Zez Retro
S-Video & Composite adapter for the MiSTer: Quick Review
updated
High voltages can build up underneath the anode cap and you need to ensure you discharge the tube in a safe way before you work on it.
In this clip, Steve from @RetroTechUSA is discharging a tube live on stream and we see it spark not once but twice! In fact, this tube sparked 4 times before the charge was eventually drained.
If you would like more information about how to safely discharge a CRT tube, please watch this classic video from Steve. In fact, this is the video which taught me how to build a discharge tool before he and I had even met. He really is the master of CRT repair.
youtube.com/watch?v=JeX5Y7Amk0o
This store is about an hour outside of Osaka and the manager of this store is clearly a connoisseur of the console and its variants. The first edition maroon box, Twin Famicom in red & black and AV Famicom, they are all here including a fantastic selection of FDS games, some of which have clearly come from a Famicom Disk System disk writer kiosk.
Every single FDS console needs repairs to the disk drive as the rubber belts degrade over time. Buying one from a trusted seller is important to ensure your console has been professionally serviced. The prices in this store are quite reasonable and you know the unit has been looked after.
Find this store on the map: maps.app.goo.gl/LZn8Q4AKeQRgLrHv6
This video footage was originally shot in January 2023. Voice over recorded in April 2024.
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Thumbnail by Mason Conrad:
mconradmedia.com
twitter.com/MasNConrad
Catch The Cathode Ray Podcast boys on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
In this video I give you a quick tour of the shipping container sized room and the treasure it holds.
Background music by "The British IBM"
Tracks taken from the instrumental version of their self titled album
thebritishibm.com
Feeling
Cannibal
Animal
Open Your Eyes
Thumbnail by Mason Conrad:
mconradmedia.com
twitter.com/MasNConrad
Catch The Cathode Ray Podcast boys on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Steve's CRT bunker is a shrine to video games, retro culture and Americana. Here is my uncensored tour of every corner of this hallowed ground.
Background music taken from youtube.com/watch?v=KuydP6su4Fg
Thank you for the recording Artemio
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Before this trip we had never met in person and it was a great time staying with Steve and his family.
This is our first IN PERSON podcast, recorded on my last night.
* A recap of the visit
* Louis' thoughts on America
* Why it's hard to find an INEXPENSIVE device to downscale to 480i/240p
* Something something about why Lego fans are the super nerds
youtube.com/watch?v=1gKgDoxeqBg
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Instead I received a busted up PS3 super slim and a block from the seller.
This is my story.
Clip taken from Steve's RetroTech USA stream: youtube.com/live/ctU_47nOWwk
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
In this episode I speak to developer Danhans42 who was the programmer of the PSIO homebrew custom menu "Litemenu" which was never released after legal action from the PSIO maker.
PSIO is a plug in dongle for the original grey Playstation 1 which allows you to run games from an SD card. While it was one of the first "Optical Drive Emulator" type mods for PS1, it has experienced a difficult history with a slow pace of updates and negative online behaviour from the creator
After feeling frustrated with the lack of updates, Dan used public information and his own debugging of the PSIO to develop his own menu which was faster and had more features.
Dan offered to give this code to the creator without publicly releasing it, however after a deadline had passed, the offer was not taken up and Dan was on the end of legal threats. While Dan and the community in general were quite confident that these legal threats were baseless, Dan decided to fold the project and not release the code.
There is also MUCH MORE to the story. In this episode we learn a little about Dan's background and how he came into PS1 coding as a young person, hacking up his own Net Yaroze style PS1 dev console. We then jump forward to how he obtained a PSIO clone, what led to his frustration with the development and how we went about coding his own menu.
Dan is quite open in this talk about the part he played and steps along the way he could have handled better.
We try and answer the most controversial points about PSIO and Litemenu
* Does Litemenu enable PSIO piracy?
* Does Litemenu include any PSIO code?
