Treamcast woes

[mezrabad]

Anyone get a Treamcast?

My in-laws were going to be in Hong Kong and I gave them a link to LikSang's web site and said: "hey, if you see one of these, please pick it up for me. Don't pay more than what they want for it. It will save me about 42 shipping"

So, while in Hong Kong, my well-intentioned MomandPopinlaw went directly to Lik Sang headquarters and plunked down a bunch of HK dollars for a Treamcast. My Dad-inlaw said that they hooked it up and tested it for them right in front of them and it worked beautifully.

(Not looking a gift horse inthe mouth, but seriously I had expected them to find it in a little HK store and get it for way cheaper than LikSang wants for it. I soo wish they Hadn't gone to liksang HQ)

I get it, three months later: (they live in Florida, I, in Texas) the AC adaptor doesn't work and the screen looks awful, like it needs contrast brightness adjustments that just aren't on the thing.

Anyone else have these problems? I'm pretty sure I can just pick up an AC adaptor that will work at R.Shack but I'm at a loss on how to adjust the LCD settings. I'm still waiting to hear back from LikSang.

Other than those problems, which kinda prevent joyful use of the thing, this is a sweet looking machine, nice carrying case, etc. Very happy to have it, just wish it would work outside of my vehicle.

[mezrabad]

Well, here's a problem.

I went over to the "Shack" today to pick up an ac adaptor and got a shock.

Firstly, I had no idea these things could run me $40!!! I'll go look at Fry's for something cheaper, but I'm still sticker shocked from my R.Shack experience.

Secondly, do they even have/make AC to DC 12 V 2.8 Amp adaptors in the US?

Lik-Sang answered my first email but didn't say much. They suggested the brightness adjuster was on the sides of the screen (it isn't, maybe it differs in the 4:3 screen version, this is the 16:9 screen version).

It is beginning to look like the $40 I "saved" by having someone pick a Treamcast up for me in Hong Kong is going to be eaten up by buying a replacement AC adaptor, assuming I can find one that can handle the amperage.

[icbrkr]

I'm thinking that it's possible that your dim screen can be directly related to a low amperage power supply - if it can't supply enough current, is it possible the screen will be dim? Just a thought.

[kedawa]

Most older laptop adaptors are 12v and can handle a few amps.
I'd suggest checking thrift shops and used PC shops for one.

[Pedro Lambrini]

Regarding the screen: I don't know if there is a difference in picture quality between the 16:9 version and the 4:3 one but I presume not. I have the old one and I can testify that the picture quality is pretty bad! It's more a novelty than anything else...the way I look at it is that I've got a fairly unusual looking region-free DC in a nice carrycase. As far as the PSU goes, I wish you all the luck finding a cheap one - maybe a local electronics/repair shop could rig you one?

[mezrabad]

These are good ideas. I'll hit an electronics repair shop. I don't need no stinkin' Radio Shack!

As for the screen . . . I was afraid its quality would be inherently lacking. I'm still hoping to use it as a VCD player for long drives to the grandparent's house (over the river, through the woods and past six states) now I just need the opportunity.

[heyricochet]

I'll second the fact that the original Treamcast has a HORRIBLE screen. it has zero viewing angle, and the worst contrast of any LCD I've ever seen. Although it was cool playing CVS 2 in my car.

[Goblin]

These are good ideas. I'll hit an electronics repair shop. I don't need no stinkin' Radio Shack!

I would never pay RS prices for adapters. I've got a large box of them, anytime something breaks or gets replaced I make sure to save the power supplies. Then when I need one for something chances are I already have one.

[Pedro Lambrini]

...I'm still hoping to use it as a VCD player for long drives to the grandparent's house (over the river, through the woods and past six states) now I just need the opportunity.

As long as you let someone else drive! :P