I absolutely LOVE the Retrocastle mister case that I bought. It works perfectly, is nice and compact, and is super convenient. The ONLY complaint I have is that the fanless version is a bit wonky if you get the digital audio fix, because the guide for the heat sink block is obstructed by the audio board. Other than that it's perfect. Waaaaay better than any other solution I've seen
My shortlist years ago for a minimal MiSTer build was between RetroCastle and Antonio Villena. Ended up going with Antonio’s IO Mini4 for analog + DE9 + upgraded DAC with USB hub all in one tiny I/O board but that was mostly for his cool “DB9” accessories like the Decapod. Started recommending Retro Castle to everyone else ever since. :)
Dual RAM with analog output? As soon as it's in stock, I'm pulling the trigger. I've been following MiSTer for 5 years now and have been saving for 2 years.This is my stop. Thanks for sharing and for the visual tutorials which I'm sure I'll be referring to now and again. As always thanks, Bob.
I'm using a topping Dx3Pro+ (DAC) with Audioengine P4 speakers to listen to the audio review portion. I could definitely hear the difference, that was a great comparison!
Fantastic, Bob, and the timing couldn't be better for me, since I almost pulled the trigger on finally getting a MiSTer last month! I will consider getting one of the kits (and add-ons) from Retro Castle...and go through your link if I do buy something, of course!
Great video. Just to clarify, the fanless version is actually an option. You can either use this to spread heat to the enclosure, or use a fan. I went with the fanless verison and the unit stays warm as it should without being too hot. I've been using it for a month, and its fantastic I must say. Thanks again for doing those documented guides !
I'll never shop at Castlemania again. I ordered a Gcomp from them and it shipped broken in pieces and I've tried everything to get in contact with them but their customer support is non-existent. What a waste of $300..
I just messaged you on Twitter. We got replacement acrylic plates in this week and are shipping yours today. Also we didn’t ship yours like that, it happened in shipping. We’ve shipped thousands of gcomps and this has never happened before. I do apologize it took this long for parts to arrive and ship out to you.
That's what y'all said last weekend on Twitter. It maybe cool for all the influencers to do all their deals on social media but it shouldn't have to take paying customers to hunt down a company's social media pages to get in contact about a simple problem they're having with one order. We'll see what happens. It's totally not cool to ignore paying customers.
I've also had a ton of issues getting ahold of their customer service team myself; I logged a ticket two months ago, which I accidentally marked complete trying to find a way to update/ping them. Than I did another ticket that took another month for them to respond too. And than when they did, they said "don't respond, were working on it" and proceeded to send me that exact same sentence in an email every single hour for an entire day. That was a week ago and I've still not got any update lol. Just putting this out there so you/anyone else reading knows their lack of communication with customers is not an isolated incident.
I wish I had this option back when I was building my MiSTer. The 2 layer sandwich is so much cleaner with the integrated analogue I/O and USB hub. Plus this would have made for a cleaner install with my Atlas mitx and allowed me to go with a thinner case. The dual ram + direct video at this point is the way to go these days. Dual RAM cores are starting to pop up and it's a good way to future proof your MiSTer setup. I'm seriously considering selling off my original analogue I/O boards to pick up this direct video board. I like the jamma comparability too and how the case gives you a good edge to grab onto while installing the jamma connector.
I’ve had the Saturn output option of the old retrocastle case for a long time. Seen it in one of your videos and went for it. Not a single complaint and it was so easy and simple to use. Even got some of their snac adapters. I LOVE the way the PS1 adapter snaps right in. I almost never use the analogue out though so I think if dual ram becomes a requirement soon I’ll upgrade to the HDMI only version of the case.
@RetroRGB Do you know what happened to the Retro Castle store on Aliexpress? It seems like Ivory closed it and disappeared. I was just about to order one of his kits when I realized the stores inventory was empty. A couple of weeks ago there were loads of units up for sale.
Thank you so much. Honestly, the fact that people take the time to even think about using affiliate links means so much. And if it didn't work right, that's on me :)
Love my RetroCastle case, it is the tiniest you can go. I just wish the connectors were mostly in one side, and not all around. It is a bit annoying that it sometimes topples over pushed by some cable, being so light.
I have a pretty old Analog Board I haven't used yet, so far, people with similar setups don't really seem to bring up much difference in terms of picture quality, safe to say when I get around to Analog, it should look pretty good. I also feel that pulling the trigger on Dual-RAM is still a wait and see situation, plenty of situations where we thought it was not possible eventually found a solution. 😀
I was on the fence waiting for a dual RAM version of the Retro Castle kits, good timing :) Now I'm not sure if I should buy just the kit for my current MISTer setup or to buy a full MISTer and sell mine. I'm a bit lazy to try to sell my IO board, case and USB hub as spare parts.
Good question. It's cause "VGA to RCA" adapters that you can use for component video are super cheap and available on Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress. There's only one cable that's Saturn on one end and RCA on the other. It works and the quality is fine, but who knows for how long.
Many thanks for the video Rob! These look perfect for what I need - a low height MiSTer with I2S audio. But the Retro Castle website is down at the moment (Aug 26, 2024) and I can't find them on AliExpress either. Anyone know what's happened? Thanks.
The integrated DAC with the ribbon cable for direct video looks very interesting, but I can’t find the part on the Retro Castle store. What’s it called?
I’ve never been a fan of the “double stack” design. And while the analog output is perfectly safe to use (provided you’re using properly-built cables of course), they fail the brightness / voltage tests I showed in this video. So, if you own one and are happy it with, no need to change at all. And if you’re only using HDMI-out, they’re all basically the same. But if you’re looking to buy a kit for use with analog video output, this kits are by far the best.
5:58, would you mind mentioning what "default" position is? Great coverage! Ivory makes great kits, I saw you with their plexi kit and bought that instead of another metal enclosure.
Should I get the acrylic or go for the aluminum? I feel like video game consoles should plastic and I think I like the loom better. That being said the aluminum case seems nice and the passive cooling would be convenient!