Follow Dan
Blog http://psx0.wordpress.com
Github http://www.github.com/danhans42
PSX.dev Discord - http://psx.dev/
0:00:00 - Start
0:04:11 - Typing in code from the user manual back in the day
0:11:08 - Using Net Yaroze for PlayStation Programming
0:12:05 - Net Yaroze SDK and PlayStation Boot Disk
0:18:12 - Dan wanted to make a a Chuckie Egg-Inspired PlayStation Game
0:21:49 - Discussion on the PSIO and Clones
0:34:32 - Which chips are inside the PSIO? How did Dan create the menu?
0:39:32 - Could I make any ISO the menu.sys??
0:43:08 - Discovering PlayStation CD Commands via the PSIO debug out
0:56:51 - Does Litemenu infringe on any copyright??
1:04:33 - Technical discussion on PlayStation coding
1:16:28 - Online Drama and PSIO Development
1:25:32 - Litemenu adds Game List Retrieval and faster loading
1:31:44 - Exploring Future PlayStation Hacking Opportunities
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Listen in as we kick off with an exploration of Steve's tech tinkering, where he restores a Sony CRT and adds an S-video mod. He discusses how the S video connector was run from three lines on the board and how the chroma and luma inputs were tapped. In another segment, we take a look at the RF device created by PorkChop Express from MisterAddons, comparing RF and Composite Video Signals and how similar they really are.
Shifting gears, the boys talk about health and fitness as a middle aged content creator. Steve opens up about his effort over the past six months and shares some of his secrets for staying consistent with his fitness routine. We explore the power of positive thinking, and Steve gives us a personal perspective on overcoming struggles and changing perspectives after his brother's visit in June.
Lastly, we share some insights into the world of YouTube content creation and the challenges that come with it. From finding the right balance between work and rest, to dealing with the constant pressure of success, we discuss how maintaining focus and motivation can be achieved. Plus, we do question time at the end with a detailed discussion about the challenges of remaking CRT Tubes and what an ideal BVM setup would look like.
(0:00:02) - Start
(0:00:02) - Sony CRT mod for S-Video
(0:08:51) - RF vs Composite Video Signals - Quality Difference?
(0:22:48) - Steve has been working out!
(0:31:22) - You need the RetroUSA mindset!
(0:43:03) - So many projects to do and not enough time
(0:47:33) - Mental health for content creators on YouTube
(0:59:47) - Listener Question: Why can't we remake CRT tubes?
(1:06:42) - Listener Question: What's in your prefect PVM?
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
We also talk more about the Chinese CRTs and the individual parts and circuit boards which you can buy on AliExpress. The overall feeling is that these are still low quality parts and any set you can find locally will be better. I think the point with these parts is the long game. Right now the balance of quality of these parts vs availability of sets is still in favor of getting another set. However I think over the next few years this balance might shift as sets become impossible to find. If the Chinese products can improve in quality this will also help push the balance too.
(0:00:00) Start
(0:01:00) Steve's CRT workout plan!
(0:06:44) First thoughts on the MARS FPGA platform
(0:19:42) Thoughts on the new Chinese CRT parts - are they useful?
(0:28:49) Steve explains what the yoke does in a CRT
(0:39:48) Louis wants to build a low power NAS
(0:54:49) Steve is getting in trouble in his college town
(1:03:47) The time Steve had to repel down a building in college
(1:10:54) Louis' dad enjoyed shooting guns in Eastern Europe
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Ok fine, but lets talk about it anyway:
* That BANGING Bang & Olufsen CRT Steve has been working on from 1989
* Update on the Chinese CRTs (we found someone buying them!)
* Should Louis buy a 100hz Widescreen Trinitron which only has SCART inputs?
* Hilarious PSIO drama
* Our thoughts on the release of the Morph switch from Pixel FX.
(0:00:00) - Start
(0:01:30) - Steve is loving the Bourbon and Yoga
(0:03:30) - Steve's Birthday and Retro World Expo
(0:11:33) - B&O MX 5000 CRT TV
(0:19:07) - B&O TV Quality and how it connects to other B&O home theater gear
(0:32:50) - PSIO and upcoming "Scaler Wars"
(0:41:58) - Morph & Tink 4K: Long term support is what counts
(0:53:35) - Retrocastle update on the Chinese CRTs
(1:02:09) - How are they matching the old tubes to the electronics??
