nd2003grad Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Well unfortunately this is my first time writing about this unit. I just recently acquired one untested and realize there was a problem with the AV out port. It's very disappointing because it looks like it is an otherwise well preserved machine. I spent a pretty penny on this does anyone know how to fix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 You have a few options though they all involved spending more money. The original TG-16 in the US only offered RF output which is what appears to have broken off in your pic. The options you have would then be: Find a cheap parts only unit (Not easy as even parts only units are about $50 + Shipping) Get the optional Turbo Booster (This provides you with dedicated RCA outs for audio and composite video) - But these too aren't cheap Look up on how to create your own connections from off the expansion port to allow you to connect via composite video and audio (Same as the turbo booster without the cost and might not look as pretty...) Do some searching online, but there are several individuals that make their own Turbo Booster like attachments for the expansion in the back. Most of these are for pure RGB video output, but I believe a few are made that contain s-video and composite as well. It is also possible to internally modify the turbo grafx so that you can add s-video, RGB, composite...to the console. However, if you aren't handy with a soldering iron, then it would be best to find someone to do this for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 You have several solutions here : - Replacing the RF port. It's normally a standard RCA socket, so finding a replacement shouldn't be too hard. Especially since this problem seems common on the TG16. - AV-modding it. This remove the issue of dealing with RF. - Wiring AV cables on the rear port. The rear port of the TG-16 output stereo audio, composite viddeo and RGB. No modding of your system, and it's quite just wiring cables to the right pins. There are several solution, from just fitting cables o the pins to printing an "AV Booster" that will plug on the back. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:420327 http://www.ebay.com/itm/TurboGrafx-Turbobooster-PC-Engine-AV-booster-replacement-CompStereoGOLD-RCACable-/171710278123 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignGuy81 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Here is a link to some PCB mount jack but you would need to desolder the one on the board and make sure the pin alignment is the same as these I am including the link for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Pcs-PCB-Panel-Mount-AV-Female-Jack-RCA-Socket-Connector-Black-/272671310703?epid=1638405346&hash=item3f7c7a036f:g:7E8AAOSwsXFZGI2J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd2003grad Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 This all seems very helpful to me. What a frustrating situation! I'm still banking on it actually working what with mods as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 If you have the security screwdriver, you could open the unit and try to directly tap into RF out to check. Getting the metal plate off is going to take a while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiberianSpForces Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 http://www.cgquarterly.com/2010/04/26/building-a-turbografx-16-pc-engine-composite-av-cable/ I did this since the RF on mine isn't working. I have a printer, I went with the connector CatPix linked. I've also been thinking of drilling the rear cover and putting composite jacks on that then wiring it up. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Gull Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Out fellow member here CGQ offered up this solution for video alternative. I was planning on trying this myself in due time since the materials are relatively cheap to be had. http://www.cgquarterly.com/2010/04/26/building-a-turbografx-16-pc-engine-composite-av-cable/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Yeah, that's the solution I was thinking of when I said "Wiring AV cables on the rear port." but I couldn't find that post you linked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I got very faint sound from the homemade TG 16 av cable I had. Noticeably lower than the RF out of the same machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) And darker A/V? It's not anormal. Those signals are meant to be amplified. I mean, the "AV-Booster" name is not just a commercial gimmick, sound and video are amplified, or boosted, if you will. Edited June 23, 2017 by CatPix 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Gull Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 And darker A/V? It's not anormal. Those signals are meant to be amplified. I mean, the "AV-Booster" name is not just a commercial gimmick, sound and video are amplified, or boosted, if you will. That is also very true. I also found this as an alternative. http://www.stoneagegamer.com/engine-block-av-turbobooster.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 And darker A/V? It's not anormal. Those signals are meant to be amplified. I mean, the "AV-Booster" name is not just a commercial gimmick, sound and video are amplified, or boosted, if you will. I didn't realize it at the time as the sound was far more noticeable of a difference, but yup, also dimmer picture. That booster Gull linked to looks cool but 90 bucks is 1/3 of your way to a region modded, recapped, S-vid Pc Engine duo. I get that lots of people did what I did...assumed they'd not want to play PC engine or the CD library, so just got a TG, and maybe just want to make that work...but IMO Turbografx is a case where going all out the first time is by far the best option. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 You can make a simple A/V booster yourself if you have the basics for soldering. Either with transistors or with a complete amplifier chip. And frankly, passing on the CD option is a mistake for the PC-Engine/Turbografx library. Of course, if you really are interested in it, the best option is to go for a PC-engine+Briefcase+Cd-ROM² (about 200$ if you get those from the same seller in Japan) and get he PC-engine region modded for US Hu-card if you want them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 You can make a simple A/V booster yourself if you have the basics for soldering. Either with transistors or with a complete amplifier chip. And frankly, passing on the CD option is a mistake for the PC-Engine/Turbografx library. Of course, if you really are interested in it, the best option is to go for a PC-engine+Briefcase+Cd-ROM² (about 200$ if you get those from the same seller in Japan) and get he PC-engine region modded for US Hu-card if you want them. Passing on