Zez Retro / Cathode Ray Podcast

In this episode I speak to developer Danhans42 who was the programmer of the PSIO homebrew custom menu "Litemenu" which was never released after legal action from the PSIO maker.

PSIO is a plug in dongle for the original grey Playstation 1 which allows you to run games from an SD card. While it was one of the first "Optical Drive Emulator" type mods for PS1, it has experienced a difficult history with a slow pace of updates and negative online behaviour from the creator

After feeling frustrated with the lack of updates, Dan used public information and his own debugging of the PSIO to develop his own menu which was faster and had more features.

Dan offered to give this code to the creator without publicly releasing it, however after a deadline had passed, the offer was not taken up and Dan was on the end of legal threats. While Dan and the community in general were quite confident that these legal threats were baseless, Dan decided to fold the project and not release the code.

There is also MUCH MORE to the story. In this episode we learn a little about Dan's background and how he came into PS1 coding as a young person, hacking up his own Net Yaroze style PS1 dev console. We then jump forward to how he obtained a PSIO clone, what led to his frustration with the development and how we went about coding his own menu.

Dan is quite open in this talk about the part he played and steps along the way he could have handled better.

We try and answer the most controversial points about PSIO and Litemenu

* Does Litemenu enable PSIO piracy?

* Does Litemenu include any PSIO code

Follow Dan

Blog http://psx0.wordpress.com

Github http://www.github.com/danhans42

PSX.dev Discord - http://psx.dev/

0:00:00 - Start

0:04:11 - Typing in code from the user manual back in the day

0:11:08 - Using Net Yaroze for PlayStation Programming

0:12:05 - Net Yaroze SDK and PlayStation Boot Disk

0:18:12 - Dan wanted to make a a Chuckie Egg-Inspired PlayStation Game

0:21:49 - Discussion on the PSIO and Clones

0:34:32 - Which chips are inside the PSIO? How did Dan create the menu?

0:39:32 - Could I make any ISO the menu.sys??

0:43:08 - Discovering PlayStation CD Commands via the PSIO debug out

0:56:51 - Does Litemenu infringe on any copyright??

1:04:33 - Technical discussion on PlayStation coding

1:16:28 - Online Drama and PSIO Development

1:25:32 - Litemenu adds Game List Retrieval and faster loading

1:31:44 - Exploring Future PlayStation Hacking Opportunities

----------------------

Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

"CRTs created our whole scientific culture!" - Steve Nutter, during one of his megalomaniacal rants in this episode

Listen in as we kick off with an exploration of Steve's tech tinkering, where he restores a Sony CRT and adds an S-video mod. He discusses how the S video connector was run from three lines on the board and how the chroma and luma inputs were tapped. In another segment, we take a look at the RF device created by PorkChop Express from MisterAddons, comparing RF and Composite Video Signals and how similar they really are.

Shifting gears, the boys talk about health and fitness as a middle aged content creator. Steve opens up about his effort over the past six months and shares some of his secrets for staying consistent with his fitness routine. We explore the power of positive thinking, and Steve gives us a personal perspective on overcoming struggles and changing perspectives after his brother's visit in June.

Lastly, we share some insights into the world of YouTube content creation and the challenges that come with it. From finding the right balance between work and rest, to dealing with the constant pressure of success, we discuss how maintaining focus and motivation can be achieved. Plus, we do question time at the end with a detailed discussion about the challenges of remaking CRT Tubes and what an ideal BVM setup would look like.

(0:00:02) - Start

(0:00:02) - Sony CRT mod for S-Video

(0:08:51) - RF vs Composite Video Signals - Quality Difference?

(0:22:48) - Steve has been working out!

(0:31:22) - Changing Perspectives as a creator

(0:43:03) - Navigating Work Goals and Finding Support

(0:47:33) - Mental health for content creators on YouTube

(0:59:47) - Listener Question: Why can't we remake CRT tubes?

(1:06:42) - Listener Question: What's in your prefect PVM?

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Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

An eclectic episode this week. Steve gives us an excellent explanation about what the yoke does in a CRT. It's the magnetic part which attaches around the pointy end of the tube and helps to guide the electrons on their short journey from the gun to the phosphors of the screen.

We also talk more about the Chinese CRTs and the individual parts and circuit boards which you can buy on AliExpress. The overall feeling is that these are still low quality parts and any set you can find locally will be better. I think the point with these parts is the long game. Right now the balance of quality of these parts vs availability of sets is still in favour of getting another set. However I think over the next few years this balance might shift as sets become impossible to find. If the Chinese products can improve in quality this will also help push the balance too.

(0:00:00) Start

(0:01:00) Steve's CRT workout plan!

(0:06:44) First thoughts on the MARS FPGA platform

(0:19:42) Thoughts on the new Chinese CRT parts - are they useful?

(0:28:49) Steve explains what the yoke does in a CRT

(0:39:48) Louis wants to build a low power NAS

(0:54:49) Steve is getting in trouble in his college town

(1:03:47) The time Steve had to repel down a building in college

(1:10:54) Louis' dad enjoyed shooting guns in Eastern Europe

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Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Controversy in the retro community. Who doesn't love a bit of it?

Ok fine, but lets talk about it

* That BANGING Bang & Olufsen CRT Steve has been working on from 1989

* Update on the Chinese CRTs (we found someone buying them!)

* Should Louis buy a 100hz Widescreen Trinitron which only has SCART inputs?

* Hilarious PSIO drama

* Our thoughts on the release of the Morph switch from Pixel FX.

(0:00:00) - Start

(0:01:30) - Steve is loving the Bourbon and Yoga

(0:03:30) - Steve's Birthday and Retro World Expo

(0:11:33) - B&O MX 5000 CRT TV

(0:19:07) - B&O TV Quality and how it connects to other B&O home theater gear

(0:32:50) - PSIO and upcoming "Scaler Wars"

(0:41:58) - Morph & Tink 4K: Longterm support is what counts

(0:53:35) - Retrocastle update on the Chinese CRTs

(1:02:09) - How are they matching the old tubes to the electronics??

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this special episode, Steve and I break down the recent promo video from PixelFX for their new "Retro GEM" product. The promo opens with a very devisive comedy sketch which we attempt to break down the same way I would analyse a comedian's Stand Up routine.

We both like the product, the PixelFX team have a very strong track record in our community and we respect the work.

That sketch tho.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/GWmyPw6gh4U

(0:00:00) - Start

(0:06:00) - Lets talk about the product

(0:13:00) - Pixel FX's Upgrade and Business Model

(0:36:00) - Let's break down the sketch

(0:40:03) - Are they mocking Digital Foundry?

(0:55:00) - Louis and Steve finally work out the Digital Infidelity joke

(1:02:19) - Are marketing stunts worth it?

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The summer reunion episode! Steve and Louis get back together after a long break. The guys discuss Steve's recent PVM repair work and how frustrating it can be to work with electronics where the smallest thing can cause you days of frustration. The episode gets into these "new" CRTs which have been listed for sale on Alibaba (the wholesale version of AliExpress). How are they making new CRTs?? Who's making the tubes?? The guys have some answers. PLUS they stir up a lively debate on the Dr. Wham controversy and why it is not a knockoff of Dr. Pepper. Understand the complex history of soft drink brands, the interpretation of light beer in different countries, and the impact of wildfires in Canada on air quality in Virginia, far across the map. Once the Chinese CRT discussion is done, it's classic Steve & Louis talk. (0:00:00) - Steve has been buying and restoring CRTs (0:06:18) - What happens when you use the wrong capacitor in a PVM repair? (0:18:40) - New CRTs From China?? (0:22:13) - What's up with AliExpress and AliBaba (0:46:33) - Just what is an "arborist" anyway? (0:58:14) - Louis was in a Finnish Sitcom (1:01:01) - Steve LOVES the Dr Wham (1:08:32) - Exploring the origins of Dr Pepper (1:22:56) - Light Beer's Meaning in Different Countries Here are some of the AliBaba CRT listings https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/14-CRT-XFLAT-New-14-crt_1600823047480.html https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/21-CRT-XFLAT-New-21-inch_1600353483326.html https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/21-R2-MK2S-New-21-inch_1600383086583.html -------------------------------- Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/zez https://twitter.com/usa_retro We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog" https://www.cathoderayblog.com You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app https://anchor.fm/zezretro For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Steve and I are back at the podcast this week

* Looking back at our childhoods when we first played the TMNT arcade game

* What to look for when repairing a Sony VGA CRT monitor

* Louis' adventures game hunting in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities

* Will Steve do a Hip Hop dance number soon?? WE NEED VIDEO!

