Some PC Engine Questions Regarding SuperCDRom and LT

terrybogard · 01/07/2010, 12:30 PM

ok i have a few questiosn i need clearing up from the pros.

1.) whats the difference between the Interface unit Super CDRom and the SuperCDRom2 that goes with the supergrafx?
2.) can i hook up my PC Engine LT to my interface unit? what plugs does i require? do i just plug it to the interface unit and run a separate ac adapter for the LT?
3.) do you know where i can find that little 3 inch adapter plug that came with the super cdrom2? or steps to make one..... heres a pic

4.) can the interface unit play every cd based pc engine game with the proper super system card?

Thanks for anyone who helps me.

SignOfZeta · 01/07/2010, 12:57 PM

1) The Super CDROM doesn't really "go with the Supergrafx", it goes with almost any PC Engine. The main difference is that it has the Super System card built in.

2) As for hooking your LT to your IFU..yes, you could do this, and if you own this stuff why don't know know already? To my knowledge it doesn't require any cables whatsoever.

4) I think I understand this question...if so, then the answer is yes. The PCE w/ CDROM2 can run any (non-SGX) game made as long as you have the right system card. If you have an Arcade Card Pro you can play every CDROM game except Altered Beast (which requires the 1.0 card, but its shite so you won't want to play it anyway).

nectarsis · 01/07/2010, 01:55 PM

#2 You can also hook your LT directly up to the SCD Rom2..with a fairly rare (I've only ever seen 1 on ebay, sites, etc.) adapter.

shubibiman · 01/07/2010, 02:00 PM

Quote from: nectarsis on 01/07/2010, 01:55 PM#2 You can also hook your LT directly up to the SCD Rom2..with a fairly rare (I've only ever seen 1 on ebay, sites, etc.) adapter.

It's not "directly", then ;)

terrybogard · 01/07/2010, 03:07 PM

thanks for the responses guys! if your wondering why i dont know these answers if i own an LT and all the rest stated above it is because i never thought to hook the LT to my Super Cd Rom or my interface unit. I found the LT boxed for a good deal and jumped into it without knowing all the things it was capable of. So to clear this up i can just plug the LT right into the interface unit without any additional plugs and it will play?

I don't think i would ever want to hook the LT to the Super cdrom because that defeats the whole purpose of it being portable atleast with the interface unit i can take it on vacations with me lol. Thanks for all your help

nectarsis · 01/07/2010, 05:14 PM

Quote from: shubibiman on 01/07/2010, 02:00 PM
Quote from: nectarsis on 01/07/2010, 01:55 PM#2 You can also hook your LT directly up to the SCD Rom2..with a fairly rare (I've only ever seen 1 on ebay, sites, etc.) adapter.
It's not "directly", then ;)

Much more "direct" then in the briefcase

Otaking · 01/07/2010, 05:55 PM

Quote from: terrybogard on 01/07/2010, 12:30 PM3.) do you know where i can find that little 3 inch adapter plug that came with the super cdrom2? or steps to make one..... heres a pic

I'd be interested to know the answer to this too as I have a Super CD-Rom2 Unit thats missing that cable plug,
you can directly power the Super CD-Rom2 Unit with a PSU but still I'd like to get one of those cable plugs.

esteban · 01/07/2010, 06:51 PM

Quote from: HardcoreOtaku on 01/07/2010, 05:55 PM
Quote from: terrybogard on 01/07/2010, 12:30 PM3.) do you know where i can find that little 3 inch adapter plug that came with the super cdrom2? or steps to make one..... heres a pic
I'd be interested to know the answer to this too as I have a Super CD-Rom2 Unit thats missing that cable plug,
you can directly power the Super CD-Rom2 Unit with a PSU but still I'd like to get one of those cable plugs.

Hmmmmmmm, I've never looked to see if a suitable replacement cable exists.

The Super CD-ROM² has a "large" 12V DC input, a "tiny" 9V DC out (which supplies 9V power to the CoreGrafx, via the cable, but the CoreGrafx only accepts a "medium-sized" male plug).

The reason why the 3" cable has two different sized male plugs is because.... I don't know.

