GC Video Mod - Installers available?

[KeeperofLindblum]

Hello!

 

For those who didn't know, there is a Gamecube mod available to allow for video output superior to composite without paying for the ridiculously low quantity and overpriced component cable.

 

I won't go into all the details, but basically someone dumped the information off of the fancy component cable and it's conversion chip that is in it. The information is freely available to read and use.

 

Here's a link to the Github if you want to read more.

 

You can find a couple different people showing the results on Youtube, and I'd like to say it just looks AMAZING via an HDMI cable. There's one example below of the amazing results but a not very amazing installation.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyYyQy3oTPY&t=51s

 

There are a couple people working on this project in various fashions, and there are a few major services to get this mod done, but they aren't looking overly healthy right now.

 

BadAssConsoles has a preorder bit that's been up for around a year or so now, and he doesn't update consistently and has recently changed opinion from an internal mod to an external adapter. He's doing great work and all, but there's no real idea of when it'll get finished up.

 

There is also VideoGamePerfection in the UK. They don't have nearly as ambitious a project going for this, but they're also so backed up on preorders that they have a waiting list for their waiting list.

 

There's a few odd modders I've seen around that have their own plans in production, but there's not a good list to choose from of people to do it.

 

Overall, I'm greatly interested in the mod. It offers HDMI for one of my favorite systems that doesn't have a great selection of options, and much like the N64, it doesn't really look great on HDTV via S-Video... Even through the Framemeister.

 

With all this being stated and said, is there anybody who could possibly do this mod for me? I'd be willing to pay all the expenses needed and provide all the parts. I just don't feel confident in my soldering ability. I mean... I managed to replaced a power port on a couple SNES. That's about it.

 

Here's the links below of some details plus the parts needed. (In case someone is interested in this for themselves and whatnot)

 

Pluto FPGA Board - The circuit board that makes the magic happen! The one you'll want is the Pluto IIx . The site even sells some preprogrammed with the software.

 

3D Printable HDMI Mount - Link to the files for 3D printing a fancy plastic mount. Not required at all, but it looks really nice paired with the board.

 

The Mod Details - The direct details to the mod itself on Github.

 

Has anybody else been watching this?

[+Yurkie]

You have me kind of interested in this.

[mickcris]

there is this:

https://zzblogs.wixsite.com/home/single-post/pnpgc2

 

some people have reported that hes selling them now for $100

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?p=1258170#p1258170

 

so no need for an installer if you have a gamecube with a digital port.

[KeeperofLindblum]

there is this:

https://zzblogs.wixsite.com/home/single-post/pnpgc2

 

some people have reported that hes selling them now for $100

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?p=1258170#p1258170

 

so no need for an installer if you have a gamecube with a digital port.

 

After clicking the links, I realize I recognized it. I messaged the guy after seeing his work somewhere. He responded back with a quote of $100 or so plus shipping. His work doesn't look bad by far, but I would greatly prefer an internal mod. (Yurkie has messaged me and we are getting this done.)

 

I also remember seeing some weird arguments between that creator and a couple other people on a different forum somewhere. One of the people involved was the BadAssConsoles guy. (I'll try and find a link later when I get home.) I think they're mostly questioning the cost he is charging and some of the methods of how he is making it. Also some of the concern over it not being very long lasting.

 

I'm not against the adapter, but I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it either. It seems like it'd be an inferior (but cheaper) option. If the material it's made of isn't 100%, it could easily break from the weight of the cable or constant plugging and unplugging. I feel like this would wear out over time whereas an internal mod would last longer.

 

I will be 100% sure to show off Yurkie's work on here after we get this all done. I already ordered the parts to get this started~~

Edited June 16, 2017 by KeeperofLindblum

[Atariboy]

Nice to see this for Game Boy Player fans (A component cable and a Wii handle GCN games themselves well enough, for a fraction of the price).

 

Do HDTV's usually allow SD/ED content over a HDMI input to be stretched to 16:9 or pillarboxed 4:3 as the user see fits? I'd hate to invest in this only to find that my television limits me to stretched 16:9 on a system where most of the best games and the Game Boy Player output were 4:3.