A good comparison for too much voltage on the RGB lines is like overexposing a photograph, and losing visual information in the highlights. A lot of modern solutions on image sensors might be able to salvage blown highlights like that if it's capturing HDR or RAW... maybe. But with an analog media like film, all the material on the highlights would be hammered with light, so that visual information would just become full white in the photo print. The increased voltage seems to push everything in the brighter range to 100%, and like you show it, you can tone it down on the back side, but the information is unrecoverable since it's just been smashed to 100%. Really interesting and not something I had realized.
cool cool. just two questions bob, how loud is the fan? is it louder than the ultimate mister build? also all the saturn retro-access and retro gaming cables should work with this analog mister right?@@RetroRGB
The fan is super quiet. Sync on csync cables are recommended, but sync on luma can work by flipping DIP #1 to on. I can't remember what the DIP's should be set to for sync on composite, but it definitely works, cause I tried it :)
Thank you for that video. I can't wait for the dual RAM version to be available for common people. In terms of performance, have you had a chance to test Y/C and composite output of the dual RAM kit? I wonder how it compares to RetroCastle's active Y/C encoder especially that the later is relatively big board by itself comparing IO board so where would all that parts fit when now it also needs space for video DAC? Also, could you please share what exactly comes with the kit? I am very confused by the listings on Aliexpress. I see boards with different cases but things like buttons, standoffs, feets, fuse and some others are all listed separatelly. Do I really need to order them separatelly? Many thanks in advance.
How are the brightness/voltage levels when using component cables? Kuro Houou says they are too low on every Mister kit he has tested so far, even Retro Castle. Someone said this may be a limited range/full range issue.
Thanks for the detailed video. I think I saw other comments that might’ve addressed this but maybe not as detailed. If I want dual ram with Saturn output, and don’t care about displaying both simultaneously, I can order from castlemania? (Case and I/O board) Digital w/ Saturn and it’ll have that ribbon cable? Thanks
Correct! Pre-orders are open and they should ship next month. You’d just need to decide between the metal or plexi case. That’s all aesthetics though…just choose whichever your eyes prefer: retrorgb.link/retrocastle
OH MY GOD i'm more confused than ever so, the jamma dual ram board supports analogue and dual ram at the same time i assume it has the same build in dac and is using direct video mode But that takes over the hdmi port i guess and the non jamma board you show with the ribbon cable also takes over the hdmi port but supports analogue and dual ram which is interesting now we have to choose between a version with a built in dac and dual ram or the older version with simultaneous vga and hdmi output. decision paralysis yet again also do you know if that ribbon cable version is going to be put up for sale in the retrocastle store? don't see it anywhere
Yeah, this is the result of working within the confines of the DE-10. My suggestion: Unless you know you'll want access to cores with dual-ram, don't even think about it and just get a standard kit. ...and yes, the Digital I/O / Dual-RAM compatible is coming very soon. Castlemania has pre-orders open and Ivory will open his orders soon.
Thanks for your video, it inspired me to select the retro castle dual RAM VGA version. However I have one question. How do I get analog audio to work at the same time as hdmi? at 6:13 it is mentioned that there is digital to analog audio conversion so at least there should be analog audio. Starting at 5:15 an I2S-module is mentioned where you need to flip a switch. Is the same switch flipping required for getting analog audio for the dual RAM VGA version? Or does analog audio in that case only work when using the hdmi ribbon cable? Thanks :-)
So, to be clear, if what I want is a dual RAM setup that I can use through analog setup (through direct video), the actual product I need to buy is the digital I/O with the HDMI output, or the one with the VGA output? Or something else? The product pages don't give the kind of detail your video does, so the info doesn't really map 1:1 between the two.
@@RetroRGB Done. Went with the Aliexpress link since the US link only offers the digital I/O with a case if you also get the DE-10 Nano already installed. I'm just upgrading from an analog I/O so I can use some of the cores that require dual RAM. Thanks for clarifying!
they look awesome but I already got a mister setup. that On/off Button looks practical stilly anoyes me that I havent got a propper one. The only thing i'm doubting is the fan noise? is it loud? I don't want a passivly cooled one
I decided to pull the trigger on this setup back in January. Unfortunately, I am still waiting for it to ship. I have tried to reach out to them, but I have not gotten a response. It is a shame too, because you seem to speak so highly of them.
@@RetroRGB Turns out it was CastleMania. That’s what I get for not waiting until I got home to use an affiliate link on your page. The support ticket thing doesn’t work so well either. I just hope that they can resolve this. Thank you for reaching out!
I'm so sorry that US launch went so badly. If CastleMania can't ship immediately, you should ask for a refund and purchase directly from Ivory. And if you don't hear back, your credit card company should be able to take care of you. www.retrocastlestore.com/
@@RetroRGB I didn't hear back from them, so I cancelled it. It is a shame that it had to come to that. I will reach out to Ivory with the link you provided. Thank you again for the interaction. With any luck I will be able to finally experience the MiSTer soon.
So I was looking back at this, where are the dual RAM analog kits available? Am I crazy and can't find them, or even dual memory analog I/O standalone? I see a lot of analog boards with cases, but I'm running an Atlantis ITX board in a case and don't need a case, but would be interested in the dual ram analog I/O board
Great video Bob. I measured my v1 mistercade today and the rgb levels were: r 570mv, g 580mv, b 570mv. Since it's lower I won't lose detail? I can just compensate by calibrating the crt in my cabinet? As long as I only use the mistercade and no other boards or devices it's fine? Or does low voltage lose detail just like high voltage?
All correct - Just compensate for the brightness on your CRT. 570 is pretty low, but arcade cabinets are used to a wide variance in voltages, so I bet it’ll look fine.
Hello, many thanks for your work, I really need your advice and professional opinion, I recently saw a monitor from the Phillips MC15601 HD11 ultrasound equipment at a flea market, it is about 14", has BNC connectors on the back with the inscription "B", "GV", "R", "SYNC" and also VGA. On eBay such a one costs about $ 400-800. And at the flea market such a one costs 2000 rubles, tell me is this a good option for a mister, and should I expect that this monitor has a higher quality tube than in ordinary monitors. With respect.
Just to demystify something. Does it mean we should be able to get the Direct video solution working with just a correctly wired HDMI to Scart / Component cable?
Im looking at the "Retro Castle MisTer FPGA Complete Kit - Plastic Case with Digital I/O" on Castlemania, is the "Retro Castle DE10 Digital I/O Board (Video Out)" VGA option what I'd want for digital out with the included DAC on the removable ribbon cable?
Both the VGA and Saturn versions of the Digital I/O include the DAC with the ribbon. I'd choose based on your target device: If you need Composite, S-Video or RGB SCART, pick Saturn. If you need VGA or component...or VGA to BNC for an RGB monitor, pick VGA. Hope that helps!
