My modified av famicom a.k.a. the best nes money can buy

[Drakon]

There's many advantages to the AV famicom. The AV famicom is the only known model of the nes that doesn't have video interference when you modify it to use a rgb ppu chip. Also the av famicom is a top loader meaning that games will always work on it. The av famicom has controller ports for standard nes controllers and it's small and looks nice. Here's what I did to my av famicom:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/avfamicomversion2pcbbottomwiring.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/avfamicomversion2pcbtopwiring.jpg

Here's how the system looks when everything's been put back together:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/complete15.jpg

As you can see, this av famicom has been modified almost as much as humanly possible. Here's the features of it:

This av famicom outputs true rgb, s-video, and composite video from the multi av port at the back. This multi av port is the same video port as you find on a snes, my system is wired the same way as the snes so all you need to do is buy snes rgb/s-video/composite video cables to get the video signals out to your tv. Here's some comparison screenshots between the s-video on my av famicom vs the composite video from a standard non-modified nes:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/screenshots%202/composite/mmwoodcomp.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/screenshots%202/s-video/mmwoods-vid.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/screenshots%202/composite/mmquickcomp.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/screenshots%202/s-video/mmquicks-vid.jpg

That takes care of the eye candy. My av famicom also features a very nice custom audio circuit. This audio circuit increases the bass, and it also does a better job mixing in all the audio than the default circuit on the famicom/nes. This audio circuit also does psuedo stereo sound seperation. And this audio circuit fully supports famicom games that use advanced audio chips. Here's a youtube video I made showing the difference in audio before/after I applied the audio mod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLGo_P-MNG4&feature=player_embedded

The last mod I did to the av famicom system itself was I swapped out a chip with another chip that makes the system compatible with the nintendo powerpak compact flash cartridge. Here's screenshots showing that happens to the video before and after you replace the chip:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/powerpak%20chip%20swap/withoutmodtitle.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/powerpak%20chip%20swap/withmodtitle.jpg

And since the powerpak outputs extended audio found in certain games and the famicom disk system I modified my nes to famicom adapter to mix that advanced audio into the system audio circuit:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/nes%20to%20famicom/audiocleaner.jpg

If you're looking for any more information regarding my work it's easiest to contact me through my small forum here:

http://consolemods.freeforums.org/index.php

I hope you people enjoy my work

[ooXxXoo]

I've been selling similar RGB modded FC's and NES Top Loaders for quite a while, congratulations in finally getting it to workt properly :) ...

Personally, I build the amplifier boards myself rather than buying them pre-made, but I'm sure these boards save a lot of time...

I'm guessing you got it from here since yours exactly the same:

http://homepage3.nifty.com/F-LABO/ProductsList.html

How much are they by the way?...

[theclaw]

I've been selling similar RGB modded FC's and NES Top Loaders for quite a while, congratulations in finally getting it to workt properly :) ...

Personally, I build the amplifier boards myself rather than buying them pre-made, but I'm sure these boards save a lot of time...

I'm guessing you got it from here since yours exactly the same:

http://homepage3.nifty.com/F-LABO/ProductsList.html

How much are they by the way?...

You have more of the RGB chips back in stock? I just figured you'd ran out for good some time ago, didn't think to ask.

[ooXxXoo]

At the moment I only have two that I'm saving for a rainy day :) ...

[Drakon]

I just sold my last spare rgb chip to client #4


I've been selling similar RGB modded FC's and NES Top Loaders for quite a while, congratulations in finally getting it to workt properly :) ...

Personally, I build the amplifier boards myself rather than buying them pre-made, but I'm sure these boards save a lot of time...

I'm guessing you got it from here since yours exactly the same:

http://homepage3.nifty.com/F-LABO/ProductsList.html

How much are they by the way?...

like I said on sega 16 since I use a proxy company the kit with the audio stuff is 140$ shipped, without is 110$ shipped. I'd also really like to know if you managed to get the rgb nes 2 jailbar free. And also I'd like to know why you removed a bunch of components from the nes 2 pcb.

