Famicom Questions

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ProfessorK
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Famicom Questions

Post by ProfessorK »

So I have decided to hunt down a Famicom and have a few questions before I buy one.

I have never imported a console. Are they compatible with all outlets and TV ports? (USA)

Some of them seem really yellowed. Is there any way to fix that?

What is a good price for a complete Famicom?

Thanks in advance. I just want to make sure everything will go well before I throw some money across the ocean to get one of these bad boys :D
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Troglodyte
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by Troglodyte »

Are they compatible with all outlets and TV ports? (USA)
Yes, but a lot of them are sold without AC Adapters for whatever reason.
Some of them seem really yellowed. Is there any way to fix that?
If never had a problem with them yellowing, but I have seen that with the old versions
of the Famicom console. I have an AV Famicom, which is what I suggest you purchase.
What is a good price for a complete Famicom?
A complete AV Famicom costs between $100 - $150.00.
I believe I bought mine for $120 (after shipping), but that
was several years ago. The price probably increased by now,
especially since Nintendo stopped manufacturing the AV Famicom
in 2004. They are becoming almost as uncommon and expensive as
their American Top-Loader counterparts. One of the nicest features
of the AV Famicom, is the fact, that as its name implies, is that it has
standard RCA AV ports. This is very much unlike an umodded Top loader,
which only has RF. Also, the AV Famicom is free from interference and the
scan line problem common in most Top-Loaders and NOAC NES Clone Consoles.

Hope that helps,
Trog
Breetai
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by Breetai »

My, right up my alley!
ProfessorK wrote:So I have decided to hunt down a Famicom and have a few questions before I buy one.
Yay!
I have never imported a console. Are they compatible with all outlets and TV ports? (USA)
What a crazy question! The answer is... absolutely not! If you try to plug your Famicom into an HDMI TV port, it just won't fit. Trust me, I've tried. The regular Famicom only uses the old RF switch. Unlike North American televisions (sorry, I don't know about TVs from regions that aren't North America or Asia), the Japanese Famicom runs natively on Japanese channels 1/2. The television frequency is different in Japan than in other countries, so channel 1/2 won't work in other countries. Most people report that they've gotten Japanese RF devices to work on channel 95\96, or perhaps other channels in the 90s. If you get an AV Famicom (more expensive), you can hook it up via composite with the same cable that you use with your SNES or Gamecube.

As for power, Japan runs on 100volts. Other countries are either 110volts or 220 volts. North America runs on 110v. It's close enough to 100v that it's not a problem. If you are in North America, feel free to plug your Japanese game console into an electric outlet. If you don't get a Japanese power supply unit with your system (they can be pricey), it's been said that a North American NES or even a Master System/Genesis power supply unit will suffice.
Some of them seem really yellowed. Is there any way to fix that?
Some people use bleach, but others dislike that method. With a search of this site, or on an internet search Engine, you'll come across other ways. Generally, it's best to either buy a non-yellowed system or only mildly yellowed (for that mellow feeling). Very yellowed is not so mellow, and that's not cool.
What is a good price for a complete Famicom?
Check out the link in my signature, as I often sell them. If I don't have any for sale in that thread, I can hook you up for one for various prices (think about US$40-50 for system only with a couple games and up plus shipping. CIB would be $100 at least, probably. If you can find cheaper, then good for you!). The AV Famicom is more, as it's more expensive for me to buy!
Thanks in advance. I just want to make sure everything will go well before I throw some money across the ocean to get one of these bad boys :D
I'm across the ocean. Throw it at me! PMs are welcome. :)
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Sales thread. Make offers! PC Engine and Famicom: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 17#p197217.
My PC Engine/Turbografx-16 Guide: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 57#p654857
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Unleaded Logic
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by Unleaded Logic »

If you do buy one, I highly recommend you buy one from Breetai. I recently wanted a non yellowed Famicom and Breetai was able to hook me up with one in awesome condition!
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ProfessorK
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by ProfessorK »

Unleaded Logic wrote:If you do buy one, I highly recommend you buy one from Breetai. I recently wanted a non yellowed Famicom and Breetai was able to hook me up with one in awesome condition!
I already messaged Breetai :D. Thankyou for the tip though, it is good too see Breetai has worked up a good reputation!

Thankyou all for the help!
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Breetai
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by Breetai »

Unleaded Logic wrote:If you do buy one, I highly recommend you buy one from Breetai. I recently wanted a non yellowed Famicom and Breetai was able to hook me up with one in awesome condition!
Oh, thanks! To be honest, yours was better than average. It looked almost new. My personal Famicom isn't even that good (although my AV Famicom is!).
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Sales thread. Make offers! PC Engine and Famicom: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 17#p197217.
My PC Engine/Turbografx-16 Guide: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 57#p654857
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SplashChick
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by SplashChick »

So Japanese AC adapters should work fine? I heard that using it here could cause a fuse in an FDS to blow. I thought it sounded fishy, is it BS?
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Breetai
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by Breetai »

SplashChick wrote:So Japanese AC adapters should work fine? I heard that using it here could cause a fuse in an FDS to blow. I thought it sounded fishy, is it BS?
Why would it? Japanese and American power runs on very similar voltages. Every other game console I've ever heard of works fine. Major electrical appliances might have issue with the 10 or so volt difference and clocks will run at a slightly different speed, but that should be it. Either way, the Disk System I've got for sale has it's original adapter. Disk Systems are known to be rather finicky things.

Of course, if you're worried, use a power converter.
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Sales thread. Make offers! PC Engine and Famicom: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 17#p197217.
My PC Engine/Turbografx-16 Guide: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 57#p654857
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SplashChick
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by SplashChick »

Breetai wrote:
SplashChick wrote:So Japanese AC adapters should work fine? I heard that using it here could cause a fuse in an FDS to blow. I thought it sounded fishy, is it BS?
Why would it? Japanese and American power runs on very similar voltages. Every other game console I've ever heard of works fine. Major electrical appliances might have issue with the 10 or so volt difference and clocks will run at a slightly different speed, but that should be it. Either way, the Disk System I've got for sale has it's original adapter. Disk Systems are known to be rather finicky things.

Of course, if you're worried, use a power converter.
I'm just wondering because the FDS I got doesn't work and the problem seems to be electrical as far as I can tell. I REALLY don't want to buy another and I doubt I'm going to get the guy who sold it to help much, so I'm trying to figure out how to fix the unit.
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Breetai
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Re: Famicom Questions

Post by Breetai »

SplashChick wrote:I'm just wondering because the FDS I got doesn't work and the problem seems to be electrical as far as I can tell. I REALLY don't want to buy another and I doubt I'm going to get the guy who sold it to help much, so I'm trying to figure out how to fix the unit.
It isn't a belt problem?

Does anything come up on the screen; hopefully an error message?
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Sales thread. Make offers! PC Engine and Famicom: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 17#p197217.
My PC Engine/Turbografx-16 Guide: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 57#p654857
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