Almost there...

Just ordered my UniBIOS for my CMVS, now in the email process on getting the last, most important thing: The NTSC Video Encoder! I just shot an email to Jeff Kurtz, creator of the Neobitz Video Encoder (Neobitz.com). As soon as I get that ordered, then it's ON!

EDIT: I just received an email from Jeff. Luckily, he was running a promo on them, so I got the board $10 less than the usual cost. SWEET! Build time, baby!

Parts, schmarts...

Something about Mouser.com's way of shipping confuses me. I wish it'd be more upfront with shipping prices rather than a "guesstimate".

Anywho, I finally got the parts I ordered from them: RCA Jacks color coded for component inputs (I already had some for S-Video, Composite, and Audio from a previous order), power switch, power adapter jack, and the +5V, 3A power adapter needed to power this sucker up.

Other than the adapter, I ordered 2 of each component for a possible second CMVS project. As much as I like the MV1F I got, I'm aiming for a MV2 shortly after this project finishes.

As to completing the enclosure, I'm gonna order a custom cut bottom and rear panel from TAP Plastics here in Portland. As for the rest (I don't wanna have exposed circuitry with kids around), I'm thinking some cutting, forming, bondo, and paint would finish up the front and sides of this thing.

...another thing about the MV1F I'm kinda loathing is the controller inputs are on the side...Yes, I knew about that going in. I'm devising a plan so the controller inputs are moved to the front. I may have to go to Fry's Electronics to go pick up 2 male DB15's to compensate that. I might as well pick up more color coded wire while I'm there, too.

More parts ordered....

So, I figured I should do a quick build before I even contemplate doing the "case", as it were, for my CMVS. I've just ordered the connectors and an adapter for the sucker. What's cool is I found an adapter that isn't one of those "Wall Warts". It's a notebook style adapter that uses those standard power cables that you use for your computer. WAY COOL! Thanks, Mouser.com!

Anyway, along with that, I got more RCA connectors for component inputs, a jack for the adapter, and a simple on/off switch. It was suggested by James (Xian Xi of Neo-Geo.com and Jamma-Nation-X.com) to also put a fuse inline with the power. I'm planning on just getting one from Radio Shack, simple enough. If they don't have one (which I really wouldn't be surprised if they didn't), whelp, internet, here I come again.

On the list still are 2 more main components: The UniBIOS from Razoola, and the Neobitz video encoder from Jeff Kurtz. These are needed to at least connect the CMVS to my HDTV and also eliminate the need for extra buttons for test mode, etc.

...still need a controller though...mmmonkey.co.uk has a buildup that uses an SNES controller and a standard DB15 connector as one...might look into doing that.

Anyway, the plan now is as soon as I can get all the parts gathered up, I'm just gonna do a quick mockup connection to make sure that the board is ok, although the guy I bought it from (Big Bear from Neo-Geo.com) had it tested and working, shit happens during shipping, which I hope is not the case here.

Darn you, USPS!

The package for my MV1F came in today along with the two KOF games I bought just last week. My wife took our daughter to the doctor today, and I was at work. So we totally missed the postman. Oh well. I guess I have to pick it up tomorrow morning.

Pics tomorrow after I get off from work.

So begins my adventure in "Consolizing"...

Consolizing: the process of modifying an arcade video game board for use on a standard television set.

That's my plan. On what, though?

Possibly one of the most coveted consoles in the world: The Neo Geo.

But why consolize the arcade board? Don't they have a home system?

Yes, but the games for them are expensive. The AES (Advanced Entertainment System, AKA home console) carts are identical to their MVS (Mutli Video System, AKA arcade) carts. MVS carts online go for much cheaper than AES carts.

But don't they have a converter for the home system so you can do that? Why go through all the trouble?

There is a converter out there, but it's still pricey. An AES console plus the converter would cost just about as much as a decently made CMVS (Consolized Multi Video System)...ok, not so much. I like just the idea of making something work originally for arcade use and make it work for home use.

AAAAANYWHO, I've already began taking the steps to make my own CMVS. I've already acquired an MVS MV1F board and 2 MVS games; KOF 94 (my ALL TIME favorite fighter) and KOF 95. Just gonna wait on getting controllers (might just build a control pad based on plans I've seen online), an RGB encoder (Neobitz encoder board, ~$90), UniBIOS, and some power supplies, connectors, and....hmmm, I think that might be it.

So I'll be using this space to document my work. Right now, I'm thanking Neo-Geo.com, Jamma-Nation-X.com, and Neobitz for all the help so far. More pics and docs to come.

News to me...

So, I got word from eBay that I've been issued a refund and it's sitting in my PayPal account.

Here's how it went down.

I went and placed a bid on a Neo Geo MVS auction for a guy (eBay username is njkidcash) and was quickly outbid by someone. I figured "fine" and just let it be.

