Game Gear LCD Upgrade

[batteries]

I've been checking out the "Game Gear to TV" articles and Youtube videos and it is definitely possible to get RGB video out of the Game Gear.

My plan is to build the decoder (http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/ggrgb/ggrgb.html) to produce RGB video and then purchase a RGB-to-Composite adapter (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-powere ... ecam-15524" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). I'm hoping I will be able to fit the adapter inside the Game Gear body. I rarely use my Game Gear on battery power so the battery compartments are a backup plan, if I need the space.

Then, I want to take the composite video signal and feed it to a LCD unit (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/3-5-lcd-re ... ntsc-20415) And with a bit of magic, fit the LCD in the Game Gear body.

Expected final result: Game Gear with a MUCH better screen and better battery life.

I'll post pictures when I get started with it.


Can anybody think of any reason why this wouldn't be possible or possible pitfalls?

Thanks!

[eagle5953]

The circuit to generate RGB is pretty intense, especially with stacking chips to make it fit.

Your VGA->composite adapter that you linked to is listed as 3.74 in x 2.17 in x 1.18 in and weighing in at nearly a pound. There's a little empty space in the Game Gear, but not nearly that much. Also, it draws power and would likely negate any decreased screen power draw.

You'd really just be better off going with a screen that natively accepts RGB. They're more expensive, but you'll avoid needing to downgrade the signal with a comparatively huge adapter.

As far as tips? Get that complex circuit built and working before worrying about the screen - that's going to be the toughest part. Good luck!

[wallydawg]

From what I recall, composite out from the gamegear will be black and white with the decoder. I looked into this a while back and it just doesn't seem that feasable yet; I haven't seen proof of any 3.5" screens running RGB (a few that claim it, but you know how that goes). Someone had RGB out onto a PSOne screen as well but it wasn't at full screen, not that the psone board would fit in the case with all the GG parts in there anyway.

I looked into this about a year ago, so hopefully things have changed since then. The SMSPower forum, which is hotlinked in the decoder site you mentioned, has a lot of info so I'd ask them about something like this.

[batteries]

Thanks for the quick and informative responses! You guys are awesome

@eagle5953 That RGB is insanely intense! Whichever composite converter I decide to go with will definitely be taken out the case and slimmed down as much as possible, so hopefully it won't be that big. But I think you're right on the power issue, it probably will negate any power savings from the LCD.

I looked for hours to find a LCD monitor that accepted RGB/VGA input and the smallest I could find was 7", which is way too big for the GG.

@wallydawg Using this RGB decoder from the link will definitely output a color signal. Thanks for the suggestion to check out SMSPower Forums. I found this http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopi ... =game+gear The background info that goes with this technique is here http://members.iinet.net.au/~stinkyfist ... v/ggtv.htm My problem is that I have no idea where to find the PCB for the Altera chip. Plus, I don't know how to program the chip. I'm guessing you need a serial adapter and computer software.

[Tibia]

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=26789" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lovablechevy's working on one. The circuit is a female of the dog species to build. She did tell me she found a source for a premade one. I don't remember where the link is. She's done it both ways and says that the premade one gets FAR BETTER results and is totally worth the cost. There are downsides to it, though. It will only display on half the screen, so you're going to need to fit a bigger screen in the case. The premade one will do composite and S-Video as well as RGB. It's a pretty slick little thing. You'll still need a bigger screen, though. If you use one the same size, you'll get a tiny picture in the middle of the screen.

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... 78#p424778" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[batteries]

@wallydawg I see why you said B&W output only. I found a couple websites like this one http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/chri ... video.html where people were getting B&W output instead of color. From what I've gathered, the people who were getting B&W had much simpler decoders than the guy at http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/ggrgb/ggrgb.html . I'm guessing here, but if the video signal isn't calibrated right, monitors will interpret color as B&W. I think Lovablechevy was getting B&W because she was missing something that would be found in a RGB to Composite converter. She had her RGB circuit wired directly to a playstation video cable.

[Tibia]

Lovablechevy had it hooked up to a PS1 screen that accepted RGB. She redid the circuit several times, but it never worked properly. Found the new converter, though. http://members.iinet.net.au/~stinkyfist ... v/ggtv.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Composite, S-Vid, and RGB. He's got the schematics and the files to build and program your own, too.

[batteries]

Ohhh. Hmmm... Well, Lovablechevy knows way more about this stuff than I do so I'm baffled about the color issue.

But I'm still lost on how to get hold of that premade circuit. Can you simply submit a schematic to some company and have them build a small number of PCBs?

[Snow_Cat]

RCGroups.comCheap PCB manufacturer

Yes. Though if you draw the PCB (in EagleCAD or similar) first and send them the "Gerber" files it outputs you will only need to pay for the PCB w/ shipping and not for the CAD operator to design the board art too.

EDIT: unable to delete this so ...

Are you able to program the CPLD chip for the "improved" version?