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
We both like the product, the PixelFX team have a very strong track record in our community and we respect the work.
That sketch tho.
Watch it here: youtu.be/GWmyPw6gh4U
(0:00:00) - Start
(0:06:00) - Lets talk about the product
(0:13:00) - Pixel FX's Upgrade and Business Model
(0:36:00) - Ok, let's talk about the sketch
(0:40:03) - Are they mocking Digital Foundry?
(0:55:00) - Louis and Steve finally work out the Digital Infidelity joke
(1:02:19) - Are marketing stunts worth it?
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Steve and Louis get back together after a long break. The guys discuss Steve's recent PVM repair work and how frustrating it can be to work with electronics where the smallest thing can cause you days of frustration.
The episode gets into these "new" CRTs which have been listed for sale on Alibaba (the wholesale version of AliExpress). How are they making new CRTs?? Who's making the tubes?? The guys have some answers.
PLUS they stir up a lively debate on the Dr. Wham controversy and why it is not a knockoff of Dr. Pepper. Understand the complex history of soft drink brands, the interpretation of light beer in different countries, and the impact of wildfires in Canada on air quality in Virginia, far across the map. Once the Chinese CRT discussion is done, it's classic Steve & Louis talk.
(0:00:00) - Steve has been buying and restoring CRTs
(0:06:18) - What happens when you use the wrong capacitor in a PVM repair?
(0:18:40) - New CRTs From China??
(0:22:13) - What's up with AliExpress and AliBaba
(0:46:33) - Just what is an "arborist" anyway?
(0:58:14) - Louis was in a Finnish Sitcom
(1:01:01) - Steve LOVES the Dr Wham
(1:08:32) - Exploring the origins of Dr Pepper
(1:22:56) - Light Beer's Meaning in Different Countries
Here are some of the AliBaba CRT listings
alibaba.com/product-detail/14-CRT-XFLAT-New-14-crt_1600823047480.html
alibaba.com/product-detail/21-CRT-XFLAT-New-21-inch_1600353483326.html
alibaba.com/product-detail/21-R2-MK2S-New-21-inch_1600383086583.html
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
We did some technical work too. Steve is looking at his clear prison CRT and wondering if it needs the same reactive RGB mode which Shank put into a portable Wii. He has a client supplied Sony Trinitron FW900 to work on and we talk about the elusive "WinDAS" software which allows you to connect to the CRT and access hidden setup features. I built 2 USB controller adapters, a simple SNES to USB using a PCB from Robert Dale Smith and a Famicom to USB so I can play use those classic Famicom sticks I have.
We also have a CRT buying discussion: A widescreen Sony Trinitron CRT has come up in my area for 25 bucks.... but it only does 15khz. Worth the pickup? (if you can pickup such a heavy thing)
0:01:06 - Modding a Prison TV
0:05:52 - Steve is working on a FW900 and learning WinDAS
0:09:03 - Louis constructed 2 retro controller adapters
0:13:12 - Robert Dale Smith is doing adding retro support to GP2020-CE
0:20:31 - Steve does the Daddy Dance!
0:23:25 - Please pressure Steve into showing the footage
0:29:21 - CRT buying discussion: Widescreen 15khz Trinitron
0:42:38 - Louis tells the stories of his new outdoor leadership training
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
* Looking back at our childhoods when we first played the TMNT arcade game
* What to look for when repairing a Sony VGA CRT monitor
* Louis' adventures game hunting in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities
* Will Steve do a Hip Hop dance number soon?? WE NEED VIDEO!
(0:00:00) - Start
(0:00:04) - Looking back at TMNT in the arcades
(0:08:44) - Troubleshooting Trinitron Monitors and WINDAS Software
(0:21:10) - Convergence and CRTs
(0:26:45) - Toshiba TV Coil Dangers - Why is it most dangerous??
(0:46:47) - Amsterdam Adventures and Game Hunting
(1:00:32) - Looking dodgy when you are trading in some old stuff
(1:14:22) - Hip Hop Steve?
