Retro console and games thread

Can anybody recommend a good hunting ground for GameCube games other than Ebay? I keep trying car boots but GC titles are few and far between compared to PS2 and XBOX, both very easy to find.

Any tips?
 
Neil79 said:
Gotta catch 'em all ;) Cinemaware, Next up Rocket Ranger and The Three Stooges!

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Intro to it came from the desert was awesome :)
 
phatboy said:
Charity shops mate, my local normally has a few gooduns. I picked up a complete mario kart for 2 quid :)
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Nice find. I'll have to start popping into the charity shops when I go into town.

Had these waiting for me when I got home today:

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Looking forward to having a go on Rogue Leader, was always a fave. Can't believe it came out in 2001! 13 years ago, I feel old.

That's a component cable for my Wii, I shall have to dig it out. £1.81 delivered for the cable, hope to see an improvement in the image quality.
 
woofercooker said:
Hi, i don't currently own any retro systems but recently seem to have caught the bug an want re re live my youth lol. i would be looking to play snes,megadrive,saturn,dreamcast and at some point i want to try and get a neo geo arcade board running.

The broadcast monitors intrigued me as people have said they are significantly better than regular crt's, however all the connections on the back that ive seen from pictures confused the hell out of me. but i would still like to learn how to connect them etc, i like to learn as i go so currently im trying to find out which is the best monitor to go for, im hearing everybody say sony pvm's but there are also loads of different models which again is confusing.

If you can point me in the right direction on what i should be looking for that would be great, want to start of by choosing a good monitor, can you comment of the difference between the broadcast monitors and good old crt tv's are they really that much better? If so is there any you would recomend?
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I have 3 Broadcast monitors and a Consumer Sony Trinitron. The Broadcast monitors are imho miles better for retro consoles, especially the consoles that output a 240p signal.

The most popular Monitors are the PVM/BVM from Sony. There are other's also from JVC, Ikegami, Panasonic Barco etc.

I have 2 Sony PVM's and a JVC. The JVC is the one i use as its picture is outstanding and the geometry is near enough perfect.

If your going to go for a monitor and its a Sony I'd try and get a BVM if you can, if not a 800 line PVM.

BVM model to go for is the BVM-20F1E. This is a 900 TVL monitor. It needs a control panel to operate. This can be built in or separate. Make sure it has the control panel or its useless.

PVM models to look for are the PVM-20m4e, PVM-20L4, Or PVM-20L5. These are all 800 TVL units. The 20L5 will also except a 480p signal and is the one to go for if you can find one.

JVC do some nice models but connections are configuable via boards so you might not get one with any RGB input connections. Stick to the PVM/BVM's.

Regarding connections, They will have BNC connectors. You will need a BNC to Female scart cable to hook up your consoles. The connections will be split like this, R,G,B,Sync & Audio. You must have sync connected or you will not get a stable picture. SYNC signals is a topic all on its own and can be a pain with some consoles.

You will want a console that outputs RGB. Some might need modifying, others just need the correct RGB scart cable. SNES and Mega Drive are RGB out the box so i suggest maybe starting with those first.

Thats all i can think of for now. If you have anymore questions please just ask and i will try and answer as best as i can :D

Pic of my JVC monitor running a Snes Mini Through Scart. Amazingly this monitor cost me 99p :D:D:D

 
cee-S-dee said:
I have 3 Broadcast monitors and a Consumer Sony Trinitron. The Broadcast monitors are imho miles better for retro consoles, especially the consoles that output a 240p signal.

The most popular Monitors are the PVM/BVM from Sony. There are other's also from JVC, Ikegami, Panasonic Barco etc.

I have 2 Sony PVM's and a JVC. The JVC is the one i use as its picture is outstanding and the geometry is near enough perfect.

If your going to go for a monitor and its a Sony I'd try and get a BVM if you can, if not a 800 line PVM.

BVM model to go for is the BVM-20F1E. This is a 900 TVL monitor. It needs a control panel to operate. This can be built in or separate. Make sure it has the control panel or its useless.

PVM models to look for are the PVM-20m4e, PVM-20L4, Or PVM-20L5. These are all 800 TVL units. The 20L5 will also except a 480p signal and is the one to go for if you can find one.

JVC do some nice models but connections are configuable via boards so you might not get one with any RGB input connections. Stick to the PVM/BVM's.

Regarding connections, They will have BNC connectors. You will need a BNC to Female scart cable to hook up your consoles. The connections will be split like this, R,G,B,Sync & Audio. You must have sync connected or you will not get a stable picture. SYNC signals is a topic all on its own and can be a pain with some consoles.

You will want a console that outputs RGB. Some might need modifying, others just need the correct RGB scart cable. SNES and Mega Drive are RGB out the box so i suggest maybe starting with those first.

