iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Did you know that you can output both analog and digital video and audio? 😁

Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

The RePS2 board fits easily but needs an extra bracket to stay tightly in place. The SPIF line needs soldering the GEM to enable digital audio (including Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound). Testing, all good!

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Now, mounting the actual GEM board isn't straight forward in this one. We need to shave off the plastic from the PSU power connector and trim the pins, mount the board in a mildly complicated bracket contraption, and slightly wrestle it into position.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Finally the audio side of the flex, reset line and 5v line also needs hooking up. The ribbon will need to be folded and routed through the space left by the toslink port.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

There is a separate ribbon for the controller port

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Is also best to place some kapton tape around the soldering pads to avoid unintended joints under the ribbon cable.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Preparation for this requires first to sacrifice the Toslink port (digital audio) as that's where the mini HDMI port will be located. It also best to replace the crystal with a lower profile one, to make space for the ribbon cable

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 04/10/2026

Order #6591 This time I installed a Retro GEM into a 39003 PS2. Since doing this with the stock PSU is not possible, the customer sent a RePS2 as well I'm getting the hang of these HDMI installs now 😅 Process and more pictures below! 👇

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

Time to test some games!

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

While I recapped the PSU, customer asked me to install a modern one. To be honest, I'm not sold on 12V barrel PSUs... you still need an external brick with the right connector, while something like a USB PSU, you can potentially use your existing setup and cables 🤷

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

On the optical drive, I disassembled it and cleaned it, while recapping it as well. In Saturn optical drives (as is also the case in other consoles), you need to desolder the motors to be able to remove the bottom PCB were the capacitors are

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

This model has a doubtherboard for the the controller ports. I have recapped many of this 😊

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

The FRAM chip is the same size than stock but the BIOS is a bit longer. In both chips, a few pins need lifting an connected to power and ground

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

I found the two V·Saturns I have worked on to have plenty of epoxy under the chips, which is an issue with removing them! Using some aluminium tape to protect the surrounding area. Better safe than sorry!

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

The console was in good state so the TLC focused on cleaning and later lubricating the optical drive. The console was also slightly yellowed in one corner, so I retrobrighted it.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

Some more pictures of that branding before opening it up!

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 22/09/2026

Order #6588 I refurbished, fully recapped, installed a region-free BIOS and an FRAM mod into this SEGA V·Saturn! This is the second Victor Saturn I work on and I love the different branding. Want to see what I did? Check below 👇

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 19/09/2026

I have one, but mine is broken for real 😁

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 08/09/2026

The shields were sanded and repainted, and a 500GB SSD installed alongside a Startech SATA2IDE adapter and an ASUS UDMA ribbon cable. A ModXo modchip with PrometheOS was also installed, Cerbios 3.1 in bank 1, and the UIX Lite dashboard 😊

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 08/09/2026

I recently refurbished, modded and reshelled this OG Xbox. Customer also provided a custom jewel. I am not so much for dyeing crystal shells but I have to admit it looks pretty nice 😎

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

I am adding PC-FX services to my site, but given how complex this console is to take apart and recap, and how many parts it has to retrobright, is going to have to be more expensive than other similar services

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

I plugged it into my external step down power supply and tried the only game I have. It works! notice how yellow the controller is compared to the console... I need to find a way of whitening that too!

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

The retrobrighting took 3 loads even if I only did the external parts 😁In the end it all came out quite well. Then spent like an hour putting all back together worried that I missed an screw somewhere 😂

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

While the shell soaked I turned my attention to the CD drive. Pretty standard stuff... will it work when I put all back together? 🤔

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

Having suffered the pain of disassembly, I decided to wash and retrobright the console before reassembling. I had to remove the switch that tells the CD that the lid is closed, and thought I'd sand the contacts slightly to ensure good connection. That's a lot of plastic parts to wash...

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

The main board has through-hole caps and the sub-board mostly SMD caps, apart from two "hidden" through-hole caps installed as surface mounted, a la GameGear style. There is also a super capacitor. Thankfully Console5 had the right kit.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

And the two boards also have a soldered extra shield, which took a fair amount of super-wick to remove 😥

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

Slide side panels out, unclip the front panel, unclip and unplug the top laser assembly, unscrew and unclip back panel, unscrew and remove shield and main board and both earth cables, remove PSU, unscrew and remove shield and sub-board, remove 3 plastic extension brackets and bottom shield...

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

This unit was visibly dirty but I didn't know if the laser would work or not. Rather than testing it, I decided to recap the console first just in case. That of course meant to disassemble the console... this must be the most complex console to disassemble after the Panasonic Q 🫠

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

The PC-FX was the 32 bit entry to NEC's line of consoles, which peaked with the 8/16 bit PC-Engine . The PC-FX never left Japan, probably due to its commercial failure, and was the last console NEC released. The PC-FX can't really do 3D graphics in a generation where 3D was king, like PS1 or N64.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 31/08/2026

I refurbished this PC-FX I recently got from japan, and it ended up working great 😁 I always buy "junk" items and many times they look bad but end up working just fine, although other times repairs I needed. Want to see what I did? Check it below! 👇

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 26/07/2026

And fans. I'm sure you know which one is for which console right? 😜

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 26/07/2026

Batteries... for a couple of them at least. Good old Sony batteries 😂

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 26/07/2026

Thermal pastes, pads, and so on

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 26/07/2026

Some more dirty than others 😬

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 26/07/2026

Some washing with warm water and soap 💦

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 26/07/2026

TLC galore this past week! I do like a good clean but this is a bit much 😅 More pics below of various parts of the process for the various consoles! 👇

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 15/06/2026

No, but is coming for the Sega CD from Japan in my next box 👀

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 14/06/2026

The console is in a great shape now and works very well. This revision comes with S-Video as well as composite. It has only one controller port but 3DO controllers can be daisy-chained 😁

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 14/06/2026

And it also works with games! I don't have any original one and I know 3DOs can be difficult with CD-R games, but this console worked flawlessly with random-brand discs. I hate that guy by the way 😑

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 14/06/2026

Put it back together fully. Moment of truth, would it read CDs? First let's try Audio CDs, both pressed and CD-R. That's a good sign

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 14/06/2026

I also recapped the console and PSU, of course. Quick test to see if it turns on, and all seemed fine.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 14/06/2026

As it turns out, somebody had modelled the gear and I just printed a replacement. I had to modify the hole diameter which was too wide. I was sceptical that my 3D printed part would work, but it did! No resing pinter needed.

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Topvint @topvint.co.uk · 14/06/2026

The CD drive was not just dirty, but was also not working due to a cracked gear. I disassembled a thoroughly de-haired the assembly, and put my pet spider to guard the laser what I figured out what to do with the gear

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