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Follow Scarlet Sprites
YouTube: youtube.com/c/scarletsprites
Twitter: twitter.com/ScarletSprites
(0:00:00) - Start
(0:08:27) - What we move about Arcade games
(0:13:15) - DIY Home Renovations
(0:16:48) - The Existential Crisis of Arcade Collecting
(0:24:13) - Benefits of MiSTer System in a cab
(0:31:15) - Rebuilding a Beastorizer Cabinet
(0:38:59) - Rebuilding an Arcade Machine
(0:45:46) - What Makes Something Original?
(0:53:54) - Playing Arcade Games
(1:06:45) - Steamboat willy is in the public domain but you know Disney won't let it go
(1:15:00) - American Sports and Online Streaming
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
0:00 Start
0:30 Thank you to everyone for joining us for 50 episodes
5:07 What was our first episode? The first Zezcast was a prologue?
7:00 What has changed in 50 episodes?
13:30 Perspective from Louis' acquaintance with ~1.6m subs
25:00 Steve's thoughts on running a VERY niche YouTube channel
33:00 Looking back at Steve's unwitting viral health update videos - poking the tiger of attention
36:00 How our discussion and interview style has changed
53:00 Louis' work giving leadership training
1:02:00 Why don't Steve's kids like junk food??
1:05:00 What Steve learnt from Ray Kroc
1:09:00 Louis tells us the story of how Pepsi came to the Soviet Union
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his Patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
You can find his controller adapter products at the adptly named
controlleradapter.com
He currently has a preorder on the USB-2-PCE. Use (almost) any USB controller on a real PC Engine.
controlleradapter.com/products/usb-2-pce
Twitter: twitter.com/RobertDaleSmith
** Episode timecodes coming soon **
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Konrad explains both projects to us in good technical detail. I do my best to keep up with such clever talk.
0:00 Start
2:00 Konrad's background
5:00 Why the Raspberry Pi Pico is excellent for embedded hcking
9:55 Using the Pico vs the raw RP2040 chip
14:30 The 2 versions of the PicoCart64: Easy and complex
20:00 Konrad's view on open source
22:00 When to announce an open source project?
24:00 Konrad's first computer
31:00 Sweden was rocking home internet in '95
35:00 Pico N64 digital HDMI mod
43:00 Konrad explains how 7-bit RGB works
51:00 HDMI via the Pico now has a real HDMI port
55:00 Is a external scaler the future of HDMI projects?
1:01:15 Do we need a generic N64 flex cable for other hackers?
PicoCart64 Github: github.com/kbeckmann/PicoCart64
N64 digital video mod work: github.com/kbeckmann/PicoDVI
Konrad's Discord: discord.gg/B8n57fGd
Twitter: twitter.com/kbeckmann
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
We talk about the future of digital HDMI-like mods and what we did in the last week.
0:00 Start
1:00 Reflecting back on the last episode with John Linnemann
6:00 PicoCart64 discussion with Konrad Beckmann
14:00 Are cheap HDMI mods the future?
19:55 Steve's trip to Florida
29:55 Everyone in the Florida condo is a bananas
34:00 70 year old New York man does not take any sh*t in Florida condo
45:00 Louis' story about Ukrainians arguing at a comedy show
55:00 In Estonia you can go meet the "founding fathers"
1:00:00 Steve & Louis ramble for the rest of the episode
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
A few weeks ago John posted a picture of his project to apply tinting (like a car window) to the screen of his BVM to reduce glare. John tells us the story behind this mission and we find out this latest successful effort has only come after years of trial and error.
We also talk about issues involving European CRTs: just what is an 100hz CRT anyway and how living in the East or West back in the day very much determined what TV you were watching.
********
I apologize for the bad video of John. Our filming app Riverside screwed up his footage and it was out of sync. Thankfully they do have a low res backup version which was in sync. The audio is solid, I used Adobe's beta tool to enhance vocals and it has worked VERY well
podcast.adobe.com/enhance
********
0:00 Start
1:30 John's journey to get into CRTs - did he ever leave?