(0:00:00) - Start

(0:00:04) - Looking back at TMNT in the arcades

(0:08:44) - Troubleshooting Trinitron Monitors and WINDAS Software

(0:21:10) - Convergence and CRTs

(0:26:45) - Toshiba TV Coil Dangers - Why is it most dangerous??

(0:46:47) - Amsterdam Adventures and Game Hunting

(1:00:32) - Lookig dodgy when you are trading in some old stuff

(1:14:22) - Hip Hop Steve?

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this podcast episode, Joe, AKA Scarlet Sprites, discusses his passion for retro arcade gaming and his extensive collection of arcade machines. The conversation touches on the challenges of fitting multiple machines into limited living spaces, the evolution of the Neo-Geo gaming market, and the impact of the MiSTer FPGA platform on arcade collecting. Joe also shares his experiences in restoring arcade machines and the philosophical question of authenticity when rebuilding and preserving original components.

Follow Scarlet Sprites YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/scarletsprites Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScarletSprites

(0:00:00) - Arcade Collecting and Retro Gaming

(0:08:27) - The Benefits of Arcade Games

(0:13:15) - DIY Home Renovations

(0:16:48) - The Existential Crisis of Arcade Collecting

(0:24:13) - Benefits of Mister System

(0:31:15) - Rebuilding a Beastorizer Cabinet

(0:38:59) - Rebuilding an Arcade Machine

(0:45:46) - What Makes Something Original?

(0:53:54) - Playing Arcade Games

(1:06:45) - Public Domain & Copyright

(1:15:00) - American Sports and Online Streaming

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Originally streamed live on 19th April 2023 to the Retro Tech USA YouTube channel.

Welcome to the Cathode Ray Podcast LIVE! with @ZezRetro Today we will look at some news in the Retro Community involving @PatTheNESpunk and The Nintendo hacking lawsuit. We will be referring to this video from @Jenovi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwGlRJN8h8o We will also refer to this publication on the Nintendo Story htthttps://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-hacker-gary-bowser-released-from-federal-prison-230417/

#videogames #nintendo #nintendoswitch

Steve and I have made it to 50 episodes and we look back at our time making this podcast over the last 2 years. 0:00 Start 0:30 Thank you to everyone for joining us for 50 episodes 5:07 What was our first episode? The first Zezcast was a prologue? 7:00 What has changed in 50 episodes? 13:30 Perspective from Louis' acquaintance with ~1.6m subs 25:00 Steve's thoughts on running a VERY niche YouTube channel 33:00 Looking back at Steve's unwitting viral health update videos - poking the tiger of attention 36:00 How our discussion and interview style has changed 53:00 Louis' work giving leadership training 1:02:00 Why don't Steve's kids like junk food?? 1:05:00 What Steve learnt from Ray Kroc 1:09:00 Louis tells us the story of how Pepsi came to the Soviet Union -------------------------------- Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/zez https://twitter.com/usa_retro We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog" https://www.cathoderayblog.com You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app https://anchor.fm/zezretro For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

This week Steve and I had Robert Dale Smith on the podcast, a man who knows a thing or two about controllers. His twitter is filled with his exploits, most recently hacking a Fischer Price "toy" controller into a real low lag USB controller using a small embedded board.

You can find his controller adapter products at the aptly named

https://controlleradapter.com

He currently has a preorder on the USB-2-PCE. Use (almost) any USB controller on a real PC Engine.

https://controlleradapter.com/products/usb-2-pce

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertDaleSmith

** Episode timecodes coming soon **

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In today's episode I am talking to Swedish homebrew hacker Konrad Beckmann. Around summer last year Konrad announced a project to create a Nintendo 64 flash cart by using nothing more complex than a Raspberry Pi Pico. Recently Konrad made big progress on his project to use a Pico to get a digital HDMI-like signal from the N64. His ethos is to find ways to hack these devices as cheaply as possible.

Konrad explains both projects to us in good technical detail. I do my best to keep up with such clever talk.

0:00 Start

2:00 Konrad's background

5:00 Why the Raspberry Pi Pico is excellent for embedded hcking

9:55 Using the Pico vs the raw RP2040 chip

14:30 The 2 versions of the PicoCart64: Easy and complex

20:00 Konrad's view on open source

22:00 When to announce an open source project?

24:00 Konrad's first computer

31:00 Sweden was rocking home internet in '95

35:00 Pico N64 digital HDMI mod

43:00 Konrad explains how 7-bit RGB works

51:00 HDMI via the Pico now has a real HDMI port

55:00 Is a external scaler the future of HDMI projects?

1:01:15 Do we need a generic N64 flex cable for other hackers?

PicoCart64 Github: https://github.com/kbeckmann/PicoCart64

N64 digital video mod work: https://github.com/kbeckmann/PicoDVI

Konrad's Discord: https://discord.gg/B8n57fGd

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbeckmann

----------------------

Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast with Steve Nutter from RetroTechUSA and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro.

We talk about the future of digital HDMI-like mods and what we did in the last week.

0:00 Start

1:00 Reflecting back on the last episode with John Linnemann

6:00 PicoCart64 discussion with Konrad Beckmann

14:00 Are cheap HDMI mods the future?

19:55 Steve's trip to Florida

29:55 Everyone in the Florida condo is a bananas

34:00 70 year old New York man does not take any sh*t in Florida condo

45:00 Louis' story about Ukrainians arguing at a comedy show

55:00 In Estonia you can go meet the "founding fathers"

1:00:00 Steve & Louis ramble for the rest of the episode

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this episode Steve and I are joined by John Linneman from Digital Foundry to discuss CRTs. A few weeks ago John posted a picture of his project to apply tinting (like a car window) to the screen of his BVM to reduce glare. John tells us the story behind this mission and we find out this latest successful effort has only come after years of trial and error. We talk about issues involving European CRTs: just what is an 100hz CRT anyway and how living in the East or West back in the day very much determined what TV you were watching. 

0:00 Start

1:30 John's journey to get into CRTs - did he ever leave?

10:01 Applying tint to a BVM

24:55 Visiting the German CRT wizard for maintenance

29:30 CRTs back in the day in West Germany vs East Germany

38:30 John explains what 100hz sets in Europe

47:00 What is scan velocity modulation (SVM) in a CRT?

57:00 Whats that PCMCIA looking card slot on some BVMs?

1:00:30 John explains his process for recording a CRT screen

Follow John on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dark1x

Follow his work on Digital Foundry: https://youtu.be/bEw2szyHZNQ

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Live stream with Steve & Roger taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VUZ36IA3Ug

Big news this week that the S-Video MiSTer FPGA framework from Mike Simone has been integrated into the main MiSTer core. This means you can access EXCELLENT S-Video and Composite analog output using a fairly inexpensive adapter.

In this video I talk with Lu from Lu's Retro Source and I have a long form discussion about the framework and explain the ins and outs. Lu is also producing his own short, sharp, only-the-facts video coming very soon if you need to understand quickly.

Topics include

* Background on the S-Video MiSTer project

* Do you NEED an adapter at all?

* Explanation of the new vga_mode setting in the mister.ini

* Difference between Active and Passive YC adapters

* Whats up PAL / NTSC?

