Hey everyone I made a mistake in the video. The N64Digital was not the first HDMI mod the N64, that was the UltraHDMI kit. Thanks to those for correcting me!
Tito, a side by side comparison of the gameplay would be fantastic. A bonus to that is if you included 2 others into the mix (Eon’s Super64 and/or an RGB mod).
I’ve got the UltraHDMI mod on my N64 and the results are incredible but costly. Mostly due to its rarity due to “shortages” but also cuz it takes great soldering skills to install. This looks to be pretty much on the same level and hopefully bring down the costs of the other HDMI mods for the N64. Very cool
I bought it directly installed from the guy who makes these ultra hdmi kits! He lives in a neighbour country! Cost me 250 € console only around 2017-18.
The N64Digital isnt the first or only hdmi option. There is the UltraHDMI but given the horrorshow group buys needed to obtain one yeah i suppose you can consider that a non option. Great video as always!
I jumped on the uldrahdmi when it first came out and commissioned badassconsoles to do the install for me, when I got the n64 in the mail the hdmi needed to be propped up to have a proper signal(probably the result of a poorly connected hdmi port to the board) I returned the console to him to have it repaired(at the same time I sent him another console so that he could do a shell-swap) after some back and forth regarding him shipping the console back to me he stopped responding to my emails(the last email I got from him was december 2018) all in all I lost 2 n64's from this and one ultrahdmi board+money for shipping. needless to say this whole experience put me off from ever trusting any installer again. maybe this new board is something I could try to install myself.
it's unfortunate that you got screwed by a shady installer I know Marshall personally, and I don't like people like that giving my friends product a bad name. I've built 6 ultraHDMI consoles so far with zero complaints or returns. it's a relatively straightforward mod for someone with decent soldering skills so there's no real excuse for that
if you're in the US and ever want an hdmi mod installed shoot me a message and I'll give you a good deal. hardly makes up for getting ripped off before but it's something anyway lol
Awesome guide! I'm not very good at soldering and don't really do it often but I somehow managed to get the ribbon cable right first try thanks to your tips.
Beautifully done! Looking forward to installing one of these bad boys. I'm sure it's already been said but before the Pixelfx kit there was the UltraHdmi. I believe it was one of the first kits of this nature to ever come out along with the HD Nes. The installation for the Ultrahdmi and N64digital are nearly identical.
Thank you for posting this. I had been looking for a guide to upgrading my N64, but was balking at the prices of current HDMI solutions. I went ahead and preordered the mod from Castlemania , and your coupon code worked with it. Thanks again!
Good idea if your doing this would be to replace the caps first. Makes it a bit easier than trying to do it around a flex cable or having to remove it.
did you install it yourself, mos vets removed, why you do that, is that a hobby you do ? is it still operative now ??? Broken i guess !!!!! U use fake account, the channel you is empty ! Just upload it, so we understand what you say here!
With regards to the flex cable, is there a reason they couldn't have unconnected pads for the first and last pins or something, to help with alignment and ensure people don't solder it to the wrong pins? I feel like that would be a minor change that wouldn't cost much to implement and would make installation much easier for people.
I own a PixelFX myself already but this is great that we're getting more options! Just sitting here waiting for that PS2 HDMI mod to release one day now 🤞
At the 8:00 minute mark you state to connect to pin 2 of the pif and proceed to connect to pin 16, which is the correct placement per the instructions but definitely the wrong vocalization.
It’s great to have yet another option. There is also the RGB Advance which is of similar quality to the N64 HDMI mods. Hopefully they manage to keep this in stock. I would love to see an RGB add on board for those that also want to add in native RGB support. I love to be able to have the option to hook it up to a modern tv and then a CRT using RGB cables.
I got the RGB mod but instead of using scart cables I used hd retrovision component cables on a hd CRT. Looks really good but haven't been able to get an HDMI mod yet. Expensive
Awesome! I'm glad we are finally getting more competition in this space. I really wanted to do one of these mods but the N64Digital and UltraHDMI Mod are just a bit too expensive for me. This is still higher than I'd like but it's in a bracket I can accept. Should be a reasonable quality improvement over the retrotik without RGB chip I'm currently using. Plus I'll have less of a spaghetti of cables behind my TV. Pre-Ordered with your code, Thanks!
I preordered this at Castlemania Games on 2/16 and haven't heard anything since. It's not listed on their preorder details page, and after getting an email saying it should ship April 21st I never heard anything else until I emailed on May 6th. Then I got a response on the 12th that there were delays and they should receive it next week. Now it's June 8th and still no further word from them, the order is still unfulfilled, and I'm trying to cancel it. Won't be buying from them again. I understand delays, but you've got to be more communicative when they happen.
Nice Video I cant thank you enough!! I came across this video about 2 months ago. Purchased the MOD with your coupon code. Received the mod yesterday and used your step by step video to mod my N64 and it works perfectly! Thanks!!!
I just got mine, yesterday, and got it installed just now. It works great! So glad I saw this video when you posted. I ordered immediately. nearly 2 month wait, but this is what I have been waiting years for.