10:01 Applying tint to a BVM
24:55 Visiting the German CRT wizard for maintenance
29:30 CRTs back in the day in West Germany vs East Germany
38:30 John explains what 100hz sets in Europe
47:00 What is scan velocity modulation (SVM) in a CRT?
57:00 Whats that PCMCIA looking card slot on some BVMs?
1:00:30 John explains his process for recording a CRT screen
Follow John on Twitter: twitter.com/dark1x
Follow his work on Digital Foundry: youtu.be/bEw2szyHZNQ
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
In this video I talk with Lu from Lu's Retro Source and I have a long form discussion about the framework and explain the ins and outs. Lu is also producing his own short, sharp, only-the-facts video coming very soon if you need to understand quickly.
Topics include
* Background on the S-Video MiSTer project
* Do you NEED an adapter at all?
* Explanation of the new vga_mode setting in the mister.ini
* Difference between Active and Passive YC adapters
* Whats up with PAL / NTSC?
* Vendors selling adapters (full list below)
Follow Lu's weekly MiSTer updates on his channel: youtube.com/@LusRetroSource
Lu on Twitter: twitter.com/lu_source
Note: In this video and text we use the terms "YC" and "S-Video" interchangeably.
Also note: This S-Video topic is VERY new. If we got something wrong or could explain a topic better, please let us know in the comments
0:00 Start
2:30 Summary of the S-Video & Composite updates to MiSTer
3:30 Background of the YC project by Mike Simone
8:00 Getting good YC without any adapter is possible
10:30 Explanation of the new video framework and the vga_mode=svideo ini setting
18:30 What about cores/systems which never originally output 15khz?
21:40 vga_mode=cvbs is a beta of composite output without needing an adapter
23:00 Buy an adapter or make your own with cables?
25:30 Active and Passive YC adapters, what is the difference?
31:00 Neither of us have done testing on direct video yet
33:00 Why do some adapters have a PAL / NTSC switch?
41:00 Why are vendors selling their own slightly different versions of the adapter?
44:00 Just how good is the YC & composite? Pretty f**ken good!
50:00 Overview of YC adapter vendors
Vendor list
(that we know of, pls contact me if you find another)
Antonio Villena
Active YC Adapter
antoniovillena.es/store/product/mikes1-vga-composite-adapter
Direct Video switch: No
PAL / NTSC switch: Yes
USB-C power: No (draws power only from 5v on pin 9)
Location: EU
Mister Addons
Active YC Adapter - $35
misteraddons.com/collections/parts/products/yc-active-encoder-board
Direct Video switch: Yes
PAL / NTSC switch: No
USB-C power option: Yes
Location: US
Ultimate Mister
Passive YC Adapter - 16,90€
ultimatemister.com/product/mikes1-yc-passive-board
Direct Video switch: Yes
PAL / NTSC switch: Yes
USB-C power option: No (Not required for passive)
Location: EU
eBay seller 7407chrisl
Passive YC Adapter - $19.99 ebay.com/itm/325263425946
Active YC Adapter - $29.99 ebay.com/itm/325527354295
Direct Video switch: Yes
PAL / NTSC switch: Yes
USB-C power option: Yes
Location: US
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
We are talking about mostly home CRTs but this advice applies to those in the market for professional PVMs / BVMs as well.
In this clip Steve Nutter from RetroTechUSA breaks down how you can work out if a CRT deal is good for you or not
Taken from "Cathode Ray Podcast - LIVE Edition": youtube.com/live/-xyfTrd0m5E
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
0:00 Start
3:00 Thoughts on the new YC framework for MiSTer
5:25 What console do you use to test the best composite signal?
12:20 PLEASE SOMEONE MAKE A SECAM CORE. PLEASE.
18:00 A HDMI BVM input card could be huge for pro monitor owners
21:00 What is the most common kind of PVM/BVM input card?
