F18HDMI Mod service (Colecovision with HDMI output and F18a inside)

[Bmack36]

For anyone interested in an HDMI ouput on their Colecovision, I am going to be rolling this service out soon.

 

Costs:

Upgrade: $250 + Shipping- Customer provides Colecovision and I will install the F18a and HDMI output on the colecovision.

Upgrade + controller refurb: $275 + Shipping- Same as above except customer provides 2 controller to be cleaned and restored to good working condition. (This does not include straightening or ball knob)

System Only $325 +shipping- Customer will receive one Colecovision system with F18a and HDMI output preinstalled and 5V power supply.

Complete System: $375 + shipping- Customer will receive a complete system with 2 refurbished to good working condition controllers and 4 games.

 

 

Ebay purchase is an option for those hesitant to use just paypal. Ebay prices add 10% to the above prices.

 

This upgrade include system power from a single 5V supply that is included that plugs into a standard DC input jack.

This is fully compatible with the roller controller.

 

Expansion Module 1 Support is not offered at this time, but might be in the future.

 

Any questions feel free to send me a message or ask.

 

Edited May 25, 2016 by Bmack36

[Bmack36]

Prototype image. Final version slots would be cleaner with countersunk screws

[Rey]

You beat me to the punch my friend. I had mentioned to a buddy of mine back in April about doing this HD mod. It's all good

Welcome aboard sir, really great to have you.

[phattyboombatty]

Me too! Already have all the 40-pin mounts too.

 

On a side note, I prefer my HDMI ports (and my VGA ports) to be right side up.

[Bmack36]

I would have liked to get it in there right side up, but it would have interfered with the f18a.

[KAZ]

A completely newbie question.

 

How do I hook a f18a modded colecovision to a crt television?

 

Do I need a special tv? Maybe I hook it to a crt monitor instead?

Edited May 26, 2016 by KAZ

[NIAD]

Kaz... it would have to have an HDMI input port and I don't think there are any CRT monitors or televisions out there... but there could be some that I am not aware of.

 

You could probably find an adapter or downscale the picture format, but then what would be the point of having an F18a modded system unless you plan to upgrade to a modern display with HDMI in the future.

[+grips03]

A completely newbie question.

 

How do I hook a f18a modded colecovision to a crt television?

 

Do I need a special tv? Maybe I hook it to a crt monitor instead?

 

F18a natively puts out VGA. If your TV has VGA your all set. Sound is usually via 1/8 plug or RCA jack.

Some folks convert the F18a's VGA to HDMI and then send to HDMI TV.

[Bmack36]

They do have old CRT monitors with VGA input but they are large like CRT TVs and wouldn't have HDMI input. NIAD is correct that if you are using a CRT display you won't see the majority of the advantages that the F18a upgrade offers. The only advantages would be to fix an issue with bad video ram on the board and make the system 5V compatable for a power supply mod. There might be some advantage to sprite flicker as well.

[Rey]

Why not a more modern display my friend? You still see many new led monitors with vga. I recently bought one from Asus with VGA and it looks gorgeous!

[chart45]

i have a sharp aquos with a vga port and the image is better with vga than hdmi converter... but if you dont have a vga input on your new tv the hdmi converter is the way to go... you have to find a conveter that keep ratio cause most will strech to 16:9 you dont want that

[Bmack36]

The F18HDMI mod output maintains the 4:3 ratio.

[KAZ]

I'm always concerned about using an HDTV and getting input lag. Playing a game like pac-man with input lag is frustrating to me. For some games, this input lag might be more tolerable.

 

 

Can this be hooked to a crt monitor? Or would this not display enough, or not have 'the majority of the advantages that the F18a upgrade offers' as mentioned above by Bmack36?

 

Thanks for all the info! This mod looks really neat, and I'm definitely interested.

Edited May 26, 2016 by KAZ

[Bmack36]

The F18a upgrade is compatible with a crt monitor as both use VGA, but the F18HDMI mod would most likely not.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Bmack36

[+Yurkie]

Is it one of these mounted internally, or did you develop an adapter board to go from VGA to HDMI?

[Bmack36]

It is not a custom-made board. It is an off the shelf vga to HDMI adapter that maintains aspect ratio and has been modified to mount securely in the cv.

[+Yurkie]

I have been considering offering F18A install after a few recent requests. I saw a similar post on facebook about an HDMI mod perhaps it was your post. I think it would be best to install the F18A and either include or offer a VGA to HDMI adapter like the one picture above. This would offer maximum compatibility.

[Bmack36]

It probably was my post. I do offer both the F18a and the HDMI installs. Getting VGA output with an external adapter can be a good option for some. The HDMI offers a simple clean interface as an alternative. I just provide different options for those who would like different solutions. I will say there has been a lot more interest in the F18HDMI mod then for just the VGA output.

[+Yurkie]

While VGA is a great mod, I thought that RGB was a better option especially with a lot of classic gamers using the Frameister for the NES, N64, SNES, Genesis and a number of others.

 

Doing internal VGA to HDMI makes for simple plug and play, which is very appealing.

[Bmack36]

While I agree with most of what you said, I don't think I would say the RGB mod is better. I think both are great mods and they each have different things that are better and worse then the other. I think it is great that there are so many great options to appeal to many different uses. If someone had a Frei meister, then the RGB mod is a great option, since the output will go straight into it. For those that want to just have something that will just plug into any modern tv and look really nice, the F18HDMI mod is a good option. The VGA is a good option for those looking for a some flexibility.

[Rey]

Plus you're upgrading the VDP and eliminating the use of the old vram. That's why to ME the F18A is the best option.

[ColecoDan]

Plus you're upgrading the VDP and eliminating the use of the old vram. That's why to ME the F18A is the best option.

why you want to put these poor Vram out of a job. You are just cruel.

[tonyankyfan1]

why you want to put these poor Vram out of a job. You are just cruel.

The VRAM and DRAM are the same thing?? arent they the 8 chips located near the heatsink??

I wanna make sure im on the same page!!!

Thanks Anthony

[matthew180]

@tonyankfan1: The 16K of original VRAM (Video RAM) is typically implemented using eight 1x16K DRAM chips in these classic systems. Typically when people talk about the VRAM or DRAM, they are referring to the same thing in these systems. Since the F18A implements the VRAM internally, the original system VRAM is no longer used and can actually be removed if you want less strain on your power supply. Also, for the same reason, the F18A can be used as an easy way to fix a system with failing DRAM chips.

[tonyankyfan1]

@tonyankfan1: The 16K of original VRAM (Video RAM) is typically implemented using eight 1x16K DRAM chips in these classic systems. Typically when people talk about the VRAM or DRAM, they are referring to the same thing in these systems. Since the F18A implements the VRAM internally, the original system VRAM is no longer used and can actually be removed if you want less strain on your power supply. Also, for the same reason, the F18A can be used as an easy way to fix a system with failing DRAM chips.

Thanks you for the clarification. =)