Thats all i can think of for now. If you have anymore questions please just ask and i will try and answer as best as i can :D

Pic of my JVC monitor running a Snes Mini Through Scart. Amazingly this monitor cost me 99p :D:D:D
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Thanks for the detailed reply.

That JVC looks incredible and 99p im jelly

I have found a BVM-20E1E for sale unfortunately its a lot more than 99p but considering they are quite rare and this one is local to me i think it might be a good investment for me, Do you know anything about this model in particular?, it seems there are quire a few different models of bvm/pvm's and the differences it not just the size it would be nice to know what the difference is.

Ive also found a selling cables for the pvm and bvm its a "Female RGB SCART to BNC adapter for Sony PVM and BVM monitors with sync cleaner "

http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/..._PVM_and_BVM_monitors_with_sync_cleaner_.html

They do the cable either with or without the sync cleaner, How do i know if i need the sync cleaner one or not?

EDIT
it seems they have a few cables actualy so not sure which one i need

http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/store/c7/Sony_PVM.html

Thanks again for the advice its much appreciated.
 
woofercooker said:
Thanks for the detailed reply.

That JVC looks incredible and 99p im jelly

I have found a BVM-20E1E for sale unfortunately its a lot more than 99p but considering they are quite rare and this one is local to me i think it might be a good investment for me, Do you know anything about this model in particular?, it seems there are quire a few different models of bvm/pvm's and the differences it not just the size it would be nice to know what the difference is.

Ive also found a selling cables for the pvm and bvm its a "Female RGB SCART to BNC adapter for Sony PVM and BVM monitors with sync cleaner "

http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/..._PVM_and_BVM_monitors_with_sync_cleaner_.html

They do the cable either with or without the sync cleaner, How do i know if i need the sync cleaner one or not?

EDIT
it seems they have a few cables actualy so not sure which one i need

http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/store/c7/Sony_PVM.html

Thanks again for the advice its much appreciated.
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The BVM-20E1E is a 1000 TVL set from what i can remember. If you can, GET IT, GET IT, GET IT :D If you like the sharp scanline look it will look amazing! I would love one.. just can't bring myself to spend the money.

A few things with the BVM. They may need terminators on the BNC RGB pass through output sockets. You might find you get a overly bright picture if you don't use the terminators. I think they need to be 75ohm terminator plugs.

Try and find out how many hours the unit has been used for. This can be found in the service menu, and also if you can check the geometry. On the BVM's Channel 94-99 i think hold test patterns to test colour and geometry etc. If when running a grid test patten check the picture isn't slightly rotated. This means messing with the yoke on the tube.. and that can seriously KILL you if you don't know what your doing. I would look for another set if the picture is rotated. Geometry can be adjusted in the service menu so some issues can be rectified.

Regarding geometry.. be prepared to spend a while setting it up.. it will be worth it in the end. The service manuals are on the net for the sony range of PVM's and BVM.

Right cables and Sync. Basically you have C Sync, (or Raw Sync as it is also know) and Composite Video Sync. Basically Raw sync is the pure sync signal being fed to the sync input on the monitor.

Composite video Sync is the Composite video signal with the Sync signal combined. Usually the Yellow plug on the AV leads. What a Sync Cleaner does is strip the Composite video signal away to leave just the Raw sync signal.

How sync is delivered all depends how the System and Cable are wired up. I think PVM's & BVM's don't need a sync cleaner as its built into the monitor. I've never had and issue with sync so a sync cleaner is not usually need with a PVM.

There is a steep learning curve but when you get your head around things it will become easy and very satisfying when you have a wicked picture!

As i say i'm always willing to help and will try my best to answer and questions.

I hope that has help you understand things a bit more.
 
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These arrived today, I only really wanted Metroid Prime from this bundle. The bundle cost me £12 with £3 postage, Metroid alone was going for over £10 on Ebay plus postage of £2-3 so thought this was the best way.

I've played the first level of Metroid tonight and it was awesome. Need to find my memory card though or buy a new one before I get drawn in.

Anybody know if any of those other games are any good?
 
I just finished modding my Core GRAFX the other night. Needed to get it outputting RGB as i cant stand composite. Had to use a RGB Amp as the signals are quite weak from the PC Engine. Fitted a standard 21 Pin Female scart socket so i can use standard cables.

Turned out quite well and the picture is amazing now in RGB. I just need to mod the shell to fit the socket and its done.

Some Pics



 
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Grahame said:
Dug out my old megadrive and SNES games from the loft. Not really a keen collector so I am going to try and shift this lot. Does anyone know the best way to value the games?

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Not much, I think you'll have to give me the lot for free :D.

Joking aside I would just check the prices on eBay and maybe AVF classifieds.
 
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