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[sixteen-bit]

Scratching your carts does not sound like fun. At all.

Analogue NT |OT| The Grate-est NES money can buy

 

[metsallica]

Well that's what the non-hdmi versions are. An nesrgb installed into a custom nes. Theoretically they should output the same image once the cable issue is taken care of.

It's the same board. You can see the difference in our video.

Yes, it's very very crisp through an XRGB Mini (which is what we used for capturing). It is identical in terms of clarity since it's the same board. The brightness problem is a fault of the cable, not the system. It's missing the necessary resistors. It's not a fault cable in the traditional sense - it's an issue with the cable design.

Hard to say, since I decided to get an Analogue instead of an NESRGB-modded NES. But I use an RGB-modded SNES Jr. all the time through the same setup, and (color issue aside) the NES graphics were every bit as crisp as I'm used to from the SNES, if not more so.

Got it, thanks all! Haven't had a chance to fully parse your video yet, dark. But I will!

 

[RetroReid]

Worst case scenario: they have the HDMI chip done and duct taped in for the videos they showed, but no production parts. They bought a few months of time again with the video, so soon they are soon back in China printing HDMI PWBs, then they post pics of the most beautiful HDMI board in September, they get stuck in customs in November, units begin to ship in February 2016...

I don't know if anyone cares but I noticed about a week or so ago that the pictures Analogue have been posting of the Nt displayed on a TV are undoubtably fake.
I think this backs up Chittagong's point that the HDMI units are having some kind of delay.
Why else would they fudge the pictures?

Check this out:
http://postimg.org/image/fw5imeup5/

Notice the curved cropping, pixels don't do that.
Zoom in for best results.

 

[AwShucks]

Sounds like a rip off. I know not everyone is aboard the Retron train, but it's worked out great for me and what they did somehow seems less shady than this thing.

 

[jooey]

Sounds like a rip off. I know not everyone is aboard the Retron train, but it's worked out great for me and what they did somehow seems less shady than this thing.

good point, a plastic android box with stolen emulator code is much more noble

 

[OnPoint]

I would consider myself in the target pool for this. But if it scratches carts?

 

[Seik]

So...it scratches carts?

The very little interest I had for it just vanished.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

I think I'd rather play on my old CRT than pay $578 for just an NES. If this also included SNES capability for the same price I'd be more inclined.


Find yourself a nice sized CRT TV with plenty of composite inputs and an S-Video input. I have my GameCube, PlayStation 1, N64, Genesis, SNES, and NES all hooked up to one. I have my PlayStation 2 hooked up to my HDTV via component, if I could find GameCube component cables for a reasonable price I'd have it on my HDTV too.

 

[Battlesmurf]

So...it scratches carts?

The very little interest I had for it just vanished.

From Analogue people (direct email) :

Inserting Cartridges into the Analogue Nt

One of the most unique aspects of the Analogue Nt when compared to other video game systems, is of course that it is made from aluminum. The Analogue Nt is a high end product and it may require some reasonable extra attention when inserting cartridges. Carelessly inserting / removing cartridges into the slot or dramatically rocking them back and forth, may scuff your cartridges. Cartridges should be inserted and removed in a straight, upward and downward motion to avoid any issues. We’ve tested the cartridge mechanism with hundreds and hundreds of games, for nearly two years now and there a no known issues.



I'm curious to see how this pans out

 

[OnPoint]

That reply is all I needed to see.

You get no money from me.

 

[El Pescado]

From Analogue people (direct email) :

Inserting Cartridges into the Analogue Nt

One of the most unique aspects of the Analogue Nt when compared to other video game systems, is of course that it is made from aluminum. The Analogue Nt is a high end product and it may require some reasonable extra attention when inserting cartridges. Carelessly inserting / removing cartridges into the slot or dramatically rocking them back and forth, may scuff your cartridges. Cartridges should be inserted and removed in a straight, upward and downward motion to avoid any issues. We’ve tested the cartridge mechanism with hundreds and hundreds of games, for nearly two years now and there a no known issues.