25:00 Steve is done with selling on eBay
34:00 The sellers fees are getting stupid
40:00 Comparison to how tickets for live events are sold
43:00 The new $600 US tax threshold is a huge setback
53:00 Part of the eBay fees is buying TRUST between buyer and seller
1:00:05 Buyer protection is something which is needed
1:07:10 Will Steve start selling on AliExpres???
1:09:00 Building a community is another way to build TRUST
1:12:00 Steve helps his patreons find pro monitor deals
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
The theme of this episode is buying CRTs and how the market is going. Steve gives us a breakdown of his experiences buying CRTs from Japan. Our friend the 8BitEsquire also just got 2 sets from Buyee.com and they were both in good condition. However something is still weird about the experience, Steve will explain it.
0:00 Start
3:37 25 x CRT auction end breakdown
13:00 CRT preservation means publicizing CRTs
18:40 Louis REALLY wants a consumer 16:9 Trinitron
23:30 The golden age of available CRTs in Estonia is DONE
34:00 Breakdown on buying CRTs from Japan - Good but weird
46:00 Podcast with FG_Software - PVM on the Tokyo subway
50:00 Paying taxes on CRT sales is annoying
53:00 Steve's adventures watching college Basketball
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
I came to know Antoine over Twitter when I posted photos of a PVM / DV Player combo for sale in a Tokyo Hard Off store. Antoine has previously seen that exact set and noticed from my photo it was now at a discount. He had to get the PVM, take a taxi to the train station, take the 14 inch on the Tokyo subway and then another taxi home, It's a a great tale.
I didn't know Antoine before this talk and we hear about retro consoles available in Switzerland in the 90s, his work as an NES homebrew dev and what the CRT scene is like in Japan right now.
0:00 Start
0:30 Antoine's background & first consoles
10:30 Japan shipping options - post or extra bags?
18:00 Starting off as an NES homebew hacker
28:00 Should Comp Sci courses teach low level languages?
32:00 You can meet OG Famicom devs in Japan
42:00 How does NES code detect NTSC/PAL?
48:00 Whats the homebrew scene like in Japan?
50:00 14" PVM story - bringing it home on the train!
59:00 The recent resurgence of CRT sales in Japan
1:05:00 Japanese online sellers are generally pretty good
Follow Antoine Fantys AKA FG Software/Vectrex28
Twitter: twitter.com/FG_Software
Itch for his games: vectrex28.itch.io
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
In this podcast Steve breaks down the total cost of picking up this lot including everything from transport, storage, inspection and buyers fees. The final cost will surprise you!
This is the deal in question: govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=72&acctid=12180&mibextid=S66gvF
We also have a talk about official video cables. Are first party officially licensed original cables always the best? Did any console vendors ever pack in crappy cables? Tell us in the comments!
0:00 Start
1:30 Steve got an MRI
8:30 Shipping CRTs is a nightmare!
9:30 Louis sold that rare GameCube controller
17:30 Do you like the N64 controller?
20:30 Are official video cables always the gold standard??
38:30 25 CRT lot business cost breakdown
1:06:00 Need a CRT in NYC? Go to Brooklyn Video Games!
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
An eBay seller by the name of MagicTrashman is selling a (almost) drop in replacement micro switch and 3D printed bracket for a range of light guns. I bought a kit for the Sega Saturn Stunner and in this video I install it and give you my thoughts after a play through of Virtua Cop 2.
MagicTrashman on eBay: ebay.com/usr/magictrashman
They have replacement microswitches for
Sega Saturn Stunner
Sony Playstation 1 Guncon 1
Sony Playstation 2 Guncon 2
Sony Playstation 3 Guncon 3
Nintendo NES Zapper
Sega Dreamcast Starfire
Sega Dreamcast MadCatz
Sega Dreamcast HKT-7800
SNES / Mega Drive Konami Justifier (the blue and pink guns)
Sony Playstation 1 Konami Hyper Blaster
Tunes in this video are from Adam Silady Music. Go check him out, he is my cousin and one amazing musician and guitar player!
youtube.com/@adamsiladymusic9555
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
0:00 Start
06:00 LaserDisc - how does it work?
