very much for this.
the second episode of my bob in gaming
Fifth :) ua-cam.com/play/PLNG-S9dRk8vLVDzZjefRGCQhxNvTPIrLl.html
It's now the start of 2022 and I've been tempted to get a PC Engine for a year now. Boy howdy, what a rabbit hole...
Kudos for somehow distilling the insanely complicated clusterfuck which is PC Engine solutions into one digestible video. You did an amazing job here.
Thank you!
Currently MiSTer is my only PC-E solution and the core seems really tight. Can't wait to (hopefully) see CD support eventually.
I bought a Turbo Grafx 16 off my best friend in the mid 90's for $50.00 usd. I loved the hell out of Bonk, Adventure Island, and Splatter House. When I learned of the Turbo Mini I immediately pre-ordered it. Turns out this is my favorite mini system.
Wow! I had no idea that Terra Onion relented and finally decided to make another revision of the Super SD System 3. I’ve been refusing to buy their products because of how they treated you and their steadfast refusal to listen to community input (except support from their fans). This changes things. I’ll wait and see what the new UI brings to Darksoft’s Neo Multi, but I’ve got a feeling that I’m going to end up with a NeoSD Pro after this news. :)
For those looking for a simple emulation setup, the Wii has an excelent port of madnafen (and it runs on 240p for those with a CRT)
Yes, the madnafen port is great, though the core for the Wii's Retroarch is better in every way, especially video quality. With wiimadnafen I can't get the picture to be as sharp with any video filter setting as on Retroarch (with filters turned off and the right AR settings, of course). Even then, the Wii either through RGB or Component running Retroarch is not quite as sharp as my RGB-modded PCE, but it's pretty close, and offers save states and perfect CD image loading.
@@Izquierda I'm hoping the Wii Dual mod will really help with video output sharpness at all resolutions - especially for emulation at 240p.
Couple things:
1. Only the original PC Engine Duo/TurboDuo consoles need new capacitors. The Duo-R and Duo-RX models don't need a recap, as they switched to higher quality through-hole capacitors.
2. You can get stuff WAY cheaper if you're fine with buying from Yahoo Japan and using an import service. I was able to get a boxed mint PC Engine Duo for $150 after shipping (still needed new caps ofc)
yeah and not all caps need replacing, for instance the silver one he showed de soldering is not a problem cap, it was a surface mount solid electrolytic, you only need to swap out the through-hole electro caps, and tantalum caps( though not sure if these have those).
lots of fake news and paranoia surrounding caps in devices in general.
Came for TG16 content stayed for the Smokemonster T-Shirt.
Exactly This!!!^^^
Now where can we get our own shirts.
Bob, Wow 😮 this video production looks amazing. Great Job! Thank you for everything you do for the community.
Excellent coverage of the options - greatly appreciated you've gone to the trouble to make this video. I shall be sending people here when they request options for PC Engine / Turbo Grafx work :)
Major props for this video, it really covers everything. This was obviously a huge amount of work. Thank you!
By far your best and most complete video ever. Thank you for all the info in one source! Can I ask for the one video I've been waiting for forever, calibrating the laser on a turbo duo with a scope.
Great job on the video Bob! Overall quality of content and video is awesome :) quick tip for video shots of closeups and products: start experimenting with manual exposure and focus. This way lighting and focus will be much more consistent. Keep up the good work!
Sometimes, I like the "auto-focus" look on the spinning shots, so in this video it was deliberate. Although the shot of me and the dual signal sucked...auto-focus kept "pulsing". That was a mistake...
RetroRGB Professional productions make those shots with a smooth focus “puller”, but that’s a whole other ballgame 😉 I’ve been following your channel for 2 years and it’s great to watch you improve, video production is hard!
Bob you literally are the RGB king! thank you for being out RGB knowledge hub!
Great video with lots of in-depth information as usual!
And the “visual quality“ is improving with each one as well..👍🏻
bob what a great video! i personally use a tg16 and rene's board. rene's board with hd retrovision cables are amazing!
That video was awesome Bob! Good job explaining such a complicated device!
It sounds to me like the UperGrafx and Everdrive would be a great combo. However with the cost of these devices plus the original console it is starting to sound like the MiSTer FPGA would be better value for money as it can also act like a lot of other systems and consoles.
