RGB Modding advice for newly acquired TurboDuo

I recently got a TurboDuo on eBay (still waiting for it to be shipped), but I'm curious as to how anyone has theirs modded for RGB. The mod switch looks relatively straightforward, but it looks like RGB requires building your own amp and outputting to a modified 8-DIN with a homemade SCART cable (I have a framemeister).

Are there professionally made amps I can purchase?

Ideally, I'd like to use one of Helder's SNES A/V ports to output RGB A/V more easily, but if I must, I'll use whatever works

 

http://www.tg16pcemods.com/

Use that RGB board, don't need to build a custom amp. They also carry the mod switch OBEY so you could get both from one source. All you'd need is a replacement video out socket to carry RGB signal.

Using Nintendo style video port would require you to mod the case. The common hack around here is to replace the stock 5 pin DIN with an 8 pin DIN since they can line up perfectly with existing hole. You would need to do minor work snipping off the 3 pins from the 8 pin DIN since there's no hole on PCB for it, and if needed mod the grounding on the DIN, some have different spacing. Usually it's easy, either drill new holes, scrape mask on PCB, and solder it or take apart the 5 and 8 DIN, swap the shield pins, and it'd fit without making hole in PCB.

Lastly, wiring the RGB is a bit harder than region mod, the chip have tiny pin spacing and if you don't have a good soldering iron that can be set to around 320'C to avoid burning up PCB or the pins or don't have steady hand or experience with soldering on tiny pins, it'd be better to pay someone to do it. There's many trusted people on this forum that can do the mod for a reasonable fee.

Oh yeah, black Duo system? May need to have it recapped too, many of the black Duo are having problem. White Duo (R and RX) are fine and can wait a while.

 

Personally, I would recommend contacting Tim Worthington (http://etim.net.au/shop/shop.php) and ask about his AV Driver for your RGB circuit. That is what I use on my Duo-R. What are your soldering skills like?

I have installed the tg16pcemods region switch and it is very useful for opening a single console up to playing games from USA and Japan. You can obviously put it wherever you want, but I like having it just under the door on the right side of the HuCard slot.

Regarding the Nintendo style port - I personally dislike that port and have never understood the interest people have in it. However, this is your system. Like wilykat said, you can swap the 5 pin DIN with the 8 pin DIN. I swapped the pins using the "take apart method." An interesting aspect to that original model Duo is that the AV output port is on the side. So rather than doing the DIN swap, you could elect to do a panel mount port on the back.

100% - replace those caps. It takes awhile, but it is a necessary evil for the original Turbo Duo. Your laser may require calibration after replacing those caps.

You will also want to upgrade two of the decoupling capacitors (one each) for the analog ground/+5(analog) lines and digital ground/+5(digital) lines for the HuC6260 in order to eliminate the "jail bar" effect in your video output. Check out this page - http://etim.net.au/av-driver/pcebars/

 

Awesome responses! Thanks!

I've seen the DIN-5 to DIN-8 swap on a youtube video, but he didn't link the where he purchased the port itself (as it looks identical to the Turbo Duo's, sans pins obviously) so I was a little on the fence about that, couple that with no easily available SCART cables that fit that configuration, hence my leaning toward the SNES style port.

My soldering skills are passable. I understand that soldering AWG 30 wire on tiny pins is more challenging than most other mods, but I think it shouldn't be too much of an issue, honestly. My soldering iron also lets me set the temp on the unit, but it's nice to have a safe range to operate in, so I appreciate that extra bit of info as well, along with the info regarding the jailbar killing decoupling capacitors.

It is indeed the black Turbo Duo and the caps have already been replaced on the unit, so those should be good to the best of my knowledge.

 

I sell the amp + din + cable
http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/fs-pce-turbografx-rgb-amps-cables-and-rgb-modded-consoles.56269/

 

btw - mickcris sold me the DIN that I used. Thumbs up.

 

I purchased the whole kit from him as well. Should be arriving soon. My turbo duo did arrive today, and it's beautiful!