Why didn't the Turbografx have a power LED?

c0ldb33r · 09/03/2013, 06:40 PM

I lovethe tg16, but it's always bugged me that it didn't have a power LED. I mean, that's such a basic feature.

Was it cost cutting? Does anyone know?

It drives me nuts because you can't tell if the system is actually on. I mean, you can see the orange paint when the switch is on, but you can't tell if it's actually getting power. This is relevant if you're like me and have a bunch of stuff plugged in all at once.

turboswimbz · 09/03/2013, 06:43 PM

I would guess because it wasn't a feature on the PCE. the TG-16 is just an expanded PCE.

hoobs88 · 09/03/2013, 07:47 PM

They probably thought that the orange paint was sufficient.

Tatsujin · 09/03/2013, 08:35 PM

They just had spent so much monnies on superior hardware for giving the gamer just the utmost best, the remaining budget just couldn't cover an additional Power LED.

As always in life, you can't get teh everything, so just try to get the best you can.

SignOfZeta · 09/03/2013, 08:37 PM

Short answer: because the Famicom didn't.

Lots of game systems didn't have power LEDs. It was a simpler time. People didn't have giant home entertainment coffins filled with 35 game systems and other boxes. Back then the game system sat on the floor on front of you. You knew it was on because you just flipped the switch 10 seconds ago. You knew it had power because you could see it plugged into the wall over there.

spenoza · 09/03/2013, 10:27 PM

When I was in Japan over the summer in high school (summer of '95) I stayed with a host family in which the younger daughter had a PC Engine, CD-ROM attachment, and Super System Card. This was the summer I bought Dracula X in a little game store in a train station (no place else seemed to have it). I was eager to play it before I got back home, so the younger sister let my try it in her system.

She kept it tucked under the TV, but pulled it out to play it. Japanese homes don't have lots of space, so you keep stuff stowed away until you need it. Systems were off until you pulled them out of their little nook and turned them on. And then when you were done you turned them off and tucked them back away.

Keep in mind that we're adult collectors, most of us, with room to store a half-dozen or more systems with many games and peripherals. At the time, there weren't even that many systems available to own, really. Collecting wasn't a thing, yet, not for games.

TheClash603 · 09/03/2013, 11:16 PM

I think people are reading into this too much.

The TG16 was not designed very well. That is pretty much the extent of it.

Duo_R · 09/04/2013, 12:18 AM

Power LED mod isn't bad on the Turbo....and the illuminating TG16 logo is pretty trick

Tatsujin · 09/04/2013, 12:33 AM

Best use of any Power LED(s) ever in history of consumer electronics:

/halpcejb1.jpg

SuperDeadite · 09/04/2013, 08:01 AM

No LED is needed because you should never be turning it off.

geise · 09/04/2013, 09:38 AM

^ BINGO!

VestCunt · 09/04/2013, 01:29 PM

Why didn't the Turbografx have Wi-Fi?

bob · 09/04/2013, 01:30 PM

or Netflix

geise · 09/04/2013, 03:14 PM

It does! I watch It Came From the Desert all the time!

bob · 09/04/2013, 03:21 PM

Quote from: geise on 09/04/2013, 03:14 PMIt does! I watch It Came From the Desert all the time!

HAHA! I think I am the only person that actually has the patience and enjoys that game.

NecroPhile · 09/04/2013, 03:28 PM

Oh, no, there are plenty of others that enjoy b-movies and cheese.

turbokon · 09/04/2013, 03:50 PM

Mine has it:)

esteban · 09/22/2013, 03:16 PM

I MODDED MY TURBOPAD—a green LED indicates when it is plugged in to the console. True story.

jeffhlewis · 09/22/2013, 05:46 PM

I'm assuming that adding a power LED was a more expensive proposition in the late 80's than it is now in the manufacturing process. Even if we're talking an extra $5-10 per console produced, I can see that being an easy omission to cut costs.

SignOfZeta · 09/22/2013, 07:50 PM

Quote from: jeffhlewis on 09/22/2013, 05:46 PMI'm assuming that adding a power LED was a more expensive proposition in the late 80's than it is now in the manufacturing process. Even if we're talking an extra $5-10 per console produced, I can see that being an easy omission to cut costs.

I would have cost maybe 5-10 cents, probably less. They didn't do it because consoles in general didn't have them back then usually.