I'm sure the technical gurus here can teach us how to make one of our own.

terrybogard · 01/08/2010, 09:55 AM

i took the one that came with the supercdrom2 and modified to to fit in my supergrafx. But it only lasted about 2 weeks then stopped working. So i had to scrap it. I also attempted to make one with parts from radio shack but for some reason it didnt work....

Tatsujin · 01/08/2010, 10:09 AM

looks pretty direkt to me

hoobs88 · 01/08/2010, 12:07 PM

This adapter is necessary to hook up your LT to a Super CD2 system.

Since they are quite rare, your best bet would be to get a briefcase unit.

SignOfZeta · 01/08/2010, 05:16 PM

Quote from: hoobs88 on 01/08/2010, 12:07 PMThis adapter is necessary to hook up your LT to a Super CD2 system....

Since they are quite rare, your best bet would be to get a briefcase unit.

Wow. I've literally never even seen that before. Well, I guess I must have at some point (it has to be listed in Wataru's FAQ), so I suppose I should say I don't remember ever having seen it before. What an absurdly niche product...and what a long console!

EDIT:

Now that I think about it, there might be a logical explanation for this thing. When the SuperCDROM2 (and Duo) went into production the original CDROM2 went out of production. Generally a company will want to support what is on store shelves with other things currently in production, so they made the LT adaptor. They wanted to make it so, at least on theory, you could play CDROMs on your LT with stuff that was currently for sale new.

Will the SGX to CDROM2 adaptor also work this way? It seems like it would.

termis · 01/08/2010, 10:36 PM

I recall seeing a pic somewhere (99.99% sure somewhere on this site) where someone modified the SCD-ROM a touch (some cutting/grinding, etc) to make the adapter unnecessary.

Tatsujin · 01/08/2010, 11:08 PM

wouldn't it be possible to abuse a RAU-30?

SignOfZeta · 01/09/2010, 12:21 AM

Quote from: Tatsujin on 01/08/2010, 11:08 PMwouldn't it be possible to abuse a RAU-30?

Yeah, that's what I was asking. I forgot the correct name. Those are easy to find.

futurematt · 03/12/2010, 08:46 AM

That must be the longest console in the world.

Any guesses what the WIDEST is???! (no idea myself, could even by the Turbografx!)

Thanks for the welcomes people!

esteban · 03/13/2010, 05:12 PM

Quote from: futurematt on 03/12/2010, 08:46 AMThat must be the longest console in the world.

Any guesses what the WIDEST is???! (no idea myself, could even by the Turbografx!)

Thanks for the welcomes people!

The side-by-side Genesis+Sega-CD is pretty wide, but I don't know if it is the widest.

Hmmmm... Intellivision? Colecovision? Sega Master System?

Of the current generation: it seems that PlayStation 3 is pretty damn wide.

offsidewing · 03/13/2010, 10:12 PM

My Super Grafx w/ Super CD-Rom unit was the LONGEST system EVER. With that rig, I had to run the AC adapter for both. I regret selling them in 1999

I would use the male/male piece with the CG II. In 97-ish when LT's were found minty for around $300, a friend of mine ran an LT and Interface unit with two AC adapters as well (one for LT and one for CD-Rom) since the LT screen is power hungry.

We never toyed with hooking his LT up to my SCD unit because we didn't have the LT adapter nor the RAU-30.

FYI, if anyone is ever interested in parting with a fully functioning LT, hit me up. Still regretting not picking up an LT in the Turbo Mailing List back in the mid-90's...

futurematt · 03/19/2010, 10:00 AM

So on this absurdly niche product ! does the RAU30 adaptor actually work with the Super CD Rom 2 system?

It seems a neater solution to shave some plastic off the SCDROM2 itself, where it has that massive mouth area, so the little LT can get in.

Does anyone lucky enough to own an LT think it is a good system to play on (using its own control buttons) or do they prefer plugging in a joypad or joystick?

Personally my favourite joystick is the XE1-PC Pro. It's a real looker.

awack · 03/19/2010, 07:42 PM

Some one years ago, made a modification to their Super CD ROM add-on by cutting out a piece from the top of the system, i don't have a photo of it but from memory, the photo below shows the piece that was cut away, outlined in black.

futurematt · 03/29/2010, 11:45 AM

Quote from: awack on 03/19/2010, 07:42 PMSome one years ago, made a modification to their Super CD ROM add-on by cutting out a piece from the top of the system, i don't have a photo of it but from memory, the photo below shows the piece that was cut away, outlined in black.

