[Coury] Thank YOU for putting the info out there! I can't believe that this hasn't been talked about more - it came as a huge surprise to just about everyone I asked about it!
Yeah Trip Hawkins himself said in 1993 to 1994 that "game consoles were a fad and the 3DO was gonna rule the world" and later Tom Kalinske claimed that "the Sega 32X was going to out-sell the Sony PlayStation (and Sega Saturn) because of the $160 price point and cause he claimed gamers didn't want some super expensive $400 dollar console"
There's so many retro gaming channels out there but... Mlig has to be one of the most informative/detailed I've seen. Still lost on the framemister and the wacky cables but your videos are extremely encouraging and in depth. Without this channel, couldn't and wouldn't understand the rash concepts of video input/output Thx boyz
RGB video via mod has been doable on the 3DO for years now, you just need a console with a VP536 or BT9103 video encoder inside, and OSH Park already has boards for it. (Hint: The older Otaku-store mods are larger/require more chips) If it has the Anvil or 9101 encoder, it's no-go (For now at least). The only further developments are improved board designs and potential for getting the BT9101 supported. There's even an SPDIF mod already available for digital audio out. People still stick by the FZ-10 because of drive reliability (Fewer moving parts), and the fact that most FZ-10s seem to use the VP536.
yhep, I ended up buying an RGB modded 3DO back in 2007 I think. It's a model FZ-1. I seem to remember with the early mods you had to find some kind of arcade machine part sort of like the old NES RGB mods.
Hey guys! Love the video. I almost skipped it though, because of the red bar on the bottom of your thumbnail. It really looks like the 'played' bar that RUclips uses to display how much of a video you've watched. They also display that red bar underneath a thumbnail. Might be nice to check that out. Keep it up!
Nice! I learned about this via the AA post as well and it turned out my FZ-1 has the switch. I have been binging on 3DO occasionally since thanks to it. It's a shame not everything is perfect (Out of This World like you mentioned, or Microcosm as another example), but for everything else this is a game changer.
As a kid we once traded our Sega Genesis with the neighbors for their 3DO. It was so cool playing Gex and my absolute favorite - the original Alone in the Dark! Once my parents found out however, they made us swap back, which was certainly for the best in the long run, but it was really cool to experience the system for a little while. Thanks for showing us how to get the most out of the console!
I used to have an FZ-10, FZ-1, and an Australian Goldstar. I eventually sold all the panasonics but I've kept the Goldstar. I never knew much about the output issues or options. Thanks for this!
Thank you for this! eBayers are sadly jacking prices as high as $250+ and doing auction only, but I still see them pop up from Japanese stores on the site. Just this morning found one that was in great shape, tested working, and only $120. As someone who is documenting all the 3DO games in HD for a series on my own channel, this is as Coury puts it, "a game changer." I was about to pay someone a lot of money to mod my FZ-10 I bought in the late 90s.
Noooo now the price of Japanese 3DOs are gonna skyrocket! How dare you make videos! Information is best when it's hoarded so that prices stay low and only a few select elites can appreciate it. JK I'm full of it... I'm so glad that this feature exists... and that I now also have a Japanese FZ-1.
No, they're a pretty cool channel run by Joe and Dave. Pretty cool gaming related stuff. But the Game Chasers (another fantastic channel) calls them nutsack, because thats what they really are deep down.
2:33; Oh man, Star Control 2 really is the best game on the 3DO. (The Star Control 2 Hyperspace theme is in the background.) I highly recommend The Ur-Quan Masters HD, the amazing and free HD remaster of Star Control 2 for modern windows, it’s seriously incredible. In fact, it’s my favourite game of all time.
Thanks for the content and information guys! Never seizes to amaze me though, in less than seven minutes you probably just made me change my setup. Now I have to get another FZ-1......lol...thanks Coury!
You guys do such a great job I always learn so much from every one of your videos. This is better stuff than any show that was on Tech TV. The whole RGB series I would have never known about any of that stuff or understood it as well as I do now if it weren't for you.
I was excited when I first read about this some time ago. My system is a US launch model that I (sadly) purchased from Electronics Boutique back in the day.
My dad got my brother a 3DO at launch (I don't know how he afforded it honestly) and I thought it was okay. I think it's biggest weakness is there's some really great games and then there's a ton of junk games for the system. Cool mod though.
Gracias por tanta info, todos los días aprendemos algo nuevo, de los mejores canales de RUclips, felicitaciones!!!! Thanks for so much info, every day we learn something new, one of the best RUclips channels, congratulations!