I’d love to see some comparison vids! I just received the kit and I’m switching from my eon super 64 +MClassic which is a surprisingly high quality plug and play option, albeit a little expensive. I plan on running this through the MClassic as well so I anticipate a pretty decent improvement. The MClassic really seems to add the much needed umph to hdmi converters. Thanks for the vid!
The ideal solution for me would have been 4x integer scaling to a 960p window inside a 1080p frame. Or even 5x scaling (1200p) cropped to 1080p, since many N64 games had black borders anyway.
@mrej112 I just finished installing this mod myself and was wondering if you had any audio issues? When connected via HDMI I get no audio, but when I go back to the composite cables the audio is fine.
2 quick things- firstly thank you for the helpful guide. It made installing the 64hd much easier. 2nd - although all my original games work fine with this mod, the everdrive 64 (v2.5) I purchased in 2019 has menu issues- meaning the menu doesn’t work. I can still blindly launch games on it, but the menu is scrambled. If you own an everdrive and want to do this mod, for sure the 2.5 doesn’t work. If any other one does please let me know. The everdrive works fine with composite cables still just not thru hdmi
I'm an IPC J-STD Trainer and just wanted to say you have great technique. There are two things I saw that you should be aware of if you're going to do many more of these. When you ran the jumper wire to the PIF chip, you never run a jumper wire on top of a component. The other issue I saw is more of the design of the conversion kit and nothing that you did. The flex cable sits directly on top of several transistors. Those get hot by nature, so I would imagine they will cause an issue eventually. Adding several layers of kapton tape to the underside of the flex cable where it touches the transistors would probably fix that.
I like that you can just get a clean de-blurred signal out of it. Then you can feed it into your retrotink5x via an hdmi to component adapter and use that for all your advanced features.
I'm in for one! I've been wanting an HDMI kit for the N64 for awhile now, only really wanting a clean, digital output, so this kit is more than fine by me. The price definitely still hurts a bit, but it's at least a price I can stomach.
you dont have to cut the shell for ultraHDMI either, you can 3d print a replacement A/V shell and a small spacer/tray that fit into the console so you don't have to cut anything
I really want to get into modding consoles and hopefully I'll be getting a soldering iron soon. I just gotta get an idea of what to start buying, and what to start practicing on.
Thanks for the video, Tito. Great content as always. I would like to see that comparison video, especially a side-by-side of the best quality picture each kit can render on your HDTV.
A couple of comments about the 240p mode. It's more than likely that a large number of HDMI to component, and also HDMI to VGA adapters will work with it. You will occasionally run into some issues with that low a resolution, but it's technically part of the HDMI standard so I bet it would work more often than not. You'll also often get a sharper image just because you're using a more modern DAC than what was originally in the console. And there's one other use for the 240p mode, future video scalers with an HDMI input. For example, the upcoming RT. 4K will have an HDMI input on it, and using that 240p mode will get you a pure digital signal throughout the entire chain.
9:40 I cannot recommend squeezing the flex cable unprotected between N64-PCB and RF shields. Personally, I would use some tape around the flex at this point and some small washer left and right at the screw holes. Otherwise, it is just a matter of time until we are seeing defective flex cables. 10:30 Also not a big fan of putting the bare PCB on the heat sink without protection. A small scratch at the wrong place in the solder mask and one may have an accidental short.
I picked up one of these from Stone Age Gamer. It works great when it works. I am going to assume there are going to be some upset people because I have tested this one several on different LCDs and some do not like it at all. It will not work on my computer monitors, but it works great on my crappy viso TV upstairs, but only on 720p. The other modes just flicker and won't sync. 1080i has colored lines on it and won't fill the screen. It won't work at all on my Amazon fire TV down stairs. I am going to experiment with different HDMI cables because I know that can have some effect, but I know other people are going to run into this same issue. I thought I had messed up soldering and redid the entire mod, but it still has the same issues.
Its a cool kit. I'm already VERY happy with my PixelFX kit. Love their kits and the fact they support their products FAR after release (like my ps1 getting a PS1Digital update)
Damn here we go again, first it was the GameCube now it’s the n64. By the end of the year after following these mod guides I’ll have a nuclear powered WiFi capable, wireless controller setup with cloud based saves, hdmi up scaling, and a built in foot massager.
I'm confused by the 720p mode not filling the screen. Isn't a 3x integer scale 960x720, which would then be scaled by a 1080p screen to fit perfectly? The "proper" mode looks like 480p in a 720p window. Also, is there pixel shimmer on 2D games in that TV 1.5x scaling mode?
Would love to see a side by side comparison of gameplay amongst the different hdmi mods and possibly against the rgb mods available. Been looking to send my N64 in for modding but still unsure which is the best way to go. One of these hdmi kits or an rgb mod hooked up to my retrotink 5x. 🤔
Really excited for this! I've wanted an HDMI N64 mod for a while -- I have great mod-free image options for lots of my consoles, but the N64 remains elusive!