* Vendors selling adapters (full list below)

Follow Lu's weekly MiSTer updates on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LusRetroSource

Lu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lu_source

Note: In this video and text we use the terms "YC" and "S-Video" interchangeably.

Also note: This YC topic is VERY new. If we got something wrong or could explain a topic better, please let us know in the comments

0:00 Start

2:30 Summary of the S-Video & Composite updates to MiSTer

3:30 Background of the YC project by Mike Simone

8:00 Getting good YC without any adapter is possible

10:30 Explanation of the new video framework and the vga_mode=svideo ini setting

18:30 What about cores/systems which never originally output 15khz?

21:40 vga_mode=cvbs is a beta of composite output without needing an adapter

23:00 Buy an adapter or make your own with cables?

25:30 Active and Passive YC adapters, what is the difference?

31:00 Neither of us have done testing on direct video yet

33:00 Why do some adapters have a PAL / NTSC switch?

41:00 Why are vendors selling their own slightly different versions of the adapter?

44:00 Just how good is the YC & composite? Pretty f**ken good!

50:00 Overview of YC adapter vendors

Vendor list

(that we know of, pls contact me if you find another)

Antonio Vilena

Active YC Adapter

https://antoniovillena.es/store/product/mikes1-vga-composite-adapter/

Direct Video switch: No

PAL / NTSC switch: Yes

USB-C power: No (draws power only from 5v on pin 9)

Location: EU

Mister Addons

Active YC Adapter - $35

https://misteraddons.com/collections/parts/products/yc-active-encoder-board

Direct Video switch: Yes

PAL / NTSC switch: No

USB-C power option: Yes

Location: US

Ultimate Mister

Passive YC Adapter - 16,90€

https://ultimatemister.com/product/mikes1-yc-passive-board/

Direct Video switch: Yes

PAL / NTSC switch: Yes

USB-C power option: No (Not required for passive)

Location: EU

eBay seller 7407chrisl

Passive YC Adapter - $19.99 https://www.ebay.com/itm/325263425946

Active YC Adapter - $29.99 https://www.ebay.com/itm/325527354295

Direct Video switch: Yes

PAL / NTSC switch: Yes

USB-C power option: Yes

Location: US

----------------------

Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this episode the boys talk through the ups and downs of selling retro items online. eBay and it's buyer protections are good but the fees and legal requirements for that platform are starting to add up. Is another platform the answer or should we look to our retro community instead?

0:00 Start

3:00 Thoughts on the new YC framework for MiSTer

5:25 What console do you use to test the best composite signal?

12:20 PLEASE SOMEONE MAKE A SECAM CORE. PLEASE.

18:00 A HDMI BVM input card could be huge for pro monitor owners

21:00 What is the most common kind of PVM/BVM input card?

25:00 Steve is done with selling on eBay

34:00 The sellers fees are getting stupid

40:00 Comparison to how tickets for live events are sold

43:00 The new $600 US tax threshold is a huge setback

53:00 Part of the eBay fees is buying TRUST between buyer and seller

1:00:05 Buyer protection is something which is needed

1:07:10 Will Steve start selling on AliExpres???

1:09:00 Building a community is another way to build TRUST

1:12:00 Steve helps his patreons find pro monitor deals

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

We encourage your questions however please keep in mind that very technical CRT problems are really hard to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Trial and Error - Live Episode 1

Taken from the RetroTechUSA YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xyfTrd0m5E

I am flying solo for a Zezcast episode where I talk to Antoine Fantys AKA FG Software/Vectrex28. Antoine has Czech heritage, grew up in Switzerland and now lives an works in Tokyo Japan. By day he is a software developer for a large company and by night is an NES / PC Engine homebrew hacker with a great collection of games and demos to his name.

I came to know Antoine over Twitter when I posted photos of a PVM / DV Player combo for sale in a Tokyo Hard Off store. Antoine has previously seen that exact set and noticed from my photo it was now at a discount. He had to get the PVM, take a taxi to the train station, take the 14 inch on the Tokyo subway and then another taxi home, It's a a great tale.

I didn't know Antoine before this talk and we hear about retro consoles available in Switzerland in the 90s, his work as an NES homebrew dev and what the CRT scene is like in Japan right now.

0:00 Start

0:30 Antoine's background & first consoles

10:30 Japan shipping options - post or extra bags?

18:00 Starting off as an NES homebew hacker

28:00 Should Comp Sci courses teach low level languages?

32:00 You can meet OG Famicom devs in Japan

42:00 How does NES code detect NTSC/PAL?

48:00 Whats the homebrew scene like in Japan?

50:00 14" PVM story - bringing it home on the train!

59:00 The recent resurgance of CRT sales in Japan

1:05:00 Japanese online sellers are generally pretty good

Follow Antoine Fantys AKA FG Software/Vectrex28

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FG_Software

Itch for his games: https://vectrex28.itch.io

----------------------

Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Last week a lot of 25 x new old stock 27" JVC CRTs went up for gov auction in DC. This sounds like a great chance to pickup a rare find, however dealing with TWENTY FIVE, VERY BIG screens is more work than it seems.

In this podcast Steve breaks down the total cost of picking up this lot including everything from transport, storage, inspection and buyers fees. The final cost will surprise you!

We also have a talk about official video cables. Are first party officially licenced original cables always the best? Did any console vendors ever pack in crappy cables? Tell us in the comments!

0:00 Start

1:30 Steve got an MRI

8:30 Shipping CRTs is a nightmare!

9:30 Louis sold that rare GameCube controller

17:30 Do you like the N64 controller?

20:30 Are official video cables always the gold standard??

38:30 CRT lot business cost breakdown

1:06:00 Need a CRT in NYC? Just go to Brooklyn Video Games!

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Steve is back after his trip to the hospital!

0:00 Start

02:00 Basketball and Jordan were huge when we were kids

06:00 Laserdisc - how does it look?

18:00 Steve weighs in on the N64

29:00 Story of Steve's first PVM

32:00 A HUGE collection of PVM parts for the shop

42:00 Steve opens up about his health

46:00 Visit to Brooklyn Video Games!

52:00 Quick room tour from Steve

53:00 CRT delivery horror stories

56:00 Louis will rebuild his 14 inch PVM

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

https://twitter.com/8bitesquire

Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

On my recent trip to Tokyo I sat down with my mate Jim (aka KidShoryuken aka Mad Panic Gaming) to ask the big question "Are there any good games and pickups left in Japan??"

Has everything been sold already? Are pickups, games and systems still available at a good price? We discuss a variety of systems ranging from original systems such as Famicom and N64 right up to current gen systems like Switch and PS4.

Sorry about the audio in this episode. Jim even offered to record it and I was like "no no this recorder is great, everything will be fine...". After punishing the audio through seven layers of hell it is ok to listen to now.

As well as running the KidShoryuken YouTube channel Jim also has a Patreon where you can sign up for monthly "loot box" style packages of retro games direct from Japan. Jim's knowledge of Japanese games is top notch and if you are keen to own a selection which has been personally curated by him, go and sign up on his Patreon.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kidshoryuken

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KidShoryuken

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/KidShoryuken

----------------------

Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Steve took a trip to the hospital this week so Roger, the 8BitEsquire joins Louis again for the Cathode Ray Podcast.

Despite what Louis says at the start, this is Cathode Ray Podcast #42

0:00 Start

1:00 Steve in hospital

6:30 Roger's upcoming first video

8:00 Would you bankrupt yourself in Japan?

11:00 The AV Famicom is too EASY. Bring on RF!

18:00 Louis reviews the N64

28:00 Japanese vs Western toilets

39:00 Roger explains the MSX Personal Computer

55:00 Emulation - how much is too much?

1:02:00 N64 racing games are better with a modern pad

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

https://twitter.com/8bitesquire

Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

We start the episode with a discussion of how Steve is updating his workshop with a streaming setup. Soon we will be able to watch CRT repair.

