Panasonic Q double feature! DVD drive repair and region switch installation!

The Panasonic Q is a version of the GameCube that was only released in Japan. It has an integrated DVD player and it has an amazing aesthetic when compared to a standard GameCube. On this week's episode of Fix it Friday, we have two of these rare consoles in for repair! Let's get them fixed up and install a region switch so that North American games can also be loaded.
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Music:
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[@robertthompson90]

Hey, just wanna say I love your videos. Your mild temperament is very relaxing and the videos themselves are always informative. Plus, you do some really interesting projects like this one. i'd say that yourself and Voultar are my favourite modders on KZbin. Nice work.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I really appreciate that feedback and I’m glad that you enjoy the videos! I’m always trying to share what I learn and discover new interesting projects to work on

[@seanm1738]

Nice work and impressive console knowledge for something so rare! The inside of these reminds of the mess of IDE cables PCs had in the pre SATA days, which I certainly don't miss.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes I certainly do not miss working on those old PCs as well! That’s definitely a good comparison to the Panasonic Q

[@SwedishRetroTechNerd]

2:11 Why are you using a flat screen? in my experience using a crt is the best option when you are trouble shooting old equipment due to most newer tvs having a blanking circuit

[@LIRetroGaming]

The flat screen is for convenience because I don’t have much space on my workbench. However, I have 2 CRTs out of view from the camera that also get used for testing consoles. I haven’t yet encountered a situation where something worked on the CRT but not on the flat screen

[@power1700]

Can the blue LED of the joypad port on the main unit be retrofitted with RGB LED?

[@LIRetroGaming]

I doubt it since those LEDs have 4 leads and the original ones have 2

[@lonestar313]

I replaced the belt for the tray. Does anyone know how long will the replacement belt last before it goes bad again? Im not looking forward to re opening this thing soon.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Hopefully another 15 years or so

[@johnwilliamson8367]

Does it absolutely need the GC Controller that came with it? Granted, I acknowledge that having the DVD controller is a good idea. Does not having the DVD Controller mess with the DVD Capabilities?

[@LIRetroGaming]

You actually can use any GC controller, you don’t need to have the original one. There is a separate remote control accessory for the Panasonic q, but even that is optional

[@johnwilliamson8367]

@@LIRetroGaming good to know. Had a year long plan for a working Panasonic Q but thanks to your channel I'm convinced that that is in the very near future, Lord willing. Region switch mod very nice touch. Could you spell the wire you used? My hearing ain't so great and I wanted to make sure I got the right one. Any clue as to how bad the import fees are?

[@scotterdmann2499]

Great job! Do you know of anyone successfully installing a pluto ii hdmi mod into one of these? It looks like it would be totally possible from what I can see. I was just not sure if you can easily remove the cover on that didgital out port.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I believe it’s possible. I know the GC dual can be installed for sure

[@scotterdmann2499]

@@LIRetroGaming thanks I only say the pluto because the gc dual is hard to come by and overpriced. I have done alot of the pluto installs and they are cleaner in my opinion. I might have to buy one and try it I guess.

[@jamisongillespie3524]

I feel like if you're going to go to all that trouble you should at least install a mod chip.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Most GameCube mod chips aren’t compatible with the Q, aside from the rare IPL ones that are no longer made. I actually made a video about that a while ago

[@jamisongillespie3524]

@@LIRetroGaming oh I didn't realize that. I did one years ago with the Xeno GC I believe.

[@RemyS81]

Also video as always, I bought one a few years ago and it is fully functional. I love this system, but mine is not region modded. I use free loader disc to play US games and would love to mod, but seems very difficult to take apart. I did region mod a spice gamecube, but maybe one day I will try. Thanks again for the video

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed this one!

[@8bitbros]

I would hate to take one these apart 😬 Good job as always 👍

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yeah it’s definitely not fun. I have to prepare myself so that I don’t drive myself crazy while doing it! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Bloodrunsreddownthenile]

It's a service sticker on the side

[@LIRetroGaming]

Cool! Thanks for explaining that

[@Bloodrunsreddownthenile]

@@LIRetroGaming not a problem!

[@marshmower]

Very tasty info on swappable mainboards. After accidentally overvoltaging a JVC X'Eye and then trashing it, I will accept my punishment by watching others do risky things. That was over a decade ago and I still can't throw anything away and always make sure I have the correct power supply not a variable knob which is way too easy to get bumped

[@marshmower]

What kind of video outputs are on the Q? Component, S, and composite? RCA connection or special proprietary breakout cable?

[@LIRetroGaming]

It uses RCA for composite video and it also has svideo. Component is possible through the digital port

[@poderr]

Great video, thanks for sharing it with us, mate! I'm in the UK and legit have never seen a Q in person!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! They are pretty hard to find here in North America as well. But definitely an awesome thing to add to a gaming collection

[@Melechtna]

So, serious question, because I've been considering this quite a bit since I heard you mention it. It has to be a pain to be left handed and Solder, right?