@@NL_the_Godfather Not anywhere near the same quality. The point isn't connecting it to an HDMI screen, I have a dozen ways to do that. The point is image quality. The N64 outputs at best an SVID signal natively. And most MultiAV HDMI cables don't even use the svid lines and instead use the composite video input, perform a VERY basic conversion, and call it good. Usually chroma issues. And unless you're buying it from a company that specifically stocks HDMI adapters for retro consoles, you can be dealing with latency, tearing, and other issues. My (unmodified) SNES, by comparison, outputs an image essentially free of artifacting, by using its native RGB output via a component video cable to a TV which has analog component support. The N64 lacks a native RGB output, so the only option for a comparable mod is to tap the RGB video output directly from the RCP.
@@devikwolf ok thanks for explaining. I myself will stick to this adapter though because it’s so much cheaper. Only cost me €10,-. I usually play N64 on emulators anyway and not that often in general. So over €100,- is to much for me excluding the fact that it still needs to be soldered correctly. If it was cheaper and plug and play i will certainly consider it.
Great video! I wish I was that skilled with a soldering iron. I'm confused. Why is 720p integer scaling windowed? 240*3=720. It should fit the full 720p canvas. It looks more like 480p windowed in a 720p box. Am I missing something?
I had the same reaction. There are some N64 games which ran natively at 480i, so I guess the scaling is based on that as a baseline? 1.5*480=720. So the 1.5x scale should in theory be a perfect 3x scale for games that ran at 240p, which is the vast majority of them, but non-integer for 480i games.
@@vaguerant so, the few 480i games would fill the screen vertically? That’s interesting. I can’t remember if any games switch between 480i and 240p, but that sure would be jarring.
@@cactoidpinata I think it's more like 240p games are already being upscaled to 480p at all times, so that it doesn't matter which resolution the game runs at. Then the scaling options are always working with a 480p picture, whether placing it in the middle of 720p or stretching it 1.5x to fill the screen.
Can you please show how to update the firmware on this. It looks alot of changes and fixes were made but the instructions on github are kinda vague. Would be a great follow video.
Your production is a work of art. Even when the content is about something I'm not explicitly interested in, you make it engaging, informative and great to watch. And in this case, I'm very interested. I'd love one of these, and the features set is more than sufficient. Cheers Tito, have a great weekend!
Hello, I got two question for you. 1- I buy the kit and I want to know if I can install this kit in my N64 with the RGB mod on It (vaultar style board) 2- If I need to buy a N64 for this mod what revision is the best one. You do a great job with your channel Is fun to watch it and it's give me a great source of inspiration to try new mod.
Hell yeah! I wanna get it myself but I gotta wait and save up some scratch! I just installed the picoboot on my GC with helders ribbon cable for the ipl chip. And boy was that installation awesome! Didnt realize it was such a small chip. I haven’t soldered anything since electronics class in jr high school back in 1997. Its my first ever mod! They always look bigger in all these install videos lol. Good luck dude let me kno how it goes.
And I thought I was clever for adding a thermal paste connection between each of the layers of metal between the N64 components and the heatsink to assist with cooling.
Great video as always and can’t wait for your new studio. Quick question, why is no one making Wii HDMI internal mod any more? Wiidual or whatever is called is not available for long time. I want Wii to have a better video quality than what it is now…
I thought about doing this and getting some of the "forever memory cards", but I do not have enough confidence in my soldering skills to even attempt that fine of soldering.
You never cease to amaze me with your soldering skills. I think this will be a great budget friendly option. I would like to see a comparison, however I don’t think there will be too much difference with the same settings enabled.
Why do you (and Gamebox and Stoneage) completely fail to inform that it's a HDMI mini connector? Now I have to wait to 2 days to test it while I wait for a converter cable to arrive! Something unusual with my motherboard it's a gen 6, but it has a PIF chip that matches the gen 1 to 5. Maybe they made the change on a interim gen 6 revision.
Very awesome mod definitely Something I would want to look into it would be even better if the mod included an Optical output for crisp quality but the onboard HDMI Audio must great tho no doubt
Can you do a follow video on how to update the firmware. I ordered the device they call for, but just need a little help. Thought a follow up video would be perfect 👌especially since it fixes the 1080i issue they say
Amazing! This is great news for me, I had a couple UltraHDMI's on order when the pandemic hit and due to job/family issues had to back out. Luckily, things are back to normal but I'm still wanting to get my N64's upgraded. Another bonus is you can just order one of these and not have to get in on a group purchase and wait for eons!
Hey Tito! Quick question: Where can I buy a flux dispenser like the one you have at 6:28? I see you have a flux pen in your description but not a flux dispenser like the one in the video. I'd love to buy one. Thanks!
It came out in '96. I got one second hand and I recall Mario Kart was the only game I remember playing. I'm sure I had 007, but I can't remember playing it. I had Mortal Kombat, but I sucked at it, and never played.