In the latter section we discuss the recent controversy with DKOldies. We try and look it from two sides: Are high prices wrong? & Are DKOldies delivering low quality products?

0:00 Start

03:00 Steve explains the new streaming setup

08:40 Components in his new stream pc

21:43 The multi-camera setup

31:00 Louis dragged a Extron Crosspoint ISS 108 home from Japan. Now what?

47:10 RetroGamingCables.co.uk SCART to BNC discussed

49:00 Genuine Nintendo SNES JP21 cable

54:00 FujiWork PS3 cables are LEGIT!

58:25 DKOldies

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Louis is back from Japan and we start the episode with a recap of the adventures along with a summary of the state of CRT sales in the land of the rising sun.

Steve discusses his work in museums and wonders how can we produce a LCD which completely replicated the physical and image quality of a professional monitor.

0:00 Start

02:30 Hunting for Retro at Hard Off

06:00 Louis was on an Japanese TV show "Why Did You Come to Japan?"

11:30 Christmas Eve metal gig in Tokyo

13:20 Louis' technique for filming in stores

16:00 There were good amounts of CRTs!

26:00 How is each Hard Off store different?

33:30 Louis found a rare "Tales of Symphonia" GameCube controller for cheap

40:00 How do you transport all this crap home?

48:00 Steve's latest work restoring pro CRTs for museums

49:30 Why the PVM-2530 is SO HARD to repair

56:00 Steve's dream for the ultimate "modern LCD" CRT

1:00:00 Shank's INSANE Wii inside of a PVM

1:11:00 How to make a small PVM/BVM portable?

--------------------------------

Follow us on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Today I talked with Japanese comedian Meshida. This isn't a talk about retro gaming but rather about Japanese culture and Stand Up comedy. Meshida does his act in English and is helping to introduce that authentic style of Stand Up to Japan, much in the same way I helped to bring it to Estonia. We focus on the Japanese culture side of things and I figure this will be still be interesting to y'all.

Like all comedians during the pandemic Meshida was bored not being able to get on stage so he started to grow his YouTube channel, creating great skits explaining Japanese culture. He is now at 138K subs and you should check out his stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/@Meshida

I really had a good time recording this podcast with Meshida, it has been so long since I did an episode with an actual live person (I still love you Steve) and it's facinating to hear about Japan from a Japanese comedian.

Follow my daily adventures as I live tweet the interesting, rare and weird stuff I find in each store

https://twitter.com/zez

----------------------

Along with my friend Steve from RetroTech we maintain a blog about our projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8qx667CpJ4

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

00:00 Start

0:10 It's impolite to just plug a USB into someone's computer

5:02 I want more of that Steve lovin'

7:40 Steve is gunna coach his son's backetball team

16:21 Managing a comedian on tour is nuts

19:50 Louis picked up a sweet xbox 360 wheel

22:38 What happens to those who are holding expensive retro items?

29:12 Are professional sellers seeing high end slow down?

30:35 Louis' theory on why every retro based collectable will go through a big ass price correction at some stage

41:11 Steve teaches us to edge the YouTube algorithm

49:50 Should Steve do more shorter or longer videos?

54:50 Feeling good about this podcast

57:53 Louis is going to Japan in December

1:03:35 Japanese Hard Off stores often have their own workshop table to test "junk"

1:13:00 Is it our duty to rescue EVERY CRT?

Our next episode will be a live stream, sometime in the morning on Tuesday the 25th eastern time. We will be taking your questions so please tweet to us or email

podcast@cathoderayblog.com

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

Please keep in mind that very technical CRT questions are really difficult to diagnose online. If you are interested in Steve's professional CRT repair services please head over to his patreon page 

https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

For all your own CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode Steve and Louis catch up after weeks of "real life" getting in the way of their retro projects.

0:00 Start

06:00 Steve's trip to MicroCenter which ended in him junking his car

20:30 Other "green stuff" you can buy in DC

29:00 Japan is finally reopening and Louis HAS to go

37:00 Are you an "eBay" collector? Japan tickets + cheaper retro cost = adventure

42:30 Louis gives a tour of the new RetroCastle MiSTer IO board

51:00 Buying CRTs on eBay is "not a good idea"

57:00 Adjusting convergence via the menu on a BVM

1:01:00 What causes CRT convergence problems over time?

1:04:00 Whats the best way to turn off your CRT?

1:13:00 Should you turn off your CRT before rotating it to tate?

1:15:00 Do CRTs draw a lot of power?

1:23:00 What temperature is safe to store your CRT?

1:29:00 Steve sees price adjustments happening in the retro gaming market

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

If you don't know Mason by name, you will definitely recognize his visual work in the retro gaming community on YouTube as Mason has worked on the image and branding for many popular gaming channels. Mason was himself a gaming YouTuber in his early teens and has now moved into graphic design and video editing.

We talk about Mason's life as a creative and how he works as a freelancer with numerous clients. The discussion centers around how a creative like a graphic designer does there work so you can better understand how to hire such a service. Many people want graphic design needs but may be unsure about what is expected of both sides in such a transaction. What things are reasonable and what are not when using a designer? How can you be a great client or at least not a bad one? How can you help your designer produce the best result.

It's a talk about creativity and how to sell that service in the big wide world.

Follow Mason on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MasNConrad

His online portfolio: https://www.mconradmedia.com

0:00 Start

4:30 Mason's background as a early YouTuber

16:00 The point where Mason decided to sell his collection

17:30 Does Mason have help as a freelancer? Accountant?

29:00 How Mason keeps so busy but avoids burnout

33:30 Why does creative cost what it costs? How to price it as a creator?

37:00 Choosing a designer with an individual style (or not)

41:00 Do you need to make EVERYTHING yourself as an artist?

50:00 Examples of Mason's clients and the different work he does

55:00 How to give a designer good input.

59:00 How many times is reasonable to ask for a revision?

01:13:00 Paying for help vs doing it yourself. What is your time worth?

01:21:00 It's hard to talk about money. 

01:23:00 Selling yourself can be hard

01:34:00 You need help to work out your own value. Manager, mentor is just a trusted friend

01:37:00 What is a YouTube thumbnail worth?

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Steve has been busier than a florist in England this week, so I grabbed retro gaming Twitter celebrity 8BitEquire for a fun catch up episode. 

We go through Louis' working with John Cleese this week, the PCE-2-USB by Robert Dale Smith and the recent enhancements to the RetroTink 5x.

0:00 Start

2:30 Louis organized the John Cleese live show in Tallinn

7:00 Autograph hunters are weird

16:00 Roger's controversial racial theories about British Australian settlers 200 years ago

23:30 Louis explains the origin of the Australian accent

27:00 The PC Enginer controller to USB adapter

36:00 Roger is a 2.4ghz kinda guy, not a bluetooth kinda guy

40:00 Louis' new video connecting the MiSTer up in a 1700 seat theater

47:00 Someone else has an affinity for 2.4ghz too....

49:00 Louis' 20 inch 4:3 Dell LCD

55:00 The latest RetroTink 5X PVM filter is wild!

1:01:15 Roger talks about the HDR modes in the 5x

1:11:00 Why John Cleese has not been knighted

Follow the 8-bit Esquire: https://twitter.com/8bitesquire

The USB-2-PCE https://controlleradapter.com/products/usb-2-pce

USB-2-PCE Creator Robert Dale Smith https://twitter.com/RobertDaleSmith

RetroTink 5X https://www.retrotink.com

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

This week we have Justin from Console Kits (and RetroRGB contributor). Justin has a great YouTube channel where he focused on Arcade1Up units. We have a pretty casual chat about what the three of us have been up to recently.

0:00 Start

4:00 Justin and Steve recap Retro World Expo

7:00 What is LVDS and how does it compare to HDMI?