 

Edit: I suppose this is easy enough to check by switching the resolution on one of my consoles to 480i and then 480p.

Edited June 22, 2017 by Atariboy

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Nice to see this for Game Boy Player fans (A component cable and a Wii handle GCN games themselves well enough, for a fraction of the price).

 

Do HDTV's usually allow SD/ED content over a HDMI input to be stretched to 16:9 or pillarboxed 4:3 as the user see fits? I'd hate to invest in this only to find that my television limits me to stretched 16:9 on a system where most of the best games and the Game Boy Player output were 4:3.

 

Edit: I suppose this is easy enough to check by switching the resolution on one of my consoles to 480i and then 480p.

Not as easy as you think to test this.

 

My first flat panel I used in my game room was an inexpensive Insignia that actually had a really good picture. However, it would not allow me to change the 16:9/4:3 aspect on any digital signal. So using my composite-s-video to HDMI converter would still result in all games coming through that device as being in 16:9 and I just had to be okay with it. Of course I didn't know this until after I purchased the TV and actually tried this. I had the TV originally to begin with and then like 6 months or a year later started to use it for all game systems. Now component is a different story. The main issue you will have there is whether the TV accepts SD resolutions through that input and as you said, you can force the device to test that in the case of the Wii. But it is something to be aware of. My previous TV a Samsung was awesome for all games as it allowed me to adjust the aspect properly on all inputs regardless of the signal and could also accept a 240p signal on the component so it would allow me to use a SCART to component converter for RGB stuff. But sadly that TV died 2 months after its warranty and current Samsungs of like spec are much more expensive now. So my current TV (Sony Bravia), is actually better on the picture as compared to the Samsung, but has fewer inputs and is able to handle a 240p signal on the component side. sigh...

[KeeperofLindblum]

Nice to see this for Game Boy Player fans (A component cable and a Wii handle GCN games themselves well enough, for a fraction of the price).

 

Definitely looking forward to Game Boy Player usage through Gamecube and HDMI! O_O

 

I realize I'm being a tad eccentric on this, but in my defense, I would argue that most modern retro gaming choices and mods are fairly eccentric in general. (Not the point of this topic though so moving on)

 

I like the idea of having the Gamecube more readily available on a modern TV. I'd get the component cable, but you end up paying $250 or more on a cable that just enables component. And I feel like component/composite are kinda getting pushed out the door....

 

I figure HDMI is going to offer the absolute best and easiest picture option although it's not a whole lot cheaper.

 

The sad thing is the Gamecube's video looks pretty awful on modern TVs... Like I'd go so far as to say almost as bad as the N64. (I mean if you do either through composite or even S-video.) The Gamecube improved very little even through the Framemeister. I ended up using a monitor I had with S-video in it because it looked way better than the HDTV. Course the sound was pitiful on the monitor so it's using a bluetooth speaker...

 

Overall, I'd like a better setup for one of my favorite consoles, and HDMI seems to be the best choice for the foreseeable future.

[the_crayon_king]

Whats the specific difference between the GCVideo and the Shuriken ?

http://www.retro-system.com/shuriken%20video.htm

http://www.badassconsoles.com/gcvideo-1/

 

Why doesn't someone just make the Shuriken smaller ?

 

The real meat and potatoes would be to make it so that HDMI doesn't pop out of the console.

The only way I see to do this is break away HDMI from the main board.

 

At any rate either one of those boards would be easier to install that the pluto.

[KeeperofLindblum]

Whats the specific difference between the GCVideo and the Shuriken ?

http://www.retro-system.com/shuriken%20video.htm

http://www.badassconsoles.com/gcvideo-1/

 

Why doesn't someone just make the Shuriken smaller ?

 

The real meat and potatoes would be to make it so that HDMI doesn't pop out of the console.

The only way I see to do this is break away HDMI from the main board.

 

At any rate either one of those boards would be easier to install that the pluto.

