InGameRoutines for NESRGB

As part of a community project at circuit-board.de I've written a PIC-program controlling the palette switch using the NES-controller (P1 or P2) or the reset button. The code can be either used in a NES with high-active reset to the CIC pin 7 or in a FC(AV) with low-active reset to the CPU pin 3. It is auto-detected, so there is no need for choosing the appropriate code.

During my tests I had a faulty PIC, which outputted +5V to the 123-pads of the NESRGB-board and destroyed the Altera MaxII . So I decided to add some kind of a buffer in between. Simple logic level shifter were not able to put down the pads to GND. So I finally decided to use a 74HC125 running at +3.3V. Now it works fine
Are they any suggestions to make it better?
I was thinking about using three SN74CBTD3306 from TI instead of the 74HC125 but haven't try it yet. Is that an option? I decided now to use a 74LVX125 - a perfect translator between +5V input and +3.3V output The code remain the same ^^

However, here is the first version of a board...

• Left hand side: NES or FC supporting a two color LED with a AddOn on the buttom switching output level between +5V for RGB on and 0V for RGB off (might be used at the MultiAV pin 10)
• Right hand side: Designed for the FCAV where the PIC directly output the level for MultiAV pin 10 but only support a single color LED.

The functions of the PIC are as follows at the moment:

• Controller: Start+Select+ ...
  - ... A+B pressed for <2s: short reset
  - ... A+B pressed for >2s: long reset (going back to main menu if a power pak is used)
  - ... D-Pad right: Forward switching through the palette and RGB off (RGB off only available if set by jumper)
  - ... D-Pad left: Backward switching through palette
• Reset:
  - short push <~750ms: reset
  - second punsh while PIC resets the NES/FC: reset as long long as button is held
  - keeping pressed: forward switching through the palette and RGB off with delay of ~750ms for each palette

If there is somebody wants to test the PICs please write me. I have 7 of each version at the moment

As a side note: The community project is about replacing the whole I/O-unit of a front loader NES (silver box) with new components and a MultiAV: Link (site in German, but with a lot of pics)

 

How did I ever miss this epic thing?
As always borti4938 your work is awesome, sending PM now

 

nice switchless mod now for nes cool.

 

what is this a circuit board that can be modded one the NES and it makes it able to output RGB or am i only part way there?

 

The NESRGB can be added to an NES to get RGB output. This is a companion accessory for that.

 

Received my board yesterday and it's just great, a great companion to the NESRGB and very helpful to control everything from the pad. Thanks borti4938!

Also made a pic showing the connection points to a FamicomAV , maybe someone finds it helpful

 

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us

 

The reset circuit is a little different on a top loader NES-101. With borti4938's help got it figured out.

 

Great job on that

 

just installed the 2nd board I got , I opted to have the led work as a normal power-led - no color change with each palette:



as expected it works perfect and is a great companion to the nesrgb

 

Thank you for the positive feedback keropi ^^ At the moment I redesign the PCB such that it can be installed directly to the NESRGB-PCB with a 4-pin header...

Finally the finished 'deluxe' version for the front loader NES This version replaces the good old silver box. A MultiAV is placed where the old RF-module took place. A MultiAV has to be taken out from a SNES or a Gamecube...

 

^ another excellent board!
you never cease to amaze me bortie4938

 

That is absolutely beautiful!!!

 

I published code and PCB (finally )
https://github.com/borti4938/NESRGB-IGR
https://oshpark.com/projects/C9jdssMN

Comming soon: the NES-I/O as seen two posts above

 

excellent my friend

 

Just ordered a couple boards to try this out. Thanks for the open source approach!

 

Hey AaronE...thanks for the picture. For an American NES top loader, did you configure the board for high active reset or low active reset?

 

The American top leider des not have a CIC; so the reset line goss directly to the CPU Pin 3 -> low active reset

Here is a picture wehre to cut the reset wire from circuit-board.de

 

very nice board

 

Will you also add through hole pads on the NES-I/O board? It would make it nicer if right angle headers could be mounted there. (if there is room of course)

Speaking of pads with through holes, when I looked at the NESRGB-IGR schematic, I noticed the pads with the through holes is part labeled PAD_COMBI in your MS_Mod Eagle library. Will you make it available as well? I didn't see it in https://github.com/borti4938/SNES-AddOn-PCBs/tree/master/Libs (I am laying out something right now where it would be useful )

BTW I think it's a great idea that you combined those two parts since they are often layed out so close together, might as well merge them and save a tiny bit of space on the board layout.