You can go to Castlemania to purchase the db booster the same as the one at stone age gamer and is slightly cheaper. Either way it is a must have!
I love what you do Bob! Thanks so much
Super SD System 3 is also pretty picky about the disc images it works with. Everyone on Neo-Geo Forum was sharing a set that was preconfigured, much like SmokeMonster sets, so a lot of people don’t realize it. They even banned MobiusStrip (temporarily) when he fell for one of their in-jokes while looking for it.
A lot of people there completely forgot that the NeoSD required PC software to prepare the ROMs and jumped all over DarkSoft for their own initial setup difficulties. How does that saying go about pointing out the speck/splinter in someone’s eye without noticing the plank in your own? ;) It just seems that everyone turns a blind eye to this part for Terra Onion.
Granted, UGX-02 is undeniably more clunky than SSDSys3... but all of that was functionality added after launch (launched as just a digital video adapter). Hard to complain when it was added free, though I really want to see it improved. It has actually improved a lot even since they added those features:
You once had to change CD images in the system’s music CD player, so you needed to know what game was track 5, or track 11 or whatever. They finally added an on-screen game list but, of course, we still need that Windows software. :(
Damn the PC Engine (White, Grey/Blue and Grey/Orange) systems have sky rocket in price. I was buying them from Japan to add RGB internal mods about 2 years a go for like £35 shipped to the UK
FINALLY! I’ve been begging western UA-camrs to talk about UpperGrafx UGX-02 since December 2017. At that time, only GameTechUS’s video about the UGX-01 existed, and no one realized it was supposed to be an ODE or that it worked more like Hi-Def NES (replicates digital video in FPGA; doesn’t sample analog RGB). Yes: December 2017 was before the Super SD System 3 launched.
...and the reason I didn't was because I wanted to take my time and give it a real review, not just a quick mention :)
RetroRGB Yep. It was still frustrating to see everyone assuming that they had no choice other than SSDSys3 while Terra Onion was still refusing to acknowledge the issues, but I totally understand waiting. Mind if I ask who loaned you one? I might have a few questions for the guy/gal. :)
@@emmettturner9452 I was aware of the UGX-01 in development in 2017, but it did not advertise CD-ROM² support and was marketing itself as a DVI up scaler at the time. Meanwhile, the SSD3 was backordered and undergoing revisions until late January 2018 IIRC?
I didn't see any mention of the UGX-02 until the last week or two and just ordered one. Apparently it is only the second one shipped to the USA, so I don't think that in 2017 it was really a viable alternative, it did not yet exist.
greyグレェ In 2017, CD-ROM² support was announced for UGX-01 but they never managed to get it to work. Needed more RAM or something, so they revised it to UGX-02 and offered refurbishment service to UGX-01 owners. They kinda got ahead of themselves and even added instructions for ripping your discs to the SD card! It’s obvious that they always intended this to play CD-ROM², since the unit had an SD card and a USB port from the start (only one or the other is needed for simple firmware updates). I remember being baffled by the GameTech video in 2016 since he didn’t even mention the SD card slot or that this was full-digital (not upscaling). It was clear that he was missing something BIG.
Super SD System 3 was announced in Dec 2017 and began taking preorders. UGX-02 was supposed to begin shipping in 2017 but they ran into production issues. In the end, both SSDSys3 and UGX-02 began shipping in Jan 2018. Because of the botched launch where Terra Onion stopped shipping the first revision and recalled them, you could say that UGX-02 beat them to it... not that the UGX guys didn’t have their own problems with their launch but at least that was all BEHIND them in Jan 2018 (UGX-01 refurbishment thing and 2017 delay). ;)
David Shadoff (prolific ROM hacker/translator) seems to be in North America and doesn’t seem to be the one who provided one to RetroRGB so it seems that there are at least two others. How either of those got here is anyone’s guess.
According to Google Translate, their CD-ROM² page first went up just over two years ago:
2019/02/17: Update internal data update page , distribute upergrafx_20190210.pac.
2018/10/10: Update internal data update page , distribute upergrafx_20181007.pac.