I'm curious to see how this pans out

To be fair, I think there's like one of these out in the wild now. How many different units do we have reports of it scratching carts from?

 

[KJA]

For that price, I think I would wait for Kevtris' HI-Def NES to come out so I can mod my existing AV Famicom but I hate the fact that once you install it, you won't able to use it anymore on any CRTs (like my Sony PVM).

The only other solution, of course, would to do take the NESRGB route and get an upscaler like the Framemeister, so I can get the best of both worlds (240p on CRTs and 1080p-upscaled on HDTVs).

I will say though that Component Output of the Analogue NT look exceptionally good.

 

[RadarScope1]

I ... think I know how to insert and remove video game cartridges from my video game console. I happen to have some experience in such matters. I don't need a goofy email to instruct me further.

 

[Dreamwriter]

I ... think I know how to insert and remove video game cartridges from my video game console. I happen to have some experience in such matters. I don't need a goofy email to instruct me further.

Their point was that people worried about scratching their cartridges should just be careful about it.

 

[Chittagong]

They did however say that they are shipping about 40-50 Nt's a week.
My order number is like #1900 so, based on that math I won't receive mine until freaking mid august!
(First Nt orders were in the #1500's)

It seems your maths check out, Analogue just sent out an update announcing a shipping delay to August for some orders:

Shipping Update

Since we started shipping last month, we know everyone has been anxiously waiting for their Analogue Nt.

We’ve got a lot of units to go through (a few hundred from day one orders alone) and we’re moving as fast as we can. We assemble every unit ourselves, to guarantee quality and perfection. It is important to understand that we are a small team and it takes us time to assemble, test and ship each unit. We know it’s been frustrating for some to wait all this time, but we’re very, very close to getting everybody’s orders out. Fortunately there are no foreseeable delays / or obstacles - it’s simply a matter of assembly, testing and shipping.

We are continuing to assemble / test / ship 7 days a week - we see no reason we won’t have all orders shipped within July and August.

I'll need to update the History in the OP with this latest delay.

I could add also a GAF order tracker in the OP, if people want to share their details. Sort of like this:

User Name / HDMI upgrade / Approximate order nr / Shipped
Chittagong / Yes / Early #1600 / No
dark10x / No / Early #1500 / Yes

 

[RadarScope1]

Their point was that people worried about scratching their cartridges should just be careful about it.

Right. And that kind of says something in and of itself, doesn't it?

 

[baphomet]

If they were actually testing them, how did they not see the cable brightness issue?

 

[Chittagong]

If they were actually testing them, how did they not see the cable brightness issue?

I would guess that they didn't have a test case for SCART. They probably just tested composite and component. What could be a reason for that? Probably as simple as that the company is US-based -> SCART was not used in US -> Analogue didn't have a monitor with SCART and figured a cable is a cable

 

[Khaz]

It was delayed because they weren't able to so it by themselves. Has nothing to do with Kevtris's project.

I'm convinced their original HDMI solution was a cheap rebranded Scart to HDMI box, until they stumbled upon Kevtris' HDMI mod and delayed their console yet again to profit from it.

They're designers, not engineers. They made a nice shell, and then went to the internet to see what they could put in. The NES is a reproduction board (easy to make with the service manuals), and the RGB and HDMI are independent projects they sell as their own with the blessing of the original creators. Then sell the assembled bunch as a luxury product for a ridiculous price.

An NESRGB is $70, a modder would install it for you for about $50. With a cartridge adapter ($10) and a console ($100 to be really generous), you get a total price of $230. more than half an Analogue NT for the exact same result and the added nostalgia of the original form factor of your cherished console.

 

[dark10x]

An NESRGB is $70, a modder would install it for you for about $50. With a cartridge adapter ($10) and a console ($100 to be really generous), you get a total price of $230. more than half an Analogue NT for the exact same result and the added nostalgia of the original form factor of your cherished console.

