N64/Tri-Star 64 RGB Help?

[BitFaced]

I have some questions about RGB on the N64 & Tri-Star 64...

1. Does the N64 have to be modded for RGB to have the Tri-Star 64 work & get modded with RGB, or can I just mod the Tri-Star 64?
2. What models can do RGB and how can I find them on something like eBay?
3. What connections from there on out do/can I use with the Tri-Star 64 after I modded it for RGB?

[Ziggy]

The Tristar64 can be modified for RGB ?

Have you seen it done some where? I know the Tristar inputs and outputs a composite signal, I don't think it could be modified to input and output RGB. I would be very surprised to find out that it can.

2. What models can do RGB and how can I find them on something like eBay?

Scroll down to the fifth post by Link83, he lists a bunch of serial numbers. You might notice a trend, that numbers that start with "NS1" can be modified while models that start with "NS2" cannot.

Most people, like 99.9% or maybe even a tad more than that, don't take a picture or even list the serial number of an N64 while selling it on eBay or the likes. The only thing you could do is email the selling and ask them for the serial number. Tell them you're looking for a specific revision of the console and does the serial number start with NS1 or NS2.

[BitFaced]

The Tristar64 can be modified for RGB ?

Have you seen it done some where? I know the Tristar inputs and outputs a composite signal, I don't think it could be modified to input and output RGB. I would be very surprised to find out that it can.

http://playoffline.wordpress.com/mod/tristar64/

[Ziggy]

Well consider me surprised.

[sevin0seven]

Well consider me surprised.

likewise. that is awesome to know.

[darkcat]

Both the N64 and tristar would have to be modded, The issue with this is only two of the consoles are RGB able snes, and N64 the nes/famicom can be RGB modded but if your asking questions on this i doubt you will be able to perform the mod let alone build it. (it also needs a chip out of a PC10 and that is quite costly on its own last one I've seen on ebay was $300. If you want to RGB mod a n64 go for it and just comp mod a snes its a lot easier. The older n64s can be RGB modded preferably the older Japanese consoles appose to the US ones

[BitFaced]

Both the N64 and tristar would have to be modded, The issue with this is only two of the consoles are RGB able snes, and N64 the nes/famicom can be RGB modded but if your asking questions on this i doubt you will be able to perform the mod let alone build it. (it also needs a chip out of a PC10 and that is quite costly on its own last one I've seen on ebay was $300. If you want to RGB mod a n64 go for it and just comp mod a snes its a lot easier. The older n64s can be RGB modded preferably the older Japanese consoles appose to the US ones

So the NES/Famicom part of the Tri-Star 64 can't be modded without expensive equipment, or are you just confusing that with an actual NES/Famicom, because I know THOSE can be really expensive to RGB modify, like getting parts from a Nintendo Play Choice 10 or something. Here we're talking about a Famiclone/NES on a Chip.
Also, any other mods I could make to the Tri-Star 64?

[Ziggy]

Well let me ask you this, BitFaced. Why are you wanting to do this anyway? Those Tristar units use an older NOAC for the NES games. You'd get better results out of emulating the NES, and a better picture quality too.

[darkcat]

the only way in the tristar to get rgb would be to use a upscaler or a PPU out of a pc10 and to find the traces you'd take a day or two with a scope. The snes is very easy on its own to mod with rgb or component . N64 isn't bad on its own ether if you do go though with it don't bother with modding the tristar it will be more hassles then ull ever know. Also with a retron 5 on the way with hdmi why both with rgb modding anything other then n64?

[Ziggy]

If the gist of what darkcat was saying was that it wouldn't be worth it to mod the Tristar, then I agree. The Tristar is an older unit, you're likely to get much better results from a newer clone console. I haven't heard of the RetroN 5 unitl now, but I just Googled it, it sounds great. I have no idea how accurate gaming is on it compared to real hardware, but it is more than likely MUCH better than the Tristar. Taking all that into account, I think it would be a better option, and you'd be avoiding the hassle of trying to mod the Tristar for RGB.