2018/08/07: Update internal data update page , distribute upergrafx_20180806.pac.
2018/08/02: Added bug fix progress page
2018/07/14: Update internal data update and communication software page, add ROM image transfer page
2018/06/05: Updated order page (For countries other than Japan)
2018/03/26: Update internal data update page
2018/03/01: Troubleshooting FAQ The page of CD image transfer software has been updated.
2018/02/21: The notice of the repair of UGX-01 has been described.
2018/02/19: A page of internal data update has been created. A bug has been fixed. Description of INTERNAL RAM MODEL in the setting menu has been renamed.
2018/01/23: The release date of UGX-02 was set on January 29th.
2017/09/22: Release date of UGX-02 changed to pending due to manufacturing process trouble.
2017/08/25: Announcement of new version release, How to use CD-ROM2 compatible function , CD image transfer software was created. Along with that, the existing announcement was also changed.
2017/04/02: The page of CD-ROM2 correspondence plan was created.
Kinda crazy how long it’s been getting ignored, especially in light of the SSDSys3 issues. The alternative was hiding right under our noses the whole time!
I started the “Anyone else excited about Super SD System 3 for PCE/TG16?” in 2017 and you can see exactly where I totally switched gears and got more interested in UGX-02: Dec 26, 2017. This video was a year and some months later. I literally waited THAT long for a western impression. :) Looking forward to yours as well. Thanks!
12:25 trying hard to put up a straight face... hahaha
I honestly didn’t know how the “I spoke to Alex” sentence was going to end.
Great vid there are a lot of options to the Nec consoles I feel you tackled them very well.
BOB! Loving the SmokeMonster shirt! As well as the musical score to this video. Way to MLiG this one up!
13:07 “Only possible because he PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 as well as the GameCube [DOL-001] are the only game consoles that present the digital video signals externally in a connector.” They don’t really have digital output, but what’s really happening is even cooler:
The connector exposes enough of the bus between the CPU and VDP/VDC, VCE that the UGX-02 can replicate the video chip in FPGA. This is almost exactly like the Hi-Def NES and NESRGB, which replicate the NES PPU to get video that isn’t available anywhere on the board.
Yes, it does A-D on some of the audio since it has to mix console audio with the digital CD audio it generates, but at least the audio it’s responsible for was never converted to analog and back.
Great comparison and update for 2019. Thanks for doing this and putting all the work in! ! Great video
The Upper Grafx creators response reminded me how I don't want to support people who don't like game history preservation and consumer protections and advocacy.
Take comfort knowing that we can always share preconfigured files for the UpperGrafx, it just isn’t popular enough to get the SmokeMonster treatment just yet. That’s the only reason people think loading up a Super SD System 3 or NeoSD is as easy as it is.
Should I wait to buy a SsdS3? When is the new version released?
I'm interested in seeing what this "PC Engine AV Booster" on ebay can do.
What’s going on with the display at 26:35 into the video? The wavy distorted picture at the top of the monitor. I had the exact same thing happen with a Sega Genesis 2 into a PVM. I switched out the RGB cable and it was fixed but I’m curious as to why it gets like that. I know it was a “slightly cheaper cable than the replacement but a drastic improvement. Just wondering if I can fix the cheap cable or just leave we’ll enough alone
You can get RGBHV from the UpperGrafx with an HDMI to VGA adapter. If it really supports original 59.83Hz output then RGB is a non issue, so I hope I’m wrong about the VSync settings (59.83 vs 60 = Buffered vs. Non-Buffered).
On 11:11 I can see some noise (different shades of blue), is that a youtube compresion thing??
Yes. I rendered a few different ways, but this way was the least-worst.
If digital video is present at the back, why is upergrafx the only solution taking advantage of that?
Excellent episode, thanks so much for your efforts Bob! It's a shame that it seems these device creators aren't more open to constructive criticism. This is the first time I've heard about the Uppergrafx but those shortcomings and that price point just make it unattractive for me (also I for one would have wanted the RGB output option as you mention).
Anybody know the exact tool in order to open the supergrafx? I purchased both a 3.8 and 4.5mm game bit screwdriver and neither fit. The 4.5 mm is still too small. Thanks..