7:50 Thoughts on the Open Source CRT

13:00 Lag on Arcade1Up screens

18:00 Justin's work on and with Arcade1Up

34:00 Efforts to make a flat panel image look like a CRT

40:00 Are Shank and his smash buddies the future of CRT users?

51:00 Steve's questionable fashion choices

56:00 Justin's brother was in Slipknot

59:00 Being intimated meeting people you admire

1:09:00 Do content creators need a manager?

1:18 Modern pinball: Real or flat panel?

1:28:00 Buying a new Pinball machine in 2022

1:37:00 Justin repaired his first NES as a kid

1:41:00 Getting pirate satellite TV back in the day

1:44:00 Steve owns 100 CRTs

Follow Justin

https://deals.consolekits.com

https://twitter.com/consolekits

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

After a long break Steve & Louis are back for a few episode of the Cathode Ray Podcast!

Last weekend Steve attended the Retro World Expo in Hartford, CT. The event is one of the major retro conventions on the calendar with a who's who of creators attending including friends Shank, Displaced Gamer, My Life in Gaming, Jeremy Parish, Dan Citrus3000psi and Bob from RetroRGB.

We hear Steve tells stories from the expo: selling PVMs, pickup Melee matches with Shank and Dan in the hotel lobby, stealing power from Laser Bear's booth and thoughts on the retro sellers and how this reflects on the market. Louis & Steve finish the episode with a dissection of the CRT sales and ask the question: are classic cars a good analogy for CRT market right now?

Sorry the audio/video isn't up to our usual standard, we had loads of gremlins this week

* Louis has moved to a new place and just setup the studio

* Steve's computer kept crashing

* Riverside only recorded the video at 24fps

Retro World Expo: https://retroworldexpo.com

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Today is a special episode, Louis is flying solo talking to Oleg Kutkov, a Ukrainian engineering who has a bunch of experience with the Starlink receiver dishes.

Oleg works as a network hardware engineer and was an early adopter of Starlink technology in Ukraine. Before the service was even available in his home country he had purchased a dish and was trying to reverse engineer and understand the technology. Then the war came and Elon made a "donation" of equipment. With many private citizens and military personnel using Starlink to aid the war effort in Ukraine, Oleg's knowledge has become extremely valuable and he is doing his best to help as much as he can.

Oleg popped up in my Twitter feed when Starlink was first turned on in Ukraine. I think he is a great example of the way private citizens can help the war effort. He has very specific and in-depth knowledge about these devices and he is doing his best to enable, service and repair these devices so they can continue to be used by the troops in the front line. 

In the second half of the podcast Oleg shows us a Starlink dish is he attempting to repair which has two bullet holes in it. He also has the actual bullet which he retrieved from the unit. 

0:00 Start

04:30 What's life like in Kiev right now?

08:30 Why did Oleg and his family chose to stay in Ukraine?

14:30 How are Ukrainians using tech to resist

17:00 Oleg's first experience coding back in the 90s

26:30 He already obtained a Starlink dish before the war to reverse engineer

28:00 Enabling Starlink service in Ukraine

33:00 Setting up / explaining a Starlink dish

37:00 No ethernet on latest Starlink routers is a BIG problem for military

42:00 How Oleg became unofficial Starlink support in Ukraine

45:00 Military uses of Starlink in the front lines

47:00 Why not 4G? Is 4G still working on the front lines?

50:00 Are Russians using Starlink?

53:00 Starlink dish with bullet holes

56:00 Oleg reverse engineers the dish to repair it

01:02:00 Has Starlink enabled sat to sat comms via laser?

01:06:00 Whats in the immediate future for Oleg?

Follow Oleg's work:

https://twitter.com/olegkutkov

https://olegkutkov.me

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

We are really happy to have Webhdx, creator of the Picoboot Gamcube mod chip. His real name is Maciej Kobus and he comes from Katowice in Poland. 

A software guy by day, he fell in love with the GameCube hardware and has come up with some great projects. After Picoboot, we talk about his upcoming M2.Loader, which will allow an M2 SSD to be plugged in under your console. In the episode I ask Maciej "Why an M2? Just because it fits?" and his answers show he has really thought these things out. 

He also has created his own aftermarket Wavebird receiver which he is almost ready to manufactuer however the global parts storage is still a roadblock.

0:00 Start

01:10 Introduction to Maciej

07:00 Big GameCube fan

17:50 How did development of the PicoBoot start?

23:33 Why does PicoBoot use a Raspberry Pi Pico?

28:33 His reaction to scammers posing at him for donations

30:45 Maciej clarifies his view on PicoBoot AliExpress sellers

36:00 Will RPi Pico W be targeted for future versions or PicoBoot?

40:00 Why not some other (insert random board here)?

42:00 PicoBoot install FAQ

45:00 Getting modders onboard for the PicoBoot's launch

49:00 Upcoming M2.Loader for GameCube

1:00:10 Is there anything you can do to make it harder for cloners?

1:01:58 Wii Mini mods

1:04:09 He wants to manufacture his new products in his home country of Poland

1:09:41 His also upcoming Wavebird receiver replacement

Follow Wehhdx: https://twitter.com/webhdx

The Picoboot, affordable modchip for the GameCube: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode we speak to Twitter funny guy the 8-bit Esquire. An attorney by day and big old retro gaming fan by night, the 8-bit Esquire has a great collection and a bunch of good stories to go along with it.

This podcast starts as a casual chat between friends and gets louder the more beers that Louis drinks. 

00:00 Start

01:00 The background of the 8-bit Esquire

07:00 Where did his retro collection start?

12:00 The origin of Steve's collection

18:00 Is now the right time to sell into the market?

27:00 U-Ship is the best for CRTs

31:00 Steve is manipulating the market for sure

36:00 Buying a PVM from a crackhead

50:00 Time to sue UPS?

1:00:30 Steve witnesses insurance fraud

1:12:00 Why do we need insurance salespeople in 2022??

1:20:00 Louis likes to mess with sales people

1:32:00 8-Bit Esquires arcase stick collection

1:41:00 Steve blacks out the neighbourhood

1:47:00 Louis stole computer magazines as a kid

Follow the 8-bit Esquire: https://twitter.com/8bitesquire

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro  Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs  and other retro gaming topics.

There are some audio issue with this episode, I apologise for this and hope its not too bad for you to listen to

0:00 Start
1:00 Steve does Yoga with the Diamond Cutter
7:02 Steve selling fully serviced PVMs
14:10 More background on the MiSTer controller lag tester
30:00 Louis wants to lag test projectors now
34:00 Lag test a cinema projector?
43:40 Working on a Sony XBR CRT
52:00 eBay CRT "Market Watch" (with visuals!)
53:00 What does Steve look for in a cheap PVM
58:00 Is the retro market due for a correction? CRTs?

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"
https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app
https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/zez
https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode we talk to Andy King. Andy runs https://crtdatabase.com where he documents his work to repair and service CRTs. Andy also has a lot of experience RGB modding consumer sets and his website is one of the best resourcess available for that.

Andy runs a small CRT repair service based out of Northern California. If you are interested in his services, please reach out to him at https://twitter.com/dorksince93

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode the guys focus on their differing styles of video creation and why it's working for each of them.

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

00:00 Start

04:45 Tell Him He's Dreaming' recap

11:05 SECAM discussion

15:00 PAL / NTSC / SECAM

28:00 Steve's video on those big ass CRTs

34:00 Tales from the CRT workshop

53:30 We react to eBay CRT listings (dreamin'!)

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

The last week Steve was visiting Houston, Texas where he was running a series of workshops for the Museum of Fine Art. The purpose was to educate their curators of this museum (an several other notable museums) about CRT preservation and maintenance. Steve tells the story of his 20 hour drive to Houston, the different workshops that he gave and what he learnt about the use of CRTs in the world of visual arts. He also saw a great wrestling match.