OMG samuri showdown looked like a remake the pallet was AMAZING & the testured & sprits were 10 of 10 i used to play that game dailiy at the arcade it NEVER looked to sharp
Awesome to see and know, thanks for the video--3DO--best bad system of all time, bro.I need this in my life...oh wait, you pointed out the other day that I already do have this in my life, but it's currently broken...the console, not my life. So I need a repaired 240p capable 3DO system in my life in gaming.
This comment was a journey but a worth while one also weren't you in that slopes game room video I think the game was called the oh no's a japan only ps1 game? That video was one of the channels best in a while and I would personally like to give you a digital *high five*
Today I learned there was a console release of Starblade. I feel like this game was a huge inspiration for Starfox. The game blew my mind when it came out in he arcade.
Those S-Video captures look pretty damn good. There was talk of adding a function to the OSSC to de-interlace 480i back down to 240p, but it didn't seem to go anywhere. It would be handy in this case.... at least for RGB modded consoles since S-Video isn't supported by the OSSC.
I was one of those guys who sacrificed everything to get a 3DO around launch. 2 others guys & myself, were the only ones who had the console in middle school. We were the 3 Kings. Lots of heat, this system gets. It has some really great games & I happen to love FMV games. If you fact check, this system was too ahead of its time with the features it has but failed to capitalize on. It was to play games, run multi-media formats, & the vision was to get it on the internet. If managed & supported properly, it was supposed to have been the PS3 of yesteryear. Of all the years I have supported the 3DO, I have never heard of this. Definitely on my to do list now. It is also rumored the Video CD attachment (Japan Only) for the FZ-1 & FZ10 models, also improves the FMV quality on the games. I don't have the attachment so I can't confirm this nor is there solid information online. Thank you very much for your video.
lol, i just checked my Console I have since 03/27/1994 and it has the mode switch. I never knew what that was or bothered to check for the past 24 years.
Nice. I never knew this about the 3DO. Maybe I’ll try to find one of those Japanese units mentioned in your video. I’m surprised they did this. Why did they bother upscaling the video output of the 3DO, when most TVs back then could only display a 240p image? It sounds like a waste of time. I used to play my console systems on a Commodore Amiga RGB monitor, so I always had a better picture than someone who used a TV. My Neo-Geo AES looked especially nice connected to my RGB monitor.
[Try4ce] Televisions were actually designed for 480i, not 240p. 240p isn't really a proper standard, more like a way of tricking a 480i analog TVs into doing progressive. This is part of the reason 240p is hit or miss on modern TVs. So the 3DO was actually conforming to the standard of the day, but it still made no sense because it was rendering in 240p and TVs back then wouldn't have had a problem with it.
I considered trying to remember where I put my Panasonic 3DO FZ-1 when I had a nostalgic urging to play Immercenary. I ended up just using 4DO instead. It worked well enough for me.
This video's mentioning of S-video reminded me that I should really get S-video cables for my Wii, since I can't afford a component capture right now, and I do have an S-video capture device, heh
I think the mod technique being referenced here is a bit outdated. The original version of the mod just used a DPST(on-off) to pull one of the pins on the video encoder high without actually lifting the pin from the board. If you actually lift the pin and use a DPDT (on-on)switch, the console will boot just fine in 240p, eliminating the need to boot it and then flip the switch. I've never once had it boot up on the wrong update line. Just based on the behavior described in this video, the 240p 3DO mods that I've done are functionally identical.
I've very recently become interested in the 3DO and its library, but after watching this I'm not sure whether I should choose the more reliable FZ-10 model and run 480i through S-Video or get lucky and find an FZ-1 model with the 240p switch. Have either of you guys by chance tried either model and video output (240p and 480i) using the RetroTink2x via S-Video? Perhaps the "bob" de-interlace can output a picture quality comparable to the mode switches 240p video. It would most likely be easier to do that than to hunt down a console with the switch as well, but I may be wrong. Let me know what your thoughts are, it would help a ton in making my final decision. :)
Why would you go to all that trouble - the Framemeister settings, when you can just connect the 3DO to what it was designed for, a CRT. It seems nuts to finally discover a 240p mode, only to then connect the system to a HDTV. A serious, proper Retro Channel would only be using a CRT.
[Try4ce] We show CRTs and upscalers and let people decide for themselves which works for them. We enjoy CRTs, but it's unrealistic to expect everyone to have them, or to say they aren't allowed to enjoy original hardware without one.
[Coury] I had some in there, but since the only FMV seems to be in the opening, it wasn't exciting enough. I swapped it out for some explosion footage from Drug Wars instead.
So I'm a little bit confused here. I get that the Japanese Console can output 240p through the switch in MODE B, but what did you CONNECT the system to the TV with? are you using an RGB SCART? or S-Video? Do you STILL have to get it mod to take SCART? I'm Asking because my entire setup (except O.G Xbox) uses SCART on the OSSC and I'm planning to get a 3DO soon.