Does Smokemonster have a pcecd pack, struggling with bad dumps
Great video Bob!
Great guide! Even though I can't afford original hardware, I love knowing the particulars of the original hardware and modern accessories. It gives me a greater appreciation for my MiSTer.
Hey Bob, seriously notice the additional production effort.
For the Uper Grafx, just wondering -- at 12:40 the video shows a DVI to HDMI cable being used to bring the video into a monitor, but wouldn't you need a converter more like eBay # 112631637002 in order to get the analog line audio and DVI digital video to an HDMI device? I know the audio mentions a converter (but not the video), but I figured I would ask because I had to buy a similar converter recently. Just asking mainly because I haven't been able to get my monitors to play analog audio inputted when the HDMI interface is chosen for video input, so I believe the audio has to get converted to digital and then shunted into that HDMI cable somehow.
Nope. I should have clarified that the UperGrafx has an analog-to-digital audio converter built in, so audio is transferred over DVI. I probably left it out to not confuse people into thinking the video was A-D too....but I should have at least specified all you need is the cable and nothing else.
The SSDS3- Quality Can't Be Measured!™ That should be the tagline printed on the box.
You rock Bob! Thank you so much!!
18:31 “Every single thing about this menu could be improved.”
It still needs a lot of work but it was significantly improved over what you looked at. It’s had a controller-operated game selection for HuCards and disc images for months now, though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the site. You have to follow their Twitter updates and run the latest FW before it goes official on the website to get that. :( Technically, it’s experimental FW until the website gets it months later. I can see why you wouldn’t want to evaluate it with “experimental” FW, but users really do suffer if they don’t. Heck, same thing happened when they added CD-ROM² ODE! Even when they did add it to the site, the English version didn’t say anything for months and people continued thinking it was a video-only device!
Hi there it is January 9, 2021 I believe can you tell me how can I tell if I have an older version of the SSDS3 or the newest model that has all the fixtures in it I just got mine probably no more than six months ago can you let me know how I can tell if I have the newer one or the older one I would greatly greatly appreciate it thanks
Great video with lots of good info. So many choices it is just a shame there is not one truly ultimate solution.
I do have a couple, hopefully constructive, critiques.
When talking about Altered Beast you mentioned that some of the early games had system card comparability issues. I think it is literally the only game with that issue. Also the system 1.0 card was only released in Japan and replaced relatively quickly. I just hope that statement doesn't cause people to worry about sys card compatibly because of game bugs when that is not a thing other than this 1 game.
The other thing is I don't think it is the best advice to just tell people to get the Pro arcade card. It costs a fair bit more than the Duo card. The explanation of the differences is: I if you turn on the system without a card in the slot and see the System Card screen you can use the Duo card otherwise you need the Pro card.
Otherwise that was a great video, I really enjoy these deep dives. Keep up the good work, we are all counting on you.
i don't like modding original hardware, so use an extension rgb solution. PCE4ever!
I have original hardware for many consoles but I enjoy emulation for some of the more finicky consoles. I own a tg16 but i prefer to emulate. Retroarch with run ahead latency reduction and output to pvm offers an experience close to the $1000 options in this video for a fraction of the price. Input lag, in some cases, is less than original hardware and i have noticed no audio issues with the emulator I'm using. Only downside is slightly softer rgb than original hardware.
Best video so far! I only wish there was also a bit of info on the IFU-30/briefcase. They look the coolest IMO. And something I've always wondered is whether IFU video output, whether the original composite or through an RGB amp installed on it, also has jailbar noise, and what the fix is for the IFU as opposed to PCE/CoreGrafx units.
You will still need to modify the console to eliminate jailbars. In fact the IFU RGB mod needs additional filtering to produce the same video quality as the console on it's own.
@@MobiusStripTech Oh wow, I didn't know that. Thanks! I know Voultar designed a board specifically for the IFU, but it doesn't seem to be available for purchase. There's a lot of questionable mods out there for the IFU, so hopefully more standard mods become available for the neat little briefcase.
@@Izquierda he is still planning on releasing the IFU board. I believe he recently said he found another change that needed to be made for fitment. Due to a change in one revision of the briefcase.