How about finding one of those pre-made for sale at that price for us?

 

[BMX Bandit]

I'm one of those people that has 100 nes games lying around. Keep us updated on developments with the HDMI edition. Also, kinda off topic but is there anyone doing or is it even possible to do something similar with the snes?

 

[NoFaceNico]

I don't know if anyone cares but I noticed about a week or so ago that the pictures Analogue have been posting of the Nt displayed on a TV are undoubtably fake.
I think this backs up Chittagong's point that the HDMI units are having some kind of delay.
Why else would they fudge the pictures?

Check this out:
http://postimg.org/image/fw5imeup5/

Notice the curved cropping, pixels don't do that.
Zoom in for best results.

I believe you. Not only that, the photo proves that when they took the pic, the TV wasn't even on!

The top of the NES cart is completely black, there's no reflection at all. Take any NES cart and hold it slightly below eye level in front of a screen that's turned on. You'll see that the top of the cart reflects a little bit of the screen off the grey plastic and end label (especially on a black colored label like Final Fantasy) because the screen is a light source.

Not only that, the console itself has a metallic finish so why isn't there a reflection there too? This HDMI business is starting to look sketchy as hell.

 

[Khaz]

For that price, I think I would wait for Kevtris' HI-Def NES to come out so I can mod my existing AV Famicom but I hate the fact that once you install it, you won't able to use it anymore on any CRTs (like my Sony PVM).

I'm pretty sure you can install both kits in a console and use both RGB and HDMI at the same time.

 

[Chittagong]

I'm one of those people that has 100 nes games lying around. Keep us updated on developments with the HDMI edition. Also, kinda off topic but is there anyone doing or is it even possible to do something similar with the snes?

No reason why something like this couldn't be done for Super NES:

- there are tons of SFCs to salvage chips from
- SFC already outputs RGB, so no extra board needed
- the Kevtris HDMI conversion should be totally possible with Super NES
- a 50/60hz region lock switch could be easily integrated

Actually, I am pretty convinced that if Analogue manage to pull this one through, we will see an Analogue SN and an Analogue MD.

 

[BMX Bandit]

No reason why something like this couldn't be done for Super NES:

- there are tons of SFCs to salvage chips from
- SFC already outputs RGB, so no extra board needed
- the Kevtris HDMI conversion should be totally possible with Super NES
- a 50/60hz region lock switch could be easily integrated

Actually, I am pretty convinced that if Analogue manage to pull this one through, we will see an Analogue SN and an Analogue MD.

Awesome. Thanks for the reply and making this thread. I'd never heard of this thing before now but you've got me interested. Looking forward to see what you've got to say about yours when it arrives.

 

[Huggers]

How about finding one of those pre-made for sale at that price for us?

I got a top loader that was rgb modded for that and a front loader modded for much less

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

No reason why something like this couldn't be done for Super NES:

- there are tons of SFCs to salvage chips from
- SFC already outputs RGB, so no extra board needed
- the Kevtris HDMI conversion should be totally possible with Super NES
- a 50/60hz region lock switch could be easily integrated

Actually, I am pretty convinced that if Analogue manage to pull this one through, we will see an Analogue SN and an Analogue MD.

Like I said, if they made a NES-SNES combo box with HDMI for the same price I'd buy it without hesitation (if it didn't scratch the carts).

 

[baphomet]

I'm pretty sure you can install both kits in a console and use both RGB and HDMI at the same time.

You can't fit both boards in at the same time to my understanding.

 

[Khaz]

You can't fit both boards in at the same time to my understanding.

You can't? I thought the HD board would be put on the side, with ribbon cables going to the PPU and CPU. Maybe you can only have both in an NES shell, not top loaders. We'll need to wait for the final product but yeah, better to assume you won't be able to.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

You can't fit both boards in at the same time to my understanding.

