SuperGrafx-16 + CD-ROM

Joe Redifer · 03/07/2007, 09:02 PM

Everyone is always ballyhooing over how gigantic the SG + CD is. Yet I have never seen a picture of the two combined. Can somebody please post a picture of the two combined? I expect to be blown away. If I am not, Keranu will have to BAN you.

termis · 03/07/2007, 09:50 PM

Flash on my digital camera is broke, so lighting's really crappy, but here it is.

Please don't ban me Keranu.

esteban · 03/07/2007, 10:08 PM

Damn, suddenly I want a SuperGrafx! Maybe for next Xmas!

nat · 03/07/2007, 11:36 PM

Let me take a picture of my SuperGrafx/RAU-30/briefcase CD setup. I think it's safe to say it's larger than the SuperGrafx/SuperCD set pictured there. I'll post one up as soon as I get a chance.

nat · 03/07/2007, 11:37 PM

Quote from: stevek666 on 03/07/2007, 10:08 PMDamn, suddenly I want a SuperGrafx! Maybe for next Xmas!

EVERYBODY should have a Supergrafx.

CrackTiger · 03/07/2007, 11:40 PM

Wow, its WAY more ridiculous than I thought from an overhead perspective.

That monster is way too long.

Keranu · 03/08/2007, 12:27 AM

Haha, damn that is pretty akward, I've never seen a picture of them connected before either. It actually looks a little cooler than I imagined, thanks for the pic. I really want a Super Grafx too!

Quote from: thumpin_termisPlease don't ban me Keranu.

Well we'll just have to see what Joe thinks about all this commotion.

Joe Redifer · 03/08/2007, 01:17 AM

I'm blown away for now, but we'll have to see nat's setup as well.

termis · 03/08/2007, 01:37 AM

Yeah, ain't that a riot? When I first bought these in Japan (I bought the SG & the SCD-Rom2 units separately), I was quite excited, and I fully intended that would be my normal PC-Engine setup. Hell, why wouldn't anyone want the ultimate setup?

And when I put them together, I was like, "Oh..... Weeell... I guess that'll stay in storage..."

ParanoiaDragon · 03/08/2007, 06:29 AM

When I got mine, I knew what I was in store for, & really, I'd rather have this setup, rather then the adapter. Originally though, I bought an SG with a bunch of games for really cheap off ebay, cuz I wanted an SG, but......dag nabbit, probably a couple weeks later it was, when this OTHER SG comes up on ebay, & with the CD Rom no less! So, I nabbed that one too, & took a mighty blow to my credit card, even though I got a really good deal on that one. Though, the thing that helped me, was that I already owned several of the games that came with the 2 SG's, so, I made up quite a bit of money, by selling the extra's. Offhand, I remember Spriggan & Winds of Thunder among others that came with the 2 SG's. Those right there made me appreciate my deals even more! But seriously, I have my SG right here with the CD, & as long as it is, I don't care, it's the ULTIMATE SETUP!

nat · 03/08/2007, 06:35 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 03/08/2007, 01:17 AMI'm blown away for now, but we'll have to see nat's setup as well.

Won't be until next week. My girlfriend has my digital camera right now. I'll post it up as soon as I get it back.

grahf · 03/08/2007, 07:03 PM

Holy smokes, that sucker is HUGE. I knew it was big, but not THAT big.

VestCunt · 03/08/2007, 08:13 PM

How big is the TG16 + CD attachment? It would be cool to see of picture of one sitting next to the SGX + SCD.

nat · 03/08/2007, 11:35 PM

I am going to take a picture of my TG16 + CD next to my SuperGrafx/RAU-30/briefcase CD setup. You will see soon.

rolins · 03/09/2007, 01:24 AM

The SGX + CD takes up more space than i thought. It would've been nicer looking if NEC made a front cd loader like the original SegaCD. The only thing I see missing from the SGX would be a hucard attachment to up'd the graphics to 32 bits.

nat · 03/12/2007, 07:48 PM

Joe, are you prepared...

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...to be blown away?

PCEngineHell · 03/12/2007, 07:49 PM

By a large near blank post???

nat · 03/12/2007, 07:53 PM

This fucking setup is so big I had to have a garage sale so I'd have a place to put it.

So big I had to buy a smaller TV so there'd be room on the shelf.

So big... You get the idea.