@@MobiusStripTech Yeah there's the IFU-30 and the IFU-30A. The power button looks a bit different, and the box design was different too. I suppose there were small changes in board design then. When Voultar releases the board I'll reach out to see if you're available to get it installed in my IFU since I'm located in the US. Thanks again for all the info!
is doom on turbogrfx?
16:38 “VSync Frequency is kind of important because if you leave it at 60Hz it’ll be compatible with everything whereas if you put it at 59.83Hz it might not be compatible.”
Despite being presented as a VSync frequency selection, I don’t think it actually changes the output frequency. I think it just changes the buffering. It should really say Buffered and Unbuffered based on how it was explained to me back in 2016 with the UGX-01.
Recall that there were three different ways that something like a Hi-Def NES or Super Nt can adapt those systems to output 60Hz for properly-spec’d HDMI:
1) Speed up or slow down the system ever so slightly so that output is already generated at 60Hz (Unbuffered 60Hz; incorrect speed; near zero latency). This is the one the looks perfect but isn’t the right speed.
2) Buffer lines and duplicate/drop a frame when the display output and system get 1 frame apart (Buffered 60Hz; original speed; average half-frame of latency). This is the one that judders or drops frames but is the correct speed.
3) Allow screen tearing so that the system and the display do not need to sync up (Unbuffered; original speed; near zero latency). This is the one the looks worse but is the correct speed and lowest latency.
Hi-Def NES and Super Nt can re-clock the entire system to output 60Hz (entire system will run slightly too fast/too slow). UpperGrafx can’t because it’s external and the clock is generated internally. Makes sense that it only has two of the three options (missing option 1).
Where can I get that shirt?
I'm happy to see your video, RetroRGB !
So the Super SD System 3 needs to be fixed .
When you are an European, the 300 EUR 's Super SD System 3 is more like 370 EUR (thanks or the import taxes.. yes, Andorre isn't in UE... it's a foreign country ... ah ah...).
Now, I learn that Terraonion fucked up the video and a the audio system ??!! really ...!!!
So more modifications ... and more to pay... :-o.
I understand now why the Super SD System 3 isn't available for few months now.... Let's hope Terraonion will revise the board ....
Amazing work! Loved it.
Great & useful video !
If the SSD3 got it's issues sorted out and also offered digital out with HDMI, I think that would be point where I'd finally be willing to drop down the cash for one.
As it is now, it's tempting but $300 is still a lot of money when it's not a complete all in one solution yet.
I might even be willing to spend $350 if I knew this was the definitive end all solution for my PCE
Does the legit CORE GRAFX have a slight buzz on the sound, or do I need a cap' replacement? It's nothing that bad, but you can hear it if you pump the volume up.
All analog audio will have at least some buzz at higher volumes. Video game consoles more than audio equipment, cause they were designed for a general audience, not specifically audio gear. But if you know how to safely replace capacitors, it's always a good thing.
Not using ISO files does suck, but can you not mount the ISO file as a virtual drive in Windows and then tell the software that it's your optical drive?
Yup, that would work. Would you really want to "re-rip" your whole collection like that though?
@@RetroRGB oh that would suck, but you v wouldn't have to bother your physical copies.
can i play cd games only with pc engine (not ad on), via everdrive?
Not yet. Krikzz is releasing a new Everdrive soon.
Good video Bob. I'm leaning towards buying a base PC-E with the SSDS3. I don't think I can justify the extra spend for the suprgrafx for so few games that aren't really that special or enhanced.
13:44 “The UpperGrafx requires the Super System or Arcade Card...for compatibility with those games.”
You’ll be happy to hear that almost right after the HuCard update, UGX-02 got built-in Super System Card support. They even let you pair it with the MUCH cheaper Arcade Card Duo in systems where you previously needed an Arcade Card Pro.
It’s unfortunate that we have to follow their Japanese Twitter posts regularly to know the latest since the website is always months behind and it takes a while to move from experimental firmware to final FW. It’s a shame that the language barrier is keeping so much of this from The West. I only know because Twitter has built-in translation and I stubbornly hit “See Translation” on everything they post. ;)
Yep. UGX-02 only just got released in February 2019 though. Apparently I was only the second person in the USA to order one. Arrived today, seems great so far.
greyグレェ It’s actually been available for over a year now and I’ve been struggling to spread awareness this entire time. I’ve been following the developments since before the Super SD System 3 launched. David Shadoff has one as well as whoever owns the one Bob tested here.