 

GCVideo is actually the name of the entire project/mod. (Not meaning to sound snarky, just giving an FYI)

 

 

The Shuriken link there is something I'm trying to avoid. I'd be too nervous having something like that extended out from the console.

 

That same design style is what I believe BadAssConsoles is planning to change over to. (You can find more details if you look up GCVideo-X)

 

 

Also I'll be honest... I kind of forgot that BadAssConsoles sold the individual board outright.

 

I mean it's all about the same price in the end, and I've already worked out the payment and parts with Yurkie. There's also the little 3d printed piece that should make it look fairly clean overall.

Edited June 27, 2017 by KeeperofLindblum

[the_crayon_king]

 

GCVideo is actually the name of the entire project/mod. (Not meaning to sound snarky, just giving an FYI)

 

 

The Shuriken link there is something I'm trying to avoid. I'd be too nervous having something like that extended out from the console.

 

That same design style is what I believe BadAssConsoles is planning to change over to. (You can find more details if you look up GCVideo-X)

 

 

Also I'll be honest... I kind of forgot that BadAssConsoles sold the individual board outright.

 

I mean it's all about the same price in the end, and I've already worked out the payment and parts with Yurkie. There's also the little 3d printed piece that should make it look fairly clean overall.

 

 

Well I don't know how the badassconsole one installs. Hopefully it doesn't jut out.

I was just kinda curious why the Shuriken doesn't have the FPGA behind the digital slot. like this:

 

Obviously not to scale but the general idea is there.

Edited June 27, 2017 by the_crayon_king

[KeeperofLindblum]

Just a small bump of an update!
I got the HDMI-modded Gamecube back from Yurkie a few days ago... I'll try and record some videos and see if we can tell the difference.

 

Problem is... I don't have any capture equipment. It's going to just be recording with my phone.

It'll be HDMI Gamecube VS Gamecube through Framemeister (S-video)

WHO WILL WIN?

Find out in a few days! @_@

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Though it isn't the same obviously, this is the reason I keep my Wii on hand and at the ready even though I have a Wii U. I use the Wii for essentially playing GC through component to my flat panel as it looks really good and even games that don't support the 480p mode still look way better this way. Although I don't have the ability to play game boy games of course. But still a Wii can be picked up on the cheap these days used, and then if you really wanted to display it out to your TV via HDMI, there are those Wii to HDMI adapters that can be purchased.

 

Definitely looking forward the videos though so do post them up once you got them so we can see the differences!

Edited July 5, 2017 by -^Cro§Bow^-

[KeeperofLindblum]

Well slight delay on when I'll have some videos showcasing this off. I ran into several hiccups (not related to the mod at all).

Framemeister doesn't seem to like Progressive Scan mode, and I was planning to use the FrameMeister w/ S-Video to show off that Gamecube via that way.

Then I had to use a special version of GBI (Game Boy Interface... homebrew software for the Game Boy Player) to work with the Framemeister.

 

This means the Framemeister is going to already be at a disadvantage with 480i rather than 480p.

All in all it should be an interesting watch for all now that I have it figured out.

Input on what I should show off? I don't have a huge variety of games for the Gamecube, but I do have a way to load games... unofficially~

Currently thinking of the following:

Game Boy - Metroid II Deluxe

Game Boy Advance - Metroid Fusion

GameCube - F-Zero GX OR Metroid Prime

 

Also considering Super Mario Sunshine, but that could only be done through my unofficial means.

[+-^CrossBow^-]

P.N.O. - 3 is a good one to show. It also supposed 480P if I remember correctly?

 

I also have always been impressed with one of the Cube's launch titles.... Luigi's Mansion.

[KeeperofLindblum]

Sorry for the delay! Here's the first in a couple videos.

 

https://youtu.be/TL1y4X-qAsU

I did Metroid Prime first. Will follow this up with at least 3 more videos.

F-Zero GX, Game Boy games, Game Boy Advance games.

 

https://youtu.be/TL1y4X-qAsU

 

The Framemeister not doing Progressive Scan might be my own fault. I've changed the settings quite a bit on the FrameMeister, so it's possible mine is the actual issue there.

