10/31/2023: Localization News - Dead of the Brain 1!

No, NOT a trick, a Halloween treat! Presenting the Dead of the Brain 1 English patch by David Shadoff for the DEAD last official PC Engine CD game published by NEC before exiting the console biz in 1999! I helped edit/betatest and it's also a game I actually finished in 2023, yaaay! Shubibiman also did a French localization. github.com/dshadoff/DeadoftheBrain
twitter.com/NightWolve/PCENews
Main Menu

SuperGrafx Mods and questions

Started by Bardoly, 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Bardoly

I have basically decided that I would like to get a SuperGrafx with a Super CD Rom 2 and an Arcade Card Duo so as to be able to play EVERY SINGLE PC Engine game.  I don't have either the SuperGrafx or the Super CD Rom 2 yet, so I want to ask a few questions.


1.  Does a SuperGrafx need to be re-capped?

2.  Does a Super CD Rom 2 need to be recapped?

3.  Can the SuperGrafx be region-modded so as to allow TG-16 games to be played?

4.  What is the best video output that the SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 can put out?  (If there is a better video output that the SuperGrafx attached to a regular CD Rom by way of an RAU-30 adapter can put out, then please let me know.)

5.  Can the SuperGrafx be output modded so as to allow output of both regular composite (red, white, & yellow audio/video cords) AND something better (i.e. s-video or component)?

6.  Are there any other nice mods that can be done to a SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 setup that I haven't already mentioned?

7.  In a SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 setup, which unit stores the save games?

8.  Is the storage memory the same as a Duo or does it have more or less save capacity?  (i.e. Can you use a Tennokoe Bank with this setup?)

9.  What would be your dream SuperGrafx setup?


Basically, what I'm thinking about doing is to have one system that can play all of my Turbo stuff, but I might as well do it up right, so I want to know what would be the top-of-the-line SuperGrafx setup that I could do.

Also, what should I expect to pay?  I see this SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 setup for sale for $599.99, but it seems awfully expensive, even though it does include 2 good games.  I don't really need the box though.  What do y'all think?

Side note:  If anyone has a SuperGrafx, a Super CD Rom 2, and/or any SuperGrafx games that they wish to trade/sell, then please let me know.

ApolloBoy

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM1.  Does a SuperGrafx need to be re-capped?
Most NEC systems aside from the TurboDuo/PCE Duo and TE/PCE GT are fine caps-wise, I haven't heard of any capacitor-related issues on anything other than the Duo or TE. I think the LTs are starting to suffer from it though.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM2.  Does a Super CD Rom 2 need to be recapped?
See my previous comment.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM3.  Can the SuperGrafx be region-modded so as to allow TG-16 games to be played?
Yes, it can be modded in the exact same fashion as any TG-16/PCE system.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM4.  What is the best video output that the SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 can put out?  (If there is a better video output that the SuperGrafx attached to a regular CD Rom by way of an RAU-30 adapter can put out, then please let me know.)
The SG only outputs composite video but can be modded for S-video or RGB in the same way as the other systems.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM5.  Can the SuperGrafx be output modded so as to allow output of both regular composite (red, white, & yellow audio/video cords) AND something better (i.e. s-video or component)?
Yes, just like the other systems.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM6.  Are there any other nice mods that can be done to a SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 setup that I haven't already mentioned?
I think with RGB and a region mod you're pretty much set.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM7.  In a SuperGrafx/Super CD Rom 2 setup, which unit stores the save games?
The CD unit.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM8.  Is the storage memory the same as a Duo or does it have more or less save capacity?  (i.e. Can you use a Tennokoe Bank with this setup?)
It's about the same as the Duo with the SCD2 but I could be wrong.

Quote from: Bardoly on 02/18/2013, 06:34 PM9.  What would be your dream SuperGrafx setup?
None, I don't have any desire to get a SuperGrafx to be honest.
IMG

BlueBMW

1. No evidence yet of capacitor problems on Supergrafx units.  Maybe in 5 years, but not right now.

2. YES, these units suffer as bad or worse than Duo units as far as capacitor problems.

3. Yes with one caveat.  The lockout pin that gets grounded on JPN system when region modded sometimes causes problems with one of the Supergrafx games.  The solution is to install a DPDT switch for the region mod and switch the connection of that lockout pin.

4. When connected to the Super CDROM2, you use a standard Duo DIN5 a/v cable for sound and video.  It is the same as an IFU30.

5. Just like any other system, the Super CDROM2 can be RGB, S video or component modded.  RGB is easy since you have the rear connection to tap RGB signals at unlike Duo systems where you have to tap them directly off the video chip.

6. Some people have painted them.... that's hit and miss on popularity

7. The SuperCDROM2 has the save function.

8. I beleive it is the same size as a Duo and yes you can use a Tennokoe bank card with it.

9. A supergrafx system built into a Laseractive PAC.  Then you'd truly have a system that could play it all.

Pricing....

Supergrafx $100 loose maybe $175+ CIB?
SuperCDROM2 uncapped maybe $130
SuperCDROM2 recapped maybe $175
[Sun 23:29] <Tatsujin> we have hard off, book off, house off, sports off, baby off, clothes off, jerk off, piss off etc

SamIAm

Note that unlike a plain PCE or TG-16, the Supergrafx supports composite video and stereo (red white and yellow plugs) right out of the box. It's exactly like the Duo in that regard, including the quality of the composite video.

Bardoly

Great answers!
Thanks guys, now I just need to both scrape up some financing and find a reasonably priced SuperGrafx system and Super CD ROM 2 setup.  :/

BlueBMW

If I can get the darned thing fixed, Opethian may have a SuperCDROM2 available.  Its so close, but not quite 100%
[Sun 23:29] <Tatsujin> we have hard off, book off, house off, sports off, baby off, clothes off, jerk off, piss off etc

Bardoly

Quote from: BlueBMW on 02/19/2013, 12:06 AMIf I can get the darned thing fixed, Opethian may have a SuperCDROM2 available.  Its so close, but not quite 100%
Oh, that would be great!

Tatsujin

Quote from: BlueBMW on 02/19/2013, 12:06 AMIf I can get the darned thing fixed, Opethian may have a SuperCDROM2 available.  Its so close, but not quite 100%
what's ze matter with it? :)
www.pcedaisakusen.net - home of your individual PC Engine collection!!
PCE Games countdown: 690/737 (47 to go or 93.6% clear)
PCE Shmups countdown: 111/111 (all clear!!)
Sega does what Nintendon't, but only NEC does better than both together!^^
<Senshi> Tat's i'm going to contact the people of Hard Off and open a store stateside..

BlueBMW

Had low sound.  Recapped the whole thing.  Now i get loud sound but some distortion / static until it has been on for a good 15 minutes.
[Sun 23:29] <Tatsujin> we have hard off, book off, house off, sports off, baby off, clothes off, jerk off, piss off etc

Tatsujin

Seems that it probably still has some capacitance problem somewhere, hence the change to the better after a certain running time  :-k
www.pcedaisakusen.net - home of your individual PC Engine collection!!
PCE Games countdown: 690/737 (47 to go or 93.6% clear)
PCE Shmups countdown: 111/111 (all clear!!)
Sega does what Nintendon't, but only NEC does better than both together!^^
<Senshi> Tat's i'm going to contact the people of Hard Off and open a store stateside..