[Try4ce] This version is only really relevant if you want to use unmodded consoles. You can have 240p, but you'll have to use S-video. I'd you want to mod, then this is the RGB+240p mod you want. shop.dansprojects.com/3dorgb.html
I just bought Japanese FZ-1 from eBay along with the ODE from Fixel. My collection of 5th gen consoles is about complete. I'm just missing the toilet, er CD attachment for my Jaguar.
Is there any chance you guys will do a segment on the Philips CD-i? I'd love to know I'm getting the best possible output out of mine. In December 1990, the CD-i 910 machine was my very first taste of Svideo outputted video. It looked beautiful on our new Sony Trinitron. Especially with Kodak Photo CD images. They were by far the best looking video that TV had seen.
[Coury] I do use the OSSC for a lot these days, but since it has no S-Video input on it, I'm using the Framemeister for the 3DO currently. So thats the FM you're seeing on the TV.
Coury & Try, today I discovered that the other non A/B Japanese 3DO FZ-1 have the necessary footprint on the PCB, just unpopulated. If somebody sent me a photo of a populated one, I can write a manual for a conversion. I just opened an AtariAge thread. Please send me a photo and then people will have even more possibilities.
You mean to be permanently in either A or B? Sure. Without having one I would assume it is done like this: The stetting pulls a reference pin to either +5 VDC or to Gnd. Wire the appropriate connection and it will be set permanently.
I was so disappointed the first time I plugged my 3DO into a CRT. If you don’t have the special one with this switch the image looks terrible and flickery. Looks a whole lot better plugged into an HDTV even without an upscaler.
Wow I just bought one of these and was comparing it to my US FZ-1 and wondering what the mode switch was all about. Thank you! I have an 3DO ODE coming in and I think I`ll do the swap between consoles and put the good Japanese drive into the US and use the ODE on the Japanese model with the 240p switch making it maybe the ultimate 3DO?
Guys, thanks to you now I own one of these and is great how much the quality improves... I even found the speed in Out This world kinda fun xD lol. Sadly my main favorite game at the 3DO, DOCTOR HAUZER is not loading, but It loads without issues at my FZ10. Please would you mind to check about this just to test it ? I found weird any other from my games have this issue , maybe is a problem of compatibility with this game and the FZ1
That's so baffling that they'd design a 240p console to output only in 480i. Honestly while i'll never buy a 3do or a lot of the more off beat things you cover I always love it when you cover these sorts of things.
I have already tested 2 different japan fz 1 with 240p and unfortunately the consoles no longer play CDrs after some time, always as soon as the consoles get warm. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm in europe.
I may be wrong here, but in my experience these japanese FZ-1 models CANNOT play backup copies/burnt CD-Rs. I have two of the same exact models and neither can read them. This goes against most of the sources on the internet I've seen that state all 3DO makes and models are completely free of copy protection. Could be bad luck on my end or maybe these models just have a REALLY picky laser. I've never encountered that sort of thing before with other 3DOs. I'm thinking it's possible these japanese units with the 240p switch may also have some sort of copy protection as part of the hardware revision. It seems like a possibility if the existence of these models with the switch has gone unnoticed after all this time as it is. If any owners of this exact model can reply with their findings/experiences maybe we can get more of a definitive answer on this topic.
[Coury] I actually only own 3 games for the 3DO, so all of the stuff you're seeing outside of Gex, Street Fighter 2 and Total Eclipse were captured using a burned disc. So they can definitely play them.
Louie It might be the source of your ISO. Make sure to use modern high quality discs, use bin/cue versions of the games (archive.org has a near complete library of verified ISO), and be sure to burn as slow as you can (which is around 8x on modern burners. It also could mean your laser is starting to go, but I wouldnt jump to that conclusion, especially if retail games work.
I'd better grab one of these before sellers catch on and charge a premium for the "Rare Mode Switch" version! It's a shame that the US F1 versions don't have this. Is there anything hidden in the Goldstar model of US 3DO? Or the F-10 US? I own 2 factory sealed models, but if either of those have a a native way of displaying 240p I'd crack them open!
I just got my hands on one of these and it's legit for sure! I have a question though. Is it ok to switch the mode while it's on or should I do it while it's off? I can see how it does introduce some minor timing issues with FMVs and some games mentioned in this video.. but in the end the in-game performance boost is noticeable.
Knowing that 480 effectively doubles the resolution, what is the main reason that 240p offers the better output? Does it have to do with how its rendered from the console? Is it because upscalers on tv sets don't manage the native resolution that the game devs intended? It makes me wonder if this show is primarily play tested around CRT's or High Definition sets.
