GBA:Innovation GBA TV Converter: Difference between revisions

From ConsoleMods Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Category:RetroRGB Migration Sourced from [https://www.retrorgb.com/ RetroRGB.com] with explicit permission from Bob.)
 
mNo edit summary
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[File:GBAPage02.jpg|thumb]]
{{Note|Unless you already have a Innovation GBA TV Converter on hand, there are [[GBA:Video_Output_Notes|better options to play GBA games on the big screen]].}}
This page describes how to install the Innovation GBA TV Converter into your Game Boy Advance. The Innovation GBA TV Converter is a peripheral that enables audio and composite or S-video output from your Game Boy Advance. While the mod is meant to be plug and play via a ribbon cable once you open the console, it has much better video output if you solder it straight to the pins.


After this installation is complete, you may also want to [[RetroRGB_Migration:Innovation_GBA_TV_Converter_RGB_Guide|modify the adapter]] for higher-quality RGB output. Unfortunately, the unit outputs an interlaced 480i signal, instead of progressive 240p.


An alternative to the Innovation adapter, the [http://www.konlabs.com/articles_data/gba_transverter/ GBA Transverter], is also available. Its output is similar, but the installation is different.


== Installation ==
To install the Innovation GBA adapter, you have two choices:
# [[Gbainnovationinstall|The official method]], using a push-on ribbon cable. This method suffers from lower picture quality and jitter.
# [[Gbacustominstall|The direct soldering method]], more difficult but provides higher picture quality.


Once you've installed the TV adapter into your GBA, you can [[gbargb|modify the adapter to output RGB]].


**Install the Innovation TV Adapter into your GBA**
If you'd like to see how this mod compares to the other GBA - TV options, please check out [[gbacompare|the comparison page]].


This section shows how to install the Innovation TV adapter into your GBA.  It's a pretty complicated mod, so I'd only recommend it to GBA enthusiasts who have good soldering skills.  After you're done, you'll also have to [http://www.retrorgb.com/gbargb.html modify the adapter] for higher-quality RGB output, however it's sadly outputting interlaced 480i instead of progressive [http://www.retrorgb.com/240p.html 240p].
The GBA TV kit comes with a push-on cable for the video connection. You'll notice that it simply lines up the pins to the ones on the GBA’s video out cable. There’s nothing holding them together, other than the pressure of the connection. Below is an example of the flickery screen you'll get if you use the ribbon cable. Please keep in mind that this is simply a title screen, it's much more noticeable when you're playing a game.
 
<div style="text-align: center"><youtube>MMewJwq6zGY</youtube></div>
As an FYI, there's also a "[http://www.konlabs.com/articles_data/gba_transverter/ GBA Transverter]" available.  Its output is about the same, but the installation is different.
 
[http://www.retrorgb.com/tools.html Tools needed]: - Steady hand and excellent soldering skills. - Tri-wing screwdriver (the adapter comes with one, but it’s terrible) - SCART male connector (or cable) for RGB-out - Philips head screwdriver. - Soldering iron (with thin tip) / thin solder - Thin cable - 75 Ohm Resistors: [http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MRS25000C7509FRP00/PPC75.0ZCT-ND/595092 http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/MRS25000C7509FRP00/PPC75.0ZCT-ND/595092] \- Innovation GBA TV-out adapter:
 
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://adn.ebay.com/files/js/min/jquery-1.6.2-min.js"></script>
 
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://adn.ebay.com/files/js/min/ebay_activeContent-min.js"></script>
 
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript">document.write('\x3Cscript type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="http://adn.ebay.com/cb?programId=1&campId=5337251560&toolId=10026&keyword=gba+tv+converter&sellerIds=cheapgamestuff&width=' + RetroRGB.getContentWidth() + '&height=90&font=1&textColor=000000&linkColor=0000AA&arrowColor=8BBC01&color1=709AEE&color2=[COLORTWO]&format=ImageLink&contentType=TEXT_AND_IMAGE&enableSearch=y&usePopularSearches=n&freeShipping=n&topRatedSeller=n&itemsWithPayPal=n&descriptionSearch=n&showKwCatLink=n&excludeCatId=&excludeKeyword=&catId=&disWithin=200&ctx=n&autoscroll=n&flashEnabled=' + isFlashEnabled + '&pageTitle=' + _epn__pageTitle + '&cachebuster=' + (Math.floor(Math.random() * 10000000 )) + '">\x3C/script>' );</script>
 
 
 
[[File:GBAPage02.jpg]]
 
To install the Innovation GBA adapter, you have two choices (click on each one for instructions):
 
[http://www.retrorgb.com/gbainnovationinstall.html **Install it to your GBA via the original method, which is a push-on ribbon connector**] - _NOT_RECOMMENDED
 
[http://www.retrorgb.com/gbacustominstall.html **Directly solder the video pins instead of the push-on adapter**] - HARD, BUT THE BEST WAY
 
I must insist that I DO NOT recommend using the original installation method, as you'll get terrible video quality!  Allow me to explain:  The GBA TV kit comes with a push-on cable for the video connection.  You’ll notice that it simply lines up the pins to the ones on the GBA’s video out cable.  There’s nothing holding them together, other than the pressure of the connection.  I think this was a terrible way to make the connection.  I’ve installed a few of these on both 32 and 40-pin GBA’s and all had poor video output as a result of a bad connection. [[File:GBAPage03.jpg]] Here’s an example of the flickery screen you'll get if you use the ribbon cable.  Please keep in mind that this is simply a title screen...it's much more noticeable when you're playing a game!:
 
\[iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MMewJwq6zGY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""\]
 
Once you've installed the TV adapter into your GBA, you can [http://www.retrorgb.com/gbargb.html modify the adapter to output RGB] instead of S-Video or Composite!  Just follow the instructions in that link and you'll have a completely modded, RGB-outputting GBA!!
 
If you'd like to see how this mod compares to the other GBA - TV options, please check out [http://www.retrorgb.com/gbacompare.html the comparison page].  If not, [http://www.retrorgb.com/gba.html click here to head back to the main GBA page].

Latest revision as of 04:19, 5 July 2022

GBAPage02.jpg
Exclamation-circle-fill.svgUnless you already have a Innovation GBA TV Converter on hand, there are better options to play GBA games on the big screen.


This page describes how to install the Innovation GBA TV Converter into your Game Boy Advance. The Innovation GBA TV Converter is a peripheral that enables audio and composite or S-video output from your Game Boy Advance. While the mod is meant to be plug and play via a ribbon cable once you open the console, it has much better video output if you solder it straight to the pins.

After this installation is complete, you may also want to modify the adapter for higher-quality RGB output. Unfortunately, the unit outputs an interlaced 480i signal, instead of progressive 240p.

An alternative to the Innovation adapter, the GBA Transverter, is also available. Its output is similar, but the installation is different.

Installation

To install the Innovation GBA adapter, you have two choices:

  1. The official method, using a push-on ribbon cable. This method suffers from lower picture quality and jitter.
  2. The direct soldering method, more difficult but provides higher picture quality.

Once you've installed the TV adapter into your GBA, you can modify the adapter to output RGB.

If you'd like to see how this mod compares to the other GBA - TV options, please check out the comparison page.

The GBA TV kit comes with a push-on cable for the video connection. You'll notice that it simply lines up the pins to the ones on the GBA’s video out cable. There’s nothing holding them together, other than the pressure of the connection. Below is an example of the flickery screen you'll get if you use the ribbon cable. Please keep in mind that this is simply a title screen, it's much more noticeable when you're playing a game.