Later that evening, I get an email stating that I have a second chance to buy the same item I was outbid on. He even threw in a game with it. I took the "bait", as it were, and bought it. Went through the whole payment process through PayPal, and it was done.

Next day, I get an email (well, message through eBay messaging center) from the seller that said that the wrong PayPal account was linked to the auction and that I needed to get the payment refunded and send it to the correct account, blah, blah, blah. He told me that he emailed PayPal (which, if you read on, I called BS on it), that I had to do a chargeback, blah, blah, blah.

I called (not emailed, called) PayPal (because they NEVER respond fast enough by email), and the PayPal rep told me that since the seller , who OBVIOUSLY has 2 PayPal accounts, linked the wrong account information that he had to get that money transferred from one account to the other.

I emailed the seller about this, on couple occasions, got zero response...ZERO!

I opened the case up in eBay (thank you, eBay buyer protection!) the exact day I could open it. Waited for a response. Nothing. Emailed the seller again through the two emails that he gave me and through eBay message center. Nothing. Ended up escalating it, and got my money back.

Here's the thing, and I did not mention this to eBay. That seller has two accounts. I'm sure there are A LOT of people that do this. He has one under njkidcash, and another one under warriorgodariesgeorge (his name is Jorge). Here's image proof:

This picture showing his email that was linked to the eBay auction. (phat red arrow)

This picture shows eBay feedback...look at the two arrows...hmmmm..

Mind you, I didn't check that information out before I went ahead and bought the item. I researched it after the email about the wrong account thing.

I don't care what feedback anyone gives. If you see an auction from either njkidcash or warriorgodariesgeorge on eBay or even a sale anywhere else, DO NOT bid on it. He'll use the other username to outbid you, jack up the price, and when the auction is over, you end up with this kind of debacle.

Save yourself.

Things to beware of....

I'm in the process of escalating a non-item sent/no response from seller in eBay. It's a stupid thing, but we'll see where eBay stands on this issue.

Anyway, I'm all about leaving a positive feedback, or neutral feedback on eBay, but I'm thinking that if there is ever a bad transaction, I'm gonna give a positive feedback, and leave a link to negative comments about the seller.

Caveat Emptor...

Better way to get your nostal-gaming on...

As a collector, I carouse different forums online to see what's up. You know, get tips on mods, hacking, etc. One thing I see in common is a thread that focuses on ridiculous sales on eBay by some sellers.

Some will sell "Rare" and "Complete and Sealed" stuff for way more than what the game or console is worth. Some of the links to the auctions that are in those forums reveal these auctions and their ridonkulous pricing ($300 for a Bonk 3 manual? pshh)

I'm feeling under the weather at this time, so let me be brief. If you're in the market for a game or a console, generally anything, join online forums. They usually have a buy and sell thread going where people will often sell things that you're looking for, even cheaper than eBay. But just like any purchase done online, Cavaet Emptor. Most forums will have "rep" ratings on members, or even reseller ratings within their forums. Take the time to carouse those threads, so you know who you might be dealing with.

Boycotting...

Recently, I had the loathsomely luck of dealing with the crappy support of FoundMy.com. I ordered a PS2 mod chip from them since it was cheap. Little did I know, and about 90% of their old client base, their service sucks.

I give it that they were good a while back, getting orders done in a timely manner. However, recently, they just suck.

I don't believe all the positive reviews that are popping up currently. I think it's a "payoff" kind of positive review...you know what I mean.

Because of their slim-to-nil customer service, crappy shipping times, and overall just being jerks trying to get out of giving money back (I got suckered into closing a dispute through PayPal prematurely...lesson learned), I'm gonna boycott ANY console modification manufacturer that lists FoundMy.com as an authorized reseller. I really don't believe that FoundMy should be authorized to be selling ANYTHING. They'll give the manufacturer a bad name since they'll be associated with FoundMy's name.

I highly doubt this would make a slight ripple in the lake that is the console modification world, but I'm taking a stand here. Follow if you want.

RE: Backups...

I seriously DO NOT see any difference between using DVD+R's and DVD-R's. I'm with the +R camp, since my DVD player read them better than the -R's.

If one doesn't work, the other will. I haven't seen any difference whatsoever. All that sh*t about "+R's will burn out your lens faster, use -R's" is a bunch of snake oil.

Bottom line: Use what works in your system. Both cost the same, and some stores have decent return policies. If the first type doesn't work, return it and go with another.

I died a little on the inside...

Let's break it down like this: My original SNES's Multi-out port didn't want to display proper video through composite. Even by resoldering the connector, trying to bypass the connector, or trying to get video from RF didn't work. (Getting straight composite video from RF WITHOUT some sort of filter is NEVER recommended...EVAR!)