A big problem imo is that it’s nearly impossible to find a N64 digital, that kits one of a kind it has higher resolution than 1080p. Original price is 220$ resellers want 400+. ( if you can find one) so that sort of just leaves you with the other kit.
i just got mine and im kinda mixed on the results. I was expecting more of a difference and on the tv i test there wasnt much of any. The composite video was actually brighter than the hdmi mod with the bright setting turned all the way up and no filters were even on. Id probably just pass on this one mostly due to the price i dont think its worth paying 130 for
I don’t know why they can’t do what they do with the DCDigital HW2 and have it always available, but with a two week shipping queue. I really want to get an N64Digital over the 64HD despite me having a preorder for it because I want the best for my console. So I’ll probably have this installed and then get the N64Digital with another N64.
looks good, and I'm glad that there's another option out there, but I reeeally hate that all kits are using the mini HDMI port and not a full-sized port.
My favorite mods are always the ones that let you keep the analog out port. Never liked removing those as I do tend to use old consoles on my CRT. I also like CRT filters but they never seem to get them right outside of stuff like the OSSC and the Retrotink
Amazing video Tito. Ive been wanting a pixelfx from the moment you featured it but its just simply impossible to get your hands on so that's a benefit to this as well. Only one question is whether this is pal compatible or not?
Where's the installation guide for this for the different models? You said to solder to pin2 of the PIF chip, but you soldered to pin 16. So did you switch it to pin2 off camera, or was it actually supposed to be pin16?
Hey everyone I made a mistake in the video. The N64Digital was not the first HDMI mod the N64, that was the UltraHDMI kit. Thanks to those for correcting me!
where do you get your music for your videos? it makes your videos so chill and laidback
It's fine. UltraHDMI first came out a while ago.
In your defense, I don't think the UltraHDMI has been in stock for a WHILE.
@@Yami_Industries *Salt Lamp by Jobii* for the main video, and his intro is in the description.
I'm very happy with my UltraHDMI n64. One of my favourite system setups still.
Tito, a side by side comparison of the gameplay would be fantastic. A bonus to that is if you included 2 others into the mix (Eon’s Super64 and/or an RGB mod).
Came here to ask this very thing! I have EON adapter and I’d be curious how this stacks up
@@jamest3402 me 3
Me 4
Me 5
Me now
I’ve got the UltraHDMI mod on my N64 and the results are incredible but costly. Mostly due to its rarity due to “shortages” but also cuz it takes great soldering skills to install. This looks to be pretty much on the same level and hopefully bring down the costs of the other HDMI mods for the N64. Very cool
I bought mine preassembled. It. was. not. cheap.
I bought it directly installed from the guy who makes these ultra hdmi kits! He lives in a neighbour country!
Cost me 250 € console only around 2017-18.
I bought a preassembled off EBay in 2014 for $450. I'm afraid to see what it is now lol
I payed $450 CAD for it to be installed in my N64. I love the system, so no regrets.
That one is worth it, especially if you want to.use both CRT and lcd
The N64Digital isnt the first or only hdmi option. There is the UltraHDMI but given the horrorshow group buys needed to obtain one yeah i suppose you can consider that a non option. Great video as always!
You’re totally right, I completely forgot about the ultrahdmi! I made a pinned comment making the correction. Thank you!
I jumped on the uldrahdmi when it first came out and commissioned badassconsoles to do the install for me, when I got the n64 in the mail the hdmi needed to be propped up to have a proper signal(probably the result of a poorly connected hdmi port to the board)
I returned the console to him to have it repaired(at the same time I sent him another console so that he could do a shell-swap) after some back and forth regarding him shipping the console back to me he stopped responding to my emails(the last email I got from him was december 2018)
all in all I lost 2 n64's from this and one ultrahdmi board+money for shipping.
needless to say this whole experience put me off from ever trusting any installer again.
maybe this new board is something I could try to install myself.
I was lucky to dodge that 'tornado'! Got mine just before things turned to crap.
it's unfortunate that you got screwed by a shady installer I know Marshall personally, and I don't like people like that giving my friends product a bad name. I've built 6 ultraHDMI consoles so far with zero complaints or returns. it's a relatively straightforward mod for someone with decent soldering skills so there's no real excuse for that
if you're in the US and ever want an hdmi mod installed shoot me a message and I'll give you a good deal. hardly makes up for getting ripped off before but it's something anyway lol
Awesome guide! I'm not very good at soldering and don't really do it often but I somehow managed to get the ribbon cable right first try thanks to your tips.
"Not a lot of money", $130 is a lot of money for something like this.
Nah man that's way less then I'd spend on one night out
As someone who works on cars as a hobby, I can say this is cheap
Hdmi upscaler costs way less
Can you imagine how expensive the N64 was when it came out.
*laughs in 3ds*
Beautifully done! Looking forward to installing one of these bad boys.
I'm sure it's already been said but before the Pixelfx kit there was the UltraHdmi. I believe it was one of the first kits of this nature to ever come out along with the HD Nes.
The installation for the Ultrahdmi and N64digital are nearly identical.
Marshall was the first for n64 hdmi mods anyway, also the first properly good n64 flash cartridge with the 64Drive imo lol.
Thank you for posting this. I had been looking for a guide to upgrading my N64, but was balking at the prices of current HDMI solutions. I went ahead and preordered the mod from Castlemania , and your coupon code worked with it. Thanks again!
Good idea if your doing this would be to replace the caps first. Makes it a bit easier than trying to do it around a flex cable or having to remove it.
did you install it yourself, mos vets removed, why you do that, is that a hobby you do ?
is it still operative now ??? Broken i guess !!!!!