@@RetroRGB I'll be primarily running it into an extron mvx with VGA in, and could get one of the VGA to composite adapters if I ever want the softer look. Thank you that's very helpful!
I'm looking to upgrade from a Ultimate MiSTer PRO to the Retro Castle with dual RAM. My Mister is nearly 3 years old so I think it uses an older RAM module. If I order the Retro Castle Plastic Case Upgrade Kit with Digital I/O Board what else do I need? Can I use my existing RAM module along with the new one or should I just order two?
You SHOULD be able to re-use your older RAM module. Just check to see if it has three random extra pins sticking out the side. If so, then you probably won't be able to use it. If not (most do NOT have this), then you're good to go. If it's a 32MB version, you can use it as the second RAM and just get one 128MB as the main. If you have a 128MB version, you can use that as the main and just buy a cheap 32MB versions somewhere. Hopefully you can save a bit of cash by re-using :)
If you’re only using HDMI output, all the kits will perform the same. If you need analog video output, the MiSTerAddons kits aren’t bad…but the Retro Castle ones are much better.
Regarding the Single Vs Dual RAM, if you mainly care about console games like I do, the only one that makes use of Dual RAM is the SEGA Saturn core and so far, most of my games run with a Single RAM stick. The games that don't boot with even work with Dual RAM.
What about the Jaguar core I showed in the video? :) ...but you're right, all official console cores currently run on one RAM stick. At least at the time this video was made.
@@RetroRGB Ah, I was listening as audio only while making lunch, didn't see Tempest 2000 gameplay you were running with a super secret Jaguar core you cheeky monkey! Mind you, with all due respect the Jaguar fans, I wouldn't change my setup just to be able to play this core. Makes me wonder what the Jaguar has the the N64 doesn't that would require Dual RAM?
Completely agree. And the biggest difference is time: Robert spent a YEAR on the N64 core. While a ton of development went into the Jaguar core, I don't think anyone put that kind of time into it. So maybe someday it would run on single-RAM? Here's links: misterfpga.org/viewtopic.php?p=54254&sid=6ae95bb7224acb63b9de0705d351f81e#p54254 github.com/Kitrinx/Jaguar_MiSTer
@@RetroRGB That and Robert had a experiences with more complex cores before like the GBA and PSX, not to mention the introduction of save states in MiSTer cores. Anyway, thanks for the link, I'll revisite in case we ever get Single Ram variant. Cheers
I am hoping to get more clarification here. I am planning on doing HDMI out only. What is the dual ram kit used for? Is it just specific cores? I plan on playing nes, snes, n64, gb, gba, sega ms, and ps1 games. Do any of these require dual ram or even perform better with it?
Do you know if you can keep the USB addon board from the original Mister build when installing this case? I'm wondering how you'll connect wired controllers/keyboards/etc with this
hi, how does the new dual ram borad from retrocastle compares to the new misteraddons 24bit new board, the only persona that can do that comparison is you!!, im trying to buy a mister for the first time, but i heard about the new misteraddons pcb with 24bit; thanks in advance
Great vid, I'm gonna upgrade mine. can I buy the jamma dual ram version+ram+box from aliex? thanks can it still run like that via hdmi or vga port with a regular known working barrel/type-c PSU? (for non-jamma use) i2s mod needed? I like the hdmi dongle that is needed to be unplugged-solution for dual ram, is it like that on the dual ram jamma solution? as usal thanks a lot!
The dual ram stuff (including jamma) will be on the Aliexpress store in a few weeks. And yes, all dual ram versions have that ribbon cable. You should be fine powering it with a barrel jack PSU through the included adapter. I just added that warning for people with really old DE-10’s that came with the lower quality PSU.
Thanks for answer, I was just too lazy to put it in the patreon Q&A😅 thanks for highlighting these products! I'll get a dual jamma version for sure then! thanks! so the i2s mod thing will be uneeded for the jamma "vga" port, right?
RMC has multisystem kits and accessories for sale if people want that console look. I personally love the way it looks and that it moves all the I/O to the back. Those cases can also be 3D printed if you have a printer and patience.
Wow@@RetroRGB, you are right. That is a bummer, since it's such a nice form factor. The kit is now open source, but I personally wouldn't want to DIY the board! Here's hoping that I can continue to use this enclosure into the future!
What has your opinion been on the MisterAddons products? They tend to be the more well known brand of MiSTer accessories, but I see they're absent and there's no mention here. I regret to believe that perhaps professional connections with them isn't favorable or their product quality/support may not be up to your standard. Perhaps I'm just out of the loop.
Bob's reply to someone else with similar question "I’ve never been a fan of the “double stack” design. And while the analog output is perfectly safe to use (provided you’re using properly-built cables of course), they fail the brightness / voltage tests I showed in this video. So, if you own one and are happy it with, no need to change at all. And if you’re only using HDMI-out, they’re all basically the same. But if you’re looking to buy a kit for use with analog video output, this kits are by far the best."
Yup. I'd also add that MiSTerAddons availability and support were always excellent (and still is), which is why I used to promote them. But they never fixed the voltage issues and the Retro Castle cases have proved their performance and longevity over the past three years, so they're the one to buy today.
@RetroRGB It seems MiSTer Addons is releasing new IO boards (Analog Pro & IO Direct) that may fix the voltage issues. Will you be checking these under an oscilloscope if they come out? Also, do you know if their component cables are different/better than Monoprice's, or are they the same but Addons is charging 3× more?
I've wasted hundreds of hours testing MiSTerAddons cases and providing feedback, just to have most of it ignored. I'm not spending another second of my time testing that stuff, just to be continuously treated like I have. Which is double insulting, considering how much money I've made him over the years. I will say that the last prototype I tested a year ago still had bad voltage, but it was at least better than the others. Really disappointing he stole the Saturn MiniDIN idea from Ivory though ;/ I believe this is the exact cable: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803400270601.html
I felt the same way, but I got a RetroCastle Saturn Din MiSTer for almost two years now. All you need is a quality cable, like Bob said (I use Retro Gaming Cables RGC). I got a Saturn to s-video cord and it looks great on my consumer Sony CRT. That’s it.
