Upgrading a PC Engine GT (Turbo Express) in 2022! LCDDRV screen install and comparison

[@dwightdixon8508]

Bought an TG-Express way back when it was originally released like $299 and also got the TV tuner which has an AV input so for fun I used to hook up my SNES & play on my TG-Express screen! It’s screen was bright and clear compared to its rivals. Day one it had a few bad pixels and I planned on returning it but for whatever reason I never did. To this day those same pixels are bad but it’s really not that noticeable when playing. Caps changed when I noticed the sound was getting low. I bought an original replacement screen but never swapped it out. Maybe I often thought about sending it in for a better and larger screen but I’m conflicted about leaving it original. The trimming of the shell looks so violent LOL but your end result looks amazing.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yeah I really do hate trimming the shell but when it’s all said and done it looks great. I can’t bring myself to modify my personal turbo express either. They are just too rare and special. I think I would change my mind if I ever got another one

[@nubatman]

Keep it stock unless you find another one. I've never owned one, but wanted it so badly. I waited to do an lcd mod on my Nomad until I picked up a second one. Figured that way I could decide on which I preferred and sell the other.. I kept both. 😁

[@dwightdixon8508]

@@LIRetroGaming Yeah I agree with you and other so I’ll keep it stock but if it get a 2nd TGE I’ll consider it then. BTW many will say use a Dremel tool which are great for a lot of things but often those can get away from you causing unwanted damage so I see why you use hand cutting method as you have a better feel & control in tight places

[@dwightdixon8508]

@@nubatman I agree, good advice on the TG Express, I’ll keep it original. I had a couple Nomads but sold them years ago. Cool handheld and I miss them. The screen on those are a little blurry at times so I see why you’d consider modding at least one. That’s what I did when I had a McWill mod performed on one of my Game Gears, it’s simply stunning VS the GG stock screen.

[@nubatman]

@@dwightdixon8508 I got two lcd replacements, but had a major error on one interpreter board. Couldn't get a trade for the faulty one so I left the other Nomad be. I do prefer the blur in my stock since it's been like that since day one. The lcd one was simply to do. I do need to open that one again and replace the original wiring I used some day.

[@rafi857]

Very good job !

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks man! It’s good to have these kits available for sale again

[@rafi857]

@@LIRetroGaming yes, but the kits for the Dreamcast or for the psone are not there available now😔, but kits for game gear and some portable console are available, it's very cool

[@johnstory4807]

I love watching your repair videos. You make it look so easy. :)

[@orangehatmusic225]

I had a friend who owned one of these and he would let me borrow it. He even had the RF TV adapter antenna for it. Such a badass little device that everything copied!!!

[@philipboggs3372]

Awesome video, this mod looks absolutely beautiful.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks! It certainly makes a huge difference compared to the original screen

[@MundoNintend0]

Great vídeo bro

[@one_eyed_guilly7016]

im surprised you dont have a air tool like a dremel for cutting and modding consoles.....keep up the good work bud, really love the channel....I know I have asked this before, and sorry to repeat myself, but what flux do you use? Also, do you have any tips for desoldering? I have been struggling hard with it for some reason

[@joesaiditstrue]

yeah what flux was that? looked almost like consistency of water

[@LIRetroGaming]

Sure thing! Here’s the flux that I use MG Chemicals - 836LFNC-1L 836LFNC NO Clean Flux, 1 Litre, Bottle a.co/d/1OHkwWn

[@one_eyed_guilly7016]

@@LIRetroGaming thank you, gonna write it down this time haha....keep up the awesome work bud. You make some awesome content

[@rabidduck1089]

Does the contrast wheel work with the modern screen?

[@Brien_usss]

It used to be a very expensive handheld game console, but its TV accessories were equivalent to a GB

[@chrismifsud7154]

I need to do mine. It works perfectly with the original lcd but I want the new LCD like this one. Mine is a Turbo Express

[@DavideNastri]

Is it possible to wire a tv output? How? Thanks, great work!

[@regametro8517]

Excellent mod and video man, I have a question the aliexpress link shows the screen you are installing in your video but without the bigger frame screen protector replacement, does this part is not included with the screen or you have to buy it separately with the brackets?. Thanks in advance.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Thanks man! You can get the brackets at console5.com

[@solondarville1020]

I need a close up picture of the top right of the circuit board on the side where there’s no capacitors

[@KoncadeGaming]

Thank you very much for this video, excellent tutorial

[@donhjoe2162]

Hi my friend... Do you think that is possible to mod this console with a better rechargable battery? Do you have a video about?

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes it should be possible to power it with a rechargeable, although I haven’t done a video on that yet

[@icantthinkofaname2176]

Why not get a Dremel tool and assorted bits for cutting and modding? They make various kinds of cutoff wheels, sanding/grinding wheels, die grinders, etc. It might be better than snipping with flush cutters for these larger jobs

[@LIRetroGaming]

A Dremel definitely works for this kind of job. But I have also slipped with my hand and damaged consoles before, so I prefer the slower method of using the flush cutters. But if you are comfortable with a Dremel then it will totally work for this kind of job

[@st0nedpenguin]

Oh man seeing that Hudson bee is a blast from the past. Fuckin' Bomberman.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Hell yeah, bomberman is awesome

[@weirddudehi]

I see is no needed solder in the Video Chip?,the socket where is place the ribbon cable of the old Screen have the RGB+GND ,I remember seeing tutorials in which it was soldered on a chip, it seemed much more difficult.