U use fake account, the channel you is empty ! Just upload it, so we understand what you say here!
With regards to the flex cable, is there a reason they couldn't have unconnected pads for the first and last pins or something, to help with alignment and ensure people don't solder it to the wrong pins?
I feel like that would be a minor change that wouldn't cost much to implement and would make installation much easier for people.
that's a great idea but an even better one is paying close attention to the instructions...which would cost $0 and negate the need for that. :P
@@vgrepairshelp please I soldered but signal shows static colour lines.
@@ceff01 you did it wrong
@@vgrepairs yes but how and i also broke black pin to hold in flex cable how to keep that in aswell please
@@vgrepairs is that all you say you done it wrong
I own a PixelFX myself already but this is great that we're getting more options!
Just sitting here waiting for that PS2 HDMI mod to release one day now 🤞
Me too! Hopefully soon
At the 8:00 minute mark you state to connect to pin 2 of the pif and proceed to connect to pin 16, which is the correct placement per the instructions but definitely the wrong vocalization.
It’s great to have yet another option. There is also the RGB Advance which is of similar quality to the N64 HDMI mods. Hopefully they manage to keep this in stock. I would love to see an RGB add on board for those that also want to add in native RGB support. I love to be able to have the option to hook it up to a modern tv and then a CRT using RGB cables.
IIRC N64Digital also adds RGB to the multi-out.
RGB can also be added with other, cheaper mods.
I got the RGB mod but instead of using scart cables I used hd retrovision component cables on a hd CRT. Looks really good but haven't been able to get an HDMI mod yet. Expensive
Awesome! I'm glad we are finally getting more competition in this space. I really wanted to do one of these mods but the N64Digital and UltraHDMI Mod are just a bit too expensive for me. This is still higher than I'd like but it's in a bracket I can accept. Should be a reasonable quality improvement over the retrotik without RGB chip I'm currently using. Plus I'll have less of a spaghetti of cables behind my TV. Pre-Ordered with your code, Thanks!
Nice video as always Tito! I was just looking at the ultraHDMI kit the other day. You have impeccable timing my friend.
Nice!!
I preordered this at Castlemania Games on 2/16 and haven't heard anything since. It's not listed on their preorder details page, and after getting an email saying it should ship April 21st I never heard anything else until I emailed on May 6th. Then I got a response on the 12th that there were delays and they should receive it next week. Now it's June 8th and still no further word from them, the order is still unfulfilled, and I'm trying to cancel it. Won't be buying from them again. I understand delays, but you've got to be more communicative when they happen.
This is such an underrated channel been following for a while how does it only have 100k subs
Thank you for this comment dude. Means a lot! 🙏
7:09
That's the best solder job I have personally seen you do. Good work brother 👍
Nice Video I cant thank you enough!! I came across this video about 2 months ago. Purchased the MOD with your coupon code. Received the mod yesterday and used your step by step video to mod my N64 and it works perfectly! Thanks!!!
I just got mine, yesterday, and got it installed just now. It works great! So glad I saw this video when you posted. I ordered immediately. nearly 2 month wait, but this is what I have been waiting years for.
How do I order one?
I’d love to see some comparison vids! I just received the kit and I’m switching from my eon super 64 +MClassic which is a surprisingly high quality plug and play option, albeit a little expensive. I plan on running this through the MClassic as well so I anticipate a pretty decent improvement. The MClassic really seems to add the much needed umph to hdmi converters. Thanks for the vid!
well? any updates? I too use the EON with the mClassic and have for years now. What's your verdict on difference in picture quality and price?
The ideal solution for me would have been 4x integer scaling to a 960p window inside a 1080p frame. Or even 5x scaling (1200p) cropped to 1080p, since many N64 games had black borders anyway.
Just tried to hook the cable to the pins and it is RIDICULOUSLY more difficult than you made it seem with how tiny the pins are!
Its pretty allright, just made 2 of them this evening :)
@mrej112 I just finished installing this mod myself and was wondering if you had any audio issues? When connected via HDMI I get no audio, but when I go back to the composite cables the audio is fine.
MakeMhz is in the process of making an HDMI mod as well. The more the better. Maybe I won't have to sell my left arm just to see 240p
The indents in that flex cable design are a genius idea.
It definitely helps with the alignment
Nice profile pic 😂
ultraHDMI did the same, makes getting the ribbon cable lined up a breeze
2 quick things- firstly thank you for the helpful guide. It made installing the 64hd much easier. 2nd - although all my original games work fine with this mod, the everdrive 64 (v2.5) I purchased in 2019 has menu issues- meaning the menu doesn’t work. I can still blindly launch games on it, but the menu is scrambled. If you own an everdrive and want to do this mod, for sure the 2.5 doesn’t work. If any other one does please let me know. The everdrive works fine with composite cables still just not thru hdmi
I'm an IPC J-STD Trainer and just wanted to say you have great technique. There are two things I saw that you should be aware of if you're going to do many more of these. When you ran the jumper wire to the PIF chip, you never run a jumper wire on top of a component. The other issue I saw is more of the design of the conversion kit and nothing that you did. The flex cable sits directly on top of several transistors. Those get hot by nature, so I would imagine they will cause an issue eventually. Adding several layers of kapton tape to the underside of the flex cable where it touches the transistors would probably fix that.