If you missed last week's episode, go back and check out Steve's tour of prominent 20th century artists who used CRTs in their work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubbs9AHsZcY

00:00 Start

1:16 MiSTer S-Video updates

3:28 Steve's trip to Houston

7:20 First day of presentations - PVM 2030 teardown

22:10 Steve tears-down a dotronix monitor for the first time

30:45 The HDMI to S-video converters driving the exhibitions

32:40 Backstage in the museums CRT storeroom

37:50 CRT or flat panel for visual art?

41:51 The extremely cool 80's Sont CRT projector

51:00 A night at the wrestling!

1:17:30 Steve's pickups from the Electronic Parts Outlet (EPO) in Houston

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

*** NOTE: The second half of his episode is very visual, Steve talks us through a bunch of slides, so you may want to watch that part on YouTube instead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubbs9AHsZcY ***

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode Steve takes us on a fascinating tour of the world of CRT art. We tend to think retro gaming is the last bastion of our beloved CRTs however, these units have been used in visual art exhibitions since their inception. Steve is doing some upcoming consulting and maintenance work for a large museum with an extensive collection of CRTs. In preparation for that work, he created this presentation looking at some of the most notable uses of CRTs in visual arts in the second half of the 20th century.

We start with a catch up on the latest news about the MiSTer S-Video cores. Mike Simone has finalised his open source dongle design and Antonio Villena has made a limited release of his own adapters from his online shop in Spain. After this we get into Steve's presentation on the history of CRTs in visual arts.

00:00 Start

04:05 MiSTer S-Video updates

13:20 The "Retro Castle" IO board with a Saturn plug

20:00 It's hard to get info on Dotronix CRTs

23:00 Steve's been working hard preparing his CRT presentations

32:00 Background on why museums are interested in CRTs

36:50 Steve's presentation on CRTs in visual art (with slides!)

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode we take a deep dive into the new MiSTer S-Video cores from Mike Simone. We discuss how the cores work, what cables you would need and give an explanation for how S-Video and composite video works.

00:00 Start

02:00 The back story behind the new MiSTer S-Video cores

11:00 Louis' poor explanation of dot crawl

15:30 The history of broadcast video and where S-Video came from

27:00 How composite video is generated from these cores

44:14 Steve's Polaroid Goodwill pickup

53:40 Louis' Switch Sports get delivered 5 days late

1:00:00 Steve's Costco Adventures

1:12:00 Late in the podcast and the boys get reflective on life

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

This special episode of the Cathode Ray Podcast was originally uploaded to Steve's Retro Tech USA channel

This is a conversation about CRT Preservation and restoration within the art world.  There are many challenges facing museums when it comes to using CRTs in 2022.    

For more information on repairs, diagnostics and to connect with Steve, please visit:  https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This is our 20th episode and we want to thank you all for your enthusiasm and interest in our podcast. For this episode we start by chatting about our projects of the week. However, we recall our very first podcast together (Zezcast #2) and we get back into crazy stories about growing up as fired up young guys living in small towns.

I have a new series *Tell him he's dreamin'* where I breakdown local CRT listings (the affordable and not so affordable). If you have some great listings from your local area (especially Europe) hit me up on Twitter @zez

00:00 Start

07:00 Tell him he's dreamin' - Whacky prices for CRTs

15:00 The BVM card Steve has been working on

25:00 Stories about Nokia back in their hey-day in Finland

34:00 Payphones are free in Australia?

40:00 Stealing street signs and doing dumb stuff as kids

1:05:00 Naked Nutter

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Zezcast is a series of podcasts where I sit down solo with my favourite creators and members of the retro gaming community and ask them about their backstory and how they do what they do.

In this episode I talk with Bob about the past, present and future of RetroRGB. I love talking about organisations, leadership and how to grow a community. We start with what does an average day and week look like for Bob. What work does he do and how does he coordinate the community on a daily basis?

We then look back at how RetroRGB was ~2 years ago. No doubt the community has grown significantly in that time. More than just moving from New York to the 'burbs, how has his work changed?

In the final part I ask Bob about the future of RetroRGB and what vision he is trying to move toward?

RetroRGB on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroRGB

Bob on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RetroRGB

I also have a podcast with my friend Steve Nutter from Retro Tech USA called "The Cathode Ray Podcast" where we discuss CRT's and retro tech in general

https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro/

Steve and I maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio for the Zezcast and The Cathode Ray Podcast on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch me on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode we have the pleasure of chatting with Shank from Shank Mods. You know him from that Hot Wheels PC video, GameCube Joy-cons and creating a portable Wii, among many other great portable modding projects.

Shank Mods on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/c/ShankMods

Our talk is a really casual chat with Shank about the mods he does, his love and background in CRTs and more details on 4 Layer Technologies the company he co-founded to provide components to enable more people to create portable systems https://4layertech.com

00:00 Start

02:20 The impact of his videos on our fomo

08:30 Shank's trip to the Computer Reset Warehouse

13:00 More talk about CRTs

27:10 The potential in HD CRTs 

34:30 Time Sleuth hijinks 

47:00 Buying pro and jank monitors from eBay

55:00 Shank's love of whacky CRTs: Shrek, Disney, Hot Wheels

1:04:00 Moving from CRTs to flat panels for Melee back in the day

1:14:00 Shank's home setup

1:25:00 Shank's PVM 20M2 repairs

1:31:00 His business "4 Layer Technologies" and their portable Wii kit

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Zezcast is my solo podcast where I interview creators and individuals in the retro gaming community who I think are interesting.

In this episode I talk to Vinnk from Famicom Dojo, who for me is one of the OG retro video creators. Famicom Dojo is a series which has been around longer than YouTube (!) and started with Vinnk living in Japan and wanting to make the first documentation of the cool stuff he saw back in the day (some before it was retro).

He continues to make videos and streams with his partner Sean Orange to this day. In the last few years he has also opened up a new avenue for his retro games collecting: opening his own Japanese import games online store Japan Retro Direct https://japanretrodirect.ocnk.com

I ask Vinnk about the origins of Famicom Dojo, what his experiences have been running Japan Retro Direct and whats his take on the state of second hand retro gaming products on the ground in Japan right now. Oh and we also talk about how Japanese retro gamers see CRTs as well. I couldn't leave out a tube tv discussion.

00:00 The origins of Famicom Dojo

07:30 The real Famicom Dojo store in Japan

14:00 The slower update of retro collecting in Japan

23:00 Are Japanese retro gamers into CRTs?

42:45 How did you start Japan Retro Direct?

1:00:10 What trends have you noticed among your buyers?

1:12:00 Observations of an average Japanese retro store in 2022?

01:26:20 Our shared experiences as westerners living in a foreign country

Check out Vinnk's store: https://japanretrodirect.ocnk.com

Famicom Dojo on YouTube: https://youtube.com/famicomdojo

Famicom Dojo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/famicomdojo

Vinnk on Twitter: https://twitter.com/famicomvinnk

I also have a podcast with my friend Steve Nutter from Retro Tech USA called "The Cathode Ray Podcast" where we discuss CRT's and retro tech in general

https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro/

Steve and I maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio for the Zezcast and The Cathode Ray Podcast on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch me on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode the guys talk about

00:00 Start

02:00 Upcoming Zezcast episode with Bob from RetroRGB

03:40 Xbox 360 steering wheel repair

08:30 Steve's thrifts for this week

17:00 Steve cleaning disgusting cap leakage on a BVM board

21:30 A closer look and explanation of the BVM card

41:15 A discussion about CRT Wikis 

The second half of our episode is a longer discussion about the current state of CRT information on the Internet. Now we have multiple sources for this information which is great if you are looking up info. What about if you want to contribute back to the community? Where should you put your findings? Steve and I discuss the various options to help you understand how you can best play your part.