Fitting both in the same case might be a challenge but it sounds like they'll probably work together just fine.

 

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

This is a boutique, enthusiast product. There aren't hundreds of them in stacks by the checkout counter at Best Buy. The price conversation really goes off the deep end when the competing product is a custom modded console.

 

[Khaz]

How about finding one of those pre-made for sale at that price for us?

How about buying the pieces separately and have them assembled, instead of looking for an complete product with an overpriced BIN on ebay?

 

[mlpz]

Thanks for making this thread, I'm getting more information and intel from you all than from Analogue directly at this point.

I pre-ordered on day one, here's my info:

HDMI: Yes
Order No: early 1500s
Shipped: NO

Disappointed to hear that it's the HDMI that may be causing the delays. Hoping we'll get our units by August like they're estimating, but based on past communications from them...well fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice....

 

[PumpkinSpice]

Why did so many of you pre-order this? I mean it looks neat but why didn't you just wait until it's done?

 

[baphomet]

Fitting both in the same case might be a challenge but it sounds like they'll probably work together just fine.

Hopefully that's true, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[heyf00L]

As neat as this is (despite the obvious drawbacks), there are much easier and cheaper ways to play my NES games over HDMI.

 

[dark10x]

As neat as this is (despite the obvious drawbacks), there are much easier and cheaper ways to play my NES games over HDMI.

If your first thought is emulation then it's clear that this type of thing is not intended for you.

 

[metsallica]

No reason why something like this couldn't be done for Super NES:

- there are tons of SFCs to salvage chips from
- SFC already outputs RGB, so no extra board needed
- the Kevtris HDMI conversion should be totally possible with Super NES
- a 50/60hz region lock switch could be easily integrated

Actually, I am pretty convinced that if Analogue manage to pull this one through, we will see an Analogue SN and an Analogue MD.

Is it weird that I started salivating while reading this post?

 

[baphomet]

No reason why something like this couldn't be done for Super NES:

- there are tons of SFCs to salvage chips from
- SFC already outputs RGB, so no extra board needed
- the Kevtris HDMI conversion should be totally possible with Super NES
- a 50/60hz region lock switch could be easily integrated

Actually, I am pretty convinced that if Analogue manage to pull this one through, we will see an Analogue SN and an Analogue MD.

Except Analogue doesnt actually know how to do that. They were relying on others in every instance of video output in this as well as their MVS. If someone else comes along and makes a SNES to HDMI, then Analogue could put that into a package and sell it. But they aren't able to do it on their own.

 

[Chittagong]

Except Analogue doesnt actually know how to do that. They were relying on others in every instance of video output in this as well as their MVS. If someone else comes along and makes a SNES to HDMI, then Analogue could put that into a package and sell it. But they aren't able to do it on their own.

You're right. If they were smart that's exactly what they'd do - they should get some knowledgeable people to do the actual tech, have someone who is good at communicating to keep people updated, and focus their own energies on design and shooting product porn against brick walls and wooden floors. I mean, Hagane running over HDMI against that brick wall would look pretty sweet.

Thanks for making this thread, I'm getting more information and intel from you all than from Analogue directly at this point.

I pre-ordered on day one, here's my info:

HDMI: Yes
Order No: early 1500s
Shipped: NO

Disappointed to hear that it's the HDMI that may be causing the delays. Hoping we'll get our units by August like they're estimating, but based on past communications from them...well fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice....

Thanks, added! Disappointing that you are among the very first who ordered and haven't got yours. Certainly seems that HDMI is the problem.

It seems the highest order numbers are at 1900s, so they have got around 400 orders for the device, netting them some $200K. It's not crazy money, but certainly enough to get the job done.

 

[metsallica]

Except Analogue doesnt actually know how to do that. They were relying on others in every instance of video output in this as well as their MVS. If someone else comes along and makes a SNES to HDMI, then Analogue could put that into a package and sell it. But they aren't able to do it on their own.

can uh... can you get on that please? thanks.

