CD-i:CD-i 220 RGB Mod

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Revision as of 19:34, 3 April 2022 by RetroRGB (talk | contribs) (RetroRGB moved page RetroRGB Migration:Cdi220rgb to CD-i:CD-i 220 RGB Mod: Moving to NS)
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    • 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: CDiRGB01.jpg

\- Next, remove the outer screws that contain the expansion socket.  These screws were one size larger torx than the case screws: CDiRGB02.jpg

\- 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: CDiRGB04.jpg

\- You'll find the Sony CXA chip underneath the expansion slot: CDiRGB05.jpg

\- Solder R, G, B and CSYNC (please see the note about csync below) directly to the chip, as shown here: CDiRGB06.jpg

\- Here's the actual chip diagram, in case you're interested (click for full-sized): [[[File:CDiRGB07.jpg)](https://cdn.retrorgb.com/images/CXA1145M.jpg]]

\- 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. CDiRGB11.jpg

\- 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. **CDiRGB12.jpg**

\- 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: CDiRGB13.jpg

    • Conclusion:**

The CDi is pretty much the worst console ever made...but at least you can "enjoy" it in RGB! CDiRGB14.jpg

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.