18:00 Steve weighs in on the N64
29:00 Story of Steve's first PVM
32:00 A HUGE collection of PVM parts for the shop
42:00 Steve opens up about his health
46:00 Visit to Brooklyn Video Games!
52:00 Quick room tour from Steve
53:00 CRT delivery horror stories
56:00 Louis will rebuild that 14 inch PVM
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
twitter.com/8bitesquire
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
youtu.be/pEskd7aQ9VI
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
0:00 Start
1:00 Steve in hospital
6:30 Roger's upcoming first video
8:00 Would you bankrupt yourself in Japan?
11:00 The AV Famicom is too EASY. Bring on RF!
18:00 Louis reviews the N64
28:00 Japanese vs Western toilets
39:00 Roger explains the MSX home computer
55:00 Emulation - how much is too much?
1:02:00 N64 racing games are better with a modern pad
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
twitter.com/8bitesquire
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
In the latter section we discuss the recent controversy with DKOldies. We try and look it from two sides: Are high prices wrong? & Are DKOldies delivering low quality products?
0:00 Start
03:00 Steve explains the new streaming setup
08:40 Components in his new stream pc
21:43 The multi-camera setup
31:00 Louis dragged a Extron Crosspoint ISS 108 home from Japan. Now what?
47:10 RetroGamingCables.co.uk SCART to BNC demoed
49:00 Genuine Nintendo SNES JP21 cable
54:00 FujiWork PS3 cables are LEGIT!
58:25 DKOldies
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Steve discusses his work in museums and wonders how can we produce a LCD which completely replicated the physical and image quality of a professional monitor.
0:00 Start
02:30 Hunting for Retro at Hard Off
06:00 Louis was on an Japanese TV show "Why Did You Come to Japan?"
11:30 Christmas Eve metal gig in Tokyo
13:20 Louis' technique for filming in stores
16:00 There were good amounts of CRTs!
26:00 How is each Hard Off store different?
33:30 Louis found a rare "Tales of Symphonia" GameCube controller for cheap
40:00 How do you transport all this crap home?
48:00 Steve's latest work restoring pro CRTs for museums
49:30 Why the PVM-2530 is SO HARD to repair
56:00 Steve's dream for the ultimate "modern LCD" CRT
1:00:00 Shank's INSANE Wii inside of a PVM
1:11:00 How to make a small PVM/BVM portable?
--------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter!
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Has everything been sold already? Are pickups, games and systems still available at a good price? We discuss a variety of systems ranging from original systems such as Famicom and N64 right up to current gen systems like Switch and PS4.
Sorry about the audio in this episode. Jim even offered to record it and I was like "no no this recorder is great, everything will be fine...". After punishing the audio through seven layers of hell it is ok to listen to now.
As well as running the KidShoryuken YouTube channel Jim also has a Patreon where you can sign up for monthly "loot box" style packages of retro games direct from Japan. Jim's knowledge of Japanese games is top notch and if you are keen to own a selection which has been personally curated by him, go and sign up on his Patreon.
Twitter: twitter.com/kidshoryuken
YouTube: youtube.com/@KidShoryuken
Patreon: patreon.com/KidShoryuken
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Like all comedians during the pandemic Meshida was bored not being able to get on stage so he started to grow his YouTube channel, creating great skits explaining Japanese culture. He is now at 138K subs and you should check out his stuff!
youtube.com/@Meshida
I really had a good time recording this podcast with Meshida, it has been so long since I did an episode with an actual live person (I still love you Steve) and it's facinating to hear about Japan from a Japanese comedian.
Follow my daily adventures as I live tweet the interesting, rare and weird stuff I find in each store
twitter.com/zez
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
youtube.com/watch?v=t8qx667CpJ4
Follow my daily adventures as I live tweet the interesting, rare and weird stuff I find in each store
twitter.com/zez
The highlights in this video:
GameCube Controller: Tales of Symphonia Limited Edition "Symphonic Green"
Hori Zero Tech RC style PS1 controller
Shredders Revenge Limited Edition Box Set
One handed ASCII SFC controller
Gradius MSX
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
youtube.com/watch?v=t8qx667CpJ4
In the back of every Hard Off store in Japan is the "Junk" section, where they put the stuff which they don't want to sell for full price. It doesn't mean this is all broken or useless, you can find some real gold amongst all the strange items. Let's take a look.