either CD or PC-E compatibility is a mistake, and I'd say they're almost equal in egregiousness! PC-E library is awesome IMO, and cheaper than the US counterparts. I did it all the wrong way when I got into it (bought a TG16, tried several aftermarket cords) and should have just bought my modded PCE Duo from the start. I love that freakin thing, it's easily my most played system nowadays. Very reliable guy Keith Courage on the Pcenginefx forums apparently does much better work than doujindance and some other sellers so far as mods. (I do like the briefcase setup Pix but I think the Duo is sexier). If you'd have told me I'd be spending hours playing an F1 racing game, a couple years ago I'd have called you crazy. But F-1 Circus rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoshiChiri Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 So, just cuz we're talking about it- who would you recommend getting a region-modded, recapped PC Engine from? I see a guy from Hong Kong on Ebay, but I don't know if that's the best route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 (edited) (I do like the briefcase setup Pix but I think the Duo is sexier). If you'd have told me I'd be spending hours playing an F1 racing game, a couple years ago I'd have called you crazy. But F-1 Circus rules. Taste and colors The advantage is that the briefcase setup is the cheapest. 200$ at best, shipped from Japan, getting a gear replacement. Well for region mod, I haven't looked into the prices. A Turbo from Japan is in the 300$ range (shipped) but you'll certainly need to recap it AND to replace the CD gear. The Duo RX is even more expensive, easily hitting the 400$ range without modification. One other advantage with the briefcase is that you can start to acquire a PC-Engine and briefcase for about 60/70 $ (15$ for the white PC engine, between 20 and 30$ for a briefcase, and 30/35$ for shipping) this provide a cheap setup with A/V out, and an option to get a CD-ROM² for about 50/60$ + shipping. Also, on the Briefcase, only the CD-ROM might suffer from bad caps, not the system or briefcase. So that's a costly operation out of the way, too. And even if the CD-ROM² need recapping, from what I recall, it's less caps, and even when your CD-ROM² is gettind fixed you cna still play card games. But heh, again, it's a matter of choice. It's the path I followed and I was never dissapointed. I guess one "advantage" I have is that here the most massively imported system was PC-Engine consoles and games, not Turbografx-16, so I have no local supply of TG16 games to care about. I can understand that someone wishing to have access to US TurboChips would want a region mod on the other hand Edited June 24, 2017 by CatPix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiberianSpForces Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 So, just cuz we're talking about it- who would you recommend getting a region-modded, recapped PC Engine from? I see a guy from Hong Kong on Ebay, but I don't know if that's the best route. Here's a link; https://www.game-tech.us/mods/turbo-duo/ I'm sitting on his region chip and cap set right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 So, just cuz we're talking about it- who would you recommend getting a region-modded, recapped PC Engine from? I see a guy from Hong Kong on Ebay, but I don't know if that's the best route. It kind of a pain to get on pcenginefx.com (you have to be approved, it can take a while) but in the marketplace forum there a guy Keith Courage sells modded systems. As I recall my recapped, laser-adjusted, region modded, S-video modded system cost exactly $330. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 But heh, again, it's a matter of choice. It's the path I followed and I was never dissapointed. I guess one "advantage" I have is that here the most massively imported system was PC-Engine consoles and games, not Turbografx-16, so I have no local supply of TG16 games to care about. I can understand that someone wishing to have access to US TurboChips would want a region mod on the other hand I needed both but I spend way more time playing my PCE library than my turbo library at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Gull Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 I needed both but I spend way more time playing my PCE library than my turbo library at this point. I am debating on the Everdrive card myself for my Turbo so I can experience the PC engine stuff without needing the mod from my understanding. I have fond memories of a friend having a PC Engine back in the day and it was awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 I ended up going with a JPN TurboDUO. I spent about $200 for it at the time. I then recapped it, fixed the volume pot on the side, and added S-video and separate RCAs out the back of it. I was going to go the region mod route since I have a few Turbo chips, but decided in the end for what the games cost...that I just went with a turbo everdrive and haven't really looked back. I do still pick up games both JPN and US turbo chips when I find them, but with the Turbo ED I feel I have a pretty decent setup. I would say with the trubo ED and other stuff I have about $300 invested into my TurboDuo at this point. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldenWheels Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 I think the everdrive is the perfect solution for the Turbo, maybe more than any other system. Getting the real games for Turbo (and sometimes PCE) is just totally out of hand pricewise, and being able to play both libraries with no mod is pretty sweet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmer Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 The Turbo Everdrive v2 is especially nice in that it can act as a Super System Card on a Briefcase or a TG-16CD console. It also means that you don't need to remove it when you want to run CD games on a DUO or SuperCDROM console. Just download and run the modified System Card image to let it do that without causing problems. There's a patch for that on KRIKzz's forum ... http://krikzz.com/forum/index.php?topic=3640.msg34306#msg34306 The Briefcase is the most iconic of the PC Engine systems ... but, as a 1st-generation CD-ROM drive, it is far less forgiving of CD-R discs than the later DUO/SuperCDROM/DUO-R/DUO-RX consoles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotoRacer Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I wouldn't recommend running CD-Rs on any of the CD versions of the Turbo or PCE. It's been pretty well proven that the lasers go out far quicker when using CD-Rs on this system than retail discs. I recommend getting the handful of Hucard games you really love, get an Everdrive for everything else, and use your money on CD based titles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.