The TurboGrafx-CD deck looks like a chump next to this behemoth:

Joe Redifer · 03/12/2007, 08:26 PM

WTF???? I am very confused. How does this work? Did NEC sell a box to put in the suitcase CD-ROM bay and a cable to hook it up to the thing slapped on to the SuperGrafx-16? Or is this some type of 3rd party contraption? I am confused. You will explain immediately.

termis · 03/12/2007, 08:35 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 03/12/2007, 08:26 PMDid NEC sell a box to put in the suitcase CD-ROM bay and a cable to hook it up to the thing slapped on to the SuperGrafx-16?

That's pretty much it. Since the SuperGrafx obviously doesn't fit neatly into the original briefcase CD-ROM unit, they released that adapter you see above (RAU-30, IIRC).

nat · 03/12/2007, 08:39 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 03/12/2007, 08:26 PMWTF???? I am very confused. How does this work? Did NEC sell a box to put in the suitcase CD-ROM bay and a cable to hook it up to the thing slapped on to the SuperGrafx-16?

That is exactly correct. 100% authentic NEC. The "box" and cable contraption are, indeed, called the RAU-30. The boxy part has the exact dimensions of a CoreGrafx but lacks a HuCard slot.

termis · 03/12/2007, 08:43 PM

Did you replace your multiplayer tap with a longer cord, nat?

nat · 03/12/2007, 08:48 PM

Quote from: thumpin_termis on 03/12/2007, 08:43 PMDid you replace your multiplayer tap with a longer cord, nat?

Fuck yeah I did.

I took the cord from a dead Avenue 6 Pad I had laying around. I actually had to re-wire the internal connector because the multi-taps use a funky pin out that doesn't match the pin outs on the connectors inside Turbopads. It's not a plug 'n play deal.

Now the 'tap can actually make it to the coffee table, where it belongs, rather than dangle haphazardly like a limp pendulum.

esteban · 03/12/2007, 08:58 PM

Wow, I never thought I'd say this, but the SuperGrafx + SCD is looking mighty compact compared to the RAU-30 contraption. Awesome.

VestCunt · 03/12/2007, 09:14 PM

Hey Nat, does your SGX + SCD work if you connect them with the RAU-30 in between? I realize this is unnecessary, but I got a used RAU-30 dirt cheap (in case my SCD ever has problems) and I'm trying to figure out if it works. I don't have a briefcase and I'm wondering if I can test the adapter through my SGX-SCD.

VestCunt · 03/12/2007, 09:17 PM

Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 08:48 PMI took the cord from a dead Avenue 6 Pad I had laying around. I actually had to re-wire the internal connector because the multi-taps use a funky pin out that doesn't match the pin outs on the connectors inside Turbopads. It's not a plug 'n play deal.

That's probably why multi-taps have problems if you plug one of those grey TZD extension cords (Mac cables) between them and your console.

grahf · 03/12/2007, 10:05 PM

You know, that whole RAU-30 setup may be obnoxious and clunky, but it was decent of NEC to release it. Suitcase owners who faithfully bought a supergrafx weren't forced to buy the newer CDRom addon. Unless they wanted to of course. And who wouldnt after seeing the sheer size of the thing?

Great work on the multitap mod nat.

Joe Redifer · 03/12/2007, 10:17 PM

Does the whole thing power up with just the single SuperGrafx-16 switch or do you need to flip two different switches like the TurboGrafx-CD? Can that RAU thing plug into the Turbo CD unit?

nat · 03/12/2007, 10:59 PM

Quote from: guest on 03/12/2007, 09:14 PMHey Nat, does your SGX + SCD work if you connect them with the RAU-30 in between? I realize this is unnecessary, but I got a used RAU-30 dirt cheap (in case my SCD ever has problems) and I'm trying to figure out if it works. I don't have a briefcase and I'm wondering if I can test the adapter through my SGX-SCD.

Never tried it... I'll give it a shot later and let you know.

FWIW, I got that RAU-30 dirt cheap as well. Only it was brand fuckin' new, still shrinkwrapped (not a re-seal job-- had the original NEC tape) and everything. The seller lived in Hong Kong and either didn't do any research, misunderstood his research, or didn't care. He had it listed on eBay as "RAU 30 FOR PC COMPUTER" or something like that. I think with shipping I ended up down about $20.