I tried to buy the UGX-01 Game-Tech.US had back in 2016 so I could get it refurbished into UGX-02 but he said he couldn’t sell it to me. :( Someone replied to his tweet about it in 2017 to clarify that UGX-01 was expected to be able to run CD-ROM² games but it seemed to fly under everyone’s radar. I strongly considered getting one with my tax refund a month ago but ultimately decided to wait.
The creator is the same guy who made the Kazzo Famicom/NES cartridge dumper/programmer. He happens to be visiting the United States right now. :)
greyグレェ Please share your impressions!
@@emmettturner9452 Ah, my misunderstanding then, the February update was presumably just a firmware revision then, not the product release. I only noticed the UGX-02 via Instagram on a Japanese retailer that hit a hashtag I was following a few weeks ago, and did not notice the UGX-01 had CD-ROM² ODE support at all, so I had thought about it but not too deeply until I saw the UGX-02 and jumped at it after some contemplation.
I am pretty happy with it so far! The video signal looks excellent and it pipes the audio over DVI-D which seems to function without issue using an HDMI adapter. I tested it with a SuperGrafx and alas, it doesn't handle the second VDP so a layer of sprites doesn't display, so I think the documentation of what is Unrecommended seems accurate. I don't feel as if I was misled into buying a product promising a lot and under delivering. However, that caveat should be made clear, particularly for non 日本語 readers I suppose?
I haven't tested CD-ROM² support yet. I downloaded the recommended imaging tool and will fire up a Windows machine to contend with that for the next phase of testing.
greyグレェ Yeah. UGX-01 was a false start. UGX-02 is what UGX-01 was always intended to be. They did recently discuss adding HuCard support to UGX-01, since the RAM there is big enough for that at least. UGX-01 also had screenshot and HuCard dumping. Dumping was officially unsupported though (legal reasons?).
Because it replicates the VDP in FPGA in order to generate perfect digital graphics without capturing analog, I asked them if it could conceivably replicate two VDPs to work with SuperGrafx or possibly even add SuperGrafx support to any other PCE/TG16. They said it was possible to do a second VDP for SuperGrafx with a bigger FPGA. I don’t want to push for a UGX-03 but the thought excites me, especially if it could run SuperGrafx games on systems with one VDP. :)
Hey, so any word if they've fixed the issues with the Terraonion add-on? The last thing I want to do is pay 300 + shipping for a product then have to send it out to someone to mod. I want plug and play simplicity.
I ordered a white PC Engine core or the first version. PSU says 100v. USA uses 120v. Anybody know a good step down converter? I also ordered a PAL gamecube and it says 230v 50Hz.
I'd just use a new PSU. WAY easier and they passed all the tests I put them through: shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=64006
I really hope someone can develop a rgb solution for the PC engine duo line with no modding
Or even the standard CD addons
For the Duos, that's practically impossible.
Terraonion seems like world class bungholes. Luckily it looks like krikzz might have something on the horizon.
@11:34 is there a release date for the new version?
No.
What if you just want s-video on a good old fashioned CRT?
The db Grafx booster is a great solution. I show that deice (but not S-Video) in the video and there's links to it in the description.
@@RetroRGB Hey! Thanks for responding. I'll look into it. I zero'd in on "composite" when you were talking about it and completely missed the mention of s-video. Got a TG16 on the way so that's real helpful.
TurboBooster from DB Electronics is a good solution, but I had never seen that Ebay RGB cable with the amp built into it. I want to buy a second PC Engine for my HDTV, and that would be a great option.
Great job man!
Excellent and extremely thorough analysis. I have just subscribed. So I have my original Turbo Duo from '92 and haven't used it in years. I am wary of using it after hearing about the capacitor issues. Before I begin to play games on it again, I would like to have the caps replaced, an 8-pin RGB/SCART connector installed, stereo RCA jacks installed, and the jail bar fix. I own an OSSC for playing on an HDTV. Can you recommend a reputable, professional modder to have this done for me in the U.S.? Thanks!!