So, wat do?

I went "digging" at the Goodwill's around the area. After months of searching, I found one for $10.

Now, me being nostalgic and cheap, I did something that I really didn't want to do, but who cares. I swapped the boards from my old SNES to the new one.

I didn't know that there were different revisions on the older style SNES's. I had to modify my old case and the new (old) one so I could swap boards. (FYI, the original board in my SNES had a removable (read: plug-and-play) sound module where the donor didn't)

...me, waxing nostalgic like, feel kinda sad that my original SNES is now gone...but at least now I can use the Multi-out with no problems. Gotta like that.

I'm still digging since I want to add the SNES 2 (SNES jr, the smaller revision) to my collection....maybe. I have both NES revisions, why not the same for the SNES? LOL!

How to speak FPS AI...

Could new FPS games get any MORE frustrating? Even when it's on the easiest, "OMG, My cat could finish this game like this" level. No, not the online multiplayer, the f**king campaign! So I comprised a list of how to translate what the AI tells you opposed to what it actually does. Take in to account that in most campaign modes on any FPS game usually has you with a team.

AI: Take out those RPGs on the rooftops! We can't afford to lose our High-end war machine!
Translation: We'll leave it to you to take out 10+ guys with RPGs that's aiming and both you and the scavenged tank-like vehicle while we shoot at the same dead body another teammate took out a while ago that took him 4 clips to finally fall.

AI: Run and get that beacon on the truck! We'll cover you from up here!
Translation: We'll shoot randomly in the air while you run a fire-laden gauntlet full of enemies. Then proceed to sprint at unlikely odds to place one beacon on a fast moving truck.

AI: I need more ammo here! Cover while I reload!
Translation: Although I have not picked up one single clip from a falled enemy, I seemingly need more ammunition for my weapon, even though I have already spent 5 clips to kill an enemy that took you only 5 bullets to take out. Watch my back while I take even more of a ridiculous time reloading than you usually do.

AI: EVERYONE! Concentrate your fire at that autonomous sentry!
Translation: HEY YOU! Fire off every round you got at the sentry that seeming only locks on to you! We'll pop 5 shots every 3 minutes and stay in cover.

AI: HELP! I'm taking hits here!
Translation: HELP! Kill this guy that has already emptied 5 clips from his sub machine gun into me that's standing within knife/melee point from me!

I'll get more when I progress through some of the FPSs that I have already.

About emulation...

CONSOLE EMULATION HAS NO SOUL!

There, I said it. Arcade emulation, however, is just fine. You don't expect to have a full sized game cab in your home. But as it goes for console emulation, you can pick one up cheap at...pretty much anywhere.

That is all...

HD-DVD's Death...

As soon as I found out that the first, live action Transformers movie was gonna be released on HD-DVD and not Blu-ray, I loathed HD-DVD. I would have given it a chance, but I didn't see a need to get another disc player that eventually would have died out.

So why did it die? How did Blu-ray surpass HD-DVD?

Simple answer: Gaming.

Sony, the main backer of Blu-ray, implemented the use of BR discs in their games. Seeing that it'll hold more than a DVD9 would (8.5GB, to be exact, on a DVD9 as opposed to 30GB on Double sided HD-DVD and 50GB on double sided BR), more data could be placed on one disc, including uncompressed audio and video. So no need for multiple discs which would call for annoying disc changes during a cliffhanger in a story.

How would this matter for HD-DVD? The max capacity of a HD-DVD disc is 30GB (double sided). Even with compressed audio and video, games that would take 3 or 4 discs could be simply placed on one or two of them. Case in point; Lost Odyssey for the Xbox 360. The game shipped with 4 discs, each which popped out of their disc holder and caused major scratching of discs, making them unplayable. Even with standard one disc games like Halo: Reach, a lot more data could have been placed on the disc; uncompressed audio and video, more levels for campaign and maps for multiplayer.

And before I go on, yes, I am blaming Microsoft for the death of HD-DVD.

If you're familiar with the movie "Dogma", the story mentions the Angel/Archangel, Azrael, who stood on the sidelines during a war in heaven between heaven and hell, and would join the winning side (it's been a while, but I remember that the movie mentioned something like that). Anyway, Microsoft did the same thing. They offered an HD-DVD attachment to the 360, but never made it built in to the 360 itself. They basically waited until the format war was done with to decide what to do with HD-DVD.

Why is that important? Integrated HD-DVD means more capabilities for the 360 which could lead to even more sales. Even with the add-on, they should have capitalized on the opportunity to release some games on HD-DVD, or at least offered games on different formats. HD-DVD would have made the Lost Odyssey scratched disc debacle never come to life.