Edited July 11, 2017 by KeeperofLindblum

[KeeperofLindblum]

The only issue I've run into (and not a huge one IMO) is the audio on the GCVideo seems really quiet comparative to the audio put out of the composite side.

Even adjusting the audio in the GCVideo menu didn't improve it very much. I don't mind it too much since the audio is still fine.

 

Worst case, you can just output the audio from the other side while getting the better video from the HDMI side.

[KeeperofLindblum]

Okay I took a dip into video editing to offer a vastly better video. Please ignore the first one and just watch this one.

 

https://youtu.be/dDSMzqsLYuo

 

And please ignore my poor editing skills. -_-

Edited July 16, 2017 by KeeperofLindblum

[keepdreamin]

uh, to my knowledge no system does 480P over s-video. You'll need component cables for that. Not sure how you think you're gonna feed the Framemeister progressive over s-video....

 

s-video is maxed at 480i..

Edited July 16, 2017 by keepdreamin

[+H454]

Okay I took a dip into video editing to offer a vastly better video. Please ignore the first one and just watch this one.

 

 

And please ignore my poor editing skills. -_-

 

After skipping to a couple minutes in, their is a pretty big difference in the textures.

So which hardware did you get installed?

Any pics of the GC itself?

Like does it stick out the back or is it in the old digital port hole?

 

I've been looking at all these mods, but finding someone who isn't the mod designer that has one of the mods done is rare.

I actually had a kit ordered with badass consoles - his site implies that it in stock and ready to go. Nothing says he still playing with the design.

Tried for a month to contact him (three months after "ordering" a kit) and got nothing, finally had to force paypal to reverse charges. Then after watching a couple retroRGB podcasts, the guy says

he pretty much only responds to people on twitch and that he has to change it because people might mess up the install (I ordered a kit knowing full well what was required).

 

Now I had osh park make me some of the bare original boards. I know it's not HDMI, but component video is fine to me.

https://www.oshpark.com/shared_projects/XKoWs6TP

 

In all honesty that all in one Here doesn't look that bad, especially since he upgraded to his 2.0.

And people buy GC Video Plug n Play over the B.A.C. version that will probably never come, great!

Edited July 17, 2017 by H454

[KeeperofLindblum]

uh, to my knowledge no system does 480P over s-video. You'll need component cables for that. Not sure how you think you're gonna feed the Framemeister progressive over s-video....

 

s-video is maxed at 480i..

 

My bad. -_-

I knew something wasn't right, and I thought I had done something wrong.

I guess I've seen that Progressive Scan option pop up before, but I believe it always comes up if you hold B while the GameCube starts.

 

I'll edit my video details to reflect this. Thanks for the heads up!

 

 

 

After skipping to a couple minutes in, their is a pretty big difference in the textures.

So which hardware did you get installed?

Any pics of the GC itself?

Like does it stick out the back or is it in the old digital port hole?

 

I've been looking at all these mods, but finding someone who isn't the mod designer that has one of the mods done is rare.

I actually had a kit ordered with badass consoles - his site implies that it in stock and ready to go. Nothing says he still playing with the design.

Tried for a month to contact him (three months after "ordering" a kit) and got nothing, finally had to force paypal to reverse charges. Then after watching a couple retroRGB podcasts, the guy says

he pretty much only responds to people on twitch and that he has to change it because people might mess up the install (I ordered a kit knowing full well what was required).

 

Now I had osh park make me some of the bare original boards. I know it's not HDMI, but component video is fine to me.

https://www.oshpark.com/shared_projects/XKoWs6TP

 

In all honesty that all in one Here doesn't look that bad, especially since he upgraded to his 2.0.

And people buy GC Video Plug n Play over the B.A.C. version that will probably never come, great!

 

I'll try to answer your questions and such in order.

 

I had the Pluto IIx board installed. I went with it because i found the awesome 3d printable board that makes the mod a lot sturdier. (link here)

 

I uploaded a few pictures of the completed mod right here. I don't have any internal pictures though...

