Recently I did a review on an RGB mod done by the fine folks over at HDRGB. Specifically, it was done to my compatible Nintendo 64. If you would like to read my glowing review of that, simply click here. Anywho, they really did the greatest work that I had done to any of my systems thus far. So today I wanted to shine more of a spotlight on them, their business, and what they do. Let’s dig a bit deeper into the modest Canadian store simply called HDRGB.
Who are HDRGB?:
I decided to let this one be answered by the crew themselves:
“We started HDRGB to fulfill our burning desire to modernize our favourite vintage video-game consoles. Our beginning started from a simple problem: how can we display our childhood consoles on a modern television when most of these systems came packaged with the yellow/red/white analog cables (or even worse, RF!). We quickly realized that there was no easy solution as modern TV sets do not have these old inputs. Even if it were to work the colour quality and resolution would make the system look worse than it did back then on a regular tube CRT television. Our solution? RGB. We take pride in modifying existing consoles to output in the best possible image quality. We do various modifications for Nintendo, Sega, and even NEC consoles. Our goal is to share the best quality picture with fans of these wonderful systems so they can be enjoyed for years to come.”
What is RGB?:
To answer the question in it’s simplest form, it’s a clearer picture than standard AV. Meaning, that those junky yellow, white, and red cords coming out of the back of your Sega Saturn or Nintendo Super Famicom can look a whole heap better. You’ll have either a new port installed altogether or sometimes the inside can be modified to make the standard port export an RGB signal. Then you can convert that RGB signal to HDMI via SCART. These are some words that some people may not have heard before. Don’t worry, these guys take the guesswork out of the picture for you.
Services:
If you already have one of the systems that I’m about to mention, you can reach out to them and choose the service that you’d like. This section is for those who already own the console and do not need to buy it.
Nintendo 64:
- Make the system region free.
- Replace the power LED to any color you want.
- Add a signal amplifier to make it RGB.
Sega Dreamcast:
- Install VGA port to output the best picture for the Sega Dreamcast.
- Install 3.5 mm audio jack to play sound from external speaker.
- Toggle switch to toggle between regular AV output and VGA output.
- Replace the power LED to any color you want.
Sega Saturn:
- Modify Saturn to play all region games via toggle switch.
- 50/60Hz switch to match region specific TV input.
- Replace the power LED to any color you want.
Gamecube:
- Install HDMI port at the back of the console.
- Region toggle switch that changes from Japanese to North American. Also changes the color of the LED. Color choices are Red/Green or Red/Blue.
- Install a GC modchip that allows the console to play burnt backup games.
PC Engine/Turbografx:
- Modify the console for RGB output via 8-pin DIN port.
- Requires a PC engine SCART cable output video signal with RGB.
Products:
These are full fledged consoles that are pre-modded to have the same features mentioned before. These are only for the people who don’t already own said system and want to buy them premodded.
Super Famicom:
- Good condition console with regular blemishes/scratches/chips/marks.
- Plays both Super Nintendo SNES and Super Famicom SFC games. SNES games fit snug while SFC games have a little wiggle room.
- NTSC-U/C/J Compatible meaning it works in the U.S/Canada as well as Japan. Not intended for PAL.
- Brand new Euro Scart RGB Cable (Not JP21) for HD compatible upscalers. Outputs in component/HDMI. You can use any upscaler you like (Not included).
- OEM Controller. Buttons and D-Pad are good and fully functional.
- OEM Power Supply. Works in North America. NTSC-U/C/J compatible.
- As a bonus, 2 Japanese games for you start enjoying your Super Famicom experience
- Super Famicom Console from Japan (SNES). Region Free.
- The cart slots are carefully modified and smoothed to fit SNES cartridges. They fit very snug with little to no-movement and play flawlessly.
- Plays both Super Famicom/Super Nintendo. Please check the photos for details. Please make sure not to wiggle the SFC games since they are more loose than SNES. Runs perfectly.
- The Scart cable pulls out true RGB colors natively from the system. Stereo Sound. HD Picture.
- All of my modified consoles fit the games perfectly and play flawlessly.
Nintendo 64:
- Nintendo 64 Amp Installed Console. Region Free. Plays all U.S/Japanese Games. Fully functional/cleaned/tested.
- Scart RGB video and audio cable (when combined with the SCART to HDMI upscaler the system will display 720/1080p signal in 16:9 aspect ratio resolution).
- Custom LED light.
- Scart-to-HDMI 720/1080p upscaler. Power supply included.
- Brand New HDMI Cable.
- Official Jumper Pack.
- Official Power Supply- U.S Plug. Works in the U.S.A/Canada.
- 6 Foot Controller Extension Cable: Great length to accommodate larger screens.
- Official Grey Controller- Used and in good condition. Fairly tight analog stick with minor wobble, fully functional. Regular blemishes. See photos. Tested/Plays normally.
- Brand new THS7314 RGB amplifier installed, secured and tightened safety to the console.
- N64 Console: Modified NUS-CPU-04 board. RGB amplified with a THS7314DR
- Carefully installed using high-quality parts and an efficient design. Tested and Secured.