I really think by the size of the N64, there should be a full sized HDMI port possible.
Exactly that looks like they have more than enough room for a full-sized HDMI port.
I like clean mods like this with the printed brackets and all.
Oh heck yes, I just ordered one of these, I'm so glad to have a Macho Nacho video to follow along to while I install it! lol
Nice!
@@MachoNachoProductions Successfully installed mine last night. Whew! Thanks for this video Tito, it helped tremendously.
I like that you can just get a clean de-blurred signal out of it. Then you can feed it into your retrotink5x via an hdmi to component adapter and use that for all your advanced features.
I'm in for one! I've been wanting an HDMI kit for the N64 for awhile now, only really wanting a clean, digital output, so this kit is more than fine by me. The price definitely still hurts a bit, but it's at least a price I can stomach.
Very nice kit! I like that you don’t need to cut the shell to fit the mod. 😃
How did you install it, you made the board yourself, of did you send it to someone.
Better than a Dolphin machine ?
you dont have to cut the shell for ultraHDMI either, you can 3d print a replacement A/V shell and a small spacer/tray that fit into the console so you don't have to cut anything
I really like those Pro and Cons segments... something can't seem to find on other videos. Thanks a lot for the video.
That's pretty cool. I didn't get into N64 but I can appreciate the same efforts being put in to preserve gaming history.
Would love to see the side by side comparison you’ve mentioned
I really want to get into modding consoles and hopefully I'll be getting a soldering iron soon. I just gotta get an idea of what to start buying, and what to start practicing on.
Thanks for the video, Tito. Great content as always. I would like to see that comparison video, especially a side-by-side of the best quality picture each kit can render on your HDTV.
A couple of comments about the 240p mode.
It's more than likely that a large number of HDMI to component, and also HDMI to VGA adapters will work with it. You will occasionally run into some issues with that low a resolution, but it's technically part of the HDMI standard so I bet it would work more often than not. You'll also often get a sharper image just because you're using a more modern DAC than what was originally in the console.
And there's one other use for the 240p mode, future video scalers with an HDMI input. For example, the upcoming RT. 4K will have an HDMI input on it, and using that 240p mode will get you a pure digital signal throughout the entire chain.
9:40 I cannot recommend squeezing the flex cable unprotected between N64-PCB and RF shields. Personally, I would use some tape around the flex at this point and some small washer left and right at the screw holes. Otherwise, it is just a matter of time until we are seeing defective flex cables.
10:30 Also not a big fan of putting the bare PCB on the heat sink without protection. A small scratch at the wrong place in the solder mask and one may have an accidental short.
I like the washer idea very much. May have to implement that.
I picked up one of these from Stone Age Gamer. It works great when it works. I am going to assume there are going to be some upset people because I have tested this one several on different LCDs and some do not like it at all. It will not work on my computer monitors, but it works great on my crappy viso TV upstairs, but only on 720p. The other modes just flicker and won't sync. 1080i has colored lines on it and won't fill the screen. It won't work at all on my Amazon fire TV down stairs. I am going to experiment with different HDMI cables because I know that can have some effect, but I know other people are going to run into this same issue. I thought I had messed up soldering and redid the entire mod, but it still has the same issues.
I’ve just done two of these, and tested two of everything in my chain (N64, 64HD kit, hdmi mini, and monitors) and get the same video issue.
3:48 At this part, I was thinking I could just look through my jungle green n64 to see what model it is and turns out, you can! Its a CPU 08!
Haha nice! I love the clear shells so much
Gotta love the community!
Thanks for taking the time to show us this!
Its a cool kit. I'm already VERY happy with my PixelFX kit.
Love their kits and the fact they support their products FAR after release (like my ps1 getting a PS1Digital update)
The pixelfx kit is great!
Damn here we go again, first it was the GameCube now it’s the n64. By the end of the year after following these mod guides I’ll have a nuclear powered WiFi capable, wireless controller setup with cloud based saves, hdmi up scaling, and a built in foot massager.
😂
I'm confused by the 720p mode not filling the screen. Isn't a 3x integer scale 960x720, which would then be scaled by a 1080p screen to fit perfectly? The "proper" mode looks like 480p in a 720p window. Also, is there pixel shimmer on 2D games in that TV 1.5x scaling mode?
Would love to see a side by side comparison of gameplay amongst the different hdmi mods and possibly against the rgb mods available. Been looking to send my N64 in for modding but still unsure which is the best way to go. One of these hdmi kits or an rgb mod hooked up to my retrotink 5x. 🤔
It would be interesting how a retrotink would compare to them! Even the eon64
Really excited for this! I've wanted an HDMI N64 mod for a while -- I have great mod-free image options for lots of my consoles, but the N64 remains elusive!
You can buy a N64 cable to hdmi adapter. Works really well and is way cheaper then any mod.