 

[baphomet]

can uh... can you get on that please? thanks.

Shit, I watch those Kevtris videos and wish I had that type of knowledge.

 

[Gokurakumaru]

Meh, I have a Retro Trio.

 

[dark10x]

Meh, I have a Retro Trio.

A Retro Trio huh? It's a third rate clone system. Not exactly the same thing. The NES quality is very poor and limited to composite (it can output via the s-video port but it's not actually s-video).

There are many ways to play NES but if you want to use real hardware you'll want an NESRGB or something similar.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Meh, I have a Retro Trio.

My man!!

I love that little clone console!

A Retro Trio huh? It's a third rate clone system. Not exactly the same thing.

There are many ways to play NES but if you want to use real hardware you'll want an NESRGB or something similar.

I disagree that it's a third rate clone system. I've got a video I've been working on, should be ready this weekend and it does discuss this system.

I think the two systems are fascinating. Overall they do the same thing- they play your old carts. But their design ethos' are polar opposites.

A better way of explaining it is this- The SR3 is a console for those like to play retro games and enjoy collecting original carts. The Analgue NT is a console for those who like to count pixels and hate their own money.

 

[RadarScope1]

There's no real need to harp on spending choices. It's expensive but this whole hobby is expensive. That's why the nit-picking matters. If the IQ and lag time is better than other options, it will continue to look attractive to many NES hardcores.

 

[dark10x]

I disagree that it's a third rate clone system. I've got a video I've been working on, should be ready this weekend and it does discuss this system.

I think the two systems are fascinating. Overall they do the same thing- they play your old carts. But their design ethos' are polar opposites.

A better way of explaining it is this- The SR3 is a console for those like to play retro games and enjoy collecting original carts. The Analgue NT is a console for those who like to count pixels and hate their own money.

What is it you like about the system? I'm not sure I get it.

The main issue is that, for NES, it's still limited to composite video just like a regular NES. There's no benefit to using it over a stock (cheap) NES. It also lacks RGB support for Genesis and SNES which comes standard on those systems.

There are plenty of other RGB options for NES aside from the NT since the NT is just using the NESRGB board anyways.

So what does the Trio offer over a standard NES or AV Famicom since it's limited to composite out? What advantage does it offer over a real Genesis or SNES?

That's not even getting into the potential inaccuracies of a clone system.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

Doesn't the RetroTrio support S-Video which is basically the same as RGB?

 

[dark10x]

Doesn't the RetroTrio support S-Video which is basically the same as RGB?

1) S-Video is not bad at all, I agree, but RGB is still a good deal better.

2) The S-Video output on the Trio does passes the equivalent of composite video while using the NES portion. That is, you will not actually be getting real S-Video out of the system while playing NES games.

Honestly, if there WERE a clone system like this capable of producing S-Vid or RGB it would actually be a far more interesting device. I still prefer real hardware but it could be a decent alternative at a lower price. Unfortunately, all of these clone devices I've researched or used do not support anything greater than composite and often the composite is even WORSE than the original system.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Well, it's $440 cheaper than even the base Analogue NT. It comes with SNES and Genesis ports. It uses the best SNES clone controllers I've ever seen (seriously, they're a perfect copy). It's just a fun system to own. The bit wars were an exciting time for gaming and the SR3 is a design that was obviously stolen from the margins of my 3rd grade social studies textbook.

If you go by specs and sounds and examine both with a fine tooth comb, then yeah I have no argument, the Analogue NT wins every time. But if we're going to go by specs and sounds then I could get NT quality with a Raspberry Pi, and maybe even cheaper than an SR3! So obviously those aren't what makes the NT so special.

I still like the Analogue NT. You guys can drool over the PCB or the aluminum case and I'd be right there with you... if it was at least $200 cheaper.