The only thing you really need to know before buying, is do you need analog out at the same time as HDMI? If so, get the Standard I/O kit. If not, pick either :)
@RetroRGB not all analog out through the hdmi are created equal though. Component out is trickier without the analog board, and Component was a must for me.
So the creators of the MMS has stopped stopped making them? :( Guess the only way to get one now is then to have someone like PCB-way make them for you since the design is open source?
There’s a few places looking to make them. I’m not sure if anyone’s put them through all the tests I showed here…but I’ll be testing at least one company’s soon.
I stay FAR away from Castlemania. A buddy of mine ordered a Gcomp from there and didn't get his shipped for a whole year. Took him filing a complaint with the BBB for Castlemania to finally ship it out. I'll never buy from them.
There were a few pre-orders that took longer than expected during the pandemic. We have been better about sending email updates as pre-orders progress. Tell your buddy we apologize.
@@CastleManiaGames Nothing ever changes with your business, despite all your apologies on social media. You spend more time on Twitter than you do actually shipping things to customers.
I just wish they would make a standard bottom board (usb hub) that has usable ports in the back, not the one or two “power only” ports. I don’t need much plugged in, just WiFi/BT and a 2.4 adaptor) but having them stick out the side when there’s two ports in back is just silly.
I think you're forgetting these kits are built around the limitations of the DE-10, which doesn't have a "back". If you want something that's closer to a console-look, see the alternatives I mentioned.
@@RetroRGB fair. There’s no “back” but there is a power-input side, which, traditionally would be the back. I guess what I really mean is: I’d LOVE to have power and a couple usb ports on the same side, so I could put *that* side in back and have nothing sticking out the sides :). So far I haven’t found a case that does this (except for the ones that basically cheat by being 4x the size and just reroute internally. If I knew how to use PCBway I’d design my own USB bottom board. Time to watch your old videos lol
Right, like I showed in the video: You can just use a DE-10 and a DAC. That said, if you want a power button, OSD/reset buttons, built-in USB hub and a nice case, pick up the HDMI-only version that's about to be released.
I ordered (#CE1924) using your link in CastleMania, as a result, there was no information about the order for 12 days (although on the CastleMania website it was written that the goods would be delivered in February), and in 1.5 months I have to move to another country where there are no direct deliveries now... It turns out I wasted $350(( Stop advertising CastleMania!!
Kits were delayed because of the new year shutdowns. Nothing was wasted, you're just panicking. Calm down, message CastleMania and it'll be handed accordingly. And maybe consider apologizing to me? We work really hard to get these products out and not everything can always go as smooth as a big company. Coming in here blaming me is ignorant and really disrespectful.
@@RetroRGB I wrote to them, but no one responded in a week. I didn’t insult you, I liked your video, it motivated me to buy myself a Retro Castle. But the CastleMania moments are just incredibly terrible. Do you think that ignoring the order and its delivery date adds peace of mind? I don't think this is normal or standard. And yes, this is my first time encountering such a service. And many reviews on the Internet about CastleMania, where people wait for half a year, also do not add confidence in the right choice of place to buy.
@@RetroRGBa delay for CNY shutdowns makes a lot of sense. If castlemania would post an update or respond to anyone asking that'd probably put people at ease. Instead they removed the pages on their site and have been unresponsive, so I'm not surprised people are getting nervous
To everyone watching this DO NOT buy a Retro Castle mister fpga. My order came incomplete and I am having issues. This is my third email to Ivory from Retro Castle within 7 days and no response. Definitely going to call my credit card company to reverse the charge.
That's not called the SNAC port it's the USER PORT. SNAC adapters use it but as he said it can be used with many other devices that others have designed for it but only one device can be used on it at a time. It provides direct connection to the GPINs and cores must directly support any device that is connected to it. For instance the SNAC addapers are only supported by a few cores.
I need to get me one of these cases! i like the Saturn Mini Din output! Thanks for an awesome video Bob!
I absolutely LOVE the Retrocastle mister case that I bought. It works perfectly, is nice and compact, and is super convenient. The ONLY complaint I have is that the fanless version is a bit wonky if you get the digital audio fix, because the guide for the heat sink block is obstructed by the audio board. Other than that it's perfect. Waaaaay better than any other solution I've seen
Great video Bob 👍 thank you
My shortlist years ago for a minimal MiSTer build was between RetroCastle and Antonio Villena. Ended up going with Antonio’s IO Mini4 for analog + DE9 + upgraded DAC with USB hub all in one tiny I/O board but that was mostly for his cool “DB9” accessories like the Decapod. Started recommending Retro Castle to everyone else ever since. :)
The mister looks more and more awsome each time i see you talk about em bob. I may have to pull the trigger soon😮 Great video as always ❤
Dual RAM with analog output? As soon as it's in stock, I'm pulling the trigger. I've been following MiSTer for 5 years now and have been saving for 2 years.This is my stop. Thanks for sharing and for the visual tutorials which I'm sure I'll be referring to now and again. As always thanks, Bob.
I'm using a topping Dx3Pro+ (DAC) with Audioengine P4 speakers to listen to the audio review portion. I could definitely hear the difference, that was a great comparison!
Thank you! And that's certainly the right equipment for tests like this!
@@RetroRGB The Kanto YU4s with a Schiit Modi are my living room setup, just in case I am in the wrong room :P
Fantastic, Bob, and the timing couldn't be better for me, since I almost pulled the trigger on finally getting a MiSTer last month! I will consider getting one of the kits (and add-ons) from Retro Castle...and go through your link if I do buy something, of course!
I hope you get one Jimmy. I've been on the fence to get one for a couple years now. Great video showing all the options Bob!
I have one of these it’s been working great almost 2 years running
These are some great-looking cases!
Great video. Just to clarify, the fanless version is actually an option. You can either use this to spread heat to the enclosure, or use a fan. I went with the fanless verison and the unit stays warm as it should without being too hot. I've been using it for a month, and its fantastic I must say. Thanks again for doing those documented guides !
I'll never shop at Castlemania again. I ordered a Gcomp from them and it shipped broken in pieces and I've tried everything to get in contact with them but their customer support is non-existent. What a waste of $300..
I just messaged you on Twitter.
We got replacement acrylic plates in this week and are shipping yours today.
Also we didn’t ship yours like that, it happened in shipping. We’ve shipped thousands of gcomps and this has never happened before.
I do apologize it took this long for parts to arrive and ship out to you.
