HoshiChiri

My demodulator came today (a couple days early, in fact!) I'm pleased to announce it's working wonderfully! I tried both the top loader & the Intellivision- neither have looked better! I don't know how much of that is the retrotink, but both systems gave me artifacts on the old set (jailbars & rolling, respectively). That's all gone now. The NES still has a little bit of rainbow in the whites, but considering it used to be downright iridescent I'm not complaining! Something I noticed checking the manual- this box is capable of finding channels up to 139- meaning it could be a good device for folks with famicoms (they need channel 96 or something like that to work, right?)

I tried with the NES both off & on, to the same result- it identified a group of nonstandard numbered channels (27-2 for example), & a group of channels starting at 1000 that I think are built into the TV. I can/could find no way to access a plain old channel 3.

Thanks for the offer, but I found it too late- following around various links, I just found and decided to try this Composite demodulator. My logic being, if I get an HDMI box, it goes straight to the TV & I get whatever picture I get. But if I get this one, I can hook it to my new Retrotink & have some options to clean the picture up if needed. Now I just have to hope the Intellivision especially works- it didn't like the HD upgrade, I had to poke its guts to get a stable picture going.

Ok- I 100% do not understand this discovery at ALL, but it's too interesting/amusing not to share! YouTube app on the new set was acting a little funny, so I decided to switch inputs for a bit to see if it'd help. I opted to pick the live TV setting, maybe look at the channel listing a bit... but I'm presented with an 'antenna disconnected' screen. I think, what antenna? The only thing I had on that port was... wait... I dug up the cables I just disconnected & re-hooked my NES toploader. Turned the set back on- PBS. My TV thinks my Nintendo is an antenna, and it's actually picking up channels! I have absolutely no idea how this works, or if it means there's a way to find the actual console signal. If nothing else, it's a heck of a way to watch Antiques Roadshow!

Definitely a consideration- but the dvd half of my vcr/dvd broke over a decade ago, and I had to pull the unit from my setup becuase I just didn't have space. If I had more room, this would almost certainly be my method!

Thanks for all the info, everybody! As far as the TV goes, we couldn't find a way to make it scan for broadcast channels (I've done that on other sets in the past.) I do genuinely think the set only has a digital receiver, given that (despite its small size) it's a 4k screen. The retrotink to handle the composite/component gear is due today, so first I need to set that up & make sure all is well (if it's not I have much bigger issues to deal with!) After that I'll need to decide the best way to get all my stuff reset!

That's the thing- there *isn't* a TV channel! Even picking the option labeled 'live tv air' just seems to bring up built-in digital channels. I ended up with the online support chat, & they told me the input only works for antennas. So I went looking for a signal converter... and I can't find one. I can find lots of things that convert up to hdmi starting from composite, but nothing to get RF to composite. It's all the other way around (downgrade hdmi/composite to RF for old tvs). It's got me in a lurch- I've got 5 consoles that require an RF input, not counting the Pong machines, that I can't use now. And I don't have room for a second screen.

My old TV was acting up, so I just replaced it with a new Samsung 4K TV. Downside? No old-school connections, just RF & HDMI. I've got a retrotink in the mail to help, but I've discovered the RF connection is only good for antenna signals, not my 70s systems/NES. So now I need a way to convert those old RF systems to something my setup can use- composite would work best, but if straight to HDMI is available/affordable, I can use that too. Anybody got any suggestions? I can't seem to find anything!

1) Sackboy (PS5) 2) Puyo Puyo Sun 64 (N64 JP) A little new, a little old. Sackboy is a surprisingly pleasant game- clearly modern but in a way that still pokes nostalgia for older 3D platformers... at least for me. Maybe because I don't play them all that often? And is it just me, or is Sun oddly easy for a Puyo Puyo game? Normally going through story mode I have to continue at least once... maybe there's something in the settings I haven't found- my Japanese isn't great, after all!

? I will admit to poking around your post history that year & finding a comment about Skyrim- then it was just skimming around for unqiue merch, waiting for something to catch my eye. Glad I spotted the best thing! ??

Your cat is adorable! And I TOLD you I took the 'old movie' comment seriously! ? The Berserk cart was more of a 'becuase it's here'- it was in a lot with the Challenge cart. Which was pretty dirty in the photos, so I was hoping it would clean up & play! I figured even if it didn't, the bootleg Ghostbusters art would make it a good display piece- luckily it worked just fine! The Quiz Wiz was born of the logic "if you don't know specific systems, just buy a new one!" & clicking randomly on assorted old handhelds until one 'felt' right. The last time I clicked around randomly until something felt right was 2018 & ClassicGMR's Skyrim watch. I should do it this way every year! ? I'm glad you liked your stuff. I'm also a little glad you got to it early, I worried the candy would go stale!