[Try4ce] Originally we were only upscaling to HDTVs, but we've been doing a mixture of that and CRTs for the past several years. 240p works better for these games for a lot of reasons. They were originally designed for that resolution, but output as 480i. This adds an interlacing effect that is not needed on CRTs, and wreaks havoc with upscalers, especially for content designed at 240p. When your output matches the resolution of the content, you simply have more control over what you do with it, whether upscaled or direct to a CRT.
I recognize the logic since I've been working with it and finding reasonable success. I guess the area that makes things fuzzy is how in the world does 720x240 not make the image like reading a scroll? The only thing that I can think of is that the scaling device operates like a pseudo third eye. We have two eyes, but only detect a singular view. So each eye is rendering at 360x240 and the sum of the horizontal makes it certain that both of them detect a definitive 360 frame, which is for all intents and purposes, lossless. If that is the case, why wouldn't the science behind interlacing function the same way? Its 240 twice over, just odd and even renditions of it. I guess I'm confused as to whether there can even be a 480 scale that was intended by the manufacturer to be its optimal resolution.
This is only available on the very first run of the Japanese 3DO. I Had 2 Japanese systems both with same VP536 chip but only the oldest unit contained the mode A B switch
[Try4ce] Technically that's already what's happening when you connect it to your TV. If your TV is a 1080p TV, it doesn't display 480p or 720p, but it does display 480p and 720p upscaled to 1080p. If it weren't upscaled, it would be a small window in your TV. If you are envisioning a method of making the games appear higher resolution (increased render resolution), then that is impossible without emulation.
Thanks for bringing some attention to this 3DO variant! Great video as always 👍
[Coury] Thank YOU for putting the info out there! I can't believe that this hasn't been talked about more - it came as a huge surprise to just about everyone I asked about it!
Love both of yalls videos thanks to both for putting out such information
Yo! I can't believe your channel got a shout out! I feel like I'm the only one who watches your sonic/overrated videos.
Rad to see you get a shout-out here, Kris!
implantgames love your videos, one of the best review channels on RUclips
I immediately went and checked my two FZ-1 units. The first one doesn't have the switch but the second one does! Score! :)
The 3DO was so far ahead of its time that even the company didn't realize it.
Rosemary Marie I second this.
@Sleepy_Rainy_Day I paid about $70 for mine and had it until a fire on november 30th 2018. I miss it so much.
Yeah Trip Hawkins himself said in 1993 to 1994 that "game consoles were a fad and the 3DO was gonna rule the world" and later Tom Kalinske claimed that "the Sega 32X was going to out-sell the Sony PlayStation (and Sega Saturn) because of the $160 price point and cause he claimed gamers didn't want some super expensive $400 dollar console"
I just received a 3DO from Japan yesterday. Thought it was unlikely to have this switch.... but it does!
There's so many retro gaming channels out there but... Mlig has to be one of the most informative/detailed I've seen.
Still lost on the framemister and the wacky cables but your videos are extremely encouraging and in depth.
Without this channel, couldn't and wouldn't understand the rash concepts of video input/output
Thx boyz
RGB video via mod has been doable on the 3DO for years now, you just need a console with a VP536 or BT9103 video encoder inside, and OSH Park already has boards for it. (Hint: The older Otaku-store mods are larger/require more chips) If it has the Anvil or 9101 encoder, it's no-go (For now at least). The only further developments are improved board designs and potential for getting the BT9101 supported. There's even an SPDIF mod already available for digital audio out. People still stick by the FZ-10 because of drive reliability (Fewer moving parts), and the fact that most FZ-10s seem to use the VP536.
yhep, I ended up buying an RGB modded 3DO back in 2007 I think. It's a model FZ-1. I seem to remember with the early mods you had to find some kind of arcade machine part sort of like the old NES RGB mods.
I believe the Sanyo TRY also uses BT9103 from the motherboard I have seen.
Hey guys! Love the video. I almost skipped it though, because of the red bar on the bottom of your thumbnail. It really looks like the 'played' bar that RUclips uses to display how much of a video you've watched. They also display that red bar underneath a thumbnail. Might be nice to check that out. Keep it up!
WOAH Native 240P Video Output on 3DO, sweet! Implant Games is an amazing channel!
Nice! I learned about this via the AA post as well and it turned out my FZ-1 has the switch. I have been binging on 3DO occasionally since thanks to it. It's a shame not everything is perfect (Out of This World like you mentioned, or Microcosm as another example), but for everything else this is a game changer.