That's what y'all said last weekend on Twitter. It maybe cool for all the influencers to do all their deals on social media but it shouldn't have to take paying customers to hunt down a company's social media pages to get in contact about a simple problem they're having with one order. We'll see what happens. It's totally not cool to ignore paying customers.
Same here, order #C54276 just haven’t shipped. It’s GameCube controllers, which I have preordered 2 years ago I think. Support just keep silence
I've also had a ton of issues getting ahold of their customer service team myself; I logged a ticket two months ago, which I accidentally marked complete trying to find a way to update/ping them. Than I did another ticket that took another month for them to respond too. And than when they did, they said "don't respond, were working on it" and proceeded to send me that exact same sentence in an email every single hour for an entire day. That was a week ago and I've still not got any update lol. Just putting this out there so you/anyone else reading knows their lack of communication with customers is not an isolated incident.
@@Appl3sandgrapes what is your order #? - really sorry about the trouble.
I wish I had this option back when I was building my MiSTer. The 2 layer sandwich is so much cleaner with the integrated analogue I/O and USB hub. Plus this would have made for a cleaner install with my Atlas mitx and allowed me to go with a thinner case.
The dual ram + direct video at this point is the way to go these days. Dual RAM cores are starting to pop up and it's a good way to future proof your MiSTer setup. I'm seriously considering selling off my original analogue I/O boards to pick up this direct video board.
I like the jamma comparability too and how the case gives you a good edge to grab onto while installing the jamma connector.
I’ve had the Saturn output option of the old retrocastle case for a long time. Seen it in one of your videos and went for it.
Not a single complaint and it was so easy and simple to use. Even got some of their snac adapters. I LOVE the way the PS1 adapter snaps right in.
I almost never use the analogue out though so I think if dual ram becomes a requirement soon I’ll upgrade to the HDMI only version of the case.
:)
@RetroRGB Do you know what happened to the Retro Castle store on Aliexpress? It seems like Ivory closed it and disappeared. I was just about to order one of his kits when I realized the stores inventory was empty. A couple of weeks ago there were loads of units up for sale.
Not to worry, he’s just moving stores. I’ll have a post written and update all the links as soon it’s the new place is open.
@@RetroRGB Thanks! I just got a reply from him on discord as well. A relief to hear all is well with him.
heads up I bought an aluminum case and dac upgrade thru your link, the website ultimately redirected me to the app but I hope you got your cut.
Thank you so much. Honestly, the fact that people take the time to even think about using affiliate links means so much. And if it didn't work right, that's on me :)
That’s a nice tidy kit.
Love my RetroCastle case, it is the tiniest you can go. I just wish the connectors were mostly in one side, and not all around. It is a bit annoying that it sometimes topples over pushed by some cable, being so light.
I have a pretty old Analog Board I haven't used yet, so far, people with similar setups don't really seem to bring up much difference in terms of picture quality, safe to say when I get around to Analog, it should look pretty good. I also feel that pulling the trigger on Dual-RAM is still a wait and see situation, plenty of situations where we thought it was not possible eventually found a solution. 😀
Awesome video! Appreciate you
I was on the fence waiting for a dual RAM version of the Retro Castle kits, good timing :)
Now I'm not sure if I should buy just the kit for my current MISTer setup or to buy a full MISTer and sell mine. I'm a bit lazy to try to sell my IO board, case and USB hub as spare parts.
Great video! I am beginner and now i know what i want :)
Thanks!
If Saturn version offers component through that cable you've shown then why do you recommend VGA version for component?
Good question. It's cause "VGA to RCA" adapters that you can use for component video are super cheap and available on Amazon, eBay and Aliexpress. There's only one cable that's Saturn on one end and RCA on the other. It works and the quality is fine, but who knows for how long.
@@RetroRGB Gotcha! Thanks. Please update your affiliate links when Retro Castle store is back so we can support your priceless channel.
Many thanks for the video Rob! These look perfect for what I need - a low height MiSTer with I2S audio.
But the Retro Castle website is down at the moment (Aug 26, 2024) and I can't find them on AliExpress either. Anyone know what's happened? Thanks.
Great overview!
So if i get this new dual ram set up, i get the svideo/ composite out and i dont need any luma trap or adapter right?
Correct!
Awesome! Thanks for the help. Love your content, and I am looking forward to supporting ivory he does such creative stuff!
The integrated DAC with the ribbon cable for direct video looks very interesting, but I can’t find the part on the Retro Castle store. What’s it called?
Ivory hasn’t listed those yet on his store. I’ll post on RetroRGB.com when they’re in stock, or you could pre-order from CastleMania.
Great video Bob!
Will a OEM light gun (like the ones made for the NES, SNES for example) work with a MiSTer using HDMI direct video to CRT work?
Yes, but only via SNAC adapters, not standard controller-to-USB converters.
Why are the MisterAddons cases not recommended?
I’ve never been a fan of the “double stack” design. And while the analog output is perfectly safe to use (provided you’re using properly-built cables of course), they fail the brightness / voltage tests I showed in this video. So, if you own one and are happy it with, no need to change at all. And if you’re only using HDMI-out, they’re all basically the same. But if you’re looking to buy a kit for use with analog video output, this kits are by far the best.
5:58, would you mind mentioning what "default" position is? Great coverage! Ivory makes great kits, I saw you with their plexi kit and bought that instead of another metal enclosure.
No problem: All switches towards the sides, not the middle is the default position.
Should I get the acrylic or go for the aluminum?
I feel like video game consoles should plastic and I think I like the loom better.
That being said the aluminum case seems nice and the passive cooling would be convenient!
A good comparison for too much voltage on the RGB lines is like overexposing a photograph, and losing visual information in the highlights. A lot of modern solutions on image sensors might be able to salvage blown highlights like that if it's capturing HDR or RAW... maybe. But with an analog media like film, all the material on the highlights would be hammered with light, so that visual information would just become full white in the photo print. The increased voltage seems to push everything in the brighter range to 100%, and like you show it, you can tone it down on the back side, but the information is unrecoverable since it's just been smashed to 100%. Really interesting and not something I had realized.
they seem to be not in stock, is the creator in discord?