Many movie studios backed HD-DVD. At a point, Microsoft could have been a deciding factor if the format should have stayed alive. Since they stayed on the sidelines during the format war, they never really stood behind the format. They just went with the opposite of their competition, Sony.

Would it be any different if Blu-ray died instead of HD-DVD? Nope. Sony, with the PS3, would have still utilized the disc to release their games out. Movies would also still have a place, giving anyone on either disc camp to choose. The PS3 remains the sole factor in the triumph of the Blu-ray format.

I'm sure the file format would have been the same if creating a game on HD-DVD as opposed to DVD, which makes no sense that Microsoft or any of the gaming companies took advantage of it.

This, of course, it just my opinion on the matter. It is never brought up, at least to my knowledge, anywhere. So maybe this might start a thought train going.

Restoration kit...

Hi! Just wanna go over what you should have in your arsenal of console cleaning supplies. Everyone's gonna have an opinion, but like I mentioned, I'm trying to save you from scouring Google for hours trying to find out what works and what doesn't....You're Welcome.

Basic cleaning supplies should include:

Cotton Swabs and Pads - For general cleaning of consoles and cartridges.

Bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol - Most OTC alcohol runs about 70% alcohol, 30% water. You could use it at full strength, but it sometimes leaves a haze. Using a travel size shampoo bottle (you can find them in the HABA sections of most stores), dilute it to 50-50. It will also be good for disinfecting used games (trust me).

1" and 2" paintbrush - New, of course, at least unused. Good for dusting internals of consoles and games. Softer is better, but the cheap ones you get at the hardware store works just as well.

Compressed Air - Use in conjunction with the paintbrush to get majority of the dust out.

Thermal Printer Head Cleaner Pen - These are usually pure Isopropyl Alcohol pens used to clean Thermal Printer Heads (ie. most cash registers today). I use this for cleaning contacts on the game pads, along with general maintenance with cartridge contacts.

Clean Shop Towel - Just use to prevent scratching the console and work surface.

Zoozen Access Pro Toolkit v2 or v3 - The only reason I mention this by name is because this kit comes with EVERYTHING you'll ever need to open consoles and cartidges...EVERYTHING!

Soldering Iron - 15 or 20 watts will do. For those times you really need to go deep into fixing your old consoles or general modding.

Weiman's Glass Cooktop cleaner - Best thing for cleaning old cartridges. Since most cook tops are the glass type, this product is more readily available in most stores.

Toothbrush - Medium bristles are better, but if you have Soft ones, those should suffice.

Window Cleaner w/ Ammonia - Helps with cleaning off permanent marker pen writing.

Multi-surface Eraser Sponges - OK, Magic Erasers, if you need some kind of reference. Use in conjunction with the window cleaner.

That's majority of what you should have available when you're about to restore an old console. Up next, cartridge restoring.

A Brief Statement...

Before I go on about nostalgia in gaming, I'd like to point one thing out. I'm looking at all the current generation of consoles and their hacking.

First things first. If you want me to believe that I'm gonna risk bricking my $200+ consoles just to play some emulators for older consoles or some generic iteration of Pong, I'd like to point out that you're wrong.

Everyone WILL hack their consoles just to do what 95% of the hackers will do; PLAY BACKUPS! Call them dirty pirates, but you're disillusion to the truth perplexes me.

And really, it's cheaper to just emulate retro consoles on your PC. If you want to, it's even EASIER to find them at local game shops or your local thrift stores if you want the "authentic" feel of it.

Spare me your banter about piracy. You put the hack out, it's just a matter of time before it gets hacked again for pirates to get their way. Backups, downloads, I don't care. Just spare me the banter.

And yes, PS3 and Wii scene. I'm looking straight at you. The 360 hackers could care less.

Putzes.

Nostal-Gaming Intro...

Hello.

Welcome to Nostal-gaming. I'd choose Nostalgia Gaming, Retro Gaming, Old Skool Gaming, etc., but seems that there are already some blogs using those names.

Nostal-gaming is basically what it looks like: Longing for the games that ignited gaming to what it is today. Where the story lines grabbed us, game play was hellish, and there was no guide books for purchase at the time of the game's release.

But here, I'm focusing on the consoles of the past; the Atari 2600, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, SNK Neo Geo. These consoles helped define today's consoles...but I'm sure you've read it all. I'm sure Wikipedia, YouTube, etc. has all the information you'd ever need.

So what is this blog here for? Really, it's just like most blogs you'd read or vlogs (is that the term now?) you'd watch; just me sharing information, attest to thing's you've read online, what have you.

I've been reconnecting with my roots in gaming. I've been scouring local shops and thrift stores for some gaming nostalgia, as well as the internet, cleaning up my consoles, even modding them.

So yeah. Welcome. Hope you learn a thing or two while you're looking around. Please enjoy your stay.