Gameplay and Talk what about doom? The modded version of doom? I heard wolf 3d runs too fast
Yes it does
Whenever I hear that intro music I know I'm in for a high quality RUclips experience.
Changing "sharpness" from 0 to 1 is the most important step. Do not forget about it.
As a kid we once traded our Sega Genesis with the neighbors for their 3DO. It was so cool playing Gex and my absolute favorite - the original Alone in the Dark! Once my parents found out however, they made us swap back, which was certainly for the best in the long run, but it was really cool to experience the system for a little while. Thanks for showing us how to get the most out of the console!
I loved my 3DO, especially playing Demolition Man, back in the day.
I used to have an FZ-10, FZ-1, and an Australian Goldstar. I eventually sold all the panasonics but I've kept the Goldstar. I never knew much about the output issues or options. Thanks for this!
Thank you for this! eBayers are sadly jacking prices as high as $250+ and doing auction only, but I still see them pop up from Japanese stores on the site. Just this morning found one that was in great shape, tested working, and only $120. As someone who is documenting all the 3DO games in HD for a series on my own channel, this is as Coury puts it, "a game changer." I was about to pay someone a lot of money to mod my FZ-10 I bought in the late 90s.
I don't even have a 3DO, but your videos are so awesome I'm watching it anyway
Noooo now the price of Japanese 3DOs are gonna skyrocket! How dare you make videos! Information is best when it's hoarded so that prices stay low and only a few select elites can appreciate it. JK I'm full of it... I'm so glad that this feature exists... and that I now also have a Japanese FZ-1.
Gamesack? More like nutsack.
Who is Game Sack? Are they part of the MJ crew?
No, they're a pretty cool channel run by Joe and Dave. Pretty cool gaming related stuff. But the Game Chasers (another fantastic channel) calls them nutsack, because thats what they really are deep down.
now include in a future episode Plumbers Don't Wear Ties on 240p
That's exactly right, Joe!
2:33; Oh man, Star Control 2 really is the best game on the 3DO. (The Star Control 2 Hyperspace theme is in the background.) I highly recommend The Ur-Quan Masters HD, the amazing and free HD remaster of Star Control 2 for modern windows, it’s seriously incredible. In fact, it’s my favourite game of all time.
You guys should have a million subs, the content and expertise is at the Digital Foundry level.
Thanks for the content and information guys! Never seizes to amaze me though, in less than seven minutes you probably just made me change my setup. Now I have to get another FZ-1......lol...thanks Coury!
Awesome video the 3do deserves the attention! Already knew about this mode for some time now but its great that this information is being shared!
Your work is awesome!!
Thanks for the tip... I have 2 FZ-1 units, one will be going up for sale (long story), they both have the switch ! Thanks for the info here !
You guys do such a great job I always learn so much from every one of your videos. This is better stuff than any show that was on Tech TV. The whole RGB series I would have never known about any of that stuff or understood it as well as I do now if it weren't for you.
Maybe the 3DO chose 480i over 240p because of the FMV?
Yes that is the reason. Plus also for vcd's.
that's the 3DO model I had as a kid. SSF2 on 3DO used to be my favorite Street Fighter, until I discovered the Dreamcast version with RGB enabled
Great stuff, man!! This kinda makes me want to own a 3D0. So much hype back in the day.
great video! i love these variant pieces. insanely valuable as collector myself.
Smooth video as always! Good to know there's this tip to enjoy 3DO in its full glory
I just bought this version of the 3DO, thanks dude!
*continues waiting patiently for the Xbox display recommendation video*
That clip of the Star Control 2 Hyperspace Theme hit me right in the nostalgia!
I own 2 FZ-1 and an FZ1-10. I’ve got RGB mod and USB loader to the FZ-1. It’s amazing!
I was excited when I first read about this some time ago. My system is a US launch model that I (sadly) purchased from Electronics Boutique back in the day.
My dad got my brother a 3DO at launch (I don't know how he afforded it honestly) and I thought it was okay. I think it's biggest weakness is there's some really great games and then there's a ton of junk games for the system. Cool mod though.
You’re almost at 100k subs! Keep up the good work!
I dare you to deliver a bad video! Another top quality interesting document of videogame History.
YES!!!! I bought this on a whim last week for $30.
Awesome video! Just snagged one on Epay for $89.99.
Very well done video!! Nice work
I will have to look into this soon...fantastic.
Great video guys.
Gracias por tanta info, todos los días aprendemos algo nuevo, de los mejores canales de RUclips, felicitaciones!!!!
Thanks for so much info, every day we learn something new, one of the best RUclips channels, congratulations!
I bet the prices for these went way up when this was discovered^^
RetroProGamer Yup. Japanese resellers used to sell them for less than $200 on eBay. Now they cost well over $400+.