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes I think you are remembering the old composite video mod which was a lot more difficult

[@weirddudehi]

@@LIRetroGaming Thanks.

[@richardheckmann1892]

Looks very nice

[@LIRetroGaming]

It definitely does!

[@Nytroman24]

Awesome Job as always! Curious if it would be easier to cut out the opening for the screen with a Dremel or would that be prone to melting the plastic?

[@LIRetroGaming]

I think a Dremel would also work but it’s also very easy to slip and then accidentally damage part of the shell this is slower but consistent

[@Nytroman24]

@@LIRetroGaming True, and working with rare parts makes sense to be more careful

[@genesisfan029]

@@Nytroman24 he's literally cutting up said rare part. Careful has gone out the window...

[@Durkhead]

Do you know anything bout controllers I'm trying to find a modern controller that has same speed turbo as turbo graphics 16 controllers

[@LIRetroGaming]

There’s only one modern replacement that I am aware of for the TurboGrafx 16 controller. I believe the turbo is the same. it’s made by hyperkin

[@nicotoscani8270]

Do the metal rf shields need to be reinstalled?

[@LIRetroGaming]

No, they are optional. I usually don’t bother reinstalling them

[@Creamen]

I love my PCE-GT so much but she deserves a screen like that since such a long time. I saw LCDDRV board on Aliexpress ( nothing in Japan !!! online or retail, I am sure I did not search properly ... ) ( LCD screen is on the other side easy to find ) but reluctant to buy one. Now I am lesser :) And good to see a lefty in Retro scene

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes, I did peel off that plastic protection part. I definitely recommend this mod for the GT, although it can be challenging for a beginner. Glad that you enjoyed the video!

[@chrismifsud7154]

The ALiexpress link does not work

[@LIRetroGaming]

m.aliexpress.com/i/3256801225191848.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

[@LIRetroGaming]

Does that work?

[@chrismifsud7154]

@@LIRetroGaming yes but it says its for the nomad

[@gildedfalcon7417]

@@chrismifsud7154 I think it's for both systems. Pretty sure I saw that mentioned on another video.

[@domenicknazzaro4502]

Hi, I live on long island and I just picked up a rob that isn't powering on. I wanted to get it fixed and I will pay for it and I think it would make some good content for you channel as well.

[@LIRetroGaming]

You can reach me at 1uprestorations.com

[@maicoalvim]

With this mod is it still possible to control the brightness of the screen?

[@LIRetroGaming]

Not the way that I installed it. There is a way to adjust brightness with the original controls but personally I have tried this and wasn’t that happy with the results

[@maicoalvim]

@@LIRetroGaming I got it . Thank you for your reply and excellent video.

[@marcianoacuerda]

Great video as always. In the end it all looks great but that trimming is too much for my heart!!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yeah I know! That part is really hard for me to do as well. But the final results certainly look good!

[@turbochamp7885]

Love it!

[@JetScreamer_YT]

Do you still fix these?

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes definitely, you can reach me at 1uprestorations.com

[@ryschy1059]

Hello, would you be interested on working with a virtual boy and ps3?

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes I can work on those, you can reach me at 1uprestorations.com

[@svanput]

George, could you please do a complete teardown the of the turbo grafx cd-rom unit? no matter where i look i cannot find one, including youtube. youd be the first unless ive missed it!

[@LIRetroGaming]

Yes, that is something I can do, and I even have one here that needs some TLC

[@svanput]

@@LIRetroGaming thanks for replying! one other suggestion is maybe a pot calibration? i havent found any videos of the cdrom-2 potentiometer calibrations just the console 5 one which leave alot to the imagination. thanks for replying! there a guy named jerome who said he knows you in person, and was going to ask you about repairing mine for me... but either one of those videos would cover my issues and some others as well im sure.

[@Turtle_1976]

I know this mod makes the experience more enjoyable, but what do you think it does to the overall value of the system after it has been permanently modified? Also, I replaced my RF shields after recapping. Are they really necessary?

[@LIRetroGaming]

From what I have seen on eBay, installing the new screen seems to increase its value based on completed sales. Normally I do not replace the RF on this system, and I have not seen any changes in video or audio quality as a result

[@Turtle_1976]

@@LIRetroGaming I think I’m in the same boat as you. Since I only have one of these systems, I have completely kept it stock and only replaced all of the leaky capacitors. If I had one in the box, I especially would probably keep it stock. However, if I do ever get a second unit, I will probably consider doing the mod to that one. Great video by the way!

[@apollolux]

What’s the price for a GT/Express currently? I’m in bed on a phone right now so can’t really look up prices and such, but this video has certainly piqued my interest.

[@LIRetroGaming]

I think about $400? The express goes for a little more

[@apollolux]

@@LIRetroGaming That...has certainly cooled my interest quite a bit. :(

[@douro20]

I'm surprised the Turbo Everdrive doesn't cost more right now considering it's made in Ukraine...

[@LIRetroGaming]

It’s amazing that we can still get them. Krikzz and his team are the best