Looking for Panasonic 3do anvil pinout

I am looking for the pinout for the 3do anvil chip that came in the rare last revision of the fz10 3do.

 

http://www.retrorgb.com/files/3DO/PanasonicFZ10.pdf

As expected, the graphics processors and video encoder are integrated into one chip. It only outputs Composite video and S-video. The pinout does tease of an RGB mode but doesn't explain further. We would need to get the datasheet of the Anvil from Panasonic somehow.

 

I wonder do the pins that output rgb on a normal 3DO go anywhere or are they just soldered to pads that don’t have a trace. If they go anywhere like the expansion port then that could be an angle to find rgb. I have a normal fz1 board and my new fz10 is an anvil model. I’m currently waiting on a gear since it’s gear is cracked and therefore can the lense can’t move side to side.

 

From my research, the 3DO consoles have one of 4 encoders. BT9101 (early NTSE FZ-1), BT9103 (PAL, Canadian FZ-1), VP536 (late NTSE FZ-1, early FZ-10, Goldstar, Sanyo Try), Anvil (late FZ-10).

None of the encoders have RGB pins. 24bit digital RGB is sent from the CLIO to the video encoder (with the exception of ANVIL which is combined) and the encoder outputs Composite and S-video. The RGB mod introduces a new RGB encoder to process the 24bit RGB from the CLIO into analogue RGB.

The BT9103 can be replaced with its common BT856 counterpart which does have RGB but I haven't finished swapping them yet.

The expansion slot contains digital pins (address/ io) but no analogue RGB unfortunately.

The mystery is the ANVIL RGB mode but there is no further info on it.

 

If the 24bit digital rgb only goes to Clio then that throws out my idea of figuring out the other places it goes on a normal board and then finding that component or connector on an anvil board to trace backwards.

 

The CLIO, MADAM and video encoder are all combined in the ANVIL so there is no access to the 24bit RGB. The only chance with the ANVIL is to decipher the RGB mode the service manual refers to but without the datasheet its unlikely. What encoder does your FZ-1 have?

 

Not sure. I bought it recently and someone had stolen the laser and railing out of it. Aside from that and the missing screws, it's all there. I think my only choice to get that working would the usb 3d0 ODE. When my new 3do gear arrives from shapeways I will be able to fix the anvil fz10 thats on my work bench. I'll be sure to check it out. I'm super excited for your rgb mod. Try to incorporate 240p mod pads if possible.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have a look. The 240p mod can be done with VP536 and BT9103 encoder. I'm currently looking into possibility with BT9101.

The mod is only one wire to encoder pin but still needs an external switch to turn it off for some games so a simple STDP switch is needed.

I'm currently trying to write up a guide on RGB modding the 3DO and installing 240p switch for BT9101, BT9103 and VP536 encoders.

 

I just checked the motherboard on the fz1 and it has bt9101 encoder.

 

Cool. That can be RGB modded. I believe there may be a way to 240p mod it as well but I need someone with a BT9101 to check. 240p on the other encoders can be controlled by pin 197 on the CLIO so I am assuming it is the same for the BT9101.

 

I’ll try it out when I get a chance. I should be able to see a difference with using 240p just on the boot screen through svideo(drive is missing). Should lift the pin when checking?

 

No need to lift pin. There should be a resistor either between pin 197 CLIO and encoder or in parrelel. Removing this will break the connection and allow a wire to be soldered to the signal line. Your FZ-1 should boot to bios screen as long as your cd drive is connected to the motherboard, I found mine would hang after logo screen if I didn't have my drive attached. I'll PM u my notes when I get near my PC if u like.

 

That would be awesome.

 

I want to add so that it is posted somewhere on the web that the anvil chip can play backups, despite what the dude on gamefaqs has said.