[theclaw]

Not a problem. I'll remain vigilant and wait. By poking around the web either of you or somebody is bound to sometime happen upon more of these chips. :)

[alec006]

Man that would be amazing to have an A/V Famicom and have it in RGB, very nice work indeed.

[Drakon]

Man that would be amazing to have an A/V Famicom and have it in RGB, very nice work indeed.

thanks a lot!

[Drakon]

I made a video comparing the video and audio quality difference between the a regular nes and one of my upgraded av famicoms. When I uploaded the vid to youtube the quality wasn't that great so here's the link to download the video from megaupload:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IBWBZCBX

[Belmont008]

Pretty sweet. Say, what's the difference between the FC and an NES 2?

I have an NES 2 that was modded for composite out, true stereo w/ a mixing knob, and overclock. Plus I got a red led put into the power switch.

[theclaw]

I doubt I'd spend more than about $200 for the PPU, and that'd be a very last resort. Any higher I may as well find a cab to sacrifice.

[Drakon]

Pretty sweet. Say, what's the difference between the FC and an NES 2?

I have an NES 2 that was modded for composite out, true stereo w/ a mixing knob, and overclock. Plus I got a red led put into the power switch.

The av famicom has a redesigned pcb where the video jailbars are greatly reduced. The only versions of the nes 2 that came with this redesigned pcb were the ones people sent back to nintendo complaining about the video jailbars. The jailbars become about 10x more obvious once you install the rgb ppu because suddenly everything is much clearer. Sadly even the av famicom isn't completely jailbar free but it's a huge improvement over the nes 1, 2, and original famicom pcb design. Also for audio modding the av famicom is the better system. The av famicom already has the circuit built in for mixing audio from famicom cartridges that have advanced audio chips. Therefore to get extended audio from a powerpak you just need to do a simple mod to your nes to famicom adapter. However in the nes 2 cartridge slot there's no pin connection for the pin that the powerpak outputs extended audio on. By the way belmont there's no such thing as "true stereo" on any model of the nes and famicom. Also the stereo sound mod that you have installed probably won't sound right with famicom games that have advanced audio (or powerpak extended audio). The audio mod I install is much more complicated than the nes stereo mod.

[theclaw]

Letting you guys know I decided to buy that av famicom. (Following the powerpak I'd mentioned earlier.) I figure nes control ports are more useful than an fds drive.

Oh and whoever ends up performing my rgb mod, be mindful of your real skill level when quoting me. The higher price the better a/v quality I'll expect. No cheaping out. :)

[Belmont008]

The av famicom has a redesigned pcb where the video jailbars are greatly reduced. The only versions of the nes 2 that came with this redesigned pcb were the ones people sent back to nintendo complaining about the video jailbars. The jailbars become about 10x more obvious once you install the rgb ppu because suddenly everything is much clearer. Sadly even the av famicom isn't completely jailbar free but it's a huge improvement over the nes 1, 2, and original famicom pcb design. Also for audio modding the av famicom is the better system. The av famicom already has the circuit built in for mixing audio from famicom cartridges that have advanced audio chips. Therefore to get extended audio from a powerpak you just need to do a simple mod to your nes to famicom adapter. However in the nes 2 cartridge slot there's no pin connection for the pin that the powerpak outputs extended audio on. By the way belmont there's no such thing as "true stereo" on any model of the nes and famicom. Also the stereo sound mod that you have installed probably won't sound right with famicom games that have advanced audio (or powerpak extended audio). The audio mod I install is much more complicated than the nes stereo mod.

The guy that modded my NES 2 completely fixed the "jailbar" problem you speak of, if by jail bars you mean bars of lighter and darker color moving slowly along the screen. He said that it was some issue with the r/f module in the unit not getting proper shielding and just removed the component completely. Yes I know about the FC having more advanced sound capabilities, one of the major differences (besides nude statues and crosses) between the US and Japanese version of castlevania 3. As I understand it you are right, US Nintendo’s don't have that extended audio and do not have those special chips in them but the motherboards are apparently built with the capability of 2 channel sound output but like you said there's no pin for the connection, which is why it was modified

"I also do the true stereo mod. The NES and NES2 have the same chip for audio out and that chip has two audio output channels and thats what the mod exploits, it doesn't sound right on every game, but the mod allows you to mix it all the way back to dual mono for games that dont work. Turn the knob all the way one way for full stereo and all the way the other for full mono and in-between to your preference. Its supposed to be great for Zelda and many others, i'm trying to find a list of what works and doesn't."