That's pretty raw but I like it. The gamble: to shave the ROM and risk the massively unlikely event that I come across one of those slick adapters on ebay or on these forums!! That is the question.

I also reckon (as I think Tatsujin noted) that you could use a RAU 30 but seeing as I don't own one I don't know if (a) it fits onto the back of the LT without impeding the lid, or (b) if the bus connector is the same on the LT as the Supergrafx, which it was built for. Anyone help me out?

awack · 03/29/2010, 12:03 PM

futurematt · 03/29/2010, 04:13 PM

Sweet! Thanks for the photo bro! The LT looks cool in the RAU 30 mount, all that white bit needs is a bit of grey spray paint and it's a doozy!

RoyVegas · 03/29/2010, 07:14 PM

What would be a round about price for the RAU 30?

Tatsujin · 03/30/2010, 04:54 AM

why don't use a simple IFU-30?

cheaper 'n compacter!

futurematt · 03/30/2010, 05:57 PM

Check this auction out, shame it ended in the past and was Japan only!

http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k119111780

You can tell I want one of these babies pretty bad!

#BTW will def hook up the LT to a RAU 30, when I get one for a good price!

NecroPhile · 03/30/2010, 06:25 PM

Quote from: futurematt on 03/30/2010, 05:57 PMCheck this auction out, shame it ended in the past and was Japan only!

Boxed and super sexy - at least 85% new! Too bad about the price, though; isn't that about $250?

offsidewing · 03/30/2010, 07:00 PM

That diagram/instruction in the middle picture looks like the naughiest PCE three-some of all time. Menage et LT? Oui...

futurematt · 03/31/2010, 07:54 AM

LOL dammit hardware shouldn't look this sexy!

Tatsujin · 03/31/2010, 08:38 AM

there was a boxed LT inkl. boxed super rom adapter as a bundle for about $650 in the mandarake a month or so ago. and it was gone when i checked it the last time.

futurematt · 04/07/2010, 07:57 AM

The briefcase set up looks legit, however you can't get your hands around the LT controls.

The RAU 30 looks like a pretty portable set up too, you can stash the grey bin on the table and kick back for an LT lapdance - hands allowed.

One thing I've never got straight about the Super CR Rom2 ; even tho I own one, I haven't fired it up yet - do you still need a super system card in the PC Engine to play any CDROM game? If so what's the point of having system card 3.0 built in?

Thanks guys - BTW always fascinated by PCE hardware setups, hit me some photos on this thread if you got a moment (I know there's another thread for setups, so let's keep it LT focused. As soon as my LT gets into an interface, it will be up here!

Tatsujin · 04/07/2010, 08:44 AM

A1: noone plays the LT with the built-in controller

A2: no, the super CD-ROM is equal to the DUO generation, hence the name Super CD-ROM in it. and as you already stated yourself, there is a built-in system card 3.0, therefore and logically combined, there's no need for an extra system card, beside the arcade card DUO

awack · 04/07/2010, 12:31 PM

Here's another Super CD Rom2 + Pl-AD18+ LT pic.

Ive only seen the Pl-AD18 once on ebay, which if i remember correctly went for about $50.

futurematt · 04/08/2010, 07:49 AM

SICK!

futurematt · 04/15/2010, 04:53 AM

I've looked for an answer to the following on these forums, but there's not much on the connectivity of the LT!

I have taken charge of the RAU-30 (NIB

) and connected it up this morning to the LT; the LT PSU jack fits through the RAU-30 interface hole, so that's fine, and the SCDROM2 was plugged in. I didn't have a super system card in the LT but was using a standard CDROM2 game (download 2). Nothing happened, no busy light, nothing, blank screen on the LT. The RAU-30 interface appeared to fit snugly over the LT bus.

Does anyone have any ideas please? Many thanks. All of the components are working on their own.

Do I need a super system card in the LT for all games I wonder? (Have an arcade card on order). The CoreGrafx doesn't need a card to play first generation CDROM2 games.

