CD-i:CD-i 220 RGB Mod

CDi-220 RGB Mod

I've only tested a handful of "CDi 220", front-loading units, but as long as your NTSC CDi has the Sony CXA chip, this mod should work for you too. PAL 220's should already have the RGB SCART built-in. That being said, _please_ proceed at your own risk!!!

Parts Needed:

You'll need a few tools for this mod (more info on the tools can be found in [tools.html the tools section]): - Soldering skills! - Torx screwdriver set to open the CDi case & internals - Philips head screwdriver - Soldering iron / solder - Thin gauge wire - Four (4) 75 Ohm resistors, the lowest tolerance possible. - Four (4) 220uF/16v capacitors - RGB output port (any port will work, just make sure you pick a port with a matching RGB cable).

RGB Mod:

\- Start by removing the top cover:  Remove the two torx screws on each side and the top three screws in back:

\- Next, remove the outer screws that contain the expansion socket. These screws were one size larger torx than the case screws:

\- Before you can remove the expansion socket, remove the two screws on top, then pull up from the area by the top screws to release the socket:

\- You'll find the Sony CXA chip underneath the expansion slot:

\- Solder R, G, B and CSYNC (please see the note about csync below) directly to the chip, as shown here:

\- Here's the actual chip diagram, in case you're interested (click for full-sized):

\- Next, choose a mounting location for your RGB port. I chose to use an 8-pin MiniDIN and mounted it where the RF adapter went, allowing the mod to be 100% reversible, without any cutting at all.

\- Run all four video lines to the output. Make sure each line has a 220uF/16v capacitor on the end, as well as a 75ohm resistor on each line as well. ****

\- Find a ground point to solder to your connector. There's no "special" place to get ground, anywhere will do (just verify with your multimeter). I used one of the holes the the RF adapter originally mounted to.

\- If your RGB connector routes audio through it, wire that in as well. I soldered my connections to the bottom of the RCA audio ports and ran them through the RF holes to the top of the board:

Conclusion:

The CDi is pretty much the worst console ever made...but at least you can "enjoy" it in RGB!

Well, that's it! Feel free to go back to the [cdi.html main CDi page]. If you'd like info on mods for other systems, head to the [/systems.html Getting RGB From Each System page] or check out [/ the main page] for more retro-awesomeness.