[@LIRetroGaming]

It can be more challenging sometimes. If something was designed with a right handed person in mind, I have to decide whether to approach it from an awkward angle, or to switch to my non-dominant hand. Of course, my soldering skills are pretty bad when I’m using my right hand

[@RikyoZERO]

I wish i could send you mine to fix.., my disk drive is broke, but i don't wanna dare try and open it on my own lol But it might just be the belt..🤔

[@abouzainah]

Thank you for all the amazing videos that you publish on KZbin, some very useful info there. My Panasonic Q was connected to a 220v by mistake and now the power board is fried. After watching few KZbin videos for Panasonic Q repair process, I can tell this won’t be a simple task. I contacted a vendor and he has all sort of boards for the Q, I would like to know which board that has to be replaced and could the damage have reached other internals that it’s not worth repairing at this point? Appreciate any help that I can get

[@LIRetroGaming]

There are two boards for power on the Panasonic Q. They have fuses so most likely those boards are the only ones that got damaged. I can’t be sure 100%, but those are the two boards I would focus on

[@abouzainah]

@@LIRetroGaming Do you think they are repairable or better replace them?

[@blam_cat]

I've wanted a Panasonic Q for a long time and this video makes me want one even more! It's hard to spend that kind of money when I have a working GameCube. It's seriously my white whale of gaming.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I completely understand that! It definitely fits into that white whale category for a lot of people, including me

[@NoahHamlen]

What are the components with ref des prefix DA? I've never seen it before, and I can't find anything on it. I'm leaning towards either diode array ICs or Darlington pair ICs, but I have trouble seeing what either of those would be doing next to a flash IC. They're shown on screen at 13:10, in the upper right hand section of the board

[@LIRetroGaming]

I’m pretty sure it means diode array

[@NoahHamlen]

@@LIRetroGaming I can believe that, but it's still weird to me that they went with DA instead of either D or U. Love the videos BTW!

[@MagnaLynx21]

Is there a decent replacement for the drive bay as of yet? I was able to get a new belt and replace it, but managed to cause a crack in the disc tray that I had to glue back together (You can get the gears off, I only found that out after causing the damage!) its the true definition of a hot fix, but it works though I'd love for a replacement to make it clean.

[@SullySadface]

Man I'd take one of these shipped. Any dings will buff out.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

A Dab of Hot Snot would hold those wires in place and prevent the wires from possibly breaking off,

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Don't you need to replace the transformer designed for 110/120V 60hz.

[@GiovanneTorres]

The holy grail of gaming console! Great video!

[@Render95]

I was going to say "I've never seen a Q in this condition" and then you noted that in the same moment lol

[@firisrozley5768]

Given that region switch mod is added into that rare GameCube, is it possible to play Region 1 DVD disc in addition of playing American GameCube games?

[@LIRetroGaming]

This modification only changes the gamecube side. You have to perform a different modification to change the region of the DVD player

[@dirtpipedan]

you're missing the long guidland accent!

[@buda3d2007]

I see a lot of these sold on Japan ebay broken, they are listed as spare parts, but im thinking they could be fixed, but for $400 USD for a busted machine, I'm not willing to take the risk.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes that’s the challenge with buying these consoles. They are expensive, often broken, and difficult to fix

[@RDJ134]

Back in the they when i heard of them i realy wanned one so badly. Still one of those things on a wish list.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I totally get that. Anytime I have one here on my workbench I think about hunting for one on eBay!

[@OldSchoolGamerandCollector]

Cool!

[@fullautoshotty]

i wanted one of these at one time, but now i find out that shipping is risky

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yeah unfortunately that’s just how it is. The plastic on those DVD drives is very brittle. Still, these came all the way from Japan and they made it pretty well!

[@msfenwick]

When I get one.. I am keeping you all in mind!! Do you take out of state repairs?! Pls 😅

[@LIRetroGaming]

I might start taking these again. It was really hard to work on them because the disc drives would get destroyed in shipping

[@elliottwallace7577]

Is there any way to get the region swap online? I can't seem to find anyone who knows how to mod it here in the UK

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes this information should be available online. There should be some guys like Wills console mods i the UK that can help

[@davidegalliussi1979]

modification performed artfully as always. i wanted to know if there is a way to get rgb signal from dvd player video chip and console

[@LIRetroGaming]

Very good question. I don’t think anyone has developed a modification to extract the RGB from the DVD side of things. But that certainly would be pretty cool! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@markowens5446]

I had never saw a Panasonic game cube before. Now I need one. Great content. Keep up the great work.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I totally understand that, this version of the GameCube is amazing. Glad that you enjoyed the video!

[@Sixkill3r]

Really cool to see these love the look!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Totally agree, these things are awesome

[@TheMapeha]

Sadly just a collector's item for a dusty corner. DVDs are eye cancer and dead. My cube is in a dusty corner too. WiiU or Dolphin can do the job.