@@NL_the_Godfather Not anywhere near the same quality. The point isn't connecting it to an HDMI screen, I have a dozen ways to do that.
The point is image quality. The N64 outputs at best an SVID signal natively. And most MultiAV HDMI cables don't even use the svid lines and instead use the composite video input, perform a VERY basic conversion, and call it good. Usually chroma issues. And unless you're buying it from a company that specifically stocks HDMI adapters for retro consoles, you can be dealing with latency, tearing, and other issues.
My (unmodified) SNES, by comparison, outputs an image essentially free of artifacting, by using its native RGB output via a component video cable to a TV which has analog component support. The N64 lacks a native RGB output, so the only option for a comparable mod is to tap the RGB video output directly from the RCP.
@@devikwolf ok thanks for explaining. I myself will stick to this adapter though because it’s so much cheaper. Only cost me €10,-. I usually play N64 on emulators anyway and not that often in general. So over €100,- is to much for me excluding the fact that it still needs to be soldered correctly. If it was cheaper and plug and play i will certainly consider it.
I installed the kit this evening. The soldering is fiddly, but doable with a fine iron and a good liquid flux. The results are great
hi will it work on any hd monitor thanks
and i see we need a thin gayge wire, does it come with that because the kit picture dosent show it
@@ceff01 Does not come with the wire. I used a piece pulled from an old IDE ribbon cable. you can use anything
@@ceff01 Don't see why not. Only tested on a pioneer plasma from 2007. 720P with 1.5 tv scale works well
@@DKbananas thats great thanks because i ordered one
Great video! I wish I was that skilled with a soldering iron.
I'm confused. Why is 720p integer scaling windowed? 240*3=720. It should fit the full 720p canvas. It looks more like 480p windowed in a 720p box. Am I missing something?
I had the same reaction. There are some N64 games which ran natively at 480i, so I guess the scaling is based on that as a baseline? 1.5*480=720. So the 1.5x scale should in theory be a perfect 3x scale for games that ran at 240p, which is the vast majority of them, but non-integer for 480i games.
@@vaguerant so, the few 480i games would fill the screen vertically? That’s interesting. I can’t remember if any games switch between 480i and 240p, but that sure would be jarring.
@@cactoidpinata I think it's more like 240p games are already being upscaled to 480p at all times, so that it doesn't matter which resolution the game runs at. Then the scaling options are always working with a 480p picture, whether placing it in the middle of 720p or stretching it 1.5x to fill the screen.
@@cactoidpinata Resident Evil 2 and the Pokémon Stadium games are the big ones that switch resolution.
Love all of your videos! Thank you for all the information you put out about retro consoles.
Thank you 🙏
Can you please show how to update the firmware on this. It looks alot of changes and fixes were made but the instructions on github are kinda vague. Would be a great follow video.
I absolutely love your videos. Clean, to the point, and no filler. Keep up the great work.
YAY! I've been hoping you'd cover this mod since I first saw it on StoneAgeGamer.
fx box also doing a 3 tiered board option soon, one of 480p max only so now i'm wondering what the price point between these two will be
Your production is a work of art.
Even when the content is about something I'm not explicitly interested in, you make it engaging, informative and great to watch.
And in this case, I'm very interested. I'd love one of these, and the features set is more than sufficient.
Cheers Tito, have a great weekend!
Hello, I got two question for you. 1- I buy the kit and I want to know if I can install this kit in my N64 with the RGB mod on It (vaultar style board) 2- If I need to buy a N64 for this mod what revision is the best one.
You do a great job with your channel Is fun to watch it and it's give me a great source of inspiration to try new mod.
I, as a VW driver, feel personally attacked. Haha
Yes! Thanks for the
Video. I preordered a few weeks ago and I’ll be using this as my guide.
Always wanted an HDMI Mod for my n64. I just pre-ordered this. Way excited for it!
Hell yeah! I wanna get it myself but I gotta wait and save up some scratch! I just installed the picoboot on my GC with helders ribbon cable for the ipl chip. And boy was that installation awesome! Didnt realize it was such a small chip. I haven’t soldered anything since electronics class in jr high school back in 1997. Its my first ever mod! They always look bigger in all these install videos lol.
Good luck dude let me kno how it goes.
And I thought I was clever for adding a thermal paste connection between each of the layers of metal between the N64 components and the heatsink to assist with cooling.
I love watching your videos. They're very zen and you're editing is great. Maybe one day I'll actually use a soldering tool. :)
Great video as always and can’t wait for your new studio. Quick question, why is no one making Wii HDMI internal mod any more? Wiidual or whatever is called is not available for long time. I want Wii to have a better video quality than what it is now…
I use a RAD2X cable for my snes and n64 works great and no need to internally tinker with them
For CRTs I'd recommend using an S-Video cable. It will provide essentially the same quality at a much lower cost.
I thought about doing this and getting some of the "forever memory cards", but I do not have enough confidence in my soldering skills to even attempt that fine of soldering.
Amazing!! Is there any option to improve the framerate of the N64 with more cooling, overclocking or third party expansion pak with more memory?
You never cease to amaze me with your soldering skills. I think this will be a great budget friendly option. I would like to see a comparison, however I don’t think there will be too much difference with the same settings enabled.