Ivory’s just switching websites. I’ll update all the links once the new site is open. Sorry for the delay!
cool cool. just two questions bob, how loud is the fan? is it louder than the ultimate mister build? also all the saturn retro-access and retro gaming cables should work with this analog mister right?@@RetroRGB
The fan is super quiet. Sync on csync cables are recommended, but sync on luma can work by flipping DIP #1 to on. I can't remember what the DIP's should be set to for sync on composite, but it definitely works, cause I tried it :)
nice. thanks for the helpful info@@RetroRGB
Thank you for that video. I can't wait for the dual RAM version to be available for common people.
In terms of performance, have you had a chance to test Y/C and composite output of the dual RAM kit? I wonder how it compares to RetroCastle's active Y/C encoder especially that the later is relatively big board by itself comparing IO board so where would all that parts fit when now it also needs space for video DAC?
Also, could you please share what exactly comes with the kit? I am very confused by the listings on Aliexpress. I see boards with different cases but things like buttons, standoffs, feets, fuse and some others are all listed separatelly. Do I really need to order them separatelly? Many thanks in advance.
How are the brightness/voltage levels when using component cables? Kuro Houou says they are too low on every Mister kit he has tested so far, even Retro Castle. Someone said this may be a limited range/full range issue.
Thanks for the detailed video. I think I saw other comments that might’ve addressed this but maybe not as detailed. If I want dual ram with Saturn output, and don’t care about displaying both simultaneously, I can order from castlemania? (Case and I/O board) Digital w/ Saturn and it’ll have that ribbon cable? Thanks
Correct! Pre-orders are open and they should ship next month. You’d just need to decide between the metal or plexi case. That’s all aesthetics though…just choose whichever your eyes prefer: retrorgb.link/retrocastle
OH MY GOD i'm more confused than ever
so, the jamma dual ram board
supports analogue and dual ram at the same time
i assume it has the same build in dac and is using direct video mode
But that takes over the hdmi port i guess
and the non jamma board you show with the ribbon cable also takes over the hdmi port but supports analogue and dual ram which is interesting
now we have to choose between a version with a built in dac and dual ram
or the older version with simultaneous vga and hdmi output.
decision paralysis yet again
also do you know if that ribbon cable version is going to be put up for sale in the retrocastle store? don't see it anywhere
Yeah, this is the result of working within the confines of the DE-10. My suggestion: Unless you know you'll want access to cores with dual-ram, don't even think about it and just get a standard kit.
...and yes, the Digital I/O / Dual-RAM compatible is coming very soon. Castlemania has pre-orders open and Ivory will open his orders soon.
Thanks for your video, it inspired me to select the retro castle dual RAM VGA version.
However I have one question. How do I get analog audio to work at the same time as hdmi? at 6:13 it is mentioned that there is digital to analog audio conversion so at least there should be analog audio. Starting at 5:15 an I2S-module is mentioned where you need to flip a switch. Is the same switch flipping required for getting analog audio for the dual RAM VGA version? Or does analog audio in that case only work when using the hdmi ribbon cable? Thanks :-)
Analog audio only works when using the HDMI ribbon. You can always use a DAC from the 3.5mm optical output though.
@@RetroRGB Thanks for your quick reply!
So, to be clear, if what I want is a dual RAM setup that I can use through analog setup (through direct video), the actual product I need to buy is the digital I/O with the HDMI output, or the one with the VGA output? Or something else? The product pages don't give the kind of detail your video does, so the info doesn't really map 1:1 between the two.
Digital I/O with either VGA or Saturn.
I’m sorry, I know it’s confusing. We’re all just working around the limitations of the DE-10 :/
@@RetroRGB Done. Went with the Aliexpress link since the US link only offers the digital I/O with a case if you also get the DE-10 Nano already installed. I'm just upgrading from an analog I/O so I can use some of the cores that require dual RAM. Thanks for clarifying!
Has anyone used the Ironclad Mini-ITX board?
I haven’t personally used it, but it looks really cool. Maybe someone else can chime in with their experiences?
they look awesome but I already got a mister setup. that On/off Button looks practical stilly anoyes me that I havent got a propper one. The only thing i'm doubting is the fan noise? is it loud? I don't want a passivly cooled one
It’s basically silent.
Thanks for the amazing video! If I use the saturn output version with composite output I will get the same image quality as MikeS Y/C active adapter?
Yes, this is Mike’s open source circuit built right into the case :)
@@RetroRGB Thanks Bob! You are the best!
I decided to pull the trigger on this setup back in January. Unfortunately, I am still waiting for it to ship. I have tried to reach out to them, but I have not gotten a response. It is a shame too, because you seem to speak so highly of them.
Did you order direct from the Retro Castle store, or CastleMania? I believe CM had import issues, but I thought they were all caught up.
@@RetroRGB Turns out it was CastleMania. That’s what I get for not waiting until I got home to use an affiliate link on your page. The support ticket thing doesn’t work so well either. I just hope that they can resolve this. Thank you for reaching out!
I'm so sorry that US launch went so badly. If CastleMania can't ship immediately, you should ask for a refund and purchase directly from Ivory. And if you don't hear back, your credit card company should be able to take care of you. www.retrocastlestore.com/
@@RetroRGB I didn't hear back from them, so I cancelled it. It is a shame that it had to come to that. I will reach out to Ivory with the link you provided. Thank you again for the interaction. With any luck I will be able to finally experience the MiSTer soon.
So I was looking back at this, where are the dual RAM analog kits available? Am I crazy and can't find them, or even dual memory analog I/O standalone? I see a lot of analog boards with cases, but I'm running an Atlantis ITX board in a case and don't need a case, but would be interested in the dual ram analog I/O board
They’re up for pre-order in the US. Ivory will add them to the Aliexpress store when they arrive.
Great video Bob. I measured my v1 mistercade today and the rgb levels were: r 570mv, g 580mv, b 570mv. Since it's lower I won't lose detail? I can just compensate by calibrating the crt in my cabinet? As long as I only use the mistercade and no other boards or devices it's fine? Or does low voltage lose detail just like high voltage?
All correct - Just compensate for the brightness on your CRT. 570 is pretty low, but arcade cabinets are used to a wide variance in voltages, so I bet it’ll look fine.
Hello, many thanks for your work, I really need your advice and professional opinion, I recently saw a monitor from the Phillips MC15601 HD11 ultrasound equipment at a flea market, it is about 14", has BNC connectors on the back with the inscription "B", "GV", "R", "SYNC" and also VGA. On eBay such a one costs about $ 400-800. And at the flea market such a one costs 2000 rubles, tell me is this a good option for a mister, and should I expect that this monitor has a higher quality tube than in ordinary monitors.