Weirdly modded arcade stick, VHS, CRT, D-Terminal cables, this store has lots of treasure.
----------------------
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
youtube.com/watch?v=t8qx667CpJ4
1. How do you determine what is junk?
2. How do you set the prices? Is there a central Hard Off database?
I got this chance as I was filming a segment for the Japanese TV show "Why Did You Come To Japan" on TV Tokyo. They randomly chose me to do a vox pop when I arrived at the airport. They seemed to be interested in the story of some weird Australian / Estonian who comes to Japan to search through as many Hard Off stores as he can. They followed me around for the day and we went to two stores together.
In the second store, the director suggested we talk to an employee and I knew my big opportunity to ask the "hard" (sorry) questions was here.
This is a walk and talk video as the TV crew filmed the interview and they probably want to use that on the show first.
----------------------
Music taken from Artemio Urbina "No context CD-DA 00: Sega CD": youtube.com/watch?v=t8qx667CpJ4
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
youtube.com/watch?v=t8qx667CpJ4
Music taken from Artemio Urbina "No context Synth 76: Sega Genesis YM2612": youtu.be/9TeGxEBxhJY
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Music taken from Artemio "No context Synth 76: Sega Genesis YM2612": youtube.com/watch?v=tqCi7cbngRQ
Rent a Hero
Heavy Nova
Virtua Racing
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
00:00 Start
0:10 It's impolite to just plug a USB into someone's computer
5:02 I want more of that Steve lovin'
7:40 Steve is gunna coach his son's backetball team
16:21 Managing a comedian on tour is nuts
19:50 Louis picked up a sweet xbox 360 wheel
22:38 What happens to those who are holding expensive retro items?
29:12 Are professional sellers seeing high end slow down?
30:35 Louis' theory on why every retro based collectable will go through a big ass price correction at some stage
41:11 Steve teaches us to edge the YouTube algorithm
49:50 Should Steve do more shorter or longer videos?
54:50 Feeling good about this podcast
57:53 Louis is going to Japan in December
1:03:35 Japanese Hard Off stores often have their own workshop table to test "junk"
1:13:00 Is it our duty to rescue EVERY CRT?
Our next episode will be a live stream, sometime in the morning on Tuesday the 25th eastern time. We will be taking your questions so please tweet to us or email
podcast@cathoderayblog.com
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page
patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
This video is a quick project I did on a Friday afternoon and not meant to be an in-depth statistical and technical analysis of the WaveBird controller.
In this video I explain the MiSTer FPGA Input Latency Tester in detail: youtube.com/watch?v=6GGkVAi2db0
Thanks for Shank for extra advice on the inner workings of the GameCube controller protocol
Wavebird & GameCube images by Evan-Amos
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Evan-Amos/VOGM/GameCube
---
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
IO Board w/ standard VGA out and USB-C power
Playstation core SNAC adapter which has plugs for 2 controllers and 2 memory cards
Blue brushed metal case designed to work with this IO board
0:00 Start
1:12 RetroCastle background
3:50 Unboxing
4:58 First look at the IO Board
5:41 First look at the PSX SNAC adapter
6:38 My thoughts after several weeks of use
7:17 USB-C power
8:10 Picture quality from the IO Board
9:44 Thoughts on the SNAC adapter
10:48 More thoughts on USB-C power
11:55 My pros and cons
13:35 Final thoughts and buying recommendations
RetroCastle AliExpress store: aliexpress.com/store/912024455
RetroCastle on Twitter: twitter.com/zhangch93067765
RetroRGB stream where Bob and I look at the RetroCastle IO board with Sega Saturn plug (instead of VGA): youtube.com/watch?v=m12PgfZl56c
---
Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
cathoderayblog.com
You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Catch us on Twitter
twitter.com/zez
twitter.com/usa_retro
For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA