PC Engine Power question

[Breetai]

Just wondering if anyone here would know this:

I already have a PCE Duo, but I'm thinking of getting a back-up system. Either a PCE w/CD-ROM2 & interface unit/system card, or a PCE w/Super CD-ROM2.

I'm aware that if you have the interface unit/CD-ROM2, you only need one AC power adapter to run everything. I'm assuming that's also the case with the Super CD-ROM2. Is that correct? Also, what's the AV output on the Super CD-ROM2? Is it just standard composite, or is it similar to the output on the Duo? Finally, is the original white PCE compatible with the Super CD-ROM2 (I assume it is!)?

I'm leaning more towards a Super CD-ROM2, mostly because it means I don't have to worry about system cards (I don't care about Arcade CDs, since having a Neo Geo makes them pretty redundant...) or looking around for a system interface unit.

Thanks for any help!


BTW, why are Mega CD systems so hard to find in Japan for me!?!

[Nico87]

Why not just get a Duo-R?

[Breetai]

Why not just get a Duo-R?I already have a Duo. The combo set of a PCE and an add-on is usually a fair bit cheaper than a Duo-R (PCE, Core I/II is $20-40, Super CD is $40-100). Plus, I just feel like having a combo system. I like the Super CD for some reason. Then again, if I find a cheap Duo-R (like $50 or less), I'll pick that up too.

I guess not many people on here have a Super CD-Rom2 system. I was just wondering if it only needed one AC adapter like the briefcase system, and if it used the same AV cable as the Duo (does the AV hook into the CD system or the PCE system).

[Breetai]

I'll answer my own post, in case anyone else ever wonders about this:


I'm aware that if you have the interface unit/CD-ROM2, you only need one AC power adapter to run everything. I'm assuming that's also the case with the Super CD-ROM2. Is that correct?Correct. It's a 12V adapter, instead of the 9V PCE/Core system adapter. The briefcase unit (interface/CD-ROM2) also uses a 12V adapter.


Also, what's the AV output on the Super CD-ROM2? Is it just standard composite, or is it similar to the output on the Duo? It's the very same as the Duo, which is also the same as the AV on the Mega Drive/Genesis (although the MD is only mono sound, while the PCE/Duo AV is stereo). Fairly common.


Finally, is the original white PCE compatible with the Super CD-ROM2 (I assume it is!)?Yes, it is. The original white PCE, Core Graphx, Core Graphx II and Super Graphx are all compatible with the Super CD-ROM2 without using any adapters. Just plug and play.


For the record, my Super CD-ROM2 was 7000yen and my PCE (both white and Core I) were 1000yen.

[smork]

BTW, why are Mega CD systems so hard to find in Japan for me!?!

I pretty much NEVER see Mega CD systems. No idea why.

[Breetai]

I pretty much NEVER see Mega CD systems. No idea why.Aside from Akihabara, where even then they don't always pop up (I did get my Mega-CD 1 from there), I found a MD2/M-CD2 boxed set at the Hard-Off in Kawagoe. 7000yen if you want it!

[JapanesePeso]

I pretty much NEVER see Mega CD systems. No idea why.

Yeah I don't see them much either. Probably because they didn't sell very well if I recall correctly.

[awbacon]

Yeah...same case w/ Super CD Rom-2. One power adapter. Unfortunately my super cd-rom2 is flaking out badly right now, so its not plugged in

[robotriot]

I've got a problem with my IFU PC Engine and I'm thinking it might be related to the AC adapter I'm using. Some CD-ROM games don't work at all, others crash at certain times or seem to be missing sprites. What kind of adapter do I need exactly? I had a 9V universal AC adapter connected to it (since it says 9V on the side of the IFU), but maybe its output is too low.

[gokugohandave]

Actually you guys wanna know something cool? Even though the adapter says 9, put a multimeter on it and youll get 15.4, even with a load. Ive heard of this somewhere else but cant find it. I thought the supercdrom2 needed a ram rau adapter or something to interface with the supergrafx?

[Breetai]

Actually you guys wanna know something cool? Even though the adapter says 9, put a multimeter on it and youll get 15.4, even with a load. Ive heard of this somewhere else but cant find it. I thought the supercdrom2 needed a ram rau adapter or something to interface with the supergrafx?Have you confused the Super CD-ROM2 with the CD-ROM2?

[gokugohandave]

I only have the briefcase unit, the orginal pce with the cdrom2, that ive spent alot of time fixing. The nec adapter that it came with says 9v but outputs 15.4 even at the 7805 with it turned on. The model number is AD-IF30A. I dont know which part you thought I confused, I only remember reading and seeing some ram adapters for the supergrafx or something else. Ahh it seems it was for the supergrafx/cdrom2, not the supercdrom. http://cgi.ebay.com/ROM2-Adaptor-RAU-30-for-PC-Engine-Super-Grafx-JP_W0QQitemZ190360192345QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item2c525a0559

[megamindx4]

I only have the briefcase unit, the orginal pce with the cdrom2, that ive spent alot of time fixing. The nec adapter that it came with says 9v but outputs 15.4 even at the 7805 with it turned on. The model number is AD-IF30A. I dont know which part you thought I confused, I only remember reading and seeing some ram adapters for the supergrafx or something else. Ahh it seems it was for the supergrafx/cdrom2, not the supercdrom. http://cgi.ebay.com/ROM2-Adaptor-RAU-30-for-PC-Engine-Super-Grafx-JP_W0QQitemZ190360192345QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item2c525a0559
The RAU-30 will work with a PCE or Core I/II unit also. I have some of these, if someone is interested.

For those interested, the black TG CD unit will fit into the briefcase unit, too. Not that the TG CD unit is that much easier to find......