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Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 19 Mar 2020, 20:03
by Go4IT
Here we can talk about the retrofit tutorial. :D

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 20 Mar 2020, 00:24
by Go4IT
Hey! What do you think about my retrofit-tutorial? Hope some of you guys would be able to repeat all the necessary steps and you enjoy it. It's a HELL of a work, i can tell you, but it's worth it... of course i show the way i do it, maybe there are better, easier ways to.

So any comments, questions, hints can be put here.

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 20 Mar 2020, 19:43
by oscarboiro
Hi ,
Thank you very much for sharing this information. I am looking forward in doing my first attempt. Unfortunately now I am not able to buy the electronic components until the restrictions because of the coronavirus are over. As soon as I have the material at home, I will comment my progress here. And I repeat, thank you so much for sharing this information.

Best regards

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 20 Mar 2020, 21:16
by Go4IT
Hey, i see, but is the post shutdown also in your country? This works very well in Germany (for now). Those parts are not available at your local radio shack ;-)
Hm, maybe, if this is an option for you, i can make a set for you from my remaining parts? I still need to find a way to put those very small parts into where they did not get lost and can be identifed with ease. A low-budged way to do could be to put the parts under a tape and write numbers on top...
But - maybe you want to wait until i'm finished to see if it works at all ;-)

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 20 Mar 2020, 21:46
by oscarboiro
Go4IT wrote: 20 Mar 2020, 21:16 Hey, i see, but is the post shutdown also in your country? This works very well in Germany (for now). Those parts are not available at your local radio shack ;-)
Hm, maybe, if this is an option for you, i can make a set for you from my remaining parts? I still need to find a way to put those very small parts into where they did not get lost and can be identifed with ease. A low-budged way to do could be to put the parts under a tape and write numbers on top...
But - maybe you want to wait until i'm finished to see if it works at all ;-)
In Spain the post service only work to urgent mail and money transactions. Rest all packets are stopped. Normally I buy parts in China from AliExpress, and this items are stopped.
In the local commerce any electronic shop have a smd components. This stores can order for me, but the price is very very high. One standard resistor with color code have price around 1€, for this price I buy a big lot in China with different values.

I have some condensors and resistors smd removed from a laptop mother board, now I have time read values and select.

From another side I need buy a standard graphic pcb or give unit of a friend and try. Bit I think best option to test is buy another graphic board, and if works fine, I have part to my MCA.

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 21 Mar 2020, 12:02
by Go4IT
I see and totally agree that one should do this with a spare-board at hand. I did this twice until i now started my little series with 5 boards at once. Let's see if they all work afterwards ;)
For me, retrofitting is fun and more a proof-of-concept, or call it i-do-because-i-can... choose as you like. And of course to enable others to do the same. Of course it's not about money or efficiency.

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 22 Mar 2020, 22:02
by sanndo
Wow man! Great post, great result!

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 22 Mar 2020, 23:55
by Go4IT
Thanks, now it's up to you folks to convert your devices ;-)
Hope to get some picts from your builds.

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 23 Mar 2020, 05:50
by DGAlexandru
Hi Go4IT,
the video signal is "Composite Video" not "S-Video".

Other than this, GREAT JOB!

Re: Convert MCA into MCA-Plus (Discussion)

Posted: 23 Mar 2020, 08:15
by sanndo
Go4IT wrote: 22 Mar 2020, 23:55 Thanks, now it's up to you folks to convert your devices ;-)
Hope to get some picts from your builds.
Who have MCA.. I have stupid FX haha.. If any way to do this on fx will be great.. but as i know is not possible :D