CRT Wiki: https://consolemods.org

The CRT Database:  https://crtdatabase.com/

Steve and Louis maintain a blog about their projects "The Cathode Ray Blog"

https://www.cathoderayblog.com

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app

https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

The Cathode Ray Podcast is a series with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and Louis Zezeran from Zez Retro. Together they talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode the guys talk about

00:00 Start

3:30 CD hunting in Australia

11:45 Is mould bad on magnetic tapes?

23:30 Just WTF is a "stubbie holder" / "beer koozie"?

29:00 Steve's upcoming work as a CRT consultant for a museum 

40:30 What is the future of the Retro Tech business? Should Steve expand with more staff or remain a focued boutique? A longer discussion about the ways a small business can expand.

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Catch us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This is my second episode recorded from rural NSW in Australia, the internet is stil shocking slow but we got it done. Our next episode will be Wednesday next week when I am back in Estonia and then we will get back to our regular schedule (and 1080p60 video haha)

Topics this week:

Kangaroos right outside my back door

CCTV is tracking drunk bogans

Steve installs a GC Digital Port Upgrade

Goodwill war stories

Why are Switch games not coming down in price yet=

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Zez Retro Audio: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Zez Retro Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

In this series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This is a special episode as I am currently visiting my parents in Australia. You want to know about crap upload speeds? Anyone on Tel$tra in rural OZ knows what I am talking about. I apologize this episode is only at 720p otherwise we would have been here until next week uploading it. 

I wanted to film this outside with a nice background but we are getting the tail end of the bad weather which effected Dan Mons so badly in Brisbane. No flooding here but a sh*t ton of rain.

Topics this week:

Starlink enabling their network in the Ukraine

Dan getting rained on in Brisbane

Steve constructing a "new" PVM from parts

The tale of saving and restoring one of the worst 20L2 monitor's Steve has ever seen

The value of providing services: how much is your time worth?

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Zez Retro Audio: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Zez Retro Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

In this series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode we are joined by developer Dan Mons. You may know his name as the lead developer (or "guy who pieces it together" as he likes to say) of RetroNAS, which is a great new open source solutions for storing all of your retro ROMs and ISOs.

In addition Dan is a CRT nerd from back in the day. He has a huge personal collection himself and he has worked in many VFX and production studios which used professional CRT monitors. In particular he has a lot of experience color calibrating pro monitors and we go deep into this.

Sound quality note: There is some faint feedback in the recording,  sometimes it sounds like an softer echo. I tried to manually remove most  of it but you can hear it occasionally.

0:00 Start

01:30 Our experiences with the RetroNAS

22:30 Dan's tutorial videos are great

27:30 Dan loves CRTs

35:00 We keep talking about how much we love CRTs

39:45 Dan's favourite CRT project

46:00 Color correcting CRTs in a production studio

01:00:15 Steve's experience providing CRTs to museums

01:06:00 Medical CRTs

01:15:00 Did CRTs just naturally reach their end of life?

01:19:00 The CRT elite club

01:20:00 What is the difference between a movie and a VR game?

01:31:30 Growing up in Australia and using BBS before the Internet

01:40:00 Australian broadband

01:46:00 Buying, preserving ROMs

The RetroNAS project: https://github.com/danmons/retronas

Dan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_daemons

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Zez Retro Audio: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Zez Retro Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

In this series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This week's episode is a general round up of what the guys have been doing this week

0:30 Steve's surname, come on

10:30 Should you choose that OLED PVM over a modern OLED?

22:30 Using Retronas with a PS2

27:30 Making your own network cables

29: 30 Installing network cable in my university sharehouse

41:30 Running a small tech support shop in 2001

52:20 Steve's experience in writing articles for RetroRGB

01:03:00 Our thoughts on the direction Bob is taking RetroRGB

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Zez Retro Audio: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Zez Retro Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

In this series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

On this episode we are fortunate enough to speak to Martin Hejnfelt from Denmark. Martin has done some amazing work in the retro community designing input cards and control replacements for pro CRTs. Some of Martin's work:

* Designing the BKM-68x & BKM-129x replacement input cards for Sony pro CRTs.

* Designing input cards and RGB mods for JVC sets

* Reverse engineering the control protocol for the BKM-15R remote

Martin's technical write ups: https://immerhax.com

Martin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinHejnfelt

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Zez Retro Audio: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Zez Retro Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

In this series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This week's episode is a general round up of what the guys have been doing this week

* Steve's Goodwill hunting missions

* More about the OLED PVM

* Filming CRT screens

* Converting RGBHV to RGBs

* Steve explains the experience of going to a NASCAR race to me

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Zez Retro Audio: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Zez Retro Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Recently I was lucky enough to have time to talk to Porkchop Express from MisterAddons. Pork is one of the most active sellers of units and... addons for the MiSTer FPGA project. His store goes far beyond just reselling parts, he has also designed his own MiSTer cases using thermal data as well as creating a whole JAMMA interface board called the Mistercade.

3:30 Keeping DE-10 Nano's in stock

06:00 What is the future of FPGAs?

16:30 Growing Up

26:20 First taste of FPGAs in college

39:00 Do you still need a college degree in 2022?

51:00 The origins of MisterAddons

1:04:00 Dealing with Amazon

1:12:00 Positivity in building the community

Believe it or not but Porkchop Express isn't his birth name, rather just a way of keeping business and personal lives seperate. We also did the recording without video because I couldn't work out how to setup the animated vlogger version of Kurt Russell in time.

We do get into a bit of Pork's origin story, his education and first steps into electrical engineering. In the second half we talk more about the MisterAddons project.

Follow Porkchop Express on Twitter https://twitter.com/MisterAddons

and if you need some MiSTer gear, go hit up https://misteraddons.com

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This week we have Bob from RetroRGB on the show. A while back Bob donated a non working LCD PVM to Steve. He has made now two (or three?) videos on the montior but there is final step: to properly lag test the device. Bob sent Steve a Time Sleuth and Steve tests the lag, live on the show.

Here are some rough time markers for you

00:00 Start

01:30 The LCD PVM

12:00 Time for the Time Sleuth

23:00 The 240p Test Suite

40:00 Downscaling and 480i

59:00 Why are there not better composite cables?

01:10:00 Analogue Pocket and Krizz

01:19:00 Retro-bit and clone consoles

01:30:00 The difficulty of finding good sponsors

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

This week's episode is a general round up of what the guys have been doing this week

* Steve's LCD PVM

* 3D printing Mistercade parts for fun and profit

* Praying to YouTube Santa

* Keeping your porn / beer stash in the forest

* GBS-Control for PS2

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

The Open Source CRT is still one of the biggest topics in the CRT right now. Steve and Louis talk about the overall CRT and retro gaming community's reaction to this so far. 

In the episode we find out about Steve's new 3D printer, Bob's broken forbidden LCD PVM and Louis and Steve talk about building a community around your YouTube channel.

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

In this episode Steve and I talk with the creator of the ongoing "Open Source CRT" project, which aims to be able to replace the majority of parts within a CRT with modern, configurable alternatives. 

Follow Thomas: https://twitter.com/enginetankard

In this podcast we don't spend a lot of time explaining the components end to end. Bob from RetroRGB did a great job of asking Thomas about this part, so if you have never heard of this project, we suggest you can start with Bob's interview and consider ours a "part 2" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l6mUYQhgSU

The Open Source CRT is an attempt to basically replace everything but the tube from a standard CRT. As Thomas describes it, some parts will be needed: you will still need a yolk and a neckboard might make things easier but the rest he aims to replace with modern alternatvies. He believes that it is within possibility to make a device that will fit onto almost any CRT and work with some configuration. 

This is a great project because it replaces everything possible with modern parts and leaves basically only the parts which we can not manufacture new today: the tube.

The project is really something very interesting. Like always we urge optimism and enthuasim but also caution about getting your hopes up. The project is still well in development and Thomas has a prototype but we would never want to put the pressure of expectation on anyone. Never the less, this looks SO COOL and we support Thomas in his endevour.