- High-quality cables wrapped with heat shrink and color-coded for easy identification.
- Loose pressure on the soldering points means fewer chances of snapping or breaking.
- This modification is non-destructive, meaning you can still use your standard A/V cables.
- Region Free- Plays NTSU-U/C/J American and Japanese Games.
PC Engine/Turbografx:
- NEC PC Engine Core Grafx. RGB modified with DIN-8 jack connector installed.
- Carefully installed using high-quality parts and an efficient design. Tested and Secured.
- High-quality cables running on the board and color-coded for easy identification.
- Loose pressure on the soldering points means fewer chances of snapping or breaking.
- DIN8 circular jack connector installed to accommodate the SCART cable.
- NEC PC Engine Core Grafx. Plays Japanese import hucards. Overall good condition. Regular blemishes.
- Official Controller- Used and in good condition with regular usage. Overall good condition buttons+D-pad. Regular blemishes. Fully functional. Tested/Plays normally.
- Euro pin-out Scart RGB video and audio cable (when combined with a SCART-to-HDMI upscaler the system will display 720/1080p signal in 16:9 aspect ratio resolution (not included)
- OEM Power Supply- U.S Plug. Works in the U.S.A/Canada.
- Brand new DIN8 circular jack connector.
- One Hucard game.
Sega Dreamcast:
- Sega Dreamcast Revision 1 Console in very good working condition. Cosmetically it is good with very light scratches and blemishes. Please see photos.
- New C2032 System Battery Installed in a brand new vertical slot for easy replacement. No more constantly having to set the time on your Dreamcast during reboots!
- Modified VGA Output- Uses any VGA cable. No need for a VGA box! (hooks to a computer monitor/TV with VGA)
- Modified 3.5mm Audio Output (can be hooked with computer/external speakers for added sound/treble/bass)
- VGA Switch (toggles VGA on/off)
- VGA 480p RGB Cable. Ready to go.
- The best version of the system. Natively plays back-ups.
- OEM Controller- Good condition. Very minor discoloration/scratches.
- OEM VMU
- Power Cable
Nintendo Gamecube (Region Switch Modified Original OEM Boxed Console. Great for Domestic and Import Games):
- Gamecube Console: Modified with a region free switch.
- Flip the switch, power on the console and play either region.
- Dual Red // Green LED Power button. One LED for each region.
- Region Free- Plays NTSU-U/C/J American and Japanese Games.
- Carefully installed switch using high quality parts and an efficient design. Tested and Secured.
- Dual LED power light. When in America mode the power LED is red, when switched to Japan it turns green.
- Nintendo Gamecube Console. Light scuffs, blemishes, scratches, dust and signs related to age. Used console. Tested and working 100%.
- Region switch installed at the rear. One direction is for US, one for JP. Import friendly console.
- Custom dual led visually indicating which region the console is switched to.
Red = America Green = Japan - Official Power Supply- U.S Plug. Works in the U.S.A/Canada.
- Official Controller- Used and in average/good condition. Slightly loose thumb analog stick. Fully functional. Regular blemishes. Tested/Plays normally.
Sega Saturn:
- Switch Modified.
- Plays games from all regions.
- Can easily switch between North America, Japan, and European games.
- There is a switch for 50 or 60 hertz as well.
Raspberry Pi/Emulator Box:
- Made from a Raspberry Pi.
- 3D printed case.
- 30+ emulators running from RecalBox.
- Very simple graphic user interface for playing games and streaming media via Kodi.
- Compatible with all usb game controllers: Xbox 360 controller, PS3 controller, SNES, N64, Logitech, etc.
- Also compatible with regular computer keyboards and mouse.
- Has built-in wifi and bluetooth connections available.
- Over 30 game systems to play from!
- The best way to relive your childhood on your bigscreen TV!
FAQ’s from their Site:
Q.HOW DO I SEND MY CONSOLE?
Mail it in. We will provide you our mailing address. Once we receive the package we will begin to work on it within 1-3 days, test it, then ship it back. The turn around rate is usually one week.
Q.HOW DO I MAKE PURCHASE?
* We are still working out the details of our website. In the meantime, the best way is to purchase from our eBay account.
Q.WHERE DO YOU SHIP TO AND HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING COST?
Q.WHICH CARRIER DO WE USE AND ACCEPT?
Q.DO I NEED ANY EXTRA EQUIPMENT ALONG WITH YOUR CONSOLE?
Depending on what you purchase, you may. Any console we sell with a euro-pin scart cable requires a scart-to-hdmi upscaler, unless you are directly connecting it to a TV that has a scart socket (probably not unless you have a European TV). If you are using a xRGB mini you will need a JP21 scart cable provided elsewhere. Please see the individual items for details or feel free to contact us for any clarifications.
Interested in mailing in your console into hdRGB? Click here and fill in your info. Or you can email them at hdrgbconsoles@gmail.com
Want to see their whole site for yourself? Click here to see all of their systems and services!
Maybe you’d like to see their eBay page? Feel free, it’s right here (they’re rated at 100% positive by the way).
You can follow them on these outlets:
instagram: hdrgbconsoles
YouTube: hdRGB
Facebook: hdRGB