Just seemed like something y'all might be interested in... saw this on reddit. The guy made a non destructive, fully reverseable, microswitch mod for his 2600 controller. I don't really follow all the technical stuff, so I don't know how copyable it is- take a look! https://jamhamster.wordpress.com/2021/09/13/non-destructive-atari-joystick-tact-switch-mod/

PRESENT TIME! Ah! Someone else who admits Santa-dom immediately! I approve! The letterneath is package opening order & tidbits about each item, which I LOVED- it's kind of like having your Santa in the room with you! But it's polite to always start with a card- this art style is very familiar, im going to have to look into it to see where I might know it from. Plus a shot of the box before the digging begins! All the gifts had lil' notes like that on the wrapping. Please argue amongst yourselves if you agree with this Princess tier list! (I think I'm a bit partial to Mulan, in all honesty!) First up is the packing candy- I love the local touch! Our local chocolates are made by Brown & Haley, who are best known for their Almond Roca, which I think is sold countrywide at Christmas (I'd need verification on that!) Fun fact: I live about 15 minutes away from their outlet store. Cheap chocolate! Whoo! And gummi burgers, to reference the mention I made of collecting Burgertime carts! (Little did I know what was to come!) Package 1 contained: MORE GUMMI! I like that it's made of individual bits of Gummi, easier to share! ? Package 2 is custom-made acrylic Burgertime sprites! (Methinks there's a theme here!) I've seen this kind of thing before & always liked the style- I'll have to find a good way to show them off! Maybe I can rig up something in a shadowbox... Package 3 is crackers! Yum! Oh wait, wait- it's a custom Burgertime logo! Sadly, it did not survive its journey intact- but it did break in the best possible way! Now I can display it along a corner if I need to ? Package number 4 was equal parts awesome & incredibly touching. It's a Burgertime Card Game, which I had no idea even existed! Then I read the note- this is from Imstarryeyed's personal collection, & a was Kickstarter item! I cannot put into words how moved I feel- thank you SO much! We try to have board game night at least once a month, I'll have to insist this makes the rotation in the new year! And lastly, package 5 is a book on programming Intellivision games! Very appropriate given the theme, as my Burgertime collection did start with the Intellivision! I personally have never attempted coding, but I do know some folks who are interested- I may have to loan this out to some people! Thank you so much, imstarryeyed! This is an amazing expansion to one of the sillier bits of my collection! If I ever have the space for themed shelves, I definitely have to dedicate one to Burgertime now! ?

*impatient foot tap* you know, if you'd just done what Chicgamer wanted & opened early this wouldn't be an issue! Nah, I kid- I'm willing to state it's me, I never keep it a secret anyway- but do me a favor? Send a DM once you're able to open it & post so I don't miss it!

My secret santa box officially arrived today! And this is finally going to be the year I open it actually on Christmas! Partially because I've got double shifts right through Christmas Eve & won't have time! An early 'thank you to my Santa for what I'm sure will be an awesome gift!

8. Bladed Fury (PS4) Bought this on a whim seeing the price had dropped at Gamestop. It's a surprisingly solid lil' hack n' slash... a bit short & shallow, but fluid controls, enjoyable combat & nice art. Sort of a poor man's Vanillaware game. Nothing worth full price- but I paid 10 bucks for it. At that amount, it's definitely worth it!

I got word Santa's got my gift heading my way! YAY!

Same! I haven't even heard from Santa's helpers that it's in the mail. I suppose my Santa found a good way to keep me from opening early again? ?

I work two retail jobs! Secret Santa is one of the few bright spots in the unholy horror that is December! ?

I always ship as soon as possible, to allow maximum time for mailing slowdowns & (heaven forbid!) lost/damaged boxes. The recipient can always choose not to open it until closer to the actual 25th! I usually draw a lil' AA logo on the label, as a bit of a tipoff. And I wrap gifts every year too- both for surprise keeping & because it's fun! All of my items have arrived & been confirmed to work (yay!) But because the last item arrived a day late, I wasn't able to ship the box yet. I'm hoping early next week- retail work is killer this time of year though, so we'll see if I can make it! Definitely no later than the 7th... otherwise I'm gonna get twitchy & recruit someone to do it while I'm working!

Stacking is hardly going to damage things, but my preference is boxes- makes it easier to get games in & out, even if you have to move the boxes around!

I doubt it could happen, as I imagine the licensing would be awful- but I'd love to see a Compile Collection! Guardian Legend, Golvellius, Puyo Puyo & Aleste- the list goes on! Stuff that never came out in English like Mado Monogatari would be amazing!

I'm in a similar boat- went with my gut, everything's bought, now it just has to get here. Fingers crossed that it will all show up on time, be liked... and all work! I took a chance on one item, if I can get it cleaned up & functional it should be a unique addition. If not... I hope it'll at least be a good art piece? ? Oh, I cannot WAIT to see this!

I base getting a collector's edition on whether or not I feel like I'm getting more content for the extra money/space. For example- I do not care about posters, full stop. I have much better wall art than some creased copy of the bogart or whatever promo piece they put on it. Usually feel the same about art cards, mini posters, postcards, etc. Artbooks can be ok- assuming the game is pretty enough, and/or production materials are included. I tend to gravitate towards good artbooks, CD soundtracks & bonus discs, & alternate art covers. I don't like extra empty cases (steelbook or otherwise) or the plethora of shelf clutter. Sometimes jewelry is nice- but that's rare enough even without worrying if its quality. And bonus points for keeping it all in a box that will fit on the same shelf as a standard game- I don't have room for giant boxes. LRG's whole shtick is FOMO, which is how they get away with it- "we'll never make it again!! You don't want to miss out!" Ironically, the one game I skipped & regretted (Curses & Chaos) ended up dropping below their selling price several months later, so I got it then. I suppose I might regret skipping Dust: An Elysian Tail too... but considering I forgot about it until right now, probably not that much!