Why do you (and Gamebox and Stoneage) completely fail to inform that it's a HDMI mini connector? Now I have to wait to 2 days to test it while I wait for a converter cable to arrive! Something unusual with my motherboard it's a gen 6, but it has a PIF chip that matches the gen 1 to 5. Maybe they made the change on a interim gen 6 revision.
Its amazing that you get to keep the original AV port so you can still play it as originally inteded.
i love these videos and the intro music is a banger, got me dancing a little as the consoles spin lol
Perfect timing!! Just picked up a N64 the other day along with a Dreamcast. Would like to see more N64 mods if possible.
Can you link to the HDMI to YPbPr converter?
Totally forgot to add the link. Just posted the link now 👍
Great video as always. Would love a comparison between the UltraHDMI and the GameBox 64HD Kit.
Need to get my hands on a ultrahdmi. That could be a very good comparison video
this looks way more simpler than the Ultra64
Very awesome mod definitely Something I would want to look into it would be even better if the mod included an Optical output for crisp quality but the onboard HDMI Audio must great tho no doubt
Can you do a follow video on how to update the firmware. I ordered the device they call for, but just need a little help. Thought a follow up video would be perfect 👌especially since it fixes the 1080i issue they say
Amazing! This is great news for me, I had a couple UltraHDMI's on order when the pandemic hit and due to job/family issues had to back out. Luckily, things are back to normal but I'm still wanting to get my N64's upgraded. Another bonus is you can just order one of these and not have to get in on a group purchase and wait for eons!
backout, family job HDMi ???
you run weird business, more we don't understand...
Covid, back to normal you failed in i see !
Bonus ? why you wait ?
Hey Tito! Quick question: Where can I buy a flux dispenser like the one you have at 6:28? I see you have a flux pen in your description but not a flux dispenser like the one in the video. I'd love to buy one. Thanks!
It came out in '96. I got one second hand and I recall Mario Kart was the only game I remember playing. I'm sure I had 007, but I can't remember playing it. I had Mortal Kombat, but I sucked at it, and never played.
Awesome video as always Tito!! I really need to install that Ultra HDMI I have had in my cabinet for years.
We all seen the bridge you made on pins 6 and 7 before showing the final shot lol.
i would love to see more about this. You have more videos on this planned?
I'd like to see a comparison N64 HDMI kits picture quality with an OSSC or retrotink scalers
It's frustrating how these things are always out of stock. I've been wanting to mod my N64 for years but can never found them anywhere.
A big problem imo is that it’s nearly impossible to find a N64 digital, that kits one of a kind it has higher resolution than 1080p. Original price is 220$ resellers want 400+. ( if you can find one) so that sort of just leaves you with the other kit.
i just got mine and im kinda mixed on the results. I was expecting more of a difference and on the tv i test there wasnt much of any. The composite video was actually brighter than the hdmi mod with the bright setting turned all the way up and no filters were even on. Id probably just pass on this one mostly due to the price i dont think its worth paying 130 for
How does the picture quality of this compare to a composite to HDMI converter?
It’s better because it’s digital to digital. Instead of going through the internal DAC and then being converted back to digital
Hopefully this will make these mods more available. I'm VERY frustrated with Pixel FX for not having a queue system to combat scalpers.
I don’t know why they can’t do what they do with the DCDigital HW2 and have it always available, but with a two week shipping queue. I really want to get an N64Digital over the 64HD despite me having a preorder for it because I want the best for my console. So I’ll probably have this installed and then get the N64Digital with another N64.
@@TwinFamiProductions why you need HD ? did you do it yourself , failed ?
that is a quick & easy job , nice!
Might be a silly question, but can you use the Expansion Pak with this console instead of the Jumper Pak?
Yes, you can
@@MachoNachoProductions Thanks! I figured that had to be the case, but better safe than sorry!
Please do a side by side shootout on the Gamebox 64HD vs N64 Digital by Pixelfx! 🙏🙏🙏
looks good, and I'm glad that there's another option out there, but I reeeally hate that all kits are using the mini HDMI port and not a full-sized port.
N64Adv2 is using a full-size port 👌
Why... just buy a $5 adapter. or a dedicated cable for a little bit more. Why does it need to be dull sized...
PixelFX announced a budget version of their HDMI mods the day after you posted this video. They will be doing a $99 Lite version.
Its just a shame that a lot of people got screwed from the ultraHDMI group buy. Thank you for a legit option.
My favorite mods are always the ones that let you keep the analog out port. Never liked removing those as I do tend to use old consoles on my CRT. I also like CRT filters but they never seem to get them right outside of stuff like the OSSC and the Retrotink
Amazing video Tito.
Ive been wanting a pixelfx from the moment you featured it but its just simply impossible to get your hands on so that's a benefit to this as well.
Only one question is whether this is pal compatible or not?
it's pin 16 of the PIF, not pin 2.
Where's the installation guide for this for the different models? You said to solder to pin2 of the PIF chip, but you soldered to pin 16. So did you switch it to pin2 off camera, or was it actually supposed to be pin16?