cdrom cdrom and component mod problems

[8bitForLife]

Ok got my turbo duo rx back and its still not working . The component mod is now showing graphics though but there is a shadow behind all the words on the cdrom loading screen and there is a green tint to it. But the real kicker is now the cdrom no longer well read cdrom games just keeps reading the spitting the eye out to the far edge of the cdrom constantly till i turn off the system. Plus the last remaining intact laser peg is now broke when i got it back. I am really frustrated and upset this has been a complete nightmare. Its almost cost me as much to ship it and pay for the mod than i originally paid for it from hit japan on ebay.

I opened it up and took the cdrom cover off and started it and the eye just goes to edge of disc and the cogs keep sending it to the edge. Dont think its trying to read the disc though. The pots are in the same spot as when it was reading discs before.

Any suggestions

[thesteve]

the eye going to the edge was a broken limit switch.
focus coil in the eye was also damaged.

component mod updated

[NightWolve]

Ah, poor 8bit, quite an ordeal you had to go through for this to happen (the component mod), but know that many will benefit as a result... ;) I didn't know he had posted about the status here till now actually; saw it now that the thread was revived. Steve had told me about a few of the unfortunate details in private, damages caused during the back'n'forth shipping between 8bit and him... Anyway, hopefully it's all gonna get resolved this time along with the component circuit design thanks to 8bit being the sacrificial guinea pig. ;)

focus coil in the eye was also damaged.

Hm, you knew how to diagnose and fix that ? How'd you fix it, replace the whole laser or the coil ?

[8bitForLife]

;/

[thesteve]

replaced laser
had another duo open when i opened this one, so i tried a drive swap and it ran.
fixed the limit switch and tried it, set disc error.
removed disc and watched lens, and it didnt move.
replaced lased, lens now bobs up and down looking for focus.

[thesteve]

[thesteve]

had luma set too hot in pic

[thesteve]

[PCEngineHell]

Its hard to tell what the actual quality is, because that pic looks bad, unless that really is the actual image quality of the mod. Any way to take a pic or two on another set, or back away from this one and get a somewhat distant shot? Heck, maybe a shot or two on a crt or something even?

[thesteve]

another game perhaps

[Frank_fjs]

Definitely something not right there.

Colours are too dull/not vibrant enough but the biggest problem seems to be in the shading. Not sure how to describe it exactly but it almost looks as though you've reduced the colour palette, resulting in blocky unshaded gradients.

As a small example, take a look at the yellow health bar in SFII, it's supposed to be a solid yellow yet in your picture it looks faded with specks of white. Also, the 'KO' font is supposed to have a vivid blue outline yet in your pic it's barely noticeable.

[thesteve]

ahh, cellphone cam

[thesteve]

slight update (better sync)

[thesteve]

i sent it back.
waiting to hear from 8bit

[thesteve]

just heard from 8-bit
working good

[NightWolve]

 

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Congrats! So how many round trips did his unit make from you to Hawaii ? Was that two or three ? ;)

[thesteve]

that was 3

[8bitForLife]

Unit doesn't look new anymore but it plays imports and has component so I'm happy. I am probably mistake I forgot what time i sent it back for what. But i think the second time the colors weren't lining up and one color was prominent over the other and there was slight color blurring like a shadow. 3rd time i sent it back Post office had played field goal with package and broke the laser I bought from Thesteve for it. All and all i could of bought a brand new one for the money iv spent on this. Almost wish when Thesteve sent it back the second time when box got crushed that the insurance was more than 100. I would of gotten $300 insurance as I would of just collected the money and got a new one. He got 300 on the last trip but was packed so well that they could of played rugby with it.

Anyways works now looks nice. I need to find a more flexible component cable the one I have is stiff as heck.

[thesteve]

now wolf build the circuit to confirm it, so we can finalize the design (board layout).
get it produced
8-bit deserves some kick back from board sales

[8bitForLife]

Not sure if this is helpful
But on the final design the white wasn't completely white. On my hd tv I could change the tint on that input so it helped a little. I am also thinking if i could turn the pot more before it stoped It might of helped also but im not a tech guy so i cant say for sure.

Would getting a better quality component cord help at all with colors?

I am super happy that the cdrom is loading games really good. I wish I had super star soldier NA version but have no extra money haha. Need to burn rayxanber III again to see if it can load it. Another game I wish I had.

[thesteve]

better cords help with clearity
turning the knob does make white whiter

[NightWolve]

Steve is the greatest PCEFX-er evar!! ;)

[8bitForLife]

ya i turned the nob all the way up but cant do it anymore. I am wondering if there is a different radius that would allow me to turn it higher.

[thesteve]

ya said it was slightly green
increasing R7, R8 value will decrease green
decreasing R4, R6 has the same effect
we may want pots for R4 and R6 (red and blue chroma)

[8bitForLife]

ya i should of asked for that i guess but I didnt want to bother you anymore. But it should help with the coloring.