@@worldofretrogameplay6963 no they don't you liar.
That Star Control 2 music was a nice touch
OMG samuri showdown looked like a remake the pallet was AMAZING & the testured & sprits were 10 of 10 i used to play that game dailiy at the arcade it NEVER looked to sharp
480i looks better in some of your examples because the hard pixel edges are softened. What you called vaseline-smeared, I call blemish softened.
Awesome to see and know, thanks for the video--3DO--best bad system of all time, bro.I need this in my life...oh wait, you pointed out the other day that I already do have this in my life, but it's currently broken...the console, not my life. So I need a repaired 240p capable 3DO system in my life in gaming.
This comment was a journey but a worth while one also weren't you in that slopes game room video I think the game was called the oh no's a japan only ps1 game? That video was one of the channels best in a while and I would personally like to give you a digital *high five*
Cory looking good w the beard. Love u guys!
Wow!
Outstanding video and shirt. I wonder if the circuitry for this is still available but unused in other revisions.
Today I learned there was a console release of Starblade. I feel like this game was a huge inspiration for Starfox. The game blew my mind when it came out in he arcade.
Love the use of star control 2 music.
Sprang right up to see whether my Japanese FZ-1 has the switch. It doesn't^^
Those S-Video captures look pretty damn good. There was talk of adding a function to the OSSC to de-interlace 480i back down to 240p, but it didn't seem to go anywhere. It would be handy in this case.... at least for RGB modded consoles since S-Video isn't supported by the OSSC.
Good job, boiz.
You are doing God's work.
Nice find!!! Be prepared for eBay to be wiped of these now lol can't wait for all the rgb mod options to become available to install the best one
I was one of those guys who sacrificed everything to get a 3DO around launch. 2 others guys & myself, were the only ones who had the console in middle school. We were the 3 Kings. Lots of heat, this system gets. It has some really great games & I happen to love FMV games. If you fact check, this system was too ahead of its time with the features it has but failed to capitalize on. It was to play games, run multi-media formats, & the vision was to get it on the internet. If managed & supported properly, it was supposed to have been the PS3 of yesteryear. Of all the years I have supported the 3DO, I have never heard of this. Definitely on my to do list now. It is also rumored the Video CD attachment (Japan Only) for the FZ-1 & FZ10 models, also improves the FMV quality on the games. I don't have the attachment so I can't confirm this nor is there solid information online. Thank you very much for your video.
lol, i just checked my Console I have since 03/27/1994 and it has the mode switch. I never knew what that was or bothered to check for the past 24 years.
Nice. I never knew this about the 3DO. Maybe I’ll try to find one of those Japanese units mentioned in your video.
I’m surprised they did this. Why did they bother upscaling the video output of the 3DO, when most TVs back then could only display a 240p image? It sounds like a waste of time.
I used to play my console systems on a Commodore Amiga RGB monitor, so I always had a better picture than someone who used a TV. My Neo-Geo AES looked especially nice connected to my RGB monitor.
[Try4ce] Televisions were actually designed for 480i, not 240p. 240p isn't really a proper standard, more like a way of tricking a 480i analog TVs into doing progressive. This is part of the reason 240p is hit or miss on modern TVs. So the 3DO was actually conforming to the standard of the day, but it still made no sense because it was rendering in 240p and TVs back then wouldn't have had a problem with it.
I considered trying to remember where I put my Panasonic 3DO FZ-1 when I had a nostalgic urging to play Immercenary.
I ended up just using 4DO instead. It worked well enough for me.
I have the Goldstar console, can it be modded for better resolution?
This video's mentioning of S-video reminded me that I should really get S-video cables for my Wii, since I can't afford a component capture right now, and I do have an S-video capture device, heh
I think the mod technique being referenced here is a bit outdated. The original version of the mod just used a DPST(on-off) to pull one of the pins on the video encoder high without actually lifting the pin from the board. If you actually lift the pin and use a DPDT (on-on)switch, the console will boot just fine in 240p, eliminating the need to boot it and then flip the switch. I've never once had it boot up on the wrong update line. Just based on the behavior described in this video, the 240p 3DO mods that I've done are functionally identical.
Dope video game dads shirt!
Always excited for a new video of you :)
When is the time for neo geo rgb?