Quote from: guest on 03/12/2007, 09:17 PM
Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 08:48 PMI took the cord from a dead Avenue 6 Pad I had laying around. I actually had to re-wire the internal connector because the multi-taps use a funky pin out that doesn't match the pin outs on the connectors inside Turbopads. It's not a plug 'n play deal.
That's probably why multi-taps have problems if you plug one of those grey TZD extension cords (Mac cables) between them and your console.

Very likely!

Quote from: grahf on 03/12/2007, 10:05 PMYou know, that whole RAU-30 setup may be obnoxious and clunky, but it was decent of NEC to release it. Suitcase owners who faithfully bought a supergrafx weren't forced to buy the newer CDRom addon. Unless they wanted to of course. And who wouldnt after seeing the sheer size of the thing?

Great work on the multitap mod nat.

Thanks. If anyone is interested I can write up some kind of text on the correct wiring to do this yourself. It's easy if you know which wires need to go where. I had to figure it all out by my own hand and that was the hardest, most time consuming part. I couldn't find any text online about it, which surprised me quite a bit, given the number of years that the technology has been around. If someone else has already done this, I'd appreciate a link to the text!

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 03/12/2007, 10:17 PMDoes the whole thing power up with just the single SuperGrafx-16 switch or do you need to flip two different switches like the TurboGrafx-CD? Can that RAU thing plug into the Turbo CD unit?

There are two switches, just like the TurboGrafx-CD. One on the console and one on the CD deck. Unlike the TurboGrafx-CD, you also need TWO power supplies. One for the SuperGrafx and one for the CD deck. The RAU-30 apparently does not pass power from one to the other.

Can the RAU-30 plug into the Turbo CD interface unit? Don't know. I will give it a shot later when I try to connect an SCD through the RAU-30 and post results.

Joe Redifer · 03/12/2007, 11:22 PM

Yes, try it. And hook the TG-16 to the other end and power them up just for the hell of it.

QuoteUnlike the TurboGrafx-CD, you also need TWO power supplies.

Awesome! That means it is almost as awesome as the Sega CD. Even though the Genesis is capable of receiving power from the Sega CD, they decided it would be best to have two separate power supplies since they were, you know, Sega. The SuperGrafx + CD is basically an effective Genesis + CD + 32X (the "Super" in SuperGrafx being the 32X part). But it only needs two power supplies. The Sega setup needs 3. That is why Sega has so much awesome in their possession. If only each control pad needed it's own huge AC adapter as well. That might be perfect!

esteban · 03/12/2007, 11:47 PM

Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 10:59 PMCan the RAU-30 plug into the Turbo CD interface unit? Don't know. I will give it a shot later when I try to connect an SCD through the RAU-30 and post results.

Excellent. I can't wait to see if it works.

termis · 03/12/2007, 11:47 PM

Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 10:59 PMThanks. If anyone is interested I can write up some kind of text on the correct wiring to do this yourself. It's easy if you know which wires need to go where. I had to figure it all out by my own hand and that was the hardest, most time consuming part. I couldn't find any text online about it, which surprised me quite a bit, given the number of years that the technology has been around. If someone else has already done this, I'd appreciate a link to the text!

I'd certainly be interested. The short cord is something I've been meaning to do something about, and instead of procuring an extension cord, your solution seems to be much more elegant.

Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 10:59 PMCan the RAU-30 plug into the Turbo CD interface unit? Don't know. I will give it a shot later when I try to connect an SCD through the RAU-30 and post results.

I'd be interested in knowing that as well.

If all the RAU-30 is doing is rerouting the pins to a different connector, there's no reason why the RAU-30 won't work in the above situation.

I recall reading on some Japanese site somewhere that it's possible to hook up a TG-16 to a Japanese CD-ROM system with some minor modifications (or was it PCE+TCD?). I think only the shape of the connector itself was slightly different between the US and JP extensions, and the pinout of the bus extension might've been the same... But anyway, you can verify all of that for us, nat.

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 03/12/2007, 11:22 PMAwesome! That means it is almost as awesome as the Sega CD. Even though the Genesis is capable of receiving power from the Sega CD, they decided it would be best to have two separate power supplies since they were, you know, Sega. The SuperGrafx + CD is basically an effective Genesis + CD + 32X (the "Super" in SuperGrafx being the 32X part). But it only needs two power supplies. The Sega setup needs 3. That is why Sega has so much awesome in their possession. If only each control pad needed it's own huge AC adapter as well. That might be perfect!