With respect.
Hello, is there a big need to buy a new DualRam board from RetroCastle?
At the moment, there are no official cores that require dual RAM. If you already own a MiSTer kit, it should be fine for now.
Just to demystify something. Does it mean we should be able to get the Direct video solution working with just a correctly wired HDMI to Scart / Component cable?
You’d first need a compatible DAC. Then a circuit to convert it to either component video or SCART.
Im looking at the "Retro Castle MisTer FPGA Complete Kit - Plastic Case with Digital I/O" on Castlemania, is the "Retro Castle DE10 Digital I/O Board (Video Out)" VGA option what I'd want for digital out with the included DAC on the removable ribbon cable?
Both the VGA and Saturn versions of the Digital I/O include the DAC with the ribbon. I'd choose based on your target device: If you need Composite, S-Video or RGB SCART, pick Saturn. If you need VGA or component...or VGA to BNC for an RGB monitor, pick VGA. Hope that helps!
@@RetroRGB I'll be primarily running it into an extron mvx with VGA in, and could get one of the VGA to composite adapters if I ever want the softer look. Thank you that's very helpful!
And the "hdmi" (more expensive) option on castlemania? Whats the deal?
I'm looking to upgrade from a Ultimate MiSTer PRO to the Retro Castle with dual RAM.
My Mister is nearly 3 years old so I think it uses an older RAM module.
If I order the Retro Castle Plastic Case Upgrade Kit with Digital I/O Board what else do I need?
Can I use my existing RAM module along with the new one or should I just order two?
You SHOULD be able to re-use your older RAM module. Just check to see if it has three random extra pins sticking out the side. If so, then you probably won't be able to use it. If not (most do NOT have this), then you're good to go. If it's a 32MB version, you can use it as the second RAM and just get one 128MB as the main. If you have a 128MB version, you can use that as the main and just buy a cheap 32MB versions somewhere.
Hopefully you can save a bit of cash by re-using :)
@@RetroRGB Thank you.
Someone has told me not to use the misteraddons complete kits how do they compare to the retrocastle ones?
If you’re only using HDMI output, all the kits will perform the same. If you need analog video output, the MiSTerAddons kits aren’t bad…but the Retro Castle ones are much better.
Regarding the Single Vs Dual RAM, if you mainly care about console games like I do, the only one that makes use of Dual RAM is the SEGA Saturn core and so far, most of my games run with a Single RAM stick. The games that don't boot with even work with Dual RAM.
What about the Jaguar core I showed in the video? :)
...but you're right, all official console cores currently run on one RAM stick. At least at the time this video was made.
@@RetroRGB Ah, I was listening as audio only while making lunch, didn't see Tempest 2000 gameplay you were running with a super secret Jaguar core you cheeky monkey! Mind you, with all due respect the Jaguar fans, I wouldn't change my setup just to be able to play this core. Makes me wonder what the Jaguar has the the N64 doesn't that would require Dual RAM?
Completely agree. And the biggest difference is time: Robert spent a YEAR on the N64 core. While a ton of development went into the Jaguar core, I don't think anyone put that kind of time into it. So maybe someday it would run on single-RAM? Here's links:
misterfpga.org/viewtopic.php?p=54254&sid=6ae95bb7224acb63b9de0705d351f81e#p54254
github.com/Kitrinx/Jaguar_MiSTer
@@RetroRGB That and Robert had a experiences with more complex cores before like the GBA and PSX, not to mention the introduction of save states in MiSTer cores. Anyway, thanks for the link, I'll revisite in case we ever get Single Ram variant. Cheers
I am hoping to get more clarification here. I am planning on doing HDMI out only. What is the dual ram kit used for? Is it just specific cores? I plan on playing nes, snes, n64, gb, gba, sega ms, and ps1 games. Do any of these require dual ram or even perform better with it?
Do you know if you can keep the USB addon board from the original Mister build when installing this case? I'm wondering how you'll connect wired controllers/keyboards/etc with this
It’s got 4 USB ports built in.
@@RetroRGBAh, I thought that it only had the SNAC ports up top. Thanks Bob!
hi, how does the new dual ram borad from retrocastle compares to the new misteraddons 24bit new board, the only persona that can do that comparison is you!!, im trying to buy a mister for the first time, but i heard about the new misteraddons pcb with 24bit; thanks in advance
The output quality is about the same. The biggest difference is form factor and if you need simultaneous HDMI and analog output.
@@RetroRGB one last question man, so the 24 bit option, both pcbs have it, misteraddons and retrocastle dual ram? thanks in advance.
Great vid, I'm gonna upgrade mine.
can I buy the jamma dual ram version+ram+box from aliex? thanks
can it still run like that via hdmi or vga port with a regular known working barrel/type-c PSU? (for non-jamma use) i2s mod needed?
I like the hdmi dongle that is needed to be unplugged-solution for dual ram, is it like that on the dual ram jamma solution?
as usal thanks a lot!
The dual ram stuff (including jamma) will be on the Aliexpress store in a few weeks. And yes, all dual ram versions have that ribbon cable.
You should be fine powering it with a barrel jack PSU through the included adapter. I just added that warning for people with really old DE-10’s that came with the lower quality PSU.
Thanks for answer, I was just too lazy to put it in the patreon Q&A😅
thanks for highlighting these products!
I'll get a dual jamma version for sure then! thanks! so the i2s mod thing will be uneeded for the jamma "vga" port, right?
Correct, the JAMMA version has something similar already built in, with its own audio amp :)
thanks again, have a nice day!
RMC has multisystem kits and accessories for sale if people want that console look. I personally love the way it looks and that it moves all the I/O to the back. Those cases can also be 3D printed if you have a printer and patience.
I don’t think they do anymore. They DID and they were great, but I think all that’s left is parts. I hope I’m wrong though!
Wow@@RetroRGB, you are right. That is a bummer, since it's such a nice form factor. The kit is now open source, but I personally wouldn't want to DIY the board! Here's hoping that I can continue to use this enclosure into the future!
You say ethernet is in the front. Do you call it front because the HDMI is on the other side?
Well, the DE-10 doesn't technically have a front...but since power and video are usually run out the back, I look at the opposite side as the front.