Tatsujin · 09/22/2013, 10:59 PM

Quote from: esteban on 09/22/2013, 03:16 PMI MODDED MY TURBOPAD—a green LED indicates when it is plugged in to the console. True story.

damn, how helpful is that?!

esteban · 09/30/2013, 08:09 AM

Quote from: Tatsujin on 09/22/2013, 10:59 PM
Quote from: esteban on 09/22/2013, 03:16 PMI MODDED MY TURBOPAD—a green LED indicates when it is plugged in to the console. True story.
damn, how helpful is that?!

Now, when my TurboPad is unresponsive, a non-glowing LED verifies that I need to do something.

Arkhan Asylum · 09/30/2013, 02:23 PM

You don't need a power light to know if the thing is turned out. Orange stickers on plastic = cooler.

Otaking · 09/30/2013, 02:51 PM

Quote from: TheClash603 on 09/03/2013, 11:16 PMI think people are reading into this too much.

The TG16 was not designed very well. That is pretty much the extent of it.

+1

NecroPhile · 09/30/2013, 03:19 PM

Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 09/30/2013, 02:23 PMYou don't need a power light to know if the thing is turned out. Orange stickers on plastic = cooler.

Heh, turned out. Orange leather miniskirt and fishnet stockings, right?

Arkhan Asylum · 09/30/2013, 10:55 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 09/30/2013, 03:19 PM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 09/30/2013, 02:23 PMYou don't need a power light to know if the thing is turned out. Orange stickers on plastic = cooler.
Heh, turned out. Orange leather miniskirt and fishnet stockings, right?

lol whoops.

batmreload · 10/05/2013, 01:12 AM

Quote from: guest on 09/30/2013, 03:19 PM
Quote from: guest on 09/30/2013, 02:23 PMYou don't need a power light to know if the thing is turned out. Orange stickers on plastic = cooler.
Heh, turned out. Orange leather miniskirt and fishnet stockings, right?

The sexyness of the TG-16 just went up 200%

TR0N · 10/05/2013, 02:58 AM

Quote from: guest on 09/30/2013, 02:23 PMYou don't need a power light to know if the thing is turned out. Orange stickers on plastic = cooler.

Damn right unless you're color blind then it becomes a problem

spenoza · 10/05/2013, 10:17 PM

Quote from: TR0N on 10/05/2013, 02:58 AM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 09/30/2013, 02:23 PMYou don't need a power light to know if the thing is turned out. Orange stickers on plastic = cooler.
Damn right unless you're color blind then it becomes a problem

That'd be one weird kinda color blind, to mistake TG-16 orange for ANYTHING else.

esteban · 10/06/2013, 08:07 AM

L.E.D.s are for P.U.S.S.I.E.S.

TRUE STORY.

NecroPhile · 10/07/2013, 10:23 AM

Quote from: guest on 10/05/2013, 10:17 PMThat'd be one weird kinda color blind, to mistake TG-16 orange for ANYTHING else.

Gah! Kirby flashback!

YANDMAN · 10/10/2013, 04:33 AM

I have seen people do l.e.d customs on their tg16 logo and it looks awesome i would love that on mine.

turboswimbz · 10/10/2013, 09:59 AM

Quote from: YANDMAN on 10/10/2013, 04:33 AMI have seen people do l.e.d customs on their tg16 logo and it looks awesome i would love that on mine.

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=11354.0

YANDMAN · 10/10/2013, 11:18 AM

Cool thanks man

Duo_R · 10/14/2013, 05:23 PM

Here is a one I did a few years ago, I also like the Logo mod (done one of those).

ON:
/img0021eu2.jpg

OFF:
/img0018amt2.jpg

turboswimbz · 10/14/2013, 05:28 PM

Duo r. That is just awesome. I like the sleekness of that.

turbokon · 10/15/2013, 08:37 AM

I just recently added an LED to a duo for the first time, hope the owner dosen't mind me posting a pic of his duo:)

esteban · 10/15/2013, 09:01 AM

STATUS: I have an LED to indicate if the HuCARD cover on my TurboDUO is open or closed.

turboswimbz · 10/15/2013, 05:12 PM

Quote from: esteban on 10/15/2013, 09:01 AMSTATUS: I have an LED to indicate if the HuCARD cover on my TurboDUO is open or closed.

I have something similar for my toilet bowl to keep it lady friendly

esteban · 10/15/2013, 05:34 PM

Quote from: turboswimbz on 10/15/2013, 05:12 PM
Quote from: esteban on 10/15/2013, 09:01 AMSTATUS: I have an LED to indicate if the HuCARD cover on my TurboDUO is open or closed.
I have something similar for my toilet bowl to keep it lady friendly

I need that to stop from falling in!