SuperGrafx CD-ROM Cable Thingy

[Joe Redifer]

Since no CD-ROM can fit on to the SuperGrafx, it has a weird cable thingy that connects it to an external drive.  Nat has posted pictures of it trying to brag like he is better than us.  He is.  But my question is if the cable is only compatible with that CD-ROM2 drive like Nat has, or can it be hooked up to, say, a TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM drive with its interface unit?  With my luck it wouldn't work.  Also does the cable transfer power?  I seem to remember it not doing that (though it should).

I may have axed dis question before, but I don't remember the answer if I did.  I hope I didn't.

[guyjin]

Since no CD-ROM can fit on to the SuperGrafx,

But my question is if the cable is only compatible with that CD-ROM2 drive like Nat has, or can it be hooked up to, say, a TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM drive with its interface unit?  With my luck it wouldn't work.

I'm almost certain it would not. The pcengine cdrom has its access port on the back; the american one is under and in front, IIRC.

[Joe Redifer]

What difference would that make?  Isn't that like saying a SCSI cable won't work on one machine because the port is two inches to the left compared to the other machine?

[guyjin]

Basically, one end of the rau-30 replaces the PCEngine in the suitcase setup. I honestly don't know if that would work with the american CDRom drive; I've never seen either device in person. But I've never seen it done, so I doubt it anyway.

[Joe Redifer]

Could it be disassembled to fit?

[PCEngineHell]

It should be able to work after you modify it to fit. The pin outs are the same,basically the notches are  a tad different and you would have to trim some plastic around the pins,and probably take the pcb or whatever it is out of the housing of the Rau30 do that you could hook it up.

[nat]

It doesn't fit. I tried it.

The US and JP expansion ports, while they share the same pin-out, have a different shape completely. The JP ports are squared while the US ports have slanted edges.

Since they are electrically compatible, Michael is more or less correct in that I'm sure it could be modified to fit, probably involving cutting away plastic, taking PCBs out, etc.

Once you got it to fit, however, your dreams would probably be shattered because the RAU-30 connector doesn't pass power for some reason. I guess in Japan they like to have two AC adapters hooked up all the time because 2 is better than 1.

[Joe Redifer]

It'd probably just be easier to build a short extension cable.  I'd have to sacrifice a TurboGrafx to do it, though.

[nat]

And you'd probably still face the same power issue. I'm not sure what a good solution would be to that one.

[Joe Redifer]

I don't think power would be an issue because I could still plug the SuperGrafx into the wall as well as the TGCD.  It'd be a Sega CD-like solution, but it'd work.

Hell, it almost looks like the SuperGrafx could slide into the TGCD interface unit if it had the same-shaped connector.  The SG plastic might come up a bit too high close to the HuCard slot, though.

[PCEngineHell]

I don't think power would be an issue because I could still plug the SuperGrafx into the wall as well as the TGCD.  It'd be a Sega CD-like solution, but it'd work.

Hell, it almost looks like the SuperGrafx could slide into the TGCD interface unit if it had the same-shaped connector.  The SG plastic might come up a bit too high close to the HuCard slot, though.

Yea just like how I have to do the Supergrafx with the Super Cd-rom 2 system. I have to use both systems power adapters. No big deal. Its def worth a shot Joe.

[nat]

Hell, it almost looks like the SuperGrafx could slide into the TGCD interface unit if it had the same-shaped connector.  The SG plastic might come up a bit too high close to the HuCard slot, though.

Yeah, it does.

I tried that before I realized the port was a different shape.

Let us know if you make some kind of adapter. We'll need pictures.

[Joe Redifer]

Send me your SG and the cable and I will make it work.  It might not be too pretty when I return it, but you won't mind.

[PCEngineHell]

Send me your SG and the cable and I will make it work.  It might not be too pretty when I return it, but you won't mind.

Actually I was going to suggest you send me yours lol Id be sure to make it look pretty,as best as possible at least. I do have  a spare Turbo Cd dock station here after all

[Joe Redifer]

I wish I had an SG to send.

I wonder why NEC went out of their way to make the US port different as well as the controller port?  They really REALLY did not want anyone having anything from Japan.

[nat]

I wish I had an SG to send.

Are you considering buying one? Is that the reason for your interest?

I wonder why NEC went out of their way to make the US port different as well as the controller port?  They really REALLY did not want anyone having anything from Japan.

I heard it was more the other way around. They didn't want the Japanese folks getting their hands on American stuff because of the censorship some games underwent when they were localized here (Splatterhouse for example). They felt it would tarnish the Japanese public's view of the PC Engine. That's why they included the region lockout code that prevents American carts from working on Japanese systems even with a converter.

I guess they took it to extreme measures with the controller and expansion ports.

[guyjin]

I wish I had an SG to send.

I wonder why NEC went out of their way to make the US port different as well as the controller port?  They really REALLY did not want anyone having anything from Japan.

probably had something to do with them making more money.

[TurboXray]

Mike, you're using two power supplies with your SGX+SCD setup? I only use one.

[PCEngineHell]

Mike, you're using two power supplies with your SGX+SCD setup? I only use one.

Yea,the Super Cd-rom 2 power supply and the Supergrafx 1. The grey mini power bridge cable that goes from the Super Cd-Rom 2 to Coregrafx doesn't fit the Supergrafx.

Edit: Just tried using the Super Cd-Rom 2 power itself. Didn't power up. Did once I added the Supergrafx power supply. Like I said,the gray mini bridge power cable wont fit Just fits the Coregrafx

[TurboXray]

Mike, you're using two power supplies with your SGX+SCD setup? I only use one.

Yea,the Super Cd-rom 2 power supply and the Supergrafx 1. The grey mini power bridge cable that goes from the Super Cd-Rom 2 to Coregrafx doesn't fit the Supergrafx.

I just snipped it and spliced in a SGX size compatible plug. Presto chango - single power cord.

[PCEngineHell]

Ahh I see. Alas,I wont do this cause I don't want to ruin the mini cable as it stands,although that is a good idea.

[Joe Redifer]

Are you considering buying one? Is that the reason for your interest?

I'm not seriously considering it yet.  Here's the thing.  My TGCD interface unit is modded for RGB.  I don't want to have to play the SuperGrafx in composite.  If the SG can be hooked into the TGCD interface unit, then I get RGB video out as well as RCA stereo audio jacks.  Why should the SG video have to suffer compared to my TG video?

[PCEngineHell]

Are you considering buying one? Is that the reason for your interest?

I'm not seriously considering it yet.  Here's the thing.  My TGCD interface unit is modded for RGB.  I don't want to have to play the SuperGrafx in composite.  If the SG can be hooked into the TGCD interface unit, then I get RGB video out as well as RCA stereo audio jacks.  Why should the SG video have to suffer compared to my TG video?

Agreed,and should not be impossible to do,as far as altering a RAU-30 goes,ect. If nothing else,could also pick up a spare dock station to use,mod it for RGB also.

[nat]

It'd be a fun project anyway.