Simple: Voultar
I want to make my own cables I was wondering if you know a good quality brand and model to get. Shielded and proper number of internal wires.
Is there a reason you want to make your own? You will spend considerably more money on buying cable to make your own than it would cost to buy pre-made cables. Individually shielded coaxial cable with the proper number of conductors and 75ohm impedance is expensive. Especially in small quantities.
@@MobiusStripTech 43 systems running into a extron crosspoint. Scart cable+extenison+BNC adaptors making my own is more cost effective.
Awesome video. But I think you should have been more clear about what video the consoles output natively without mods. Would have been helpful to me as I have never seen any of these consoles in person. Or did I miss something?
None output RGB without mods.
@@RetroRGB Incorrect. Any PCエンジン or TurboGrafx-16 with an EXT BUS outputs RGB without mods.
lmao that desktop shot, very nice
Hello , congratulations good vidéo :-)! Please Wat s the music vidéo game on the 22 min on vidéo ?
Hi is there anything out there like plug and play with the full library of games to play on my turbografx 16.i just want to put in and have the full library of US games.
Thank you for your time.
Yes. I showed them all in this video.
@@RetroRGB hi I'm sorry. I don't know what one I need to play all games for the US version T/G 16. I saw you say the everdrive. Is the everdrive preinstalled all the games. Or do I have to go online and have to download all of them. I really just want to just put whatever unit into my T/G 16 and go. With no installation whatsoever. If you do mine letting me know what is best for my needs. Could you recommend one Specifically for what I am looking for. Thank you so much
4:05 “If you need an Arcade Card...try to hunt down the Pro edition.” There’s a very easy rule of thumb: If your system has a built-in Super System Card (turn it on with no card to check), you only need Arcade Card Duo because some of the memory is built in. Otherwise, you need Arcade Card Pro, which has all of the needed memory on the card.
I’m not even sure an Arcade Card Pro will work properly on a system with an internal Super System Card, but you definitely don’t want to buy a Pro if you only need a Duo. The price difference is crazy because there aren’t enough Pro cards around for the older consoles that need them. It might even cause bus fighting, like running a Turbo Everdrive as a Super System Card without using the patched BIOS files.
Even if a Pro card does work on a system that only needs Duo card and doesn’t risk damage over bus fighting, the Pro is already way too expensive... so please add the rule of thumb to the description or pin your own comment about it. Thanks!
Maybe someone can answer this, as I don't really know for sure. If a PC Engine or Duo was RGB modded with a standard 8 pin din output (the same as the Neo Geo); could one use the Neo Geo HD Retrovision adapter to pull RGB out of the PC Engine and use the Genesis YPbPr cables, or are the pins connected differently? If so, would it be possible to modify the pinout to make the adapter compatible?
This will not work. The Duo with 8pin DIN is a completely unique pinout. There are unofficial adapters that may work with your Duo. However you need to know about the possible incompatibilities with your mod.
@@MobiusStripTech Alright, thank you, that's what I suspected. I wasn't explictly referring to modifying the pinout on the console end, I was referring to modifying the pinout on the adapter itself. But this does clear up my suspicions, so thanks, was just curious.
By the way, you said you bought the device and tested ( which potentially damage your system ). Would you let me know when you bought it in Ebay? I can check the record because I didn't hear any complain from you thru Ebay saying it "potentially" damage your system.
Hope you will reply.
Any timeframe when to expect the re-worked Super SD? Would like to get one but hearing that I would need an extra audio fix is a bummer.
They already started shipping the new revision that contains both fixes. If you order today, that's what you will get.
@@MobiusStripTechThx mate!
@@MobiusStripTech i ordered mine on 01/28/19...would that fall under the revised run? i got it from stone age gamer.
@@bobthompson7545 unfortunately no. The units stoneagegamer has are all rev2/3. You would still need the add-on boards. At which point you would have the equivalent of the new revision.
@@MobiusStripTech well that blows!! mabye i'll return for a refund and wait for the new board to come to Stone age. I can't see spending ANOTHER 100 bucks to have it modded etc. thanks for the heads up.
I think that it is really unfair you didn't include the spark plug in this video.