What has your opinion been on the MisterAddons products? They tend to be the more well known brand of MiSTer accessories, but I see they're absent and there's no mention here. I regret to believe that perhaps professional connections with them isn't favorable or their product quality/support may not be up to your standard. Perhaps I'm just out of the loop.
Bob's reply to someone else with similar question "I’ve never been a fan of the “double stack” design. And while the analog output is perfectly safe to use (provided you’re using properly-built cables of course), they fail the brightness / voltage tests I showed in this video. So, if you own one and are happy it with, no need to change at all. And if you’re only using HDMI-out, they’re all basically the same. But if you’re looking to buy a kit for use with analog video output, this kits are by far the best."
Yup. I'd also add that MiSTerAddons availability and support were always excellent (and still is), which is why I used to promote them. But they never fixed the voltage issues and the Retro Castle cases have proved their performance and longevity over the past three years, so they're the one to buy today.
@@RetroRGB Understood, thanks for the help and answer! Keep up the good work and thank you for all your contributions to the retro scene.
@RetroRGB It seems MiSTer Addons is releasing new IO boards (Analog Pro & IO Direct) that may fix the voltage issues. Will you be checking these under an oscilloscope if they come out?
Also, do you know if their component cables are different/better than Monoprice's, or are they the same but Addons is charging 3× more?
I've wasted hundreds of hours testing MiSTerAddons cases and providing feedback, just to have most of it ignored. I'm not spending another second of my time testing that stuff, just to be continuously treated like I have. Which is double insulting, considering how much money I've made him over the years. I will say that the last prototype I tested a year ago still had bad voltage, but it was at least better than the others. Really disappointing he stole the Saturn MiniDIN idea from Ivory though ;/
I believe this is the exact cable: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803400270601.html
I want Analog out of my MiSTer, but it looks so complicated.
I felt the same way, but I got a RetroCastle Saturn Din MiSTer for almost two years now. All you need is a quality cable, like Bob said (I use Retro Gaming Cables RGC). I got a Saturn to s-video cord and it looks great on my consumer Sony CRT. That’s it.
The only thing you really need to know before buying, is do you need analog out at the same time as HDMI? If so, get the Standard I/O kit. If not, pick either :)
@@-haso I have an Analog VGA board. Do the cores need to support Analog out?
@@RetroRGB I already have RetroScaler VGA kit. How can I use analog out of the VGA port? Can I just connect VGA monitor to it?
@RetroRGB not all analog out through the hdmi are created equal though. Component out is trickier without the analog board, and Component was a must for me.
So the creators of the MMS has stopped stopped making them? :(
Guess the only way to get one now is then to have someone like PCB-way make them for you since the design is open source?
There’s a few places looking to make them. I’m not sure if anyone’s put them through all the tests I showed here…but I’ll be testing at least one company’s soon.
@@RetroRGB Looking forward to it :D
I stay FAR away from Castlemania. A buddy of mine ordered a Gcomp from there and didn't get his shipped for a whole year. Took him filing a complaint with the BBB for Castlemania to finally ship it out. I'll never buy from them.
There were a few pre-orders that took longer than expected during the pandemic.
We have been better about sending email updates as pre-orders progress.
Tell your buddy we apologize.
@@CastleManiaGames Nothing ever changes with your business, despite all your apologies on social media. You spend more time on Twitter than you do actually shipping things to customers.
I wish I had seen this earlier….
I just wish they would make a standard bottom board (usb hub) that has usable ports in the back, not the one or two “power only” ports. I don’t need much plugged in, just WiFi/BT and a 2.4 adaptor) but having them stick out the side when there’s two ports in back is just silly.
I think you're forgetting these kits are built around the limitations of the DE-10, which doesn't have a "back". If you want something that's closer to a console-look, see the alternatives I mentioned.
@@RetroRGB fair. There’s no “back” but there is a power-input side, which, traditionally would be the back. I guess what I really mean is: I’d LOVE to have power and a couple usb ports on the same side, so I could put *that* side in back and have nothing sticking out the sides :). So far I haven’t found a case that does this (except for the ones that basically cheat by being 4x the size and just reroute internally.
If I knew how to use PCBway I’d design my own USB bottom board. Time to watch your old videos lol
I just use my HDMI to VGA and then directly into my PVM. No dac needed
Right, like I showed in the video: You can just use a DE-10 and a DAC. That said, if you want a power button, OSD/reset buttons, built-in USB hub and a nice case, pick up the HDMI-only version that's about to be released.
Your “HDMI to VGA” is a DAC.
I ordered (#CE1924) using your link in CastleMania, as a result, there was no information about the order for 12 days (although on the CastleMania website it was written that the goods would be delivered in February), and in 1.5 months I have to move to another country where there are no direct deliveries now... It turns out I wasted $350((
Stop advertising CastleMania!!
Kits were delayed because of the new year shutdowns. Nothing was wasted, you're just panicking. Calm down, message CastleMania and it'll be handed accordingly.
And maybe consider apologizing to me? We work really hard to get these products out and not everything can always go as smooth as a big company. Coming in here blaming me is ignorant and really disrespectful.
@@RetroRGB I wrote to them, but no one responded in a week. I didn’t insult you, I liked your video, it motivated me to buy myself a Retro Castle. But the CastleMania moments are just incredibly terrible. Do you think that ignoring the order and its delivery date adds peace of mind? I don't think this is normal or standard. And yes, this is my first time encountering such a service. And many reviews on the Internet about CastleMania, where people wait for half a year, also do not add confidence in the right choice of place to buy.
@@RetroRGBa delay for CNY shutdowns makes a lot of sense. If castlemania would post an update or respond to anyone asking that'd probably put people at ease. Instead they removed the pages on their site and have been unresponsive, so I'm not surprised people are getting nervous
To everyone watching this DO NOT buy a Retro Castle mister fpga. My order came incomplete and I am having issues. This is my third email to Ivory from Retro Castle within 7 days and no response. Definitely going to call my credit card company to reverse the charge.
Retro castle kits are better than mister addons’ I’m never buying from mister addons.
That's not called the SNAC port it's the USER PORT. SNAC adapters use it but as he said it can be used with many other devices that others have designed for it but only one device can be used on it at a time. It provides direct connection to the GPINs and cores must directly support any device that is connected to it. For instance the SNAC addapers are only supported by a few cores.