Thanks for your work as always
I've very recently become interested in the 3DO and its library, but after watching this I'm not sure whether I should choose the more reliable FZ-10 model and run 480i through S-Video or get lucky and find an FZ-1 model with the 240p switch. Have either of you guys by chance tried either model and video output (240p and 480i) using the RetroTink2x via S-Video? Perhaps the "bob" de-interlace can output a picture quality comparable to the mode switches 240p video. It would most likely be easier to do that than to hunt down a console with the switch as well, but I may be wrong. Let me know what your thoughts are, it would help a ton in making my final decision. :)
Why would you go to all that trouble - the Framemeister settings, when you can just connect the 3DO to what it was designed for, a CRT. It seems nuts to finally discover a 240p mode, only to then connect the system to a HDTV. A serious, proper Retro Channel would only be using a CRT.
[Try4ce] We show CRTs and upscalers and let people decide for themselves which works for them. We enjoy CRTs, but it's unrealistic to expect everyone to have them, or to say they aren't allowed to enjoy original hardware without one.
No footage of Plumbers Don't Wear Ties?
[Coury] I had some in there, but since the only FMV seems to be in the opening, it wasn't exciting enough. I swapped it out for some explosion footage from Drug Wars instead.
We miss the chance of have one or two laughs on this mini episode after hearing some random gold cheesy line from that game.
4:18 LOVE IT! XD
RGB video via mod + 240p Video mod is theway to go
So I'm a little bit confused here. I get that the Japanese Console can output 240p through the switch in MODE B, but what did you CONNECT the system to the TV with? are you using an RGB SCART? or S-Video? Do you STILL have to get it mod to take SCART? I'm Asking because my entire setup (except O.G Xbox) uses SCART on the OSSC and I'm planning to get a 3DO soon.
[Try4ce] This version is only really relevant if you want to use unmodded consoles. You can have 240p, but you'll have to use S-video. I'd you want to mod, then this is the RGB+240p mod you want. shop.dansprojects.com/3dorgb.html
Whaaaattttt? I can only like it once.
I just bought Japanese FZ-1 from eBay along with the ODE from Fixel. My collection of 5th gen consoles is about complete. I'm just missing the toilet, er CD attachment for my Jaguar.
Is there any chance you guys will do a segment on the Philips CD-i? I'd love to know I'm getting the best possible output out of mine.
In December 1990, the CD-i 910 machine was my very first taste of Svideo outputted video. It looked beautiful on our new Sony Trinitron. Especially with Kodak Photo CD images. They were by far the best looking video that TV had seen.
Did Coury get a new HDTV or is he fully switched to the OSSC? Seems like there's less lag compared to the CRT than in an order video.
[Coury] I do use the OSSC for a lot these days, but since it has no S-Video input on it, I'm using the Framemeister for the 3DO currently. So thats the FM you're seeing on the TV.
Coury & Try, today I discovered that the other non A/B Japanese 3DO FZ-1 have the necessary footprint on the PCB, just unpopulated. If somebody sent me a photo of a populated one, I can write a manual for a conversion. I just opened an AtariAge thread. Please send me a photo and then people will have even more possibilities.
Could one with the channel switch have that disabled and rewired to do the a/b mode?
You mean to be permanently in either A or B? Sure. Without having one I would assume it is done like this: The stetting pulls a reference pin to either +5 VDC or to Gnd. Wire the appropriate connection and it will be set permanently.
If I had a crt tv I would totally look into getting a 3do.
AlphaMax Good Will is the best place to get one cheap.
I was so disappointed the first time I plugged my 3DO into a CRT. If you don’t have the special one with this switch the image looks terrible and flickery. Looks a whole lot better plugged into an HDTV even without an upscaler.
Well it's spring...you should be able to find CRT TVs abandoned on the road.
Wow I just bought one of these and was comparing it to my US FZ-1 and wondering what the mode switch was all about. Thank you! I have an 3DO ODE coming in and I think I`ll do the swap between consoles and put the good Japanese drive into the US and use the ODE on the Japanese model with the 240p switch making it maybe the ultimate 3DO?
Guys, thanks to you now I own one of these and is great how much the quality improves... I even found the speed in Out This world kinda fun xD lol. Sadly my main favorite game at the 3DO, DOCTOR HAUZER is not loading, but It loads without issues at my FZ10. Please would you mind to check about this just to test it ? I found weird any other from my games have this issue , maybe is a problem of compatibility with this game and the FZ1
That's so baffling that they'd design a 240p console to output only in 480i. Honestly while i'll never buy a 3do or a lot of the more off beat things you cover I always love it when you cover these sorts of things.
Will this only help with S-VIDEO? or is this something that would help with Composite out too?
[Try4ce] It would help a bit most likely.
I'll be playing wing commander 3 tonight thank you very much
I have already tested 2 different japan fz 1 with 240p and unfortunately the consoles no longer play CDrs after some time, always as soon as the consoles get warm. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm in europe.
Get the USB mod from MNEMO its amazing!
