The Blog

Composite Video USB Capture Device

Nix McRetro // 31st August 2016 // Categories: Gaming, Hacks, Sega

Not the capture device we need, but the capture device we deserve. For $25 it doesn’t do a bad job at all, and it even works on a Mac? Incredible. For the glitching videos I’m crossing random address lines (and I dare say data lines) to produce all sorts of... Continue reading

Super Nintendo - Replacing C59 on the SNSP-CPU-01

Nix McRetro // 29th August 2016 // Categories: Nintendo, Repairs, YouTube

In this video we replace C59 on a PAL SNSP-CPU-01 mainboard. The important detail is that C59 is not completely consistent across these revisions. The -01 revision and some -02 boards were fitted with a polarised capacitor at C59, while most -02 boards use a bipolar / non-polar capacitor there.... Continue reading

Super Famicom and the Green Line of Doom

Nix McRetro // 27th August 2016 // Categories: Nintendo, Repairs, YouTube

Ever wondered what that green line is? Not everyone has it, just a few of us. This particular Super Famicom has a rather annoying vertical green line running through the picture, and I’d like to find out why. It’s even moving around slightly, which makes it considerably more distracting than... Continue reading

Sega Dreamcast Broadband Adapter (BBA) Dumping

Nix McRetro // 26th August 2016 // Categories: Hacks, Sega

Sega Dreamcast Broadband Adapter (BBA) Dumping

The Dreamcast Broadband Adapter is one of the most awesome pieces of technology you can bolt onto a Dreamcast. Software such as httpd-ack can transfer GD-ROM tracks over the network and dump the console’s BIOS. GD-R development media can also be dumped through suitable System Disc 2 / disc-swap workflows.... Continue reading

Sega Saturn Power Supply Swapping

Nix McRetro // 25th August 2016 // Categories: Hacks, Repairs, Sega

Sega Saturn power supplies generally fall into three broad form factors, commonly called Type A, Type B and Type C. Type B: Used through roughly VA1 to VA5. This is the long five-pin supply pictured above. Typical pins: GND, GND, 3.3 V, 5 V, 9 V. Type C: Used on... Continue reading