 

 

 

Doesn't stick out at all, and with the 3D-printed piece, it looks almost completely natural.

It also feels really sturdy, and that's why I question the zeldaxpro (or whatever he goes by) external all-in-one. His first version looked really sketchy, but he's fixed that with revision 2. However, he is wanting around $120 for it, and I wasn't so keen on that. I decided on an internal solution because it seemed like the sturdier option and would last longer. Another benefit is I access the system menu for the mod with a button press (L, R, X, Y, Down) rather than having to use a button or IR remote. This ended up the slightly costlier option, but it's quicker than BadAssConsoles (TrainwreckConsoles right now IMO). I almost went with his, but then I saw the video update and heard how a lot of people aren't too happy...

 

My understanding is he was going to do all internal mods, but then he got all concerned about cutting and hard modding consoles so he decided on an external version as to avoid damaging the consoles. This would be okay... If he made any actual announcement anywhere. He instead chose to only mention it vaguely on RetroRGB and then a random update on his site. If you're doing a major change and overall on a project, you should probably do an announcement to the countless people who have already dropped down on it. Regardless of his better intentions, he seems to have handled it poorly.

 

All in all? I'm happy with my purchase, and you're welcome to ask Yurkie. He was going to mod his own GCN and then mod possibly a second one to sell outright. He MIGHT offer the service if you ask him nicely. He handled my mod very well and was very patient with me throughout the process. It costs more than the other options out there, but he's a reliable and great modder.

 

It's a shame there aren't more people offering the service. I assume it's because it ends up costing more than the other options people have out. If BadAssConsoles had gotten his things together better, his would probably already be out and the #1 place to go. Zeldaxpro is a nice alternate option, but I only randomly found him out after looking around. (A couple people linked him here as well, but his version isn't heavily advertised and have to really look for it.)

[keepdreamin]

My bad. -_-

I knew something wasn't right, and I thought I had done something wrong.

I guess I've seen that Progressive Scan option pop up before, but I believe it always comes up if you hold B while the GameCube starts.

 

I'll edit my video details to reflect this. Thanks for the heads up!

If Gamecube did 480P over S-video (and equipment accepted that), the component cables wouldn't be in such high demand. That's the only reason they're so expensive. That's the whole point of the GC Video thing.

Edited July 17, 2017 by keepdreamin

[KeeperofLindblum]

Okay! So I finally got a few more vids uploaded. I'd like to blame something for taking so long... but I'm the only factor there. ANYWAYS!

 

Below is some comparison of F-Zero GX both in Standard and Widescreen modes.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHoOVS4r7CY

 

Because some people might not care about comparisons, I've also uploaded the original footage of the HDMI output for Metroid Prime and F-Zero GX.

 

Metroid Prime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtmn3vhEi4Q

 

F-Zero GX (Widescreen)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5qDT8S9_gs&t=2s

 

I plan to only bump this thread ONE more time, and that bump should be showing off Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games with comparison and GCVideo.

 

I'll probably go ahead and do two separate videos for Game Boy / Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance. I'll try to also upload the raw footage again of just GCVideo HDMI since that's probably the main content many will care about.

 

Sadly enough, I plan to use the Game Boy Player software as the main software here. GBI (Game Boy Interface) is better and allows for less nonsense and more game capability (zooming, screenshots, less input lag, low latency), but it's also weirdly incompatible in spots. I had to download a special version for use with the Framemeister.

[media][/media]

[KeeperofLindblum]

I had issues getting proper capture footage with my phone, so I've decided to abandon doing anymore coverage videos for this. That and MetalJesusRocks did similar coverage with an actual capture setup that shows off a lot of the video improvement way better than I did.

 

https://youtu.be/XUks9-jW9xw

 

I'm linking his video here although it uses an adapter rather than an internal mod like I did. Same results from what I can tell and more accessible to your general user. (Also a bit cheaper)

 

There's a dedicated thread here as well ----> New Gamecube HDMI Adapter

 

Sorry for the last bump!