Back in the day I genuinely thought the 3DO was going to be a big deal. Sadly they just fell flat. A shame as the FZ1 is a gorgeous design.
Surprised that this isn't widely known by now.
Time for 240p Shadow War of Succession
I just got up to check my FZ-1. It has a channel 3 or 4 selection where the button is. I am guessing this is not the same thing?
[Try4ce] This is for which channel you need to set your TV to if you're using RF output.
I may be wrong here, but in my experience these japanese FZ-1 models CANNOT play backup copies/burnt CD-Rs. I have two of the same exact models and neither can read them.
This goes against most of the sources on the internet I've seen that state all 3DO makes and models are completely free of copy protection. Could be bad luck on my end or maybe these models just have a REALLY picky laser. I've never encountered that sort of thing before with other 3DOs.
I'm thinking it's possible these japanese units with the 240p switch may also have some sort of copy protection as part of the hardware revision. It seems like a possibility if the existence of these models with the switch has gone unnoticed after all this time as it is.
If any owners of this exact model can reply with their findings/experiences maybe we can get more of a definitive answer on this topic.
[Coury] I actually only own 3 games for the 3DO, so all of the stuff you're seeing outside of Gex, Street Fighter 2 and Total Eclipse were captured using a burned disc. So they can definitely play them.
Louie It might be the source of your ISO. Make sure to use modern high quality discs, use bin/cue versions of the games (archive.org has a near complete library of verified ISO), and be sure to burn as slow as you can (which is around 8x on modern burners. It also could mean your laser is starting to go, but I wouldnt jump to that conclusion, especially if retail games work.
Thank goodness I already got mine a while ago cause this particular unit will be extremely expensive soon LOL
I payed 200 dollars for this type of model and it runs no better what the heak
I got no issues with 240p games shows as 480i,aslong i don’t see combing motion artifacts because i really hate combing motion artifacts.
Just checked my FZ-1. I have the mode switch!
I'd better grab one of these before sellers catch on and charge a premium for the "Rare Mode Switch" version!
It's a shame that the US F1 versions don't have this. Is there anything hidden in the Goldstar model of US 3DO? Or the F-10 US? I own 2 factory sealed models, but if either of those have a a native way of displaying 240p I'd crack them open!
I just got my hands on one of these and it's legit for sure! I have a question though. Is it ok to switch the mode while it's on or should I do it while it's off? I can see how it does introduce some minor timing issues with FMVs and some games mentioned in this video.. but in the end the in-game performance boost is noticeable.
Knowing that 480 effectively doubles the resolution, what is the main reason that 240p offers the better output? Does it have to do with how its rendered from the console? Is it because upscalers on tv sets don't manage the native resolution that the game devs intended?
It makes me wonder if this show is primarily play tested around CRT's or High Definition sets.
[Try4ce] Originally we were only upscaling to HDTVs, but we've been doing a mixture of that and CRTs for the past several years. 240p works better for these games for a lot of reasons. They were originally designed for that resolution, but output as 480i. This adds an interlacing effect that is not needed on CRTs, and wreaks havoc with upscalers, especially for content designed at 240p. When your output matches the resolution of the content, you simply have more control over what you do with it, whether upscaled or direct to a CRT.
I recognize the logic since I've been working with it and finding reasonable success. I guess the area that makes things fuzzy is how in the world does 720x240 not make the image like reading a scroll?
The only thing that I can think of is that the scaling device operates like a pseudo third eye. We have two eyes, but only detect a singular view.
So each eye is rendering at 360x240 and the sum of the horizontal makes it certain that both of them detect a definitive 360 frame, which is for all intents and purposes, lossless.
If that is the case, why wouldn't the science behind interlacing function the same way? Its 240 twice over, just odd and even renditions of it. I guess I'm confused as to whether there can even be a 480 scale that was intended by the manufacturer to be its optimal resolution.
WOW!!! I HAVE A JAPANESE UNIT!!!!! Ima do this ASAP!!!
This is only available on the very first run of the Japanese 3DO. I Had 2 Japanese systems both with same VP536 chip but only the oldest unit contained the mode A B switch
I recently bought a hdmi adapter for my GameCube and I love it. But do know of a way to upscale the 480p signal to something higher like 720 or 1080?
[Try4ce] Technically that's already what's happening when you connect it to your TV. If your TV is a 1080p TV, it doesn't display 480p or 720p, but it does display 480p and 720p upscaled to 1080p. If it weren't upscaled, it would be a small window in your TV. If you are envisioning a method of making the games appear higher resolution (increased render resolution), then that is impossible without emulation.
My Life in Gaming My tv is 4K. Does the same principle apply?