I mentioned this guy's website before, but he squeezed in a 32X in a MD2 case, so he wouldn't have to have a power source for both the 32x and the main unit. He still says he needs an extra one for the CD player, though.

http://blog.dreamwiz.com/hanhogyu/5490283

VestCunt · 03/13/2007, 01:06 AM

Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 10:59 PM
Quote from: VestCunt on 03/12/2007, 09:14 PMHey Nat, does your SGX + SCD work if you connect them with the RAU-30 in between? I realize this is unnecessary, but I got a used RAU-30 dirt cheap (in case my SCD ever has problems) and I'm trying to figure out if it works. I don't have a briefcase and I'm wondering if I can test the adapter through my SGX-SCD.
Never tried it... I'll give it a shot later and let you know.

FWIW, I got that RAU-30 dirt cheap as well. Only it was brand fuckin' new, still shrinkwrapped (not a re-seal job-- had the original NEC tape) and everything. The seller lived in Hong Kong and either didn't do any research, misunderstood his research, or didn't care. He had it listed on eBay as "RAU 30 FOR PC COMPUTER" or something like that. I think with shipping I ended up down about $20.

Cool, let me know. I tried mine and it doesn't work. So either the RAU can't connect them or my RAU is broken.
I picked mine up for $10. It was used and grimey; I had to clean the thing with goo-gone. I was shocked by the size of just the RAU itself when it arrived in the mail, these things are frickin' huge.
How much is an RAU-30 actually worth? I never see them except for Dream-stars or Japanese dealers selling them boxed for $60+ BIN.

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 03/12/2007, 11:22 PMIf only each control pad needed it's own huge AC adapter as well. That might be perfect!

I notice musicians always referring to AC adapters as "wall warts" but I never hear anyone else call them such. Is wall wart a regional term or just musician jargon?

Joe Redifer · 03/13/2007, 02:13 AM

I've heard they are called "wall warts" because they are linear power supplies which mean that even when the system is powered off or even disconnected from the power cord, the AC adapter is always sucking the same amount of power from the wall constantly as long as it is plugged in. What that has to do with "warts" is beyond me, as I've never heard of a wart sucking anything. Before your post I've only heard that term once before, and it was recently on another forum. It probably is regional.

Oli_lar · 03/20/2007, 08:01 AM

I've got a question about the Rau and Supergrafx linked up to the briefcase: My SG has been modified to output to scart and PAL signal. If I connected up my SG and briefcase set via the rau, would the video output be screwed? This is what has happened with my PAL RF output modified Core Grafx and briefcase....

NecroPhile · 03/20/2007, 11:35 AM

Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 10:59 PMThanks. If anyone is interested I can write up some kind of text on the correct wiring to do this yourself. It's easy if you know which wires need to go where. I had to figure it all out by my own hand and that was the hardest, most time consuming part. I couldn't find any text online about it, which surprised me quite a bit, given the number of years that the technology has been around. If someone else has already done this, I'd appreciate a link to the text!

I'd appreciate a little write up on the correct wiring. I currently have to move my Duo whenever I want connect a Tap - otherwise it dangles off the shelf.

nat · 03/20/2007, 11:37 AM

Quote from: guest on 03/20/2007, 11:35 AM
Quote from: nat on 03/12/2007, 10:59 PMThanks. If anyone is interested I can write up some kind of text on the correct wiring to do this yourself. It's easy if you know which wires need to go where. I had to figure it all out by my own hand and that was the hardest, most time consuming part. I couldn't find any text online about it, which surprised me quite a bit, given the number of years that the technology has been around. If someone else has already done this, I'd appreciate a link to the text!
I'd appreciate a little write up on the correct wiring. I currently have to move my Duo whenever I want connect a Tap - otherwise it dangles off the shelf.

I did the writeup over the weekend, actually.

I've been negligent and haven't posted it up yet. I'm at work now; when I get home I'll post it up.

And I know what you mean about the dangling. The single driving force behind this endeavour was that every time I played with the 'tap, I had this overwhemling feeling that the weight of the tap and all connected controllers hanging there would one day break the poor controller port right off the PCB inside. I'd love to get my hands on the NEC genius that determined the default length the MultiTap cables were to be.