Now it's true that you could take this to mean that it's simply dual mono, but I can tell you from personal experience, sounds coming from action on one side of the screen do not come out of my speakers on the other side (though the music does). Agreed, my NES 2 probably won't sound right at all with Famicom games, I've never tried them, and obviously they lack the previously specified hardware. Just playing devil's advocate, I can't see how you can say your mod is more complicated when you don't even really know the work that went into mine ( and I don't really either I just know stereo when I hear it). Your Famicom and skills are no doubt very impressive, I think that what you have accomplished with your system is quite awesome to say the least. I certainly wish I had your talents. I just wanted to defend my console a little and congratulate you on yours. I don't play very many Japanese games (though it would be cool to get a hold of castlevania 3) so the lack of extended audio doesn't bother me that much.

[Drakon]

The guy that modded my NES 2 completely fixed the "jailbar" problem you speak of, if by jail bars you mean bars of lighter and darker color moving slowly along the screen. He said that it was some issue with the r/f module in the unit not getting proper shielding and just removed the component completely. Yes I know about the FC having more advanced sound capabilities, one of the major differences (besides nude statues and crosses) between the US and Japanese version of castlevania 3. As I understand it you are right, US Nintendo’s don't have that extended audio and do not have those special chips in them but the motherboards are apparently built with the capability of 2 channel sound output but like you said there's no pin for the connection, which is why it was modified

"I also do the true stereo mod. The NES and NES2 have the same chip for audio out and that chip has two audio output channels and thats what the mod exploits, it doesn't sound right on every game, but the mod allows you to mix it all the way back to dual mono for games that dont work. Turn the knob all the way one way for full stereo and all the way the other for full mono and in-between to your preference. Its supposed to be great for Zelda and many others, i'm trying to find a list of what works and doesn't."

Now it's true that you could take this to mean that it's simply dual mono, but I can tell you from personal experience, sounds coming from action on one side of the screen do not come out of my speakers on the other side (though the music does). Agreed, my NES 2 probably won't sound right at all with Famicom games, I've never tried them, and obviously they lack the previously specified hardware. Just playing devil's advocate, I can't see how you can say your mod is more complicated when you don't even really know the work that went into mine ( and I don't really either I just know stereo when I hear it). Your Famicom and skills are no doubt very impressive, I think that what you have accomplished with your system is quite awesome to say the least. I certainly wish I had your talents. I just wanted to defend my console a little and congratulate you on yours. I don't play very many Japanese games (though it would be cool to get a hold of castlevania 3) so the lack of extended audio doesn't bother me that much.

fixing the jailbars on a blurry composite image is much easier than fixing jailbars on a crystal clear rgb/s-video image. Once you install a rgb ppu into your system it becomes more obvious when jailbars are present.

I never said your console isn't any good. I just said compared to the audio mods I found on the internet this one is much better. I'm assuming whatever mod you got done hasn't been published for people to see and try for themselves.

Also I made a fun comparison video between a regular av famicom with no mods and one of my upgraded systems:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v7e-bjB13s&feature=channel_video_title

[Drakon]

*bump* the first batch of commission systems have arrived at my clients places. Here's how the system looks on a flat screen tv.

through a xrgb3:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/withxrgb.jpg

straight into the tv

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/TheDrakon/av%20famicom%20model%202/withoutxrgb.jpg

[Drakon]

Here's a video of a bunch of classic games being played on a powerpak on the highly upgraded system

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjUvNU0qRSA&feature=channel_video_title

[jupitersj]

Blaster Master sounds badass on that modded system