This is the first time Steve and I have done a podcast episode with a guest and the talk is casual but we do get some very interesting insights from Thomas. 

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

This is our Christmas Special for 2021  Join @Zez Retro  and myself as we discuss CRTs, past Job experiences and the cultural differences of Bath Houses & Christmas around the world!  Please note that we do use adult language in this episode, so please be advised.

This show can normally be found weekly here:  https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

For more information on repairs, diagnostics and to connect with me, please visit:  https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA

Catch up on past episodes:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-7-8...

0:00  -  Intro: What is the show?

9:10  -  Working at the Ski Lodge

19:00  -  Going to the Sauna / Bath house experiences

24:11  -  A Fried Chicken Christmas

36:14  -  Going Fishing

46:17  -  Year in Review | What's coming in 2022!

57:51  -  I got FIRED on Christmas - Title Story (Retro Tech Origin)

1:24:14  -  The House Fire Christmas

1:37:56  -  Outro - Merry Christmas

#stories #christmas #fired

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/zez

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

We had a few weeks off because I was not feeling well and this week we are back with a catch up and a few viewer questions.

Thank you for the questions, we are trying to get through them. Also we are learning how hard it can be to diagnose CRT issues over a YouTube comment :) 

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

This episode was recorded on Nov 30, 2021. I recently suffered a difficult personal situation and it will be a few weeks until we can record again. I'll put it up because the show must go on. Thank you for your support in this podcast, Steve and I really enjoy doing it and we are glad you like it. Please keep asking questions, we will get to them all in time.

- Louis

*******************************

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

You can find the audio on the web or your favorite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran

Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro

Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

I had the pleasure of talking to Jonathan Thompson, who you might know from his fantastic YouTube channel "Scanline City". The channel currently revolved around arcade sticks and I think it is an excellent resource for those who love to play and collect sticks.

Jonathan is very active in other areas of retro gaming as well, you may have seen his project to create high quality metal/perspex cases for classic arcade boards like the Mortal Kombat series or his efforts to build an authentic recreation of the classic "MAS" American arcade stick.

In another life Jonathan is a award winning film maker, working on his own short and feature length movies and documentaries. This certainly goes a long way to explaining the insanely high production value of his Scanline City videos. 

I was fascinated by his story. He seems to do A LOT of things and does them really well, with thought and craftsmanship. His arcade stick videos, the MK arcade boards or the new MAS recreation stick, all of them are really quality products which demonstrate he is really paying attention. How the hell does this guy find the time, effort and creativity to do all of this along with being creative head for his own video production company?

We talk about his childhood and how this led him to the path he is on today. I enjoyed talking to Jonathan and connecting over our roles running creative organizations. In my day job I manage a group of comedians, trying to forward their careers and produce great projects together. After years of work, I am in a place to take some perspective on the big picture and provide creative and business direction. It sounds like Jonathan is in a similar place with his production company and I enjoyed talking to him about it.

00:00 Start
04:50 How do you manage the work / hobby balance?
10:11 The YouTube algorithm controls us all
17:22 What are your first memories of video games?
20:37 Did you grow up in a creative family?
41:14 Starting the Scanline City channel
50:27 Creating arcade PCB covers
59:50 MAS arcade sticks
01:18:50 Modding sticks
01:21:15 His impressive arcade stick collection

Follow Scanline City on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScanlineCity

You might like some of the other things I do too

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro
Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

00:00 Start
02:16 Steve's week: PVM repairs
15:44 Louis' week: BVM pickup
35:58 Sony 9 inch RF receiever for PVMs/BVMs
43:54 Question time: How to identify a suitable TV to RGB mod?
47:36 My JVC consumer set blows fuses, where to start?
53:30 Have we seen many SD 16:9 CRTs around?
01:01.05 What does the black paint on outside of a CRT tube do? "Aquadag"
01:09:35 Steve explains convergance: Mounting the deflection yoke and adjusting the rings

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro
Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and we will work your question into the next episode

Note: We recorded this episode before we originally asked for your viewer questions. We will begin to include those from episode 3.

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
https://twitter.com/usa_retro

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro
Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

In this new series I team up with CRT shaman Steve from Retro Tech and we talk about CRTs, TVs and other retro gaming topics.  

You can find the audio on the web or your favourite podcast app: https://anchor.fm/zezretro  In episode 1 we talk about the status of RGB modding your consumer CRT  in 2021. If you look at any of Steve's videos you see a lot of people  asking about these mods due to many consumer CRTs in the USA only coming  with composite inputs. Steve I talk about what a RGB mod is and  realistically, what chances do you have of either doing it yourself or  finding someone locally who can do it for you.  

We don't just talk about CRTs! We start the episode with a talk about an  upcoming video I am working on where I look at that OLED PVM in more  detail. I ask Steve's advice about what I should be looking at.  

We would like your questions too! For now just tweet at Steve or I and  we will work your question into the next episode  

https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
https://twitter.com/usa_retro  

For all your CRT repair needs, check out Steve's channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA  

The video of this episode is on the Zez Retro YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ-IysYMAGQ

You might like some of the other things I do too

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro
Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

I had a fun chat with Luis Alba from YouTube channel Lu's Retro Source. I've been watching his videos for a while and I enjoyed seeing his channel grow as Luis found his way. I my own small way I could relate to this experience so I felt we should talk.

Lu's was born in the Dominican Republic and came to America when he was 4, growing up in the Bronx. We talk about his early days when he started to program on a Mattel Aquarius, which I didn't even know was a thing until today. Recently Luis is becoming known for his material on the MiSTer FPGA and he explains a few parts of the project which I didn't understand before.

I didn't know Luis before this interview and I really enjoyed our chat. I think its interesting to have these talks and have to get to know someone from scratch

Find the audio of this episode on Anchor: 

Lu's Retro Source: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChivF4Th30mhk2e3pGLY6_w
Lu's Tech Source: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMFWlkQFNPtlDo1Z0xbk2cA

You might like some of the other things I do too

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro
Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

It was a real pleasure to talk to Steve from Retro Tech. On his channel he puts out a lot of information about CRT history, current market trends, maintenance and repair. I dare say there are a lot of us out there who know much more about how our CRT's work thanks to Steve.

I wanted to find out a bit more about his background and we spent the first hour pretty much talking about stories from his high school days. I'll tell you one thing, Steve knows how to tell a good story. In the second half we moved onto the backstory of how he discovered the world of CRT restoration and developed his skills for repairing them. 

Follow Retro Tech

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RetroTechUSA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retro_tech_usa
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/retrotechUSA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/usa_retro

You might like some of the other things I do too

Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZezRetro
Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran

I have been running a podcast called Comedy Guy for a few years now, talking about comedy and the entertainment industry, mostly in person. Now I'd like to make an online series talking to my favorite gamers and creators. The guests I have on are artists I watch and listen to. I want to get to know them and learn how they do their thing.

You can find the video of this podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe15Xt6o-w

In my first episode I talk to Mark MSX from the website and YouTube channel, The Electric Underground. Mark is known for making content about shumps. He does an excellent job of not only showing us great gameplay, but also explaining the scene and community.

I first came across Mark's videos sometime ago a I was getting into DoDonPachi and his video guides have helped me improve level by level. Also I was a happy contributor to Mark's crowd funding campaign to hire a programmer to add a trainer to the DoDonPachi arcade rom.

Follow Mark's work

The Electric Underground YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Fwhzr1yeoQ84yC3Isd4Lg

Website: https://electricunderground.io Reddit Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricUnderground Mark's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/electricunderground

You might like some of the other things I do too

Zez Retro Podcast: https://anchor.fm/zezretro
Comedy Guy Podcast: https://anchor.fm/comedyguy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/louiszezeran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louiszezeran
Zez Retro on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Zez
Retro Retro Shmups on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/louiszezeran