PCE Broken Scart Mod

Lorfarius · 02/16/2016, 10:51 AM

Just picked up a modded PCE Core Grafx 2 on ebay which has an RGB scart mod according to the description. When I turn it on it mostly works fine but brushing the scart lead ever so slightly can add a purple tint to everything. Much jiggling and placing at just the right angle it comes back on but the slightest push and it reverts back to purple. Not sure if its the scart or the mod but when I look at what's been done doesn't seem like any I can find info on or even a replacement scart to try:

The wiggling hot spot seems to be just above the composite ports so I don't think its the mod on the console. I can't figure out what that mod connector is though. I did try connecting composite through that box to 2 different TV's but there's no proper signal and the screen goes black, zero sound too. Can anyone help?

Ergot_Cholera · 02/16/2016, 05:21 PM

I saw this! It was on ebay.co.uk. I think I bid on it.
It is using a Playstation scart cable and AV socket, which doesn't make any sense at all. I dont know why they would go to the trouble of doing that (cutting the casing etc.) when it is easier just to use an 8 pin din socket and plug.
To find out the issue I think you will have to open the console and see how the RGB connections are wired up.

Duo_R · 02/16/2016, 05:41 PM

I would have it redone with the 8 din. Unfortunately they cut into the casing a little.

ClodBusted · 02/16/2016, 05:47 PM

How about using a 9-pin D-Sub connector instead? Should be easy wire up and solder, and should give no trouble mounting on the case, provided the case is flat at the A/V out location (and not ridged like the Turbo Duo).

mickcris · 02/16/2016, 05:56 PM

probably a loose connection. that was a terrible choice for a connector that they used.

Keith Courage · 02/16/2016, 08:00 PM

Even though the case is cut up a little I'd still remove that jack and install an 8 pin din port instead.

thesteve · 02/17/2016, 04:33 AM

as its sensitivety is near the AV jacks, perhaps you just need a new cable and can keep the mod untouched
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=playstation+scart&_sacat=0
several options of different quality and with or without the AV jacks

Lorfarius · 02/17/2016, 09:02 AM

Well I have no idea how to go about soldering stuff else I'd have done a mod myself! So that's out the window

I ordered another PS1 scart lead which arrived this morning, plugged it in and everything is dim. Even turning on the brightness really high and it's too dark to see. Wiggling the lead in the port of the console doesnt do anything

All the colours are fine though.

Some pictures of the inside:

Keith Courage · 02/17/2016, 02:38 PM

I can tell by looking at the underside of that r_g_b amplifier that it is the old transistor style amp. This is most likely why the colors are all dim. I would definitely have it upgraded to a ths 7314 based video amplifier. This would solve all your issues with the colors not being bright enough.

since you mention not being experienced in doing any soldering, do you happen to know anybody who could do it for you if you were to buy an RGB amp and have it mailed to yourself? otherwise, I be willing to install one for you for a small fee. I'm sure there are other techs here in the forum willing to do the same for you as well.

Lorfarius · 02/17/2016, 02:47 PM

Afraid not and I'm in the UK so probably going to be a struggle to get anyone to sort

I opened up the Scart cable as I was reading online that some need the caps inside twisting. I tried this but didn't do much good but when I looked at the older PS1 version it doesn't have any caps inside so I've asked around and someone has agreed to send another.

Very frustrating as I thought it was a good deal at the time! They seem to be around £100 fully modded form what I can find.

mickcris · 02/17/2016, 02:49 PM

I assume he's in the UK so that probably wouldn't work.

I would just return the thing and get one that was better modded if it was me. But it is most likely the amp like Keith says.

Lorfarius · 02/17/2016, 02:50 PM

Sadly I bought it several weeks back on ebay and left the guy positive feedback. It's taken me ages to save up for an Everdrive to use with it, ordered on Sunday when Retrotowers finally had some in stock only for the damn console to fail

mickcris · 02/17/2016, 02:53 PM

maybe you can find someone that knows how to solder that can replace that amp for you with a better one?

edit:
i guess you already said you probably cant. so i'm not sure what else there is to do.

Lorfarius · 02/17/2016, 02:59 PM

I'll most likely stick it back up on ebay as spares n repairs then wait for another to pop up.

deubeul · 02/17/2016, 03:50 PM

I'm pretty sure threre's UK modders here who could fix that for you. If you don't find someone here end don't mind send it to France I could do it for shipping price + amp price.

Ergot_Cholera · 02/17/2016, 04:55 PM

Is that hot glue or resin holding the PS AV socket to the board? The amp looks like it has just transistors and is missing the caps and resistors.

Lorfarius · 02/17/2016, 04:59 PM

No idea, its clear up close though.

deubeul · 02/17/2016, 05:07 PM

Yes it's the old mmmonkey transistor-only amp. Normally it should work but I heard it can damage the TV.

Lorfarius · 02/17/2016, 05:08 PM

Damn! I've tried it on 3 TVs so far

ClodBusted · 02/17/2016, 05:33 PM

I know somebody in Germany who should be able to fix your console. He did a recap on my Turbo Duo and is really nuts for everything PCE and SNES hardware/modding wise.. Let me know via PM if you'd like to get in touch with him.

Ergot_Cholera · 02/17/2016, 06:06 PM

I am in the UK and can probably RGB mod this for you using THS7314 based amp. I do them quite regularly and all work perfectly. I could keep the PS AV socket and connect the new amp to this so you can use your PS scart cable or remove it and replace it with a din 8 socket which will need a custom made scart cable.
The only issue I have is whether the PS AV socket is stuck to the board with resin as this may be hard to remove. Does the substance feel slightly rubbery when you press it or is it hard?

mickcris · 02/17/2016, 08:53 PM

it looks like hot glue to me. especially in the last picture. you can see on a couple of the nearby caps that they have some glue on them.

ApolloBoy · 02/17/2016, 10:21 PM

Drakon would be proud.

Lorfarius · 02/18/2016, 05:04 AM

Quote from: guest on 02/17/2016, 06:06 PMI am in the UK and can probably RGB mod this for you using THS7314 based amp. I do them quite regularly and all work perfectly. I could keep the PS AV socket and connect the new amp to this so you can use your PS scart cable or remove it and replace it with a din 8 socket which will need a custom made scart cable.
The only issue I have is whether the PS AV socket is stuck to the board with resin as this may be hard to remove. Does the substance feel slightly rubbery when you press it or is it hard?

Thank you! It feels hard to touch. Sounds like a new amp is the best way forward?

deubeul · 02/18/2016, 11:18 AM

It is. And the modder shoul be able to fix it if the amp is not the only problem.
And don't worry for your TVs, I played hours with the same amp, I just heards the output voltage of this amp are higher than Scart's standards and COULD damage some TVs.

thesteve · 02/18/2016, 04:05 PM

this is what should be in that cable
simply adding a 75ohm to ground from each transistor output should make it work with the caps in the cable

PCE Broken Scart Mod

Lorfarius

_{Ergot_Cholera}

Duo_R

_ClodBusted

mickcris

Keith Courage

thesteve

Lorfarius

Keith Courage

Lorfarius

mickcris

Lorfarius

mickcris

Lorfarius

deubeul

_{Ergot_Cholera}

Lorfarius

deubeul

Lorfarius

_ClodBusted

_{Ergot_Cholera}

mickcris

ApolloBoy

Lorfarius

deubeul

thesteve