NecroPhile · 04/15/2010, 09:42 AM

As the name implies, the SuperCDRom² add-on has the SuperCDRom² system card built-in, so no system card is required regardless of the system attached to it (except for Arcade games, obviously).

futurematt · 04/16/2010, 04:29 AM

OK my last posting on this thread (unless one day I stumble on the PI-AD18!!

)
Last night I finally got the LT hooked up with Super CD Rom2. It worked a treat! I never knew that the LT outputs CD sound through the headphone port! So you get PCE + CD sound mix! How cool is that!
Weird thing was, the SCDR2 didn't like the regulated 12V adaptor I bought for it, so I swapped with the cheapo unregulated one on the LT and it was fine. Must say the RAU-30 is a snug fit and does the unit's looks proud. Shame it takes up over 1m squared overall as a setup!
Anyway I posted up a video on my YT channel if anyone is interested. Mind you I got my facts totally wrong so it may be thoroughly offensive to the experts here!

futurematt · 09/05/2010, 02:37 AM

Quote from: futurematt on 04/16/2010, 04:29 AMOK my last posting on this thread (unless one day I stumble on the PI-AD18!! )
Last night I finally got the LT hooked up with Super CD Rom2. It worked a treat! I never knew that the LT outputs CD sound through the headphone port! So you get PCE + CD sound mix! How cool is that!
Weird thing was, the SCDR2 didn't like the regulated 12V adaptor I bought for it, so I swapped with the cheapo unregulated one on the LT and it was fine. Must say the RAU-30 is a snug fit and does the unit's looks proud. Shame it takes up over 1m squared overall as a setup!
Anyway I posted up a video on my YT channel if anyone is interested. Mind you I got my facts totally wrong so it may be thoroughly offensive to the experts here!

Hey guys, check out the Super CD ROM 2 mod if you're interested in seeing how to hookup an LT with the Super CD ROM2 without the need for an adaptor!

henrycsc · 09/05/2010, 11:39 AM

Cool thread! I didn't see it before.

I started my own thread of possible combinations as well. It covers several of the "unmodded" options of the SCD2.

I am trying to find pics as well of things that you can do, but aren't necessary - for instance, the SCD2 + RAU30 + SGX. Someone might want this setup because their shelf isnt long enough for the SCD2 + SGX by itself, and they have an RAU30 available. This would make for a wide system but not as deep.

Here is what I have found so far:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=8399.0
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?msg=144311

The widest setup that I have found so far is the IFU30 + RAU30 + SGX:
/sbriefcase.gif

A couple of you have posted pics in this thread that I would like to use. Be Expecting a PM.

imparanoic · 09/21/2010, 12:48 PM

would the LT + RAU30 + Super CDrom2 cost in the region of US$1200?, maybe even as much as US$1500? surely a duo + duo monitor is the best combi and possible half the price?

NecroPhile · 09/21/2010, 12:55 PM

Quote from: imparanoic on 09/21/2010, 12:48 PMwould the LT + RAU30 + Super CDrom2 cost in the region of US$1200?, maybe even as much as US$1500? surely a duo + duo monitor is the best combi and possible half the price?

Best combo in what way? In terms of playing games (the only thing that really matters if you're concerned about price), a Duo-R and a decent CRT can be had for $250 or less and would be far more fun than squinting at a tiny, low quality LCD.

imparanoic · 09/22/2010, 01:52 PM

Quote from: guest on 09/21/2010, 12:55 PM
Quote from: imparanoic on 09/21/2010, 12:48 PMwould the LT + RAU30 + Super CDrom2 cost in the region of US$1200?, maybe even as much as US$1500? surely a duo + duo monitor is the best combi and possible half the price?
Best combo in what way? In terms of playing games (the only thing that really matters if you're concerned about price), a Duo-R and a decent CRT can be had for $250 or less and would be far more fun than squinting at a tiny, low quality LCD.

i assume the best in exclusivity, yes, duo modded rgb output then feed via xrgb2/3 and crt is the best for visual (another question, how many people rgb and xrgb their pc engines), yes, lcd technology has advanced alot more since 1991, at the end of the day, pc engine owners are a rare breed nowaday, but a rare ver of pc engine does indeed standout from the crowd.

NecroPhile · 09/22/2010, 01:56 PM

